The Blog

With presidential elections only a week away we thought it would be interesting to research this question. Believe it or not there is a significant amount of data showing that presidential elections do play a role in determining mortgage rates for the coming months. The consensus among many economists is that mortgage rates generally remain low before an election because of the high degree of uncertainty in the results.

The reason for this assumption can be further explained because of two distinct reasons. First, as we all know, the Fed has the power over the interest rates concerning mortgages within the country. Because of the elections, the Fed will most likely not raise rates. New residential construction rates are up nearly 15% and mortgage rates are the lowest they’ve been since 1971 when they began tracking these numbers at nearly 2.25%! The incumbent president tries to keep these numbers as low as possible in order to show growth and stability coming back to the market. This nearly guarantees low rates for refinancing and new mortgages.

Secondly, large investors around the country are very wary to invest in a “pre-election” market because of the potential tax-policies brought on by the elected president. This causes these investors to hold their cash in safer U.S Treasury Bonds and mortgage-backed securities, keeping rates at the status-quo, which in our current case is low.

This year NBC News rated both Bloomington/Normal and Peoria in the top 10 rebounding real-estate markets in the nation! Our community has seen steady growth in population, job hiring, and new home sites. Regardless of the outcome of the election, there is no reason for these signs of growth to change, so with the potential change in mortgage rates, we at O’Neal builders conclude that there is no reason to delay if you are interested in purchasing a new home. Visit our website to learn more about our new homes in Central Illinois.

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up on all the great news happening in the central Illinois.

If you’re ready to talk about your new home building needs, call us today at 309-454-6700.

Welcome To Trails On Sunset Lake

Home sites at our Bloomington-Normal, IL subdivision, Trails On Sunset Lake, are selling fast. News reports are showing that home sales are increasing in this area, and with 25 of our 37 home sites in this beautiful community sold, we’re feeling the turnaround in the real estate market. What does this mean for prospective homebuyers looking for Bloomington-Normal, IL home property? It’s time to act soon to secure your spot in one of the most spectacular communities this area has ever seen.

At O’Neal Builders, we strive to make show the residents at Trails On Sunset Lake how Life Is Better By The Lake. Expansive lots that include walk-out basement and lake-front property are still available.  So if you’re looking for a lifestyle that expertly combines an impressive atmosphere without being pretentious; elegance while still being casually refined; and offering privacy, graciousness and outdoor enjoyment, we warmly invite you to explore a unique lifestyle that can be found only at Trails On Sunset Lake in Bloomington-Normal, IL.

Some of the features of this spectacular subdivision include:

–        Ten acre lake & detention area with walking trail

–        Innovative Landscaped Cul-De-Loop Boulevards create a warm
community atmosphere while ensuring your privacy

–        Smaller pavement width allowing more green space

–        Protective Covenants that Create a Higher Home Value

–        Large lots enabling side load garages and motor courts

–        Located in the Unit 5 School District

–        Convenient Access to Shopping, entertainment, restaurants and schools.

Trails on Sunset Lake has grown into a Bloomington-Normal, IL neighborhood that families can truly call home. Here at O’Neal builders we’re passionate about delivering your dream home in your dream location. Can you see joining the company of smart property owners who are already a part of this premiere community?

Then contact us today.

Learn more about Trails On Sunset Lake features.

View subdivision map.

And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to stay on top of all that’s new with the O’Neal crew!

The new model home Trails On Sunset Lake.

Join us this Saturday and Sunday as we introduce our newest home into the beautiful Trails on Sunset Lake development, the Bloomington-Normal, IL premiere community for beautiful new homes. On Saturday October 13^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday October 14th from 1 to 4 p.m., we will be hosting the Grand Opening of our new model home in Trails On Sunset Lake. This gorgeous 6 bedroom, 4 ½ bath design is the perfect showcase of how we build new Bloominton-Normal, IL homes one detail at a time. Everything from the meticulous craftsmanship to the exquisite style contributes to this beautiful example of why O’Neal Builders is the clear choice for anyone looking to build a new home in Central Illinois.

Here are some of the amazing features you will see throughout the 3616 Tahoe model home:

• A breathtaking location and incredible view of the 10 acre Trails on Sunset Lake
• Located centrally within Normal, IL in Unit 5’s school district
• Fully landscaped .4 acre lot with mature trees
• Grand front door with clavos and strapped hinges
• Premium Trex Transcend decking system
• Exquisite exterior façade with brick and stone detail
• Large gourmet kitchen with beaded inset cabinetry, granite countertops and stone backsplashes
• Hand scraped maple floors with distressing
• Custom staircase system featuring wrought iron balusters, stained treads & painted risers
• Main floor master suite with custom tile shower & tub bath
• Walk-in closets in each bedroom
• Tall window finished basement with wet bar, 2 bedrooms, full bathroom, recreation area and theatre room
• Central vacuum system with vacuum pan in kitchen
• Zoned heating & cooling for utility cost savings and better comfort
• 75 gallon hot water heater
• Distributed audio pre-wire (6 zones) w/ iPod dock station

Find us on Facebook for more photos and to learn about the special offers we will be giving throughout the grand opening (including a $50 Visa gift card), and visit our website for a full list of details on this model home and other new homes in Central Illinois like it!

