There is no greater feeling than finding the perfect home for you and your family. And when you finally connect with “the one,” this may mean moving to a new city! Relocating is an exciting opportunity for you and your family to start fresh — but it is understandable if you feel a bit nervous too. After all, it is not always easy to leave your current hometown, no matter how much you are looking forward to your new neighborhood.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your big move as smooth as possible for everyone, because you should enjoy every moment of your new home journey! Take a look at a few of our favorite tips for moving to a new city: 

1) Explore by car or foot. One of the best things about a new hometown is finding the local spots you will love to drive or walk to in your daily life, from the coffee shop down the street to the ice cream place you enjoy with your kids. When you are all settled into your home, take some time to explore the town. Pop into the stores you see, try an interesting-looking restaurant, and get acclimated to the streets you will soon know like the back of your hand.

2) Enjoy a family outing. With all of the new places to explore, it is always helpful to do some research online. Search for parks and trails near your home where you can spend an afternoon relaxing in the great outdoors with your kids. You can also search for fun attractions like zoos, shopping centers, or museums for a family outing. Set aside a day to spend quality time together — this will help everyone feel comfortable and get excited about your new hometown.

3) Meet your neighbors. It goes without saying that your neighbors are part of what makes your daily routine so special. As you go for a walk around your neighborhood, make sure to say hello to new faces and introduce yourself. Let your neighbors know that you are new in town, and ask for recommendations on where to eat or relax around town. Consider inviting new friends over for a get-together or one of your very first outdoor dinner parties! 

4) Join a club. If you enjoy organized activities with other people, you will love joining a club or taking a new class. Take a look at the local library, a museum, a public garden, or an art center — there are bound to be art classes, book clubs, and more to enjoy! Another great way to meet people (while staying active) is to join a gym and take fitness classes. This will also help you get settled into a routine and enjoy the company of others who live close by. You can even start your own walking or jogging club with your neighbors! 

Above all else, one of the best things you can do is simply relax and enjoy your time. You have just made a big move, and you do not have to know everything about your new hometown right away. As the days go by, you will come to feel a sense of familiarity and belonging — but there is certainly no rush. Give yourself time to explore and enjoy the excitement of something new. There is so much to look forward to!

If you’re interested in moving to Tulsa or Oklahoma City and need help with your home search, please contact us! Beacon Homes is building new communities in Edmond, Yukon, Glenpool, OKC, Arcadia, and Jenks, and we’re sure to have a home that’s just right for you. 

Now that it’s winter and you’re enjoying more time indoors, you may notice that you could use a little more organization throughout your home. If 2021 brought an abundance of extra things into your living space, then 2022 is all about getting rid of what you don’t need — and keeping the things that serve a purpose in your daily life.

At Beacon Homes, we believe that 2022 is your time to enjoy your moments at home without the stress of unnecessary clutter. Finally, with a fresh, new home in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, you can create the atmosphere that you love to be surrounded by, day and night. Take a look at our favorite tips for starting off the new year in an organized, clutter-free home:

How To Organize Your Home

Decide What To Store: Before you start, it’s a good idea to “assess your mess” and make a decision about how much storage you may need. Go through each room and envision the bins you’ll need to keep everything clean and tidy, whether it’s cloth bins for your children’s toys or plastic bins for a food pantry.

Use Your Doors: Don’t underestimate the versatility of doors! The back of a door can be a life-saver. For instance, if a secondary bedroom is becoming tight, an over-the-door organizer, shoe rack, or hook rack will free up space while storing everything from shoes and jackets to hats, belts, scarves, and everything else.

Work Smarter in the Laundry Room: The laundry room can get crowded with piles of laundry, cleaning supplies, and other odds and ends. Make some space by mounting a fold-down drying rack on the wall. When it’s not in use, just flip it up and you can navigate the room again. You can also add a rod or wall hooks to hang clothes straight from the dryer so they don’t get wrinkled. 

Compartmentalize Your Drawers: As small as they are, drawers are one of the hardest areas of the home to keep organized. Divide larger drawers into smaller compartments so that you can group items by use or category. There are tons of drawer organizers on the market, or you could simply use empty shoe boxes and glass jars for deep drawers, and shoe box lids and small bowls for shallow ones. This will save you time and frustration when trying to find an item.

Clean Your Closet: First things first, ask yourself: “Do I really need it?” Donate items you don’t wear or don’t make you feel great, and keep the items you love. (If you haven’t worn something in the past year, give it a new home!) You’ll be amazed at how much easier (and more enjoyable) it is to step into a clean, organized closet. 

