HOMEBUILDERSPOTLIGHT

PHOENIX PHILANTHROPY

FINANCE CORNER

F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 1 4

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Eliant Ranks Homeowners Financial Group #1

THE WEST VALLEY COMES OF AGE

Arizona Homebuilder

16427 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite #145Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Chandler55 N. Arizona Place Suite #204

Chandler, AZ 85225

Arrowhead16165 N. 83rd Ave. Suite #120

Peoria, AZ 85382 Prescott140 N. Montezuma Street Suite #100

Prescott, AZ 86301

Westlake340 N. Westlake Blvd. Suite #155

Westlake Village, CA 91361

Old Town Scottsdale16427 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite #145

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Brentwood11777 San Vicente Blvd. Suite #601

Los Angeles, CA 90049

Why do so many builders name HFG their preferred lender?

SERVICE LEVEL COMMITMENTS

· All Builder Files Receive Initial 30-Day Underwriting

· Extended Locks up to 12-Months

· Customized Marketing Support

PORTFOLIO SELECT PRODUCTS

· Expanded FHA and Conventional

· Clean Slate Program

· Construction Financing

CORPORATE OFFICE

“Our buyers are always impressed and satisfied with the professionalism and overall service received by Homeowners Financial Group.”

Mark & Julie Hancock, Founders – Camelot Homes

WWW.HOMEOWNERSFG.COM • 480.305.8550

Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC NMLS#93718 lends in the following states, AZ BK #0906222; CA Finance Lenders Law License # 603 F033; ID # MBL-5879; NM # 03068; ND #MB102538; OR # ML-5229 WA: #CL-93718 and is registered in CO. 866-305-8059.

Featured Builder

Styles may come and go. But there are some basics of good construction and customer service – whether in clothing or houses – that never go out of style.

From their start as clothing retailers, Fulton Homes parlayed what they knew about how to merchandise clothing to designing and delivering new homes that caught the eye of their customers. Their attention to detail, quality and customer service has not gone unnoticed.

Founded in 1976, Fulton Homes now is Arizona’s largest family-owned and operated homebuilder and was ranked as the 5th largest homebuilder according to the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2013 Book of Lists.

“We closed nearly 700 homes in 2013, have nearly 4,000 lots in inventory, and will be opening six to seven new communities this year,” said Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Many of these are in the East Valley, but we’ll be moving back into the West Valley in 2015.”

Late last year Fulton Homes announced its purchase of more than 350 acres next to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Located on the southeast corner of Bethany Home Road and 91st Avenue, the new Stonehaven community is planned for more than 1,000 homes. Anticipated opening is late 2015, with prices from the low $200s to high $400s.

Fulton Homes also has expanded outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area with the opening in Prescott of Fulton Estates the Preserve at the Ranch. This prestigious gated custom home community consists of 38 estate size homesites from four to seven acres each.

“Our business is, and always will be relationship based, including how we treat our

subcontractors and employees,” Fulton said. “We are totally focused on the needs of our customers and the amenities they want in their homes and their communities.”

While styles have changed, and preferences may switch from bronze to chrome, location and community remain a big factor in why people choose a Fulton Home.

“Our consumer research consistently proves that driving through our communities and getting a �rst-hand look at the neighborhood for their future home was the number one reason our customers selected us,” he said. “We have communities that appeal to all demographics. In fact, our biggest competitor is our own communities which o�er so many choices. If we don’t have what the customer is looking for, we will help them �nd it. Even if it means sending them to another homebuilder, that customer will remember that Fulton Homes really cares about helping families �nd their dream home.”

Another hallmark of Fulton Homes is their legendary attention to quality and customer service.

“We sell on quality, not on price, but we take care of our customers, regardless of the age of the home,” he said.

Fulton Homes goes beyond just building and selling homes. They are totally committed to communities. Fulton Homes has contributed more than $300 million to Arizona's schools, communities and children, and donates more than 60 percent of its pro�ts every year too many worthwhile causes around the country.

“I feel our slogan says it all,” Fulton said. “We are proud to build the homes that our customers are proud to own.”

Quality Construction and Customer Service Never Go Out of Style Loans and Oranges

The homeownership industry plays a vital role in building communities where people want to live and businesses want to invest, create jobs, and grow. But it is more than just bricks and mortar. Creating and sustaining vibrant communities needs the support of industry leaders who recognize that giving back to their communities is just as important as the bottom line.

There are two such leaders in the Arizona homeownership industry - Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes, and Bill Rogers, CEO of Homeowners Financial Group (HFG). Both companies are generous participants in supporting charitable causes through various programs and their foundations.

“My grandmother instilled in me the importance of giving back at a young age,” Fulton said. “She taught me that we are just stewards of money we earn through success in business and that it is our responsibility to use it wisely to bene�t others.”

