As August approaches talk begins in Norman to center around kids going back to school and how OU football will fare in 2014.  This year is no different, except there is a little more to talk about in Norman.  There is a $171-million-plus list of "quality of life" improvements promoted by  Norman Forward that is calling for a 15-year, half-cent sales tax to be included in a Spring election.  The list of improvements would include:

• A sports and wellness center that includes an all-sports stadium, a multi purpose arena, 20 tournament- ready baseball and softball fields, multiple practice fields, basketball/volleyball courts, and aquatics center and a senior citizens center.
• Indoor soccer arena and 20 new soccer fields.
• New central and east-side libraries
• Citywide parks improvements
• Develop 2 large community parks: Ruby Grant Park on the west side and John Saxon Park on the east

So where would these facilities be?

Although there have been no definite locations determined the proposal for the Sports and Wellness Center would be on 160 acres of North Base land, currently owned by the University of Oklahoma.  OU officials have said they would be willing to swap the land for Reaves Park at Jenkins & Constitution.

A series of public hearings will be held in the coming months so residents can weigh in on the proposal.

The project would be completed in 3 phases over the next 6 years.

• Phase 1- Libraries, aquatics center, baseball complex, development of Ruby Grant Community Park, completion of John Saxon Community Park and enhancement of other parks. $99 million
• Phase 2- Senior Citizens center, all-sports stadium, the indoor sports arena and improvements to Griffin Park, including new fields and ample parking. $46.5 million
• Phase 3- Construction of the multipurpose arena and completion or enhancements of more city parks. $26 million

With so much planned and going on in Norman, why not make Norman your home?

We are so honored to have been chosen by the Coulter family to build their dream home.  Stop by one of our Model Homes this week to find out how you can get started on yours!  Our model homes are in Carrington Lakes in Norman, The Ranches in SW OKC/Moore Schools, The Reserve at Valencia in Edmond and Belleau Wood in Edmond.

       Stop by one of our Model Homes today to find out how to get started on your new home!

Are you making plans to host the Super Bowl party at your home this year?  Here are a few tips we have found that will make the party one to never forget.

1.) Make your own coasters out of Astro Turf.  You can buy the turf for about $1.00 a square foot at your local hardware store.

2.) Fill cups with potted wheatgrass.  You can pick this up at a local flower shop or nursery.  Top the grass off with pennants and mini footballs.

3.) Design a table runner to look like a football field.  You can use Con-Tact Chalkboard Contact Paper and draw yard lines with chalk.  Leave the chalk out and let the guest draw all over it.

4.)  Have a Super Bowl Party Game.  Give prizes to who can guess the final score, what was the first commercial, who scored first, etc.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the game!  If you are currently in a Landmark Home with a theatre/game room you will be able to relax in comfort!  If not, stop by one of our model homes in Carrington Lakes, Valencia, The Ranches at Olde Tuscany or Belleau Wood and talk to one of our New Home Consultants to find out how you can enjoy the game next year in a Landmark Home!

It is that time!  Everyone is talking about what their goals are for the New Year.

Stop by one of our Model Homes in Carrington Lakes, Belleau Wood, Valencia or The Ranches.  One of our New Home Consultants are ready to help you get in your dream home this year. Not only can you be in that new home, but you will want to be a part of some of the lowest interest rates in history.  If you wait too long you will miss  your chance!

Our Model Homes are open, Thursday-Monday from 1-6 or on Saturday from 10-6.  We would love to help you complete one of those goals for 2014!

The Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association (COHBA) Parade of Homes is right around the corner!

We are excited to have 4 homes in this years Parade.

We will have homes in Carrington Lakes in Norman, Belleau Wood in East Edmond, The Ranches in SW OKC/Moore Schools and The Reserve at Valencia in West Edmond.  The homes will be open October 19-27 from 1-7 pm or if those times do not work we can set up a appointment for a private showing.

This year our homes have great outdoor spaces, Media Rooms that are perfect to watch your favorite Basketball team in, a wonderful plan that can have 2 Master Bedrooms and a home in a great community that offers a community pool, cabana, several parks and walking trails throughout.

Landmark also has several homes in each community that are in various stages of construction.  Several of the homes you can still pick out some of the finishes.  They won't last long so contact us TODAY to make them your own!

