In fact, we have five of them, and we’re giving them away.  That’s right, you heard correctly, we’re giving them away.  Oh, and we’re also shelling out a cool 1,000 bucks.

Who couldn’t use an extra $1,000?  And certainly everyone could use Apple’s latest and greatest, the new iPad, which just so happens to be the most coveted gadget on the market.

Not so fast, there is a catch.  However, it’s not what you’re thinking.  In order to be the lucky recipient of one of these iPads and possibly score those Benjamins, we need your help.

We need you to tell us, and the world, why you love Ivory Homes.  Unlike a lot of other lame contests that are rigged or you never actually have a shot at winning, this one is within reach.  We want you, in 60 seconds or less, to tell everyone out there why “Love Matters” when it comes to a home.

So bust out those video cameras and get as quirky, zany, and unconventional as you like, just be sure to keep your video family-friendly and within the one-minute time frame.  Once your video is ready, go ahead and upload it to YouTube with the tag “I Love Ivory.”  Tell your mom, your friends, your coworkers, and even your neighbors (be wary as they could be competition!) to check out your video on YouTube.

After your big YouTube debut, you’ve still got to submit your video link to iloveivory.com and accept the terms and conditions.  Now all that’s left to do is get as many people to view your video as possible before Friday, April 6^th.  After this date, the five YouTube videos with the most views, as well as the five judges’ picks will advance to the contest round.

When your video makes it to the big leagues, Ivory Homes will post your video to their Facebook page and display it alongside the nine other contenders for a two-week period that ends on Friday, April 20^th.  At the end of this period the video contestant with the most “likes” on Facebook will be feeling the love with a new iPad and $1,000 in hand.

Pretty soon, you’ll be kicking back, fanning yourself with all that cold, hard cash while streaming and downloading on your superfast, “resolutionary” third-generation iPad.  And all that you had to do was create a simple, easy 60-second video explaining why you love Ivory Homes.

Take your shot at the chance to win $3,500 worth of prizes and enter our Love Matters Video Contest.

At Ivory Homes, we never stop trying to improve our home designs. Buyers choose look at custom home builders based on a number of factors, but most want a home that is both functional and beautiful inside and out. Utilizing input from a variety of sources, we develop plans that incorporate the latest design trends. We look for ways to innovate while being careful not to get too far ahead of our buyers’ tastes and preferences.

So, what is popular right now? In regards to floor plans, over the past several years, we are seeing a trend toward smaller homes. This trend is most likely due to economic conditions. Recent buyers have been willing to make certain sacrifices in order to keep costs manageable. For example, having a formal living room and dining room is not as essential anymore. And some buyers are willing to live without either one. Several of our plans have space that can be used as a living room, a dining room, or a study. This “flex space” is adaptable to whatever the buyer needs it to be. While open to giving up some formal space, today’s buyers still want ample informal space, including a spacious kitchen, nook, and family room. Similarly, bedrooms should be generously sized to accommodate more than one child, if necessary.

The most visible trends in home design are on the outside of the home. The trend these days is away from the “rustic” look which included an “old world” stucco finish, stone, rough timber elements, and oxidized copper accents. We have seen a gradual shift toward a more “traditional” style of architecture. This look is achieved through the artful use of high quality fiber-cement siding and trim. Many years ago, siding was associated with “cheap” housing. However, the siding used on houses today is not the same inexpensive aluminum or vinyl product. Thanks to the availability of durable and paintable siding from companies like CertainTeed and James Hardie, more buyers than ever before can choose a “traditional” look for their home without the worry of maintenance headaches. Plus, going “traditional” opens up many more color possibilities than are available with stone & stucco homes.

The trend toward the “traditional” look is on full display in Ivory’s 2012 Catalog of Homes.

Written by: Brian Apsley

The weakened economy has led to fading values in customary investments such as stocks and 401K’s. To cope, many have adopted the common remedy of watching unfortunate circumstances dictate the value of their portfolios. An alternative is to invest in a physical asset, such as real estate. This allows investors to gain equity, feel the satisfaction of living in their investment, and know that it won’t disappear overnight.

Today’s housing market has generated some of the most opportune investment tools in the past 60 years. Some of these tools include historically low interest rates, great affordability rates, and an increase in product quality.

Historically low interest rates:

Whether a home is purchased as a primary residency, or used as a rental, a mortgage can be obtained at a low interest rate. The benefit of a mortgage is that the borrower can leverage the purchase of the home through a loan. Generally this means a home can be obtained with as little as five percent of the actual purchase price (click here for a deeper explanation on leveraging your mortgage).

Great affordability rates:

There are two predominate factors that contribute to the great affordability rates we are currently experiencing. First, home prices have fallen as home builders and suppliers have lowered their profit margins. Second, as a result of lower interest rates, homebuyers are able to afford better homes at lower prices. A monthly mortgage of $1,000 enables the purchase of a better home today, than it did in 2006.

Increase in product quality:

When determining the location of a home, beware of getting trapped in the fallacy that square footage determines value. Although square footage is important for feasibility reasons, the quality of a home and its location will contribute significantly more to the levels of enjoyment and resale value. Try to keep in mind the old adage – quality, not quantity.

