Fantastic interest rates of 2011.

As the year winds down to an end, we look back to what made 2011 a great year. 2011 was a year that brought one of the lowest interest rates in history. The interest rates of 2011 are a clear sign of how the affordability in the home buying marketplace is at fantastic position relative to many other times in the recent and distant past. When looking at the rates of today compared to approximately 8 years ago, it is amazing the difference in purchasing power on a new home. Now compound this with great values of new homes in today's market, buying looks to be a great decision. Read below from a blog that was posted by KCM to see more details about today's great rates.

From KCM Blog:

There is more and more research coming out showing that it makes great financial sense to purchase a home today . Whether it be rent vs. buy ratios, income-to-price ratios or income-to-mortgage payment ratios, purchasing a home right now is a bargain compared to historic norms. Now we want to look at the COST of a home today compared to pre-peak prices.

According to the most recent S&P Case Shiller price index, residential real estate values have returned to 2003 1Q PRICEs. That, in itself, says something. However, when you factor in mortgage rates, the case for buying a home today becomes even more compelling.

In 2003, 30 year mortgage rates stood at 5.88%. Today, they are 4%. How does that impact the actual COST of a home? On a home purchased for $250,000, here is the difference in monthly cost:

That means you save $285.30 a month, $3,423.60 a year and $102,708 over the life of a 30 year mortgage! You buy the home for the same PRICE but the COST is over $100,000 less.

Bottom Line

This is why so many financial advisors are saying that this may be one of the greatest times in history to purchase a home.

Reprinted from the KCM Blog - www.kcmblog.com

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com.

2nd Generation

A few years back Viking was looking to expand its operations. We looked at going to Boise, Moses Lake, or Montana to start building homes and expanding our market place. However, we turned all these down and chose to start up in the Tri-Cities area because of the strong employment, the lack of home inventory, and for a handful of other strategic reasons. Since we came down, we sold our first home in May of 2009 and have sold over 80 homes since.

We have transformed our company name into Viking Builders, LLC and are now based out of Kennewick, WA. Wendell’s son, Ryan Olson is now living in Kennewick heading up Viking Builders. Ryan has been working with his father his entire life through almost every job title in the construction industry.

“I have seen much, accomplished much, learned much and grown much through the teachings of my father and through the lessons of an up and down real estate cycle. I have now become a part owner of the new Viking Builders, LLC along with the backing of a valuable asset of Wendell Olson as the other partner. I have moved to Kennewick and we are now a local contractor looking for another 30 years of success. Together, Wendell and I are going to continue to strive forward and produce a valuable product with an outstanding service throughout a quality building and business practice.” – Ryan Olson

Through the hard work, dedication, and passion for building, Viking Builders will work in the same unique structure as Viking Construction and offer Semi-Custom homes.

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com. Copyright 2010 by Viking Homes.

Over 30 Years Experience!

The VIKING Difference


Viking Construction, Inc. is an Idaho Corporation that was started in 1980 by Wendell Olson. Wendell has succeeded in taking a very hands on approach with passion to ever home that he has built. He started this business with the mind set of customer satisfaction being the main goal. Over the years, Viking has created the reputation of being a loyal, up front, and a trustworthy company. Viking has built over 3000 homes in the Inland Empire which consists of the Spokane, WA and Coeur d’ Alene, ID areas. In 2005 we built close to 450 homes, but for the past few years we have remained the largest builder in this market place with building above and around 200 homes per year.

As the largest builder, we understand the importance of the satisfaction of our customers. Our biggest goal is to have our current customers either refer their friends and family or to move up and buy another Viking Home. Our niche market is catering to the first time buyers and/or the move up buyers. We do build on private land and have also built a 66 unit apartment complex that we own and operate ourselves.

Wendell and Viking have seen it through the bad times and the good times. We have stood strong through the high interest rates of the 80’s, the up and down swing in the early 90’s, and the boom and fall of the mid 2000’s. Through all of this we keep a very personal and hands on approach to our business. We have a passion for building great homes and meeting and/or exceeding the high expectations put forth by our customers.

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com. Copyright 2010 by Viking Homes.

Design Book

There are an array of different ways to personalize a home. With the Viking design book, choosing and upgrading your home is a fun and creative process when designing a new home. We have an nice selection of standards and upgrades with many pictures and illustrations. Cabinets are one of the main focus of our selections as it sets the tone for one of the most important areas in the house – the Kitchen. With our cabinets, you can choose between different wood types, light or dark stains, and even the type of doors that you wish to have. Other accessories include crown moulding, glass doors, and pantry cabinets. Just know that there are numberous amounts of things you can add to a Viking home outside of our desing book. It all starts with you and your ideas! So come on in and see how we can spice up a home to meet your type of lifestyle!

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com. Copyright 2010 by Viking Homes.

Semi-Custom Experience

Semi-Custom Experience

• Variety of neighborhoods and plans

Viking Homes spans through out three states and operates under three different companies. These companies are all owned and operated through the Viking family.

Viking Construction, Inc - Owned and operated by Wendell Olson. Main focus is starter homes and move up buyer homes. Viking Construction also builds a few custom houses each year on land outside our masterplanned communites. For example, Viking built a home in Gozzer Ranch, a private golf course above Coeur d' Alene Lake. Viking alsobuilds a few commercial buildings including a 66 unit apartment complex in Greensferry Landing located in post Falls Idaho. Price range in master planned developments average from $115,000 to $350,000.

Viking Builders, LLC a washington limited liability company - Owned and operated by Wendell Olson and Ryan Olson. Main focus is the first time buyer and the buyer looking to move up from their first home. We have and will build on private property as well as our own. Featuring developments in Pasco and Kennewick, WA. Price range in master planed developments average from $180,000 to $350,000

Viking Builders, LLC an Arizona limited liability company - Owned and operated by Wendell Olson. Based out of Fountain Hills, AZ. Main focus is luxury style homes from $500,000 and up.

Semi-Custom Experience

Customizing your home

At Viking, we have two in-house drafters that are focused solely on drawing and designing homes for us. Our senior drafter has over 15 years experience with Viking alone and has created many award winning floor plans since he joined our team. We also have another highly skilled drafter at Viking that is dedicated to assisting you in the process of designing your new home.

With cutting edge technology and Computer aid drawing software, we and our drafting team are capable of producing a new home that can be drawn quickly and accurately so we can start the building process in a timely manner.

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com. Copyright 2010 by Viking Homes.

Model Home Makeover!

We have just completed our new additions to our model home in Southridge and it is looking better than ever!! Now you will be able to walk through our model home and visually see all the fantastic features that Viking offers as standard that other builders charge an upgrade fee to add. These professional and attractive designs are provided by MM3 design whom is located in Kennewick, WA. These new posters, tags, and stick-ons will enhance your model home experience as you make your way through our 3132 square foot new model home in Kennewick. This is another way that we make building a home with us fun, easy and worry free! Also, our new magnetic and dry erase board in the office will help know which lots are sold, which are available and what homes are on each home site. Visit us today at our model or online at http://www.vikinghomes.com/!

For more information on new homes in Pasco, Kennewick, Airway Heights and Spokane, Washington or Post Falls, Coeur d’ Alene, and Hayden, Idaho please visit us online at www.vikinghomes.com. Copyright 2010 by Viking Homes.