Beazer Homes reports sales of 12 luxury homes valued at more than $4 million over past six weeks at Legacy on Lake Jessamine

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes reports it sold 12 homes for a dollar volume of more than $4 million over the past six weeks at Legacy, the gated luxury community Beazer Homes is developing on Lake Jessamine off S. Orange and Holden Avenues south of downtown Orlando.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes in Orlando, said only eight luxury home sites remain in Legacy at Lake Jessamine.

Beazer Homes recently started construction of a ready-to-move-in luxury lakefront home at Legacy with five bedrooms and four baths in 3,865 square feet of living space with a three-car garage priced at $599,990.

The home offers a huge game room, granite counters, a tile roof and a balcony overlooking Lake Jessamine–a ski lake, Byrnes said.

Beazer Homes builds new luxury homes priced from the $200s to the $800s at Legacy.

About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Beazer Homes Names Val Austin Sales Associate

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has appointed Val Austin sales associate in the Orlando region.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes Florida in the Orlando area, said Austin has more than eight years of experience in real estate sales and sales management.

Austin formerly served as a sales associate and sales manager at Taylor-Morrison Homes and Wyndham Worldwide Resort at Lake Buena Vista.

Beazer Homes starts construction of final town home building at Heritage Commons in Seminole County

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has started construction of the final building at Heritage Commons, located off Dodd Rd. two miles west of the Highway 417 exit at Red Bug Lake Rd. in Seminole County.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes in Florida, said eight three and four bedroom town homes will be available in the final building.

Town homes are priced from $119,990 and range in size from 1,313 square feet of living space to 1,784 square feet.

Byrnes added that there are 13 town homes available now in the community.

Heritage Commons features a community swimming pool and cabana and a children's playground.

Beazer Homes is one of the country’s 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BZH.”

Beazer Homes acquires 157 home sites at Woodland Lakes Preserve on Curry Ford Rd. in East Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla – Beazer Homes, which builds single family and town homes in five Orlando area neighborhoods priced from the $120s to the $400s, recently acquired 157 home sites at Woodland Lakes Preserve, located on Curry Ford Road near Alafaya Trail in east Orlando.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes in Orlando, said the home builder plans to build new three, four, five and six bedroom single family homes at Woodland Lakes Preserve that range in size from 1,559 square feet of living space to 3,200 square feet.

Byrnes said Beazer Homes will start presales at Woodland Lakes Preserve in mid-June when it starts construction of its first model home there.

About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Beazer Homes Opens Five Ready-To-Move-In Homes at Sawgrass in South Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has five ready-to-move-in single-family homes priced from $164,900 to $249,900 at Sawgrass, located on Sawgrass Plantation Blvd. between Landstar Blvd. and Weatherbee Rd. in south Orlando.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes Florida, said the new three, four and five-bedroom homes are among the last available for sale at Sawgrass---only 20 home sites remain for sale, Byrnes said.

New ready-to-move-in homes at Sawgrass range in size from 1,400 square feet of living space.

All new Beazer homes at Sawgrass feature eSMART energy-saving engineering with programmable thermostats, cost-saving CFL light bulbs, water-saving Moen low flow shower heads and faucets, MERV 8 air filters, and low VOC paints and carpets.

Beazer Homes Offering Special Designer Package in All Five Orlando Communities

Orlando, Fla. --- Beazer Homes is offering a special designer package that includes kitchen appliances, countertops, cabinets, and ceramic tile floors with new construction homes in all five Beazer Homes communities in the Orlando region.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes Florida, said the designer package includes ceramic tile kitchen, bath and foyer floors, stainless steel kitchen appliances, 42-inch kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and a laundry package.