One of the greatest ways to add value to a residential investment is to find great neighbors and excellent community amenities. When the time comes to resale the property, potential buyers will be willing to perform quicker and pay more if they see the benefits of a great community.

As Utah’s number one home builder for the past 25 years, Ivory Homes is able to provide an array of communities that are desirable to a variety of home buyers. Ivory features condominiums in downtown Salt Lake, townhomes across the state of Utah, estate homes on golf courses, and single family homes in great neighborhoods. When considering the advantages of investing in real estate, feel free to contact any Ivory Homes consultant to assist with the process.

Written by: Rick Day

Ivory Homes is offering new home-buyers a chance to start living in the neighborhood they want because neighborhood matters – a lot.  Nothing feels worse than looking to build a new house, looking into custom home builders in Utah, and getting all excited about that new custom home design, and then realizing you’ve plopped all your hopes and dreams down into a neighborhood run by the Hatfields and McCoys. Or, at least, by neighbors who:

1. Don’t take care of their yards and outside appearance of their homes, which can lower the value of the other houses in your neighborhood by as much as 15%.
2. Take up parking spaces.
3. Have loud house parties and businesses that bring a lot of strangers and visitors in and out of the neighborhood.
4. Have loud, barking dogs or stray cats.
5. Have ponds, dangerous machinery or other hazards that could put children or pets in danger.

And there are other nearby businesses and other things that can lower your property value:

1. Power plants
2. Landfills
3. Sex offenders
4. Closed schools

All these neighbors can lower your property value, and take away from the neighborhood you want to live in.

That’s why Ivory Homes gives you the option to build your own custom home design in the neighborhood you want. In any of our new home communities in Utah, you can find the perfect plan AND the perfect plot for that dream home.

In fact, Ivory Homes is offering an increasing number of urban options, communities for active adults, and affordable homes in great communities.

We even provide you with a website that lets you pick the community you’d like to build in (check it out here), and then work from there to make building your dream home a possibility. Right now, we’re building homes in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch and Washington counties.

If you’re a potential homebuyer, and you’re looking to build your dream home in a neighborhood that you LOVE, check out www. Ivoryhomes.com, or call us at 1-888-455-5561.

Pricing in a Buyer’s Market:

Most of our homes in Utah are being sold below replacement cost. Ivory has managed itself well during the downturn and we are in a position to price our homes where the market dictates which, in most cases, is below our cost basis. So why don’t we “batten down our hatches” and wait for a seller’s market to return? The answer is simple. We care about our people and know that the value of our business is derived from being there year after year for both our customers and team members.

Excellent locations and the best home-sites will not last:

Because the cost to develop brand new communities is so substantial, most homebuilders cannot compete with communities that have already been developed with new home-sites on which to build. Furthermore, the cost to buy raw land, even at reduced pricing, and the investment required to build the community infrastructure is much greater. If you want to get a great price on a new home, the time to buy is now, before you have to bear the rising cost of raw materials, land and community infrastructure.

Interest Rates:

Interest rates are on the way up. Nearly all forecasters predicted 2010 would be the year that rates would hit historic lows. However, most of us did not expect the unfortunate European Sovereign Debt Crisis. It’s hard to believe that the problems of Greece, Italy and Spain have given us rates that most of us have never seen in our lifetime. We believe that rates will stay relatively low for a sustained period, but the window of opportunity to secure interest rates near record lows may be short-lived.

We believe you will do better in real estate than in stock:

There has already been a significant rebound in the stock market (the S&P is up 81% since the bottom in 2008) but real estate is still waiting for the bounce back. We believe that those who bet on real estate in the next five years will do far better than those who bet on the stock market. Why not invest in an asset that is clearly under-priced from a historical perspective and that you can enjoy every day with your loved ones?

Ivory’s award winning style and design:

We’re not content to build homes that look like other builders’. When it comes to custom home builders, Utah has many to choose from… and we work hard to go above and beyond what the other home builders have to offer. At Ivory, you get timeless architecture in a new home that is energy efficient, functional, and with all of today’s state-of-the-art conveniences. On top of that, you’ll work with Ivory’s award-winning designers to personalize your home to make it uniquely yours.

Ivory sets the bar for quality construction and warranty service:

For more than a decade, Ivory has averaged 93% customer satisfaction. We truly care about your home today and its value tomorrow. Our construction team takes pride in presenting you with a beautiful home upon purchase. For minor follow-up issues, we have an in-house warranty team that is second to none.

Don’t take our word for it — ask an Ivory homeowner!

Ivory neighborhoods feel better and have greater appreciation:

Other builders may try to mimic our home designs, but the feeling of our neighbor- hoods and sense of community that we create cannot be matched. How do we create a neighborhood? It’s all the little things. The way we plan our streets, walking trails and landscaping, or for some, it’s the pools, play areas and parks. For others, it’s the way Ivory homeowners take such pride in maintaining their homes and yards. The way a home and neighbor- hood feels really does make all the difference.