Fulton Homes donates more than 60 percent of its pro�ts every year to many worthwhile causes around the country. Since 1976 Fulton Homes has contributed more than $300 million to Arizona's schools, communities and children.

“As part of our core values, HFG supports our community with donations of time, resources and funds to various charities, including helping to create The Care Fund,” Rogers said.

The mission of The Care Fund is to provide �nancial support by granting mortgage or rent to families who have children with extended illness or injury. Since its inception in January 2013, The Care Fund has helped nearly 50 families throughout Arizona and raised $600,000 toward its initial goal of $1 million.

The homeownership industry – including realtors, title companies, builders, banks, credit reporting agencies, pool builders and others - has rallied around The Care Fund helping it get o� to such a strong start.

“No parent should have to choose between caring for their child or working to pay their mortgage or rent. We care for their home, while they care for their child,” Rogers said.

For both corporate and community leaders and their companies, integrating a charitable component into their businesses and relationships in the community not only makes good business sense, but it’s the right thing to do.

If you were to pick any industry and shrink it by 30%, chances are that it would have a dramatically negative e�ect on the participants in that industry. Let’s take citrus as an example. If the predictions in the country for citrus consumption for the foreseeable future dropped by a third, you can probably imagine what that would do to citrus farmers. Many of them would likely sell their farms and exit the business.

In addition, what would happen if the government started telling the citrus farmers exactly what size, color and shape of oranges were allowed to be sold in the open market? This would likely hasten the exit of more farmers getting out of the industry. The analogy about citrus farmers is not all that far o� from what the mortgage industry is experiencing right now.

The Mortgage Bankers Association recently announced that they expect the volume of loans originated this year to be a full one-third less than what was originated in 2013. The main reason is that interest rates are rising and there is very little re�nance activity. Also, on January 10th the CFPB's Quali�ed Mortgage Rule went into e�ect which eliminates certain types of loans that lenders originated in the past.

So what’s going to happen to those lenders that spent 2012 and 2013 riding the wave of easy re�nance business? Who knows for sure, but many of them are likely to go away. What will happen to lenders who did not prepare for the recent regulatory changes in the industry? Some of them will be closing shop too.

This all sounds grim, but fear not! Even though many lenders will likely be forced out of the industry, there are many others who are prepared for the changes in our industry. This is why it is important to align yourself with a lender that has been intensely focused on helping homebuyers become homeowners.

In 2014 and beyond, make sure you work with a lender that has the know-how, commitment and “staying-power” to succeed in today’s market.

Anchored by the Loop 303, the West Valley area of Metropolitan Phoenix has come of age for new home sales activity, with 4,757 new homes sold in the West Valley in 2013.

With the nearing completion of the Loop 303 connecting I-17 in the North Valley with I 10 in the West Valley, the future for new home activity in the West Valley seems almost assured as West Valley residents will have direct high-speed access to central Phoenix as well as to the employment centers in the Deer Valley area and along I-17 and I-10.

The map below shows where the hotspots for new homes occurred in the West Valley in 2013 and shows the impact that the Loop 303 and I-10 had on the market for new homes in 2013 and why there’s every reason to expect more of the same in the years ahead...

The Northwest portion was dominated by activity in the Vistancia master-planned community with a brand-new connection directly to the Loop 303 and a variety of new homes being constructed in the area of Happy Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway and in the Sun City Festival community in Surprise.

A resurgence of activity in the Verrado master-planned community, plus the addition of an active adult component to that master plan added to the continuing activity in Palm Valley and in Estrella Mountain Ranch and to the growing allure of the West Valley for baby boomer retirees.

As the supply of lots and land for home building diminishes in other sought after parts of the Valley, the West Valley has ample resources of available land for development well into the future.

We expect that the new housing market will continue to improve in 2014 as the e�ects of the economic recession are mitigated by continued job and population growth in the Metropolitan Phoenix area and we anticipate that the West Valley will see its market share capture of that housing market growth increase along with that market improvement.

The West Valley has come of age!

For additional insight and market data call Greg Burger at 480-614-0211 or visit our website at www.RLBrownreports.com.

GREG BURGER RL Brown Reports

DOUG FULTONChief Executive O�cer

Fulton Homes

CHRIS MOZILOVice President of QC & Compliance

Homeowners Financial Group

McCormick Ranch Golf Club7505 McCormick Parkway Scottsdale, AZ 85258

West Valley Comes of Age

WEST VALLEY 2013 NEW HOUSING HOTPOTSAT RL BROWN REPORTS

CaddyshackGolf ClassicSATURDAY, MAY 10TH 2014 • 7:30AM

Scramble

Secure foursomes and sponsorships now at www.thecarefund.org/events

Giving Back Builds Strong Foundation for Strong Communities

Styles may come and go. But there are some basics of good construction and customer service – whether in clothing or houses – that never go out of style.