Tidy Up the Toy Room: Most kids are mini hoarders, and never want to give up their toys. The result is a toy room or closet that is overflowing with old toys and lots of broken pieces. In the new year, establish the “One In, One Out” rule. For every new toy that comes into their space, your kids should donate or give one away. Be sure to do a good purge before implementing this rule, though, so that you can start off with as clean a space as possible.

Free Up Your Fridge: Takeout meals can make your evenings so much easier. But those boxes, containers, and bags take up lots of space, so make sure to put food in your own tupperware and label them with the date you ordered it. You can also do a complete “refrigerator overhaul” — take everything out, throw old items away, and keep what you need.

Stay Trendy: A beautiful storage ottoman is not only a comfortable seat in your bedroom or family room, it’s a great way to keep items off the floor. Similarly, functional and stylish ladder shelves are perfect for picture frames, candles, succulents, watches and jewelry, books, and so much more.

Organize Recipes: You may have certain recipes that you can’t live without, but you don’t need whole cookbooks sitting in your kitchen. One way to free up extra space is to scan the recipes you use and love from cookbooks, cut out your favorites from magazines, and organize them into clear pages in a binder or folder.

Declutter the Car: Let’s face it — between drop offs, pick-ups, soccer practice, and dance recitals, your car is an extension of your house. If you have children, as much as you try to keep the car clutter-free, it’s nearly impossible. Toys, snacks, schoolwork, wipes, hand sanitizer, and everything in between piles up on seemingly every seat. Instead, hang clear shower organizers over your back seat and organize all your essentials. 

Start Small: If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, a great way to destress is to do simple cleaning tasks around the house that make a big difference — like Windexing the windows, straightening the tops of dressers, and clearing off the kitchen table. A clutter-free home makes for a clear mind.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa New Home Builders

We believe that great things are coming your way this year! With a little home organization, you’ll feel energized and motivated at the start of every day. For more information about our new homes throughout OKC and Tulsa, please contact us.

One of the best things about living in Oklahoma City or Tulsa is the beautiful year-round weather. In the winters, with relatively mild weather and minimal snowfall, you can continue to enjoy the best in outdoor recreation. But before you head out, there are still a few key home maintenance items to check off your list.

Once you have these tasks squared away, you can enjoy all of the outdoor fun that Oklahoma has to offer without a worry about your home.

Winterizing Your New Home in OK

Remove Hoses From Water Spigots – Even freeze-resistant hoses left attached to the spigot during freezing weather can form an ice block, which can create a leak during thawing. Disconnect your hoses and sprinkler system and cover or wrap your spigots when the temperature dips below 32 degrees. 

Locate Your Water Shut-Off Valve – Broken pipes due to freezing may not be noticeable until thawing begins. If this happens in your home, immediately shut off the water at your home’s shut-off valve and call your plumber. (Be sure to have a back-up plumber’s number handy, too.) If you are in a Beacon home, the shut-off valve is located in the closet with your water heater. There is an additional shut-off in your yard. Call us if you need help finding either of yours.

Have an Alternate Plumber Available

While we hope you will use the plumber that built your home, you are not required to

unless your home is still under warranty. It is possible in extreme conditions that your

home’s plumber could become overwhelmed and service delayed. In some cases, prompt

attention can limit further damage to your home.

Prepare Ahead Of Time

Before the next arctic blast… disconnect all hoses from your home… cover your outdoor

spigots… open cabinet doors containing plumbing on exterior walls… winterize and/or

seek advice on your sprinkler system, water features or pools.

If your heating system shuts off…

it could be caused by sensors doing their job. They are monitoring the condensation line

and will shut off your system for irregularities such as FROZEN CONDENSATION LINES. Call your HVAC provider for advice and/or service.

These are just a few of the many important tips in caring for your home. If you live in a new Beacon home, we recommend consulting your homeowner guide and/or a trusted professional for more complete information.

No matter how you plan on enjoying the winter, there are a few things you can do to ensure that no surprises interrupt the season’s fun. After a day out exploring your neighborhood and beyond, you’ll return to a home that’s safe and sound, with all of that winter coziness you know and love. 

From all of us at Beacon Homes, we hope you enjoy a happy and safe winter season!  

These are just a few of the many important tips in caring for your home.

We recommend consulting your BEACON HOMEOWNER GUIDE

and/or a trusted professional website for more complete information.

The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to plan warm, fun-filled celebrations with those we love most. Whether that means a full-course holiday dinner, impromptu get-togethers, or cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with friends, your home — and your kitchen — will become the epicenter of your holiday festivities. 