Beazer Homes builds single-family homes and town homes priced from under $130,000 to more than $300,000 at Legacy at Lake Jessamine near downtown Orlando off S. Orange Ave. and Holden; Sawgrass in south Orlando between Landstar Blvd. and Weatherbee Rd.; the Enclave at Moss Park off Moss Park Rd. in southeast Orlando; Victoria Trails, on Appleton Lane in DeLand off Orange Camp Rd. and Heritage Commons, in Winter Springs off Red Bug Lake Rd.

All new Beazer homes feature eSMART energy-saving engineering with programmable thermostats, cost-saving CFL light bulbs, water-saving Moen low flow shower heads and faucets, MERV 8 air filters, and low VOC paints and carpets.

Beazer Homes has single-family, town homes and twin villas for sale priced from under $100,000 at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia

TAMPA, Fla. --- Beazer Homes has single-family, town homes and twin villas for sale priced from under $100,000 at FishHawk Ridge at FishHawk Ranch, a master planned community located on Starling Crossing Drive in Lithia off Osprey Ridge Drive south of FishHawk Blvd.

Ed Suchora, president of Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said new three, four and five bedroom single-family homes at FishHawk Ridge are priced from the $189s.

A model home is open daily at 5006 Sanderling Ridge Drive at FishHawk Ranch.

Gated two and three-bedroom town homes at FishHawk Ridge at FishHawk Ranch range in size from 1,209 square feet of living space to 1,600 square feet.

Three-bedroom twin villas at FishHawk Ridge at FishHawk Ranch are priced from the $180s with two-car garages. Twin villas range in size from 1,745 square feet to 1,881 square feet, Suchora said.

Model twin villas are open daily at 16020 Starling Crossing Drive at FishHawk Ranch.

All Beazer single family homes, twin villas and town homes at FishHawk Ranch are built with Beazer’s eSMART features that include elements to increase energy and water efficiency and indoor air-quality.

About Beazer Homes:

Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Beazer Homes to Start Construction of 11 New Homes in Three Communities in Orlando in April

Beazer Homes to Start Construction of 11 New Homes in Three Communities in Orlando in April

ORLANDO, Fla. - Beazer Homes will start construction of 11 new homes in three Orlando communities in April.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes Florida Division, said the home builder will start construction of six new two, three and four-bedroom town homes priced from $159,900 at The Enclave at Moss Park, located off Moss Park Rd. and Great Commission Way in southeast Orlando.

New town homes at Moss Park range in size from 1,300 square feet of living space to 1,800 square feet and feature two-car garages.

At Sawgrass, located south of Orlando International Airport off Weatherbee Rd. near Lake Nona, Beazer Homes will start construction of three new single-family homes.
New three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes at Sawgrass are priced from the $170’s and range in size from 1,400 square feet to 2,900 square feet.

At Legacy, the gated lakefront community located on Lake Conway off Holden Ave. and South Orange in Central Orlando, Beazer plans to start construction of two new homes priced from the $290s.

Beazer Homes builds three, four, five and six-bedroom single-family homes at Legacy that range from 2,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet.

For more information, contact:
David Byrnes President Beazer Homes, Florida Division, 407-339-4114
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes, Florida Division 407-339-4114, ttilton@beazer.com,br> Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 21 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

Beazer Homes offers back-to-basics tips on buying the home of your means

RECORD LOW MORTGAGE RATES ENTICE HOMEBUYERS: Beazer Homes offers back-to-basics tips on buying the home of your means

TAMPA, Fla., - You don’t have to be an expert in economics to know that as interest rates drop, mortgage applications rise. Add the lowest mortgage rates in recorded history, and lenders are working double time to meet the demand.

Freddie Mac Interim CEO John Koskinen predicts that mortgage rates, which are holding in the mid to upper 4 percent range, are “probably as good as it’s going to get” and “interest rates are probably close to bottoming out.” The government sponsored mortgage investment company is recommending that people buy now.

While much of the current loan activity centers around refinancing, the low rates also are attracting homebuyers into the market. Many of those include first-time buyers who are also enticed by the new $8,000 tax credit.