From their start as clothing retailers, Fulton Homes parlayed what they knew about how to merchandise clothing to designing and delivering new homes that caught the eye of their customers. Their attention to detail, quality and customer service has not gone unnoticed.

Founded in 1976, Fulton Homes now is Arizona’s largest family-owned and operated homebuilder and was ranked as the 5th largest homebuilder according to the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2013 Book of Lists.

“We closed nearly 700 homes in 2013, have nearly 4,000 lots in inventory, and will be opening six to seven new communities this year,” said Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Many of these are in the East Valley, but we’ll be moving back into the West Valley in 2015.”

Late last year Fulton Homes announced its purchase of more than 350 acres next to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Located on the southeast corner of Bethany Home Road and 91st Avenue, the new Stonehaven community is planned for more than 1,000 homes. Anticipated opening is late 2015, with prices from the low $200s to high $400s.

Fulton Homes also has expanded outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area with the opening in Prescott of Fulton Estates the Preserve at the Ranch. This prestigious gated custom home community consists of 38 estate size homesites from four to seven acres each.

“Our business is, and always will be relationship based, including how we treat our

subcontractors and employees,” Fulton said. “We are totally focused on the needs of our customers and the amenities they want in their homes and their communities.”

While styles have changed, and preferences may switch from bronze to chrome, location and community remain a big factor in why people choose a Fulton Home.

“Our consumer research consistently proves that driving through our communities and getting a �rst-hand look at the neighborhood for their future home was the number one reason our customers selected us,” he said. “We have communities that appeal to all demographics. In fact, our biggest competitor is our own communities which o�er so many choices. If we don’t have what the customer is looking for, we will help them �nd it. Even if it means sending them to another homebuilder, that customer will remember that Fulton Homes really cares about helping families �nd their dream home.”

Another hallmark of Fulton Homes is their legendary attention to quality and customer service.

“We sell on quality, not on price, but we take care of our customers, regardless of the age of the home,” he said.

Fulton Homes goes beyond just building and selling homes. They are totally committed to communities. Fulton Homes has contributed more than $300 million to Arizona's schools, communities and children, and donates more than 60 percent of its pro�ts every year too many worthwhile causes around the country.

“I feel our slogan says it all,” Fulton said. “We are proud to build the homes that our customers are proud to own.”

Quality Construction and Customer Service Never Go Out of Style Loans and Oranges

The homeownership industry plays a vital role in building communities where people want to live and businesses want to invest, create jobs, and grow. But it is more than just bricks and mortar. Creating and sustaining vibrant communities needs the support of industry leaders who recognize that giving back to their communities is just as important as the bottom line.

There are two such leaders in the Arizona homeownership industry - Doug Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes, and Bill Rogers, CEO of Homeowners Financial Group (HFG). Both companies are generous participants in supporting charitable causes through various programs and their foundations.

“My grandmother instilled in me the importance of giving back at a young age,” Fulton said. “She taught me that we are just stewards of money we earn through success in business and that it is our responsibility to use it wisely to bene�t others.”

Fulton Homes donates more than 60 percent of its pro�ts every year to many worthwhile causes around the country. Since 1976 Fulton Homes has contributed more than $300 million to Arizona's schools, communities and children.

“As part of our core values, HFG supports our community with donations of time, resources and funds to various charities, including helping to create The Care Fund,” Rogers said.

The mission of The Care Fund is to provide �nancial support by granting mortgage or rent to families who have children with extended illness or injury. Since its inception in January 2013, The Care Fund has helped nearly 50 families throughout Arizona and raised $600,000 toward its initial goal of $1 million.

The homeownership industry – including realtors, title companies, builders, banks, credit reporting agencies, pool builders and others - has rallied around The Care Fund helping it get o� to such a strong start.

“No parent should have to choose between caring for their child or working to pay their mortgage or rent. We care for their home, while they care for their child,” Rogers said.

For both corporate and community leaders and their companies, integrating a charitable component into their businesses and relationships in the community not only makes good business sense, but it’s the right thing to do.

If you were to pick any industry and shrink it by 30%, chances are that it would have a dramatically negative e�ect on the participants in that industry. Let’s take citrus as an example. If the predictions in the country for citrus consumption for the foreseeable future dropped by a third, you can probably imagine what that would do to citrus farmers. Many of them would likely sell their farms and exit the business.

In addition, what would happen if the government started telling the citrus farmers exactly what size, color and shape of oranges were allowed to be sold in the open market? This would likely hasten the exit of more farmers getting out of the industry. The analogy about citrus farmers is not all that far o� from what the mortgage industry is experiencing right now.

The Mortgage Bankers Association recently announced that they expect the volume of loans originated this year to be a full one-third less than what was originated in 2013. The main reason is that interest rates are rising and there is very little re�nance activity. Also, on January 10th the CFPB's Quali�ed Mortgage Rule went into e�ect which eliminates certain types of loans that lenders originated in the past.