The next time it’s your turn to host, make it easier on yourself by entertaining in style in a brand new, gourmet kitchen that’s fit for a chef. Not only are Beacon Homes’ kitchens beautiful, they are also intentionally-planned, highly-efficient work centers, designed to be used — a lot! Here are a few of our favorite kitchen features that you can take advantage of next holiday season.

Holiday Entertaining in a New Home

Thoughtful Placement: Everything in a Beacon Homes’ kitchen has been thoughtfully planned and intentionally placed to eliminate bottlenecking and crowding. The oven location is carefully chosen, and the fridge is perfectly positioned so that you can work quickly and efficiently. These kitchens are designed to be modern gathering places for your family, but also functional work centers where you can prepare a meal for 12, or simply dinner for two.

Large Kitchen Islands: Perfect for serving large platters of holiday treats, or just for cozy breakfasts of leftover cakes and pies, a kitchen island has a million uses for the modern family. Encourage your family and friends to have a seat at the island to keep you company while you cook, and they might be inspired to lend a helping hand.

Lots of Storage: From generous cabinet space to your walk-in pantry, there’s a place for every dish and utensil, and your holiday-themed ones, too! Lots of storage in the kitchen means a less cluttered countertop, so that you can move around quickly and easily to get things done!

New Appliances: Not chef status? That’s ok. With our modern appliances that have a setting for everything, you’ll still be able to whip up impressive dishes. And if you leave something on the stove or in the oven for too long, your appliance will tell you!

Unique Tile Backsplash: Our unique backsplashes are just as functional (they wipe off in seconds!) as they are beautiful to look at. Choose from a variety of tile shapes, colors, and patterns to add that extra wow factor to your kitchen design.

Great Lighting: Whether it’s task lighting like pendants and under-cabinet lighting for chopping and decorating, or lots of natural light to brighten up the space, these kitchens have it all. 

Open-Concept Design: Never again feel like you are “stuck cooking” while the party goes on around you. In an open-concept kitchen and living space, the person cooking is always the center of attention. When everyone can be together in the same space, the memories are that much sweeter.

If you are ready to enjoy a beautiful new kitchen next holiday season, browse our quick move-in homes throughout Oklahoma City and Tulsa and make one yours today!

The housing market is in flux, but you’re still interested in buying a new home. Understandably, though, you have questions about interest rates, mortgages, and home availability. One of our preferred lenders has answers — and a little perspective!

Allow us to introduce Steve Daniels from Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. His years of experience and dedication to his clients make him one of our trusted resources! Steve’s team provides a level of customer service a notch above any other lender we’ve worked with. They are communicative, resourceful, and professional.

Even better, with offices not far from our communities, Steve’s team is local, too. They know us and our building processes, and you’re not just a name and a number in the system. There are so many moving parts that come together right before closing; it’s not uncommon to see a glitch in any one of those parts cause delays in closings with other lenders. (The last thing you want to be doing is rescheduling movers, utilities, and deliveries at the last minute!) Steve’s team is proactive and helps make sure the closing stays on time.

So, what’s Steve been telling prospective homebuyers? “With homes selling as fast as they are, it is really important to go ahead and get pre-qualified for a home purchase. Not only will you know exactly what you can afford, but you will be ready to sign a sales agreement and not have to wait to receive a pre-qualification letter.”

Intimidated by the mortgage process? Don’t be! According to Steve, getting the pre-qualification process started takes no time. At Cornerstone, all you have to do is complete an online application. (Make sure you have all your information ready! See our tips below⇣)

Once an application is completed, Steve’s team has it put together and back to the applicant within 24 hours. This level of efficiency is another reason we like working with Steve and his Cornerstone team. Their dedication to providing a great experience for everyone fits in really well with our philosophy here at Beacon Homes.

“Our goal is that every family we work with feels like they are our only client. We want to make them a client for life, not just for this one transaction,” says Steve. “We go the extra mile to make their experience enjoyable.”

This is a great time to build a new home! And Beacon Homes wants to be your builder. We have available homes and homesites, and trusted Preferred Lenders like Steve who can help you make your new dream home a reality.

Tips for Getting Pre-Qualified on a Mortgage

• Gather documentation. Income information, personal information, bank account information, tax information. Also, how much you want to borrow, and how much you plan to put down.
• Pay down existing debt. Reducing your credit card debt helps lower your credit utilization ratio, which is a major factor in determining your credit score. Also, paying down credit cards or other loans means a lower debt-to-income ratio, which helps determine your basic eligibility for a mortgage loan and how much you can borrow if you qualify.
• Avoid borrowing. Any new debt you take on will impact your ability to get a mortgage loan, as well as the capacity to make your payments. Avoid opening new credit accounts for a handful of months before you start the prequalification process. Also, because mortgage lenders run another credit check shortly before closing, you’ll want to avoid borrowing from other sources until you’ve closed.