“Record-low mortgage rates, great pricing and the new tax credit have combined to push consumer buying power through the roof,” said Alan Beulah, general sales manager of the Tampa division for Beazer Homes, one of the country’s top 10 home builders. “How long it lasts is anyone’s guess.”

Simply put, the lower the mortgage interest rate, the more home a buyer can afford to purchase. For example, a monthly payment on a $250,000 mortgage would be roughly $1,200, assuming a 5 percent down payment and a 30-year loan at 4.5 percent.

However, if the interest rate goes up to 6.25 (which it was in November 2008) that same $1,200 mortgage payment would apply to a home valued at just $205,000—a $45,000 reduction in buying power.

In deciding how much home you can afford, experts recommend that first-time homebuyers, and even seasoned homeowners, follow some practical “old school” advice.
Most mortgage counselors or financial advisors suggest using the 28/36 rule. This basically means that your monthly housing expenses like the mortgage, insurance and property taxes should be no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. And, all your debt combined should account for no more than 36 percent of your gross income.

Depending on your circumstances, there may be some flexibility in easing the 28/36 rule, like including a co-signer on the mortgage or making a large down payment.
And, according to Beulah, not all loans require a hefty down payment. For example, FHA loans, which are insured by the federal government, only require a 3.5 percent down payment, which is much less than the 20 percent required with some conventional loans.

For example, on a $225,000 home, an FHA down payment would total $7,875, whereas a conventional mortgage would require $45,000 on the same price home.

“Contrary to what you may have heard, qualified buyers should not have any trouble getting a mortgage,” said Beulah. “Beazer has partnered with Bank of America/Countrywide to ensure our buyers receive fast, personalized service and won’t be pushed to the back of the line behind those seeking to refinance.”

Beazer has four new home communities throughout the Tampa area, with prices ranging from low $100s to mid $200s. For more information or to find a new home community in your area of interest, visit Beazer.com.

Contact:
Alan Beulah, General Sales Manager, 813-663-9002, Abeulah@beazer.com

Beazer Homes Announces “Private Sale” April 17-19 in Seven Jacksonville-Area Communities

Beazer Homes Announces “Private Sale” April 17-19 with Reduced Pricing, Closing Costs Paid by Seller, Big Discounts on Select Homes in Seven Jacksonville-Area Communities

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Beazer Homes will offer home buyers substantial incentives during its “Private Sale” of select homes in seven Jacksonville-area communities April 17-19.

Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales for Beazer Homes’ Florida division, said buyer incentives, including reduced pricing, closing costs paid by seller and big discounts are worth up to $30,000 for new single-family home purchases and up to $10,000 on new patio homes and town homes.

The homes offered with these incentives will showcase Beazer’s SmartDesign features and options for more organized and functional living spaces and new eSMART features that increase energy and water efficiency and indoor air quality, Tilton added.

Beazer Homes’ “Private Sale” incentives are offered on single-family homes at Amelia Cove at Amelia View in Jacksonville; Arbor Glade in Mandarin; Durbin Crossing in St. Johns County and at Las Calinas and South Hampton in St. Augustine. Select patio homes and town homes are located at Bartram Park in Mandarin.

“Beazer Homes will pay all closing costs up to six percent of the sale price during our ‘Private Sale,’” said David Byrnes, president of Beazer’s Florida Division.

Beazer Homes is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Headquartered in Atlanta, Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

For more information, contact:
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes/Florida, 407-339-4114, ttilton@beazer.com
David Byrnes, President/Beazer Homes Florida, 407-339-4114, dbyrnes@beazer.com
Brooke Keysor-Edge, SE Regional Marketing Specialist Beazer Homes/ SE Region, 407-339-4114, bkeysor@beazer.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Prospective Homebuyers Enthusiastic About Beazer Homes Smartdesign® Eco Promotion

Prospective Homebuyers Enthusiastic About Beazer Homes Smartdesign® Eco Promotion

30,000 Consumers Participate in Eco-Themed Sweepstakes Leading to 500 Net New Home Orders in February

ATLANTA -Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH), one of the nation’s top 10 homebuilders, recently announced an overwhelming response to its recent eco-themed sales promotion.