Suzzanne Wolfe is another one of our qualified New Home Consultants.  She works in our Valencia Community in the Edmond, North Oklahoma City area but can help you anywhere in the Metro.  Here are a few words from Suzzanne:

I have been in the Home Design Industry in different facets for over 15 years.  I began my career in landscape design.  I worked with home owners as well as landscapers designing outdoor living spaces. I was also a contributing writer for a local monthly magazine giving seasonal planting advice.  My career then moved to interior design and working for a local furniture company.  I loved helping customers as well as builders make furniture selections and custom designing furniture and drapes.  It was during this time that I recognized my interest for New Home Construction.  Landmark Fine Homes was the perfect fit!

Since coming to Landmark I have received extensive training in Energy Efficiency as well as Building Science.  I am very passionate about helping people design their home from the ground up.

Call me today and we can make your Dream of a New Home a Reality!

Mark Osterman is one of our qualified New Home Consultants.  Mark works in the Edmond, North Oklahoma City area but can help you anywhere in the Metro.  Hear a few words from Mark:

I am here to help answer all of your questions about buying or building a New Home.  I have over 6 1/2 years with Landmark Fine Homes, 3 years as a Mortgage Lender and 9 years selling to builders in the New Residential Paint Industry.

At Landmark we make it a priority to educate ourselves in the latest building practices.  I have attended The Green Building Summit, Energy Efficiency continuing Education Conferences as well as in house training from our suppliers and trades about the products we put into our homes.  Having this education has made me knowledgeable in the newest practices and procedures for obtaining maximum energy efficiency and comfort.  Energy Efficiency means not only a more comfortable home but more affordable energy bills.  No one wants to spend all our money paying utilities!

Winning America's Best Builder makes Landmark Fine Homes the easiest choice for buying or building a new home.  Call me to get all your questions answered and feel comfortable about building your dream home!

How does “Island Life” sound about now?  I often dream of escaping to the clear blue waters of some remote island in the Caribbean, but unfortunately for me the only “Island” I see much of is my  “kitchen island.”  So, for now I am going to talk about transforming your kitchen island to be that wonderful destination that everyone likes to gather around.

First off, make sure it is the right size for your kitchen.  If it is too small it often becomes non functional.  If it is too big, then the rest of the kitchen becomes non functional.  So, the key is to make sure there is plenty of room to walk around the island on all sides and to also be able to operate all of the surrounding appliances without feeling cramped.

Pick your storage space wisely.  Do you want roll outs in your cabinets, bookshelves for cookbooks, spice drawers, noodle bins, cookie sheet cabinets, or big deep drawers for lots of storage?  Decide on these options and make a plan.

Don’t be afraid of using color on your island.  Some of the popular colors for the year are turquoise, emerald green, red, yellow and white.  Glazing, crackling or distressing also can add that extra element of “Wow.”  Always try and use some fun knobs and pulls on your island that are different than the rest of the kitchen.  This is a great place to add a little “bling” with some rhinestone or glass knobs.

An Island becomes the centerpiece of your home when having family gatherings or parties.  Make sure and make it a focal point by using some of these great ideas!  For some ideas of what all we have done be sure and stop by one of our model homes in Carrington Lakes, Belleau Wood, Valencia or The Ranches

You should finally be safe to plant your summer garden now in Oklahoma.  With the extended cold temperatures, it has taken a little longer to get plants in the ground than in years past.

All of our homes in Belleau Wood, Carrington Lakes, Valencia and the Ranches have perfect backyards to plant a garden in.  Here are some things to consider:

•  Do you have enough sun exposure? Vegetables love the sun. They need at least 6 hours of full sun every day, and preferably 8.
•  Know your soil. Most soil can be enriched with compost and be fine for planting, but some soil needs more help. Vegetables must have good, loamy, well-drained soil. Check with your local nursery or local cooperative extension office about free soil test kits so that you can assess your soil type.
•  Placement is everything. Avoid planting too near a tree, which will steal nutrients and shade the garden. In addition, a garden too close to the house will help to discourage animals from nibbling away your potential harvest.
•  Decide between tilling and a raised bed.  If you have poor soil or a bad back, a raised bed built with non pressure-treated wood offers many benefits.
•  Vegetables need lots of water, at least 1 inch of water a week.
•  You'll need some basic planting tools.  These are the essentials: spade, garden fork, soaking hose, hoe, hand weeder, and wheelbarrow (or bucket) for moving around mulch or soil. It's worth paying a bit extra for quality tools.
•  Study those seed catalogs  and order early.

HAPPY PLANTING!!