Questions about our Grand Opening? Give us a call. 309-454-6700

Fall is here and that means it’s time to begin preparing your yard for winter and next spring. Preparing your yard One Detail At A Time for the fall will yield a strong foundation for your yard to flourish when the warm weather returns. Here are some important tips DIYnetwork.com suggests to keep in mind as the cooler weather approaches.

For Lawns

This summer has been especially tough on our lawns here in Central Illinois, and most of us will need to throw down some more grass seed in order to get rid of brown spots we have growing in our backyards. Experts suggest that now is the time to reseed your lawn of your Peoria-Dunlap, IL home. Once the October/November weather hits, it could be too late. With cool season turf, like fescue and bluegrass, experts also say to keep the new grass seeds wet and moist until germination. Keeping fallen leaves off the seeds will also continue to help the growth of new stems.

For Gardens

As we begin to harvest and clean out our summer gardens, make sure to move all old plants to a compost or trash bin to cut down on pests and diseases lurking around your Peoria-Dunlap, IL home during the winter months. Experts also suggest to either plant or store your flower bulbs in a  cool dry place such as a refrigerator so they can be ready for next spring’s bloom. Dividing your perennial and plant perennial seeds is another great thing to do at this time.

For Landscaping

Fall is the best time of year to plant any trees or shrubs for your yard. Time is of the essence, so make sure to get them in the ground while the weather is still nice so that they have time to take root before winter sets in. Illinois is known for its dry wind, which can dehydrate plants easily. Make sure to keep water on your new plants during their first weeks of growth, and check the soil for moisture levels.

A beautiful yard is the key to maximum curb appeal for any new or existing Peoria, IL home. Make your yard stand out with these tips and for further inspiration, check out some of the yards of the homes we’ve built in the past.

It’s finally here, football season is back! All you need is the perfect entertainment center in your Peoria-Dunlap, IL home that will make your guy friends drool all over their brand new Urlacher jerseys. The entertainment center has become an essential part of any new Peoria-Dunlap, IL home’s  design. From movies with the kids to the big game Sunday night, a theater room built One Detail At A Time is what every family man dreams of. Here are a few tips and popular trends to consider when daydreaming or designing your future home theater system.

1. Choosing the correct space- In order to create the perfect entertainment space, it’s going to take more than throwing a 45″ TV up on the wall in the middle of the family room. You need to create a space that you can truly make   your own personal retreat where football reigns supreme    and uninterrupted. A space that’s separate and won’t be disturbed by other household activities.

When creating your home theater system in your Peoria-Dunlap home remember to think about layout, sound reflection, and the types of products such as carpet, furniture, insulation, and drywall that will go into your design. These small details will go a long way in delivering that superior bass pounding sound you’ve been missing with your living room movie nights.

2. Screen size- The screen is the focal point for any theater room. Bigger is always better, so when designing your dream entertainment system make sure to choose a high quality projection system or flat-screen TV that will fit the room’s design. Choosing a 3-D, Blue-ray, or HD projector is the optimal choice in video projection, and continues to contribute to the “wow” factor of your Peoria-Dunlap, IL home theater.

3. Lighting- Lighting is critical. Choosing dimmers for your theater space is the best option for light reduction and creating a movie theater feel. Also, choosing a space that has limited windows and darker paint colors will further the light reduction needed for any theater room.

4. Seating- Sitting on the floor will do no good in a theater room. Comfortable seating is a requirement. There are many options out there such as movie-theater recliners and large sectional sofas that will fit your design. Make sure to allow enough room for the type of seating you will choose, and keep it comfy!

  5. Adding a bar- Whether your theater room is in the      basement or in a bedroom, having refreshments and             popcorn nearby will complete the home theater system experience. No more running to the other end of your Peoria-Dunlap home to refill your cup only to come back and see that you missed the scoring drive.

6. Leave it to the pros- If all this sounds like a lot to handle on your own, you’re probably right. Let our professional team help you install one of these amazing rooms into your new or existing Peoria-Dunlap, IL   home. With superior quality and a focus on One Detail At A Time, we will make your theater room worthy of the Vince Lombardi trophy for home theater systems.

Check out our amazing pictures for what your next home theater system could look like!

Did you know that recent interest rates for a 30-year fixed loan came in around 3.7%.  So assuming inflation is averaging around 3%, there’s only a .7% difference between inflation and what you will pay in interest!