If you’re interested in learning more, just ask Cori, our new home specialist at 405-358-8615.

You’re looking for a new home, and reviewing your options: Resale or new? Move-in-ready or to-be-built?

Let’s talk about the benefits of buying a to-be-built home with Beacon Homes.

Benefits of Buying a New Construction Home

• No bidding wars: When you choose a brand new Beacon home, there’s no risk of losing out on what you want or having to pay thousands of dollars over asking price in this competitive market. No stress, more fun!
• Selecting your homesite: Enjoy the best of both worlds with a to-be-built home. A brand new home, personalized to your taste, on the exact homesite you want. Choose the perfect spot for your dream home in one of our amazing communities throughout OKC or Tulsa.
• Personalization: In our Design Studio, you can personalize your home’s features & finishes to fit your family. Inside and out, from the roof to the floors, it’s all yours. This is what makes your new Beacon house feel like your home.
• Better health and wellness: We ensure that every new Beacon home is built with thoughtful, eco-friendly choices that provide cleaner air, as well as make your home more durable, comfortable, and energy efficient.
• A smarter home: Every new Beacon home comes fully equipped with the smart home features you know and love, like a WiFi thermostat, smart oven, smart lock, smart doorbell, smart garage door, and so much more.
• Peace of mind: The plumbing, electric, heating, and cooling are all state-of-the-art and fully warranted. Every new Beacon home comes with a 1-year limited warranty, plus a 10-year warranty on the HVAC system’s parts & compressor, and a 20-year warranty on the heat exchanger. We also offer a 10-year warranty on the hot water heater, and a lifetime warranty on the plumbing fixtures.

Oh, and did we mention how much fun it is to build with us? It’s definitely worth the wait to build and personalize your new home in Oklahoma. Our team of experts is ready to make your new home journey an experience you’ll love from beginning to end.

We all know how important it is to not only feel healthy, but to live, work, and play in spaces that actively enhance our health and wellbeing. Today, more than ever, we do all those things in the safety and security of our homes, and we want our indoor environment to work just as hard as we do at keeping us healthy, safe, and comfortable – no matter what’s happening outside.

That’s why a truly healthy home — one with brand new systems that run efficiently and quietly to improve indoor air quality, reduce moisture and mold,  and keep us comfortable even when outside temperatures are extreme — is more important than ever.

Healthy Home, Healthy Family

There’s a lot of talk about homes that are deemed “healthy” but in reality, just have an added air filter here, or retrofitted water filter there. A truly healthy home is one that is designed, from the very first concept, to literally help you breathe easier from the moment you walk in, without you ever having to think or worry about it. It’s a given, a no-brainer – healthy is just what the home is. Technologically-advanced ventilation, plumbing, and electrical systems work together seamlessly, efficiently, and intelligently to create a home that you and your family feel better living in.

And we mean that literally. If you or anyone in your family suffers with allergies, asthma, frequent colds, or any other respiratory issues, you will immediately feel the difference in a home that’s been designed for optimal health and wellbeing from the ground up. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that this is a safe space where you can breathe easily – free of dust, pollen, and other allergens.

It’s not just in the systems – a truly healthy home prioritizes your wellbeing with high-quality, environmentally-friendly materials used throughout the construction process. Low VOC paints reduce irritating fumes, and high-tech vapor barriers prevent moisture from creeping into walls. From foundation to roof, every single product is vetted for its ability to contribute to a healthy home, and only the ones of superior quality are selected. You can rest easy knowing that this home has been built for health, and not merely retrofitted with disparate parts and systems.

Control Your Home and Your Wellbeing

With a truly healthy home, you also have more control. You have ultimate control over your home’s comfortability, without having to submit to inconveniences like hot spots or drafty rooms. You control your energy bill, since homes that are better at creating comfortable indoor environments are, out of necessity, more energy efficient. Smart home innovation also offers you more control over your wellbeing. No matter where you are in the world, you control your indoor air temperature, humidity levels, lights, appliances, locks, doors, and more. A truly healthy home makes your life easier… and simply better.

We’re proud to say that every Beacon home is designed and built as a truly healthy home. We put just as much thought into how our homes work as how they look, because it’s what’s on the inside that counts – and that includes you and your family.