Ivory is priced to sell in any market:

Many builders are stuck and can’t price where they need to be in the market. Ivory has the capital to buy property from banks and developers at incredible discounts. We don’t price where we want to be, but where we need to be. When you are priced right, buyers know. Remember, the best value takes many factors into account.

Ivory Tools for Success:

Ivory helps you get ready to buy. We understand that there are many challenges for homebuyers. We fix credit for the first-time buyer and the move-up buyer. For those with a home to sell, we can help you get it listed with a top agent and refund the commission back to you, or we can clean, pack and move you into your new Ivory home. If you would like to buy Ivory, but would also like to wait until the market improves to sell your existing home, we will help you lease it with a reputable property manager. For us, it’s all about helping people. That’s why we’re in business, and it’s the reason we have been successful.

http://ivoryhomes.com/blog/index.php/ivory-homes-annual-gingerbread-contest/

Ivory Homes is partnering with the United Way this year to put on the annual Gingerbread House Contest! This is an amazing event perfect for your family this holiday season!

There will be cash prizes of: $1000 plus $1000 to a charity of your choice

$500 plus $500 to a charity of your choice

$250 plus $1000 to a charity of your choice

Plus many more prizes and give aways!

The festival will be  December 14-17 at the Gateway Mall in The Grand Hall. Add a new tradition to your  holiday downtown Christmas light experience and put in your holiday calendars the Gingerbread Festival!!

Santa will be there, with all his elves! There will be Holiday musical performers and so much more!

Check  out some of last years amazing gingerbread houses!

CLICK THE THE LINK BELLOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL AND TO REGISTER TO BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE FOR THE CONTEST!

http://ivoryhomes.com/blog/index.php/ivory-homes-annual-gingerbread-contest/

They say a photo is worth a 1000 words, well in the case of the Ivory Homes Photo Contest they are worth more than $1000!  The photo contest kicked off on September 7th with voting and ends on September 14th at midnight. The goal of the photo contest was to capture a photo that represented “Anything Ivory Homes”. “We want to see our homes, and neighborhoods through the eyes and camera lenses of the communities that surround us “, says Rick Day of the Ivory Homes Marketing Team. The contest has over 70 amazing applicants!  The Grand Prize (Cannon t3i Camera and $1000 Photographer contract with Ivory Homes) will be chosen by The Ivory Homes Marketing Team. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place will be determined by most votes. 1st place:$1000, 2nd place: $750, and 3rd place: $500. To cast your vote click on the the link  http://www.facebook.com/ivoryhomes?sk=app_154581087931912 , “LIKE” IVORY HOMES, and give a vote to your favorite photographs!

Your vote could determine the wining shot!

Blues, greens, whites, dark wood, white wood all coming together to create a beautiful design with the Bellevue-Montclair! The Montclair took “Best in Interior Design” and “Best in it’s Category”. Darling Design Blog “6th Street Design School” by Kristen Krason highlighted many of the Ivory Home’s fetured in the Parade. Check it out at http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/2011/08/salt-lake-city-parade-of-homes.html.

Don’t be afraid to be daring with your colors! A daring design could be award winning!

Here are some pictures of the award winning interior of the Montclair at Bellevue.

It is not your average “Elbow elbow, wrist wrist waving” parade.

It is summer in Utah so that means it is the Parade of Homes! Ivory Homes had five fantastic Homes in the Parade! Here are two that have been receiving a lot of attention!

BEST IN ARCHITECTURE: Holladay Glenn, Briarwood.

1976 E Cecelia Cir (5750 S), Holladay, UT

One of our newest communities, this prime location in Holladay is a beautiful piece of land off of Highland Drive. When looking at homes in Salt Lake City, you’ve probably noticed that it’s a rare opportunity to be able to build or buy a new home in a mature neighborhood, and there are only 6 lots available!

Make sure while you visit the Briarwood, you take a close look at the flooring! You will be amazed! Make sure and take some time to enjoy the backyard living room, and the incredibly designed kitchen with Maple and Alder Cabinets !

People who have visited say: “So spacious on the inside”, “Darling”, “Great area”, “Love the design!”.

BEST IN INTERIOR DESIGN,

BEST IN IT’S CATEGORY:

Bellevue, Montclair.

13172 S Lone Rock Dr (700 E), Draper, UT

This gorgeous east-side community is one of Ivory’s top-selling locations, and the community contains some of the best homes in Draper, Utah. It is already well developed with carefully manicured yards and nicely maintained homes. A large park is designed as part of our upcoming phase, and an elementary school sits conveniently within the community.

Make sure when you visit the Montclair you check out the back porch with stylish outdoor curtains. You will love the social space of the kitchen and family room. The design team really went above and beyond on this model and you will walk away feeling inspired to make your home a masterpiece!

People who have visited say: “Absolutely fabulous”, “Every Ivory Home is darling!”, “LOVE THIS!”, “This home is talent!”

Ivory Homes has homes in the parade in Holladay Glenn, Bellevue, Ivory Crossing, and Day Break! Come out and see what the parade has for you and your family!