What does this mean for you?

You’re witnessing the perfect storm for Peoria-Dunlap housing pricing. Not only are interest rates low, but home prices are historically low, too. So yeah, I’d say the time to buy is now!

You possess more spending power. Homebuyers in the Peoria-Dunlap area are able to get more home for the same or lower payment. Or, put some money away. Or, put a new car in the garage (ironically the car will probably have a higher interest rate than your home).

This is an amazing and historical time to build a new home in the Peoria-Dunlap, IL area. We invite you to have a conversation with O’Neal Builders about why our homes bring superior value – One Detail At A Time.

Contact us today and tell us about your dream home One Detail At A Time.

Technological advances in building materials like insulation, windows and heating systems make Peoria-Dunlap, IL homes that are built today up to 50% more efficient than homes built just 5 years ago.

That’s why, if you’re in the market for a home in the Peoria-Dunlap area, you should consider building new. You and your builder will be able to discuss the latest in energy-efficiency technology that will save you money and enhance your investment value.

The comfort and value enhancement not only will be welcomed by you and your family today, but if the time to sell your Peoria-Dunlap, IL home ever came, the comfort and value will surely be an appealing selling point to future owners.

To learn more about building an energy efficient home in Peoria-Dunlap, IL, call us today at 309-454-6700 or contact us.

At O’Neal Builders, we don’t see building custom homes in Peoria as just building a home. We see it as developing a relationship for life.

That’s why we build our Peoria custom homes to rigorous standards with the highest-quality materials and by the most experienced team of dedicated professionals in the area.

Still, from time to time, issues arise. And you want the assurance that if and when they do, you’ll have someone on your side that has your best interests in mind.

That’s exactly what you’ll get when you build your Peoria custom home with O’Neal Builders. You’ll be a part of the O’Neal family, meaning you’ll experience an unwavering loyalty that ensures you receive individualized attention whenever necessary. Our full warranty for every Peoria custom home provides our buyers with assurance and peace of mind that few Peoria custom home builders can match, and our homeowners regularly see us go ‘above and beyond’ when a service issue arises.

You’ll be happy with your O’Neal custom home for a long, long time. That’s our commitment. That’s our promise.

Why not decide now to take the next step. Come share your vision for your new home with us and let us help you outline the steps to turning that vision into a reality.

Call 309-454-6700 today to schedule a time to sit down with an O’Neal home consultant today.

We look forward to working with you.

Families change. Lifestyles change. And so do your needs.

Don’t you want a Peoria custom home that can change with you?

The concept of ‘flex spaces’ – areas in the home that are specifically designed to be flexible and accommodate multiple uses – is relatively new. Homes built just a few years ago weren’t designed this way. So, turning a bedroom into a home office, for example, required compromise… and lots of extension cords!

O’Neal Builder’s chief designer, Amy O’Neal, is an expert on interior spaces for Peoria, IL custom homes and how to design it to serve multiple purposes. That means giving thought and attention, not just to your current needs, but to what your needs might be in 5 years, ten years and beyond – and creating a design that will work just as well then as it does now.

We know, it gives a new meaning to the term ‘space age design’, but we’re confident that you’ll appreciate what it means for you when you see it.

View some of our current designs here, or come by our model home and sales center to see how we go about creating flexible floor plans in the Peoria, IL area that perfectly meet the present – and future – needs of our customers. Call 309-454-6700 to schedule your visit today.

A question that we get from Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign-Urbana home owners a lot is “Should I remodel my existing home, or have a new home built?”

In the end, only you can answer that question, but here are some things to consider:

1.      Do you like living in the Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign-Urbana area?

2.      Is your current home in good shape structurally?

3.      Are you looking for comfort and convenience or is resale value important?

4.      Are you there ‘long term’?

5.      Will improving your home over-value it for the area?

6.      What does your ‘gut’ tell you?

The first question carries a lot of weight: Do you like living where you are now? Are you comfortable with your current neighbors? Is the neighborhood stable, or is it in decline? Are you conveniently located to the places you regularly visit – schools, shopping, restaurants, medical facilities, etc.?

The bottom line is that if you like where you are and enjoy your neighbors, then remodeling your current home might be the way to go.

Remodeling your home can give your the best of both worlds – the comfort, convenience and reliability of ‘new’ without the expense and ‘adventure’ of starting over.

View a gallery of Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign-Urbana Remodel projects.

O’Neal Builders can help you with either remodeling your existing space or building a brand new home anywhere in the Bloomington-Normal area. Give us a call at 309-454-6700 to have us come by and look at your existing home and what you have in mind as to changes. We’ll help you evaluate your options so that you can make the decision that’s right for you.

Contact us. We look forward to meeting you, hearing your ideas and helping you make the right remodeling decision for your Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and Champaign-Urbana home.