For more information about Beacon Homes’ new homes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that are Built Smart, Built Healthy, and Built to Last, please contact Cori at 405-358-8615.

Buying and building a brand new home is such an exciting endeavor – the possibilities for design, decoration, and creative use of space are endless! But before you settle in, you may have one last hurdle to complete – that is, selling your existing home. And to do that, you must first stage your home so that it appeals to a wide array of buyers and sells as quickly as possible.

You’ve likely heard the most important tips to stage your home to sell — declutter, remove personal items, spruce up your landscaping, clean like you’ve never cleaned before — but there are a few more small things you can do that make a big difference in how well your home presents to prospective buyers. Here are a few clever tricks that you may not have thought of, but that you should do every time you have a showing. These tips will help your existing home feel fresh and new to everyone who visits.

Tips for Selling Your Home

1) Clean the front door. It’s probably the furthest thing from your mind, but your front door is the first thing guests notice when they come to your home. Wipe down the entire door, paying special attention to cleaning the key lock and door knob or handle. If you have a glass surround, be sure to clean it with Windex so that it sparkles!

2) Hide all the toiletries. In the bathroom, remove all your shampoos, body washes, lotions, etc. and hide them in a caddy under the sink. Be sure they are neatly organized, because buyers look there, too! Windex the shower doors and wipe off the tiles for a shiny, clean look.

3) Remove the evidence. At the last minute before your showing, Windex your bathroom and kitchen faucets to get rid of any fingerprints. Prospective buyers like for a home to feel as new and untouched as possible.

4) Hide your dirty laundry. Everyone has dirty laundry, but no one needs to see it! If your laundry basket doesn’t have a lid, fold a towel or bath mat over the top to cover up what’s inside. Just make sure the towel or mat is clean, and preferably decorative!

5) Eliminate questionable kitchen smells. Take out the kitchen trash before every showing and leave it empty with a fresh bag. (Do the same in the bathrooms.) For extra points, use a scented trash bag that makes the whole can smell fresh.

6) Make your sink sparkle. After you do the dishes, take one more minute to clean, shine, and dry your kitchen sink. On ceramic and stainless steel sinks, use an abrasive-free cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. Your sink will look like new!

7) Make a mark. If you have carpet in your home, this is one trick that will have it looking newer in no time. Make vacuum marks! Even if you don’t have a chance to deep vacuum every day, the marks will make it look just like you did.

8) A breath of fresh (smelling) air. Make your entire home smell fresh by using a cleaner with a really good scent! All-purpose cleaners like Thieves or Meyers use natural oils that smell fantastic without being overpowering or smelling like chemicals. Wipe down every surface in your home with it (even your walls!) and your whole house will smell amazing for hours.

You should definitely declutter, remove family photos, and clean like there’s no tomorrow, but adding these eight items to your showing day checklist will make your home look, feel, and smell inviting to all who visit  – and hopefully, encourage an offer.

Once you’ve staged your old home and you’re ready to learn more about new homes in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, we can’t wait to show you the options at Beacon Homes! Contact Cori at (405) 358-8615 for more information today, or to schedule a one-on-one, virtual, or self-guided tour appointment.

Step outside and take a breath of fresh, clean air — spring has arrived! What better way to celebrate the season of new beginnings than by freshening up your new home in Oklahoma? From your window sills to your pillows, small changes can make a big difference in the overall feel of your living space.

This season, make some easy adjustments to your beautiful home to celebrate the best time of year!

Tips for Spring Cleaning

1. Welcome Home

Spruce up your outdoor welcome mat by hosing it down and letting it air-dry. Another effective way of stopping dirt in its tracks (pun intended) is to use a mat on the inside of your door as well. If you already have one, vacuum both sides of it to really get the dirt out for a new season of visitors.

2. Dust It Off

Even the most simple of tasks can make a big impact. Dusting off the surfaces of your home, from your coffee table to your kitchen counters to your window sills, can give your entire home a clean aura and feel. With a cloth, store-bought duster, or dusting gloves (our favorite!) get around places like coffee maker nooks, pictures frames, and vases.

3. Scrub it Out

Believe it not, your trash can needs some cleaning love too… Although this might not sound like the most fun chore, you’ll be singing its praises once your trash can is as good as new. Completely empty your kitchen trash can, spray it with a disinfectant, scrub it with a long-handled cleaning brush, and voila! The smells are long gone.

4. Bedding Beauty

The place you go to for ultimate relaxation, your bed is one of the most special parts of your home. Refresh this space by switching out thicker, winter sheets and pillow cases for spring ones. Not to mention, a new look — like a light-colored duvet or spring-themed pillows — creates an entirely fresh vibe.

5. Flower Power

The most prominent sign of spring, fresh flowers make this season so lovable. Whether in your primary bedroom, guest bathroom, living room, or kitchen, sweet-smelling flowers like lilacs, tulips, and daffodils make your home feel fresh, light, and beautiful… And most of all, as happy as can be.

6. Gut Your Garage

It’s easy to let the things in your garage pile up, but it’s difficult to clean it all up. With the start of spring officially here, make it a point to tackle the garage! After sorting items into piles (keep, donate, sell, recycle), do a little dusting, sweeping, and wiping down, and it’ll be as good as new in no time.

There’s nothing as sweet as springtime scents and a little bit of sunshine! This season, make sure your home feels just as fresh as it does outside with a little bit of cleaning. We can’t wait to see how you spruce up your home. From all of us at Beacon Homes, have a happy and refreshing spring!

Between your first family discussion about a new home and the moment your builder hands over your keys, there are so many memorable experiences to enjoy along your journey. Documenting those experiences will add a whole new level of excitement for everyone! And of course, once you are all settled in, you will love to look back on this unique part of your family’s story.

From a scrapbook to videos, take a look at a few fun ways to document your new home journey:

Create a Scrapbook: In today’s digital age, a physical scrapbook that you create together is more special than ever. While your new home is underway, take photos of the progress and insert them into the scrapbook by date. Get creative with the captions for each photo, and document your family’s thoughts and feelings at that time. The look and feel of your scrapbook is entirely up to you! Best of all, the finished product makes for the perfect coffee table accessory to flip through periodically with your family.

Update Social Media: No matter what platform you enjoy the most, it is so much fun to track the progress of your home (and update your friends and family!) via social media. If you love photography, use your Instagram to highlight the beauty of your home as it is being built, as well as your new neighborhood. If you enjoy writing, Facebook and Twitter are the perfect places to document your journey through your unique writing style. You can even create a dedicated account to your home, complete with personalized hashtags, for your family and friends to enjoy.

Write a Blog/Journal: If you kept a journal as a kid, you know how rewarding it is to slow down and take time to reflect on your experiences. Whether you prefer to handwrite your entries, or you would rather maintain a blog on the internet (there are many free and easy platforms available!), documenting your journey this way is a satisfying “project” that is completely unique to you. Encourage your family to start a journal or blog of their own, and enjoy reading each other’s different perspectives.

Record Videos: There is never a wrong time to get creative and see what you can come up with! Videos are a great way to not only capture the physical progress of your home, but your family’s personal experience (and personality!) as well. You can take short video updates and upload them to any social media account, create a “vlog” on YouTube, or edit all of your videos together into a “home movie.” There is also an app called “1 Second Everyday” where you take a video of a single second each day — the app then allows you to watch all of them in order over your journey. Whether you want to share your content or keep it private with your family, the act of recording videos allows you to express your creativity while enjoying the experience.

There is truly nothing like the process of moving into a new home in OKC. We hope you enjoy documenting your unique experience — and looking back on it after you settle in!

With our current weather settled in the “super cold/below freezing” zone, our Warranty Department thought it was the right time to give you some tips and reminders on how to take care of your Beacon home.

How to Winterize Your Home

• Remove hoses from water spigots. While the spigots are freeze resistant, if the hose is still attached, it can cause an ice block which may cause a leak when thawing.
• Shut sprinkler system off. Set your RainBird sprinkler system’s control box to the “off” position prior to and during sub-freezing temperatures.
• Know where your water cut-off valve is located. Broken pipes may not become noticeable until thawing begins. If this happens, immediately shut off the water at your home’s shut-off valve and call your plumber. In your Beacon home, the shut-off valve is located in the closet with your water heater. There is an additional shut-off in your yard. Call us if you need help finding yours.
• Have an alternate plumber available. While we hope you will continue to use the services of the plumber who helped us build your home, you are not required to unless you are still under warranty. In extreme conditions (such as persistent sub-freezing temperatures), it is possible that your plumber may be inundated with calls and unable to provide service right away. Prompt attention is necessary to limit further damage to your home, so we suggest having another plumber on stand-by.
• Prepare ahead of time. If you haven’t already done so, before the next arctic blast, disconnect all hoses from your home; cover your outdoor spigots; open the doors of cabinets containing plumbing on exterior walls; winterize and/or seek professional advice on your sprinkler system, water features, or pools.
• If your heating system shuts off, it could be caused by sensors doing their job. Sensors monitor the condensation line and will shut off the system due to irregularities such as frozen condensation lines. Call your HVAC provider for service or advice.

Following these guidelines (and consulting your Beacon Homeowner Guide) will help keep your home in good condition during this brutally cold weather. And remember, Spring is really only a few weeks away!

Around this time every year, it’s exciting to look forward to new opportunities and create goals for yourself. With 2021 ahead of you, you may be thinking about making a fresh start in a new home and community — so why not write down a few “new home resolutions” for the new year!

A home that’s built with flexible rooms; outdoor living; smart, healthy features; all-new kitchen appliances; and a spacious 3-car garage gives you the opportunity to achieve your goals, whether you want to cook healthy, delicious meals in a modern, open kitchen or finally design that home office or gym you’ve been envisioning.

And whether you choose a family-friendly community, or you decide to build a new home on land you already own, you can be sure that you’ll have easy access to the opportunities in Edmond or Tulsa and beyond, from shopping and dining to outdoor recreation. In 2021, there are so many things to look forward to in a new Beacon home!

New Home Resolutions

• Turn a flex room into a private home office, playroom for your kids, home gym… you name it!
• Experience the peace of mind and convenience of smart, healthy, and efficient features that make your home easier to maintain and safer to live in
• Utilize storage space in your 3-car garage to organize your belongings, from tools to outdoor gear
• Try out new recipes in your pristine kitchen, where you have all-new appliances, a large island, beautiful cabinetry, and wide open space to cook and enjoy meals
• Live close to the attractions you love to visit in your daily life, from coffee shops to stores
• Send your kids to the area’s best schools, where they have endless opportunities for academics and extracurriculars
• Take time to relax, clear your mind, and enjoy fresh air from the comfort of your spacious patio
• Stay active in the great outdoors with scenic opportunities around town, from hiking trails to parks
• Relax and enjoy the fun of family-friendly amenities just outside your door — for example, The Grove comes with a custom pool, a splash park, a private fitness center, and a large clubhouse!

As you welcome the new year, take some time to think about what’s important to you and your family in a new home and neighborhood. After all, there’s no time like now to prioritize all of your wants and needs, and make your most exciting move of all! For more information about our new homes in Oklahoma, please contact us at 405-358-8615.

This year may look different than others, but you can still experience the fun and festive Thanksgiving you look forward to! With a few adjustments and safety precautions, this year’s holiday will feel just as warm and joyful as it always has. At Beacon Homes, we believe that connection is the key to a happier life — and we want you to share a happy (and safe) Thanksgiving with your loved ones from the comfort of your new home in Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Take a look at our helpful tips for making this year’s holiday just as special as the last.

Tips for a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Change Your Perspective: Change doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, if you look at the situation from a new perspective, you’ll be able to spot the silver linings, and most importantly, find time to relax and have a laugh. It may be hard to accept that a large gathering with family from out of town isn’t practical this year — but there are still so many fun and easy ways to safely connect with everyone while enjoying your normal traditions.

Host Dinner Outside: If you have family around your home in Tulsa or OKC, you may feel confident about the decision to have a small gathering. Get creative and have some fun serving dinner outside on your patio. Space out chairs for added safety, and incorporate fun, mini hand sanitizers into your placemat displays. If you love a good DIY project, make family face masks!

Cook (Virtually) Together: Even if you can’t physically be together, you can still connect and cook with your loved ones. Set up a video call with your phone, computer, or iPad on your kitchen island, and prepare your meal as you normally would while enjoying the virtual company of family with your favorite music in the background. Once the meal’s ready, keep the video call going while you enjoy it!

Dive Into Decor: If you’re preparing to enjoy a quiet dinner at home, make plans to decorate your table as you typically would. This will make the holiday feel as “normal” as possible, while keeping you busy with something you enjoy doing. Plus, with fewer places at the table to set up, you can focus on a beautiful, intricate centerpiece that lets you get creative and do something different.

Treat Yourself: Yes, this is just as important as anything else! Dealing with change is not always easy, even if it’s temporary. And we want you to know that you’ve done an incredible job adjusting to a new situation. This holiday, take the time to treat yourself, whether that means indulging in an extra slice of pumpkin pie or saving the dishes for later so you can cozy up on the couch to enjoy a Thanksgiving movie marathon.

From all of us at Beacon Homes, we hope you have a happy and safe holiday!

Even though you’re ready for a new home that meets your needs, you might feel it’s the wrong time to sell your current one. We get it. After all, the past few months have been, well, a little different. But we have great news for you — the truth is, now is actually the perfect time to sell.

