Month: May 2022

5 Things to Love About a Reverse Ranch

A reverse ranch is a type of floor plan that is opposite of your typical ranch home. In a reverse ranch floor plan, the outside looks just the same, but instead of having additional bedrooms and living space on a second floor, they’re located on a lower level, while the main living space and master suite are on the main floor. There are a few things that really help you fall in love with a reverse ranch.

 

1. Beautiful Views

Especially nice in vacation homes, the beautiful views you get from a reverse ranch can’t be beat. You’re sitting off the ground level so you can see past the trees or over the city skyline for a much longer distance. This is especially true on lots with rear views and sloped lots like you would find on a golf course or a lake.

 

2. Perfect for Empty Nesters

A reverse ranch, such as the Taunton Place floor plan, is great for empty nesters because there is plenty of space for everyone to stay and visit. However, when the family leaves, the lower levels can be closed off, still leaving you with plenty of space on the main floor for your day-to-day living. No worries about rattling around in a too big house here! 

 

3. Lower Costs

You get more space for lower costs with a reverse ranch floor plan. Since you already have the main level foundation supporting the home, the extra space below is simple to frame in a finish out. Not only do you save on the costs per square foot in building, you also save on utility costs. When no one is occupying the lower level, go ahead and close it off. You won’t have to pay for heating or cooling and can greatly reduce monthly expenses. 

 

4. Rental Opportunities

Particularly if you’re in a popular vacation spot, floor plans like the Lake Pointe offer an opportunity for renting. Live on the main floor and rent the lower level out using platforms like Airbnb. If this is your vacation home as well, you can rent it out for time periods when you aren’t around. The expanded floors make it perfect for families or multiple small families traveling together who want their own space. 

 

5. Extra Storage Space

Along with the finished space on the lower level, there is usually extra unfinished room for mechanical areas and storage. All the extra room in the reverse ranch floor plan can be really helpful, and you’re not paying much extra for that space at all. Later, you may even decide to finish some of it and add more living space or bedrooms. 

 

Choose a Reverse Ranch

When you’re getting ready to choose a floor plan for your new home, consider a reverse ranch. The dynamic floor plan is a great choice for retirees, families, and for those looking to get away from it all for a weekend. For a wide selection of beautiful floor plans, contact Frank Betz Associates, Inc.

5 Exciting Farmhouse Plans For 2022

Farmhouses have come a long way from their roots in the soil of rural, isolated homesteads. They line the streets of busy urban neighborhoods and quaint suburbs all across America. With pitched gables, clean lines, and homey porches, modern farmhouse plans give home buyers two things: timeless elegance and contemporary amenities.

 

If you want a farmhouse in 2022, here are five designs from Frank Betz House Plans that blend rustic simplicity with modern ingenuity.

 

Coles Crossing

Our Coles Crossing farmhouse is built for family time. While the lustrous white siding and wide porch lined by exposed wooden beams hearken back to farmhouses of old, the durable metal roof brings this design firmly into the 21st century.

Inside, you’ll find a kitchen that flows seamlessly into the living room. An abundance of natural light floods in from multiple large windows, including into a cozy loft any teen would love to call home. This two-floor, four-bedroom farmhouse has two bathrooms so everyone has time to get ready for the day.

 

Selwyn Park

If you have an active family that still makes time for BBQs and family game night, the Selwyn Park four-bedroom farmhouse is for you. Wooden double doors welcome you home while the covered porch with grill and dining area out back is the perfect spot to relax.

This farmhouse has four bedrooms and a spa-like master bathroom for a little you time. Combine that with beamed ceilings and large window groupings for a farmhouse that’s as charming as it is luxurious.

 

Shaker Heights

Fieldstone and timber on the porch, vaulted ceilings and a cozy fireplace — those are the things that make the Shaker Heights five-bedroom farmhouse home. Meet the family in the covered back porch dining area or the kitchen-side breakfast nook to share a meal. There’s room for a home office, study, den, and for everyone to have their own personal space.

 

Teesdale

Like the Shaker Heights plan, the Teesdale has raised ceilings, a fireplace, and a covered outdoor dining area, but the exterior is a unique blend of classic gables, timber, and modern contrasting colors and textures. This almost 3,000-square-foot farmhouse doesn’t fade into the background.

While the open-concept family and dining rooms bring everyone together, each bedroom has its own bathroom for busy mornings when everyone needs to go their separate ways.

 

Waterbury Cottage

Do you retreat to cozy mountain cottages on vacation instead of packed beaches? The Waterbury Cottage farmhouse plan could be your dream home. On the first floor, you’ll find three bedrooms and two bathrooms surrounding a dining room, great room, and dedicated dining area. Once again, everyone will love the covered porch and outdoor dining area in the back.

If that’s not quite enough space, add a second story onto this floor plan. Whether you need a home office or another bedroom with a walk-in closet, the optional second story is a quiet spot with tranquil views.

 

Find These Farmhouse Plans at Frank Betz House Plans

 

If crackling fires, summer BBQs and classic Americana architecture flood your daydreams, you can have it all with Frank Betz. Check out our inventory of custom floor plans then let us help you find the right local builder. From farmhouses to sprawling ranch-style homes, we can customize any plan to fit your needs.

Three Cost Efficient Floor Plans That Are Perfect for Your Next Home

Designing the perfect home can be an extremely costly experience. To get the home of your dreams while staying within your budget, read on to find out how to find a cost-efficient floor plan that meets your every need.

 

What Makes a Cost-Efficient Floor Plan?

 

There are several characteristics of a cost-efficient floor plan. Find one that includes the features listed below, and you’ll be sure to stick to your budget.

 

Simple, Straight Lines

Simple, straight lines are not only pleasing to look at, but they are also incredibly cost-effective. Keep roof lines simple and side and rear walls straight for an elegantly modern exterior with great curb appeal.

A Modest Footprint

Opting for a cozy floor plan with a modern footprint is a great way to keep your home cost-efficient. Homes with modest footprints require less energy to construct, so you’ll save in plenty of areas, such as the foundation and even building materials.

 

No Offsets in the Foundation

One simple way to cut the cost of your floor plan is to eliminate offsets in the foundation. Though they are common, each foundation offset increases your bill once again. Removing offsets altogether is an easy way to ensure they don’t interfere with your budget.

 

The Beauty of Value Engineering

Frank Betz Associates’ unique concept of “Value Engineering” gives you yet another way to cut costs. Value Engineering lowers the cost to build your home by eliminating waste with regard to materials. Efficient use of materials means the necessary quantities are lower, and so is your bill.

 

Three Cost-Efficient Floor Plans from Frank Betz Associates

 

Frank Betz Associates has the experience and knowledge to help you design a home that is both gorgeous and budget-friendly. Below are three cost-efficient floor plans that are perfect for your next home.

Azalea Park

Azalea Park is a wonderfully cozy cottage that you’ll have no trouble settling into. With a functional design and three bedrooms, your family will be right at home in this modest two-story design. Relax on the screened-in porch and enjoy the natural light that floods the house throughout the day.

 

Haddington House

Create a place of belonging with a Haddington House floor plan. This modern farmhouse is the epitome of warmth and charm; welcome your guests home from an expansive front porch and entertain for hours in the connected kitchen, dining, and living spaces.

Waterbury Cottage

Sleek and modern, the Waterbury Cottage floor plan is packed with an open floor plan and wide windows to let the sunlight in. Though it features modest square footage, Waterbury Cottage is spacious due to its open spaces and strategic compartmentalization.

 

Contact Frank Betz Associates today to find the cost-efficient floor plan that’s right for you.