New Video Uploaded!
By Scott Stonebreaker on June 10th, 2010Posted In: News
Jun 10
We’ve uploaded a new video montage of the Lake Home in Wisconsin on YouTube. Great way to see a tour of the home!
Apr 26
Brush Up on Window Safety Basics as Summer Approaches
By Scott Stonebreaker
It’s not surprising that after a cold winter, getting a chance to open up the windows and let some fresh air into your home is a long awaited pleasure. As spring approaches, keep in mind that in addition to letting in a refreshing breeze, windows also play an essential role in home safety.
Your windows can serve as secondary escape routes from your home and are invaluable in case of emergency; every member of your family should know how to take advantage of a window exit during a fire. However, it is equally as important for homeowners to understand that open windows can be hazardous, especially to young children, and to be familiar with the important steps you can take to prevent accidental falls.
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Feb 22
By Scott Stonebreaker
Buying a new home is an exciting, and sometimes daunting task. Carefully shopping model homes before you buy can relieve the pressure of the selection process and alleviate concerns, before you begin building. The model home is one of your greatest assets in choosing floor plans and upgrades and visualizing your furnishings in the home. After walking through a model home, you will learn much more than you could have gleaned from a floor plan.
Use the Sales Center As a Resource
Before you walk through any model homes, stop by the builder’s sales center. Here you will find detailed information about the builder, homes, community and neighborhood.
The sales center will have the overall site plan, and many times the builder will display a topographical map to give you a perspective of the entire community. From these resources you can determine the finished size of the community, which lots are available, and what amenities and community features are offered.
In the sales center you also will find floor plans and elevations, and a list of available upgrades. Look through this information and study the floor plans before you select which model homes to visit. Determine the square footage and compare it to your current living space.
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Feb 15
Transforming Your Basement from Bleak to Chic
by Scott Stonebreaker
The days of the dark and dank basement, strewn with boxes, dusty exercise equipment and tangled holiday decorations are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, replaced instead by luxurious media and game rooms, European-style pub rooms, second kitchens, wet bars and guest rooms. Homeowners by the droves are reinventing their formerly stodgy basements in search of more livable living space and are finding that basements are just too valuable to leave rough and unfinished. Creating an “upscale downstairs” is a burgeoning trend. Among new-home buyers the two things they typically want to do immediately are install a deck and finish the basement. While basements are not the top remodeled space—kitchens and baths remain the leaders—they are a sizeable chuck of the $215 billion U.S. remodeling industry. Not bad when you take into account that only 68 percent of all U.S. homes even have basements.
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Feb 08
Test Your Electrical Savvy
By Scott Stonebreaker
On February 11, 1847 the genius inventor of the electrical age, Thomas Edison, was born. Nearly 160 years later, his most famous invention, the light bulb, still has an essential place in the home. With often no more than four hours of sleep per night and his personal creed of, “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” his work with electricity is legendary.
For all the work done by Edison and his predecessors, most people know only as much about electricity as is absolutely necessary to go about their daily lives; in other words, not very much. But ignorance isn’t always bliss. A little information can prevent shocks and reduce power bills.
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Jan 25
Keeping the Cold Out: Strategies to Reduce Fuel Costs this Winter
By Scott Stonebreaker
As temperatures drop this winter season, one thing inevitably rises—your home fueling costs. According to preliminary estimates by the federal government, consumers can expect to pay 47 percent more for natural gas home-heat this year than they did last winter, due in part to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on natural gas production facilities. And rising prices are expected for consumers of fuel oil, propane and electricity as well. With this winter’s forecast, ensuring your home is energy-wise is an essential step for all homeowners.
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Jan 18
by Scott Stonebreaker
If you’re building a new home you may feel that working with a homebuilder is a daunting task, especially if you’ve heard of people who’ve had a bad experience. However, do not assume “one bad apple spoils the bunch,” when it comes to builders. As with any industry, there are a handful of unscrupulous companies consumers need to be weary of. While most builders are reputable, it’s up to you, the consumer, to do your homework to ensure you’re comfortable with the builder you’ve selected and that you understand the building process you’re about encounter. Don’t let fears and misconceptions keep you from the home of your dreams. Here’s how to get started with confidence:
Jan 11
By Scott Stonebreaker
Before you go to settlement on a new home, you and your builder will do a “walk through” to conduct a final inspection. The walk-through provides an opportunity for you to spot items which may need to be corrected or adjusted, and allows you to learn about the way your new home works.
Often, a builder will use the walk to educate buyers about:
- The operation of the house’s components.
- The buyer’s responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep.
- Warranty coverage and procedures.
- The larger community in which the home is located.
Jan 04
Finding Design Ideas for Your Remodeling Project
By Scott Stonebreaker on January 4th, 2010Posted In: Remodeling
By Scott Stonebreaker
You want to change the look and feel of your house, but you also want your remodeling job to look fresh for a number of years while complementing the existing features of your home. How do you choose the right project and design for you and your family?
First, make sure you take your family’s lifestyle into account when selecting an area of your home to remodel. For example, if you get a lot of traffic through the house, consider hardwood floors. Families who frequently entertain in the kitchen may want to expand the room and add an island or some comfortable chairs. If your bathroom is the place where you escape the world, add a whirlpool tub or a deluxe shower.
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Dec 28
Turning your Living Space into a Working Space: The Perfect Home Office
By Scott Stonebreaker
As high school graduates head to their first year at university and college graduates leave the nest, many parents are finding a bit more breathing room in the family home. Maybe a bedroom in your home has opened up and is ready for repurposing. Imagine the possibilities: Your newly emptied bedroom could become a den, a library, or even a media room.
One of the most popular ways to keep that now-free room functional is to create a home office. With solid planning, it is possible to create a home workspace that you will actually want to work in, whether it is a comfortable, organized space to pay household bills or the headquarters for your home-based business. In fact, many homeowners need a place to work from home occasionally. A growing number of organizations allow their workers to telecommute and, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 12 million houses nationwide have a dedicated home office space. Telecommuters can enjoy the perks of a dedicated home office too.
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