Category: Custom home design

How To Ensure a Timeless Design

When designing a home, there is a number of different aspects to consider. Most home buyers want a modern design with staying power, something that won’t fade out of style as the years pass. This can be a difficult assignment for a home designer. ‘Modern’ doesn’t necessarily mean timeless though, and trends fade as the years march on. If you want a timeless design for your home, you will need to actually think inside the box. Because when it comes to home design, the tried and true ways are often still the best.

Accept Traditional Design Standