Source: Rhino Times Greensboro

D.R. Horton Offers Options

by Sandy Groover

January 02, 2013

“America’s Builder,” that’s D.R. Horton Inc. As the largest homebuilder in the United States, D.R. Horton has been putting families in homes for nearly 35 years. Builder magazine ranks them number one out of the top 100 builders in the US, and they’ve been in that spot for 10 years in a row.

Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, by Donald R. Horton, the company operates in more than 70 markets across the country, building every type of housing in every price range – from $90,000 townhomes to $900,000 luxury single-family dwellings.

D.R. Horton has a number of communities here in the triad, and Sales Manager Elizabeth Small said: “We have rolled out an entire new look and feel in the triad. Our core principle is to build homes that meet the consumer’s needs, not the economy’s needs.”

One of the ways in which D.R. Horton meets those consumer needs is by offering buyers financing through its lender, DHI Mortgage. Rates are competitive, and there are often special incentives available. Using DHI Mortgage can make the whole process go smoothly since there is constant communication between the mortgage company, the builder and the buyer. And, of course, a buyer may use their own lender if they so choose.

Small said that the people at D.R. Horton listen to their customers, and while not a custom builder per se, Horton allows buyers to choose many of the features in their home, and even make changes to the floor plans. “Choice,” she said, is the operative word for buyers of D.R. Horton homes.

Choices at Brightwood Farm, a D.R. Horton community in Whitsett, include seven floor plans, ranging from a 1,864-square-foot, three-bedroom ranch at $173,900 to a 3,065-square-foot, four-bedroom two-story with a bonus room/fifth bedroom at $194,990. Buyers also can choose among four distinctive front elevations – traditional, bungalow, coastal or European. All homes have two-car garages and at least two baths.

Brightwood Farm’s fully decorated and furnished model, the four-bedroom, 2,775-square-foot Lassiter, gives potential buyers a good idea of each home’s standard features, as well as some of the upgrades available.

Standard features include 9-foot smooth ceilings on the first floor, a natural gas direct-vent fireplace with black slate surround and custom mantle (per plan), and hardwoods in the foyer, extended foyer and powder room. An upgraded trim package is available that features crown molding and a coffered ceiling in the dining room. Doors are arched two-panel, and the family room and master bedroom are pre-wired for ceiling fans.

In the kitchen, granite is the standard countertop material. Also standard is a tile backsplash, Merillat cabinets, an undermount stainless steel double bowl sink with Moen faucet, an Energy Star dishwasher, self-cleaning smooth top range, and an over-the-range microwave in black or white.

The Lassiter is a spacious, light-filled home that has a huge master suite on the second floor, as well as three more bedrooms and a large bonus room. The bonus room is a great family living space, but can be turned into a fifth bedroom if needed. The loft that connects at the top of the stairs is roomy and could easily be used as a small library or computer area.

Matt Tanner, D.R. Horton’s representative at the Brightwood Farm’s model, said that the builder has two design centers, one in Morrisville and one in Winston-Salem, available to all buyers. It’s “one stop shopping” where buyers can make all their design choices at one time – from room colors to room additions – with the assistance of a designer. Full-size room models are set up in the Design Centers so buyers can see how their choices of colors, carpeting, and options will actually look. Use of the Design Center comes with the purchase of a home.

Brightwood Farm is convenient to Greensboro and Burlington thanks to I-40/-85. The community is laced with walking trails and has a large clubhouse that houses a meeting space, library, kitchen and fireplace. Adjacent to the clubhouse is a spacious patio that overlooks the junior Olympic-size pool and tennis courts. There’s also a playground for the kids.

You can visit the beautifully decorated model at Brightwood Farm Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

D.R. Horton’s Gramercy Park West is conveniently located just off Lee Street, approximately two miles from I-40, offers country living with city conveniences. It’s just minutes from downtown Greensboro’s restaurants, shops and cultural centers. The same models are available in Gramercy Park West as D.R. Horton is offering in Brightwood.

For more information on D.R. Horton, Brightwood Farm and Gramercy Park West, visit www.drhorton.com.