Today’s Seller’s Market

Right now, “buyers outnumber sellers in the housing market,” which means it’s a seller’s market. Yes, that’s right. You have the power. With several factors coming together, like low mortgage rates, low inventory, and a surge in buyer demand, the stars are aligned for you to sell your current home.

Move-in-Ready Homes in Oklahoma City & Tulsa

With our variety ofmove-in-ready homes, you can sell your current home and move into a new one now. No bidding wars. No waiting months to experience all the things you want in a Beacon home — smart features & products, healthy, energy-efficient design, and the best building techniques and materials.

Best of all, our family-focused communities in Oklahoma City & Tulsa aren’t just conveniently located to all the things you love, from good schools and outdoor recreation to shopping and dining; they also provide community amenities and a fun lifestyle for you to enjoy every day.

Staging Your Current Home To Sell 

After you find your new Beacon home, it’s time to sell your current one. And this is where staging comes in. Effective staging will ensure that you maximize its sales price. Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks when it comes to the art of staging:

Declutter: First and foremost, go through every single room to clean up the “clutter zones” or areas rife with old keepsakes, decor, and things to throw away. Pack up or discard everything to make the space feel open and inviting. (This also makes moving much easier.)

Make Quick Fixes: Look for the “quick fixes” — removing area rugs to show off the hardwood floors, taking down curtains and cleaning the windows, changing lampshades, replacing light bulbs for optimal lighting, rearranging furniture, etc. Remember, even the littlest adjustments make a big impact.

Furniture: Time to make a final decision on what should stay. Keep color, style, and function in mind to make the most confident and informed choice, and see your home through a buyer’s eyes.

Look Fresh: The majority of potential buyers see your home in photos online before they see it in person, so everything you do should be about that crucial first impression. Think vases of bright flowers, folded towels in the bathroom, and bowls of fruit in the kitchen.

Depersonalize: Buyers want to see your home as their own, so don’t take it personally. Painting walls with trendy grays or off-whites will make your home look like an “open canvas”. 

If you’re ready to sell your home, eager buyers are ready too. Which means you can start enjoying the benefits of a new Beacon homequicker than you ever thought. For more information about our new homes for sale or our new home communities in Oklahoma, please contact us at (405) 358-8615. We can’t wait to get started!

Are you eager to show off your hidden art talent? Do you (not so) secretly think you can win a challenge or two on Top Chef? With more time to spend in your Beacon home, now’s your moment to shine. From your gourmet kitchen and open-concept living area to your patio and flex space, the open areas in your home are perfect for taking up a new hobby! Take a look at a few of our favorites to try this spring:

If you like to cook and eat…

Ah, the joy of cooking in a gorgeous kitchen. With a large, modern island, spacious cabinetry, brand new appliances, and so much more, your kitchen is where all the magic happens. From unique and challenging meal recipestofun mealsyour kids will love making with you, channel your favorite foodie personality (are you more of an Ina or a Gordon?) and start practicing your chef skills to impress the whole family!

If you like to write…

To write or not to write… that is the question. No, you don’t have to become the next Shakespeare, but there are so many different ways to exercise your writing muscles and reap the therapeutic benefits of writing. Try your hand at fiction, poetry, personal essays, and more. There areonline classes that can guide youalong the way. Have a funny pet or a unique hobby? Start a blog! (We may be biased, but we’re big fans of blogs.)

If you like arts and crafts…

There’s nothing quite like finding a cozy, quiet spot and diving into an arts and crafts project. If you were the kid who went above and beyond in art class, bring that magic back into your life and create something new. Fromscrapbookingtoadult coloring booksand paint by numberstoDIY crafts and everything in between, there are so many projects out there waiting for your creative touch.

If you like to learn…

Want to take a business management course from Wharton? How about the history of American sign language from Georgetown? Now you can take an intellectually stimulating online class from the country’s top institutionsfrom the comfort of your couch! Whatever it is you’ve always wanted to learn (computer science, world literature, you name it) you finally can — on your own time. And did we mention these classes are “tuition free?”

If you like entertainment…

With streaming services, you have a whole world of 24/7 entertainment at your fingertips (literally). If you’re a film or TV buff, there’s no better time to dive into the all-time classics and modern masterpieces. Whether you put together a “bucket list” of what to watch, have virtual film/TV clubs with your friends, study a particular director, style, or genre, or even write your own reviews, there are so many ways to enjoy entertainment.

From all of us at Beacon Homes, we hope you enjoy the comfort of your beautiful, open home! For more information about our homes and communities, take a virtual tour, browse our photo gallery, or call Cori to set up a virtual appointment at 405-358-8615.