Approximately 30,000 prospective homebuyers participated in Beazer’s eco-themed sweepstakes, which launched early in the first quarter and gave participants a chance to instantly win one of 350 environmentally-friendly prizes. The grand prize of a 2009 Toyota Prius was won by Catherine Deppa of Pasadena, Md., who said the eco theme caught her attention and drove her to explore Beazer’s website for more information.

The sweepstakes culminated with a national sales event, in February, which offered buyers limited-time special incentives on new eco-friendly homes that included features aimed at reducing the cost of homeowners’ monthly energy bills.

“Even in this very challenging housing environment, the appeal of ecologically-friendly homes seemed to overcome the gloom in the economy. Our eco-promotion resonated strongly with consumers and drove more qualified traffic to our sales centers,” said Kathi James, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Beazer Homes. “This led to over 500 net new home orders in the month of February.”

As part of Beazer’s SMARTDESIGN initiative, the builder includes up to 10 eco-friendly features in every home it builds, including CFL bulbs, programmable thermostats and EnergyStar® dishwashers. Other standard features include water-saving faucets and showerheads, as well as MERV-8 air filters and low-VOC paints and carpet that contribute to healthier indoor air quality.

According to James, as more Americans look for ways to live an eco-friendly and energy efficient lifestyle, those considering the purchase of a new home are evaluating the many benefits of new construction. Indeed, research by Better Homes & Gardens* found that interest in green elements in the home is on the rise, with some 90 percent of survey respondents saying they plan to have energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in their next home.

In response to this trend, Beazer offers standard eco-friendly features in all homes plus market-specific energy-efficient options. For example, buyers in Beazer’s Indianapolis communities can select from a range of energy-saving upgrades—including low-emissivity windows, hybrid heat pumps and variable speed air handlers— to further personalize their home. Additionally, Beazer is testing LED recessed lighting, the newest generation of high-efficiency lighting, in its Las Vegas and Phoenix divisions.

“It is clear that despite the difficult economic climate, the potential homebuyer is looking long-term, and an eco-friendly home has great appeal. Beazer will continue to highlight the eco-friendly aspects of our homes,” James said. “Look for enhancements to our standard offering and the addition of new eco-friendly optional features through our design studios later this year.”

Beazer Homes is one of the country's largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. For more information on Beazer’s homes, communities and eco-friendly features visit Beazer.com.

Contact:
Mandy Brooks, 770-829-3755, mbrooks@beazer.com

* Source: Amy Hoak, At Annual Builder’s Show, Small Is In, MarketWatch, available at http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=17092507

Beazer Homes to offer free home buyer counseling seminars at two Tampa area communities in March

Beazer Homes to offer free home buyer counseling seminars at two Tampa area communities on March 7, March 14

TAMPA, Fla. - Beazer Homes will offer free home buyer seminars from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 7 at Dupree Lakes* in Land O’Lakes and on March 14 at Sawgrass* in Pinellas Park. *(Locations below)

Alan Beulah, sales manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa region, said both seminars are free to the public.

Experts in housing credit, mortgage loans and financing will be on hand to explain today’s mortgage and credit requirements and state and federal mortgage assistance programs and to answer any questions.

“Mortgage financing is available today at historically low rates and we want everyone to know about it,” said Beulah. “Both seminars are open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are free to the public,” he said.

*Dupree Lakes is located on Tigerflower Court off of Ehren’s Cutoff and U.S. 41. *Sawgrass is located on 68th Terrace off Park Blvd. and U.S. 19.

For more information about this press release, contact

Alan Beulah, Sales Manager Beazer Homes-Florida Division 813-663-9002

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142