So what’s going to happen to those lenders that spent 2012 and 2013 riding the wave of easy re�nance business? Who knows for sure, but many of them are likely to go away. What will happen to lenders who did not prepare for the recent regulatory changes in the industry? Some of them will be closing shop too.

This all sounds grim, but fear not! Even though many lenders will likely be forced out of the industry, there are many others who are prepared for the changes in our industry. This is why it is important to align yourself with a lender that has been intensely focused on helping homebuyers become homeowners.

In 2014 and beyond, make sure you work with a lender that has the know-how, commitment and “staying-power” to succeed in today’s market.

Anchored by the Loop 303, the West Valley area of Metropolitan Phoenix has come of age for new home sales activity, with 4,757 new homes sold in the West Valley in 2013.

With the nearing completion of the Loop 303 connecting I-17 in the North Valley with I 10 in the West Valley, the future for new home activity in the West Valley seems almost assured as West Valley residents will have direct high-speed access to central Phoenix as well as to the employment centers in the Deer Valley area and along I-17 and I-10.

The map below shows where the hotspots for new homes occurred in the West Valley in 2013 and shows the impact that the Loop 303 and I-10 had on the market for new homes in 2013 and why there’s every reason to expect more of the same in the years ahead...

The Northwest portion was dominated by activity in the Vistancia master-planned community with a brand-new connection directly to the Loop 303 and a variety of new homes being constructed in the area of Happy Valley Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway and in the Sun City Festival community in Surprise.

A resurgence of activity in the Verrado master-planned community, plus the addition of an active adult component to that master plan added to the continuing activity in Palm Valley and in Estrella Mountain Ranch and to the growing allure of the West Valley for baby boomer retirees.

As the supply of lots and land for home building diminishes in other sought after parts of the Valley, the West Valley has ample resources of available land for development well into the future.

We expect that the new housing market will continue to improve in 2014 as the e�ects of the economic recession are mitigated by continued job and population growth in the Metropolitan Phoenix area and we anticipate that the West Valley will see its market share capture of that housing market growth increase along with that market improvement.

The West Valley has come of age!

For additional insight and market data call Greg Burger at 480-614-0211 or visit our website at www.RLBrownreports.com.

GREG BURGER RL Brown Reports

DOUG FULTONChief Executive O�cer

Fulton Homes

CHRIS MOZILOVice President of QC & Compliance

Homeowners Financial Group

McCormick Ranch Golf Club7505 McCormick Parkway Scottsdale, AZ 85258

West Valley Comes of Age

WEST VALLEY 2013 NEW HOUSING HOTPOTSAT RL BROWN REPORTS

CaddyshackGolf ClassicSATURDAY, MAY 10TH 2014 • 7:30AM

Scramble

Secure foursomes and sponsorships now at www.thecarefund.org/events

Giving Back Builds Strong Foundation for Strong Communities

HOMEBUILDERSPOTLIGHT

PHOENIX PHILANTHROPY

FINANCE CORNER

F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 1 4

Produced by Desert Lifestyle Publishing • 480.460.0996 • www.DesertLifestyle.net

Eliant Ranks Homeowners Financial Group #1

THE WEST VALLEY COMES OF AGE

Arizona Homebuilder

16427 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite #145Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Chandler55 N. Arizona Place Suite #204

Chandler, AZ 85225

Arrowhead16165 N. 83rd Ave. Suite #120

Peoria, AZ 85382 Prescott140 N. Montezuma Street Suite #100

Prescott, AZ 86301

Westlake340 N. Westlake Blvd. Suite #155

Westlake Village, CA 91361

Old Town Scottsdale16427 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite #145

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Brentwood11777 San Vicente Blvd. Suite #601

Los Angeles, CA 90049

Why do so many builders name HFG their preferred lender?

SERVICE LEVEL COMMITMENTS

· All Builder Files Receive Initial 30-Day Underwriting

· Extended Locks up to 12-Months

· Customized Marketing Support

PORTFOLIO SELECT PRODUCTS

· Expanded FHA and Conventional

· Clean Slate Program

· Construction Financing

CORPORATE OFFICE

“Our buyers are always impressed and satisfied with the professionalism and overall service received by Homeowners Financial Group.”

Mark & Julie Hancock, Founders – Camelot Homes

WWW.HOMEOWNERSFG.COM • 480.305.8550

Homeowners Financial Group USA, LLC NMLS#93718 lends in the following states, AZ BK #0906222; CA Finance Lenders Law License # 603 F033; ID # MBL-5879; NM # 03068; ND #MB102538; OR # ML-5229 WA: #CL-93718 and is registered in CO. 866-305-8059.

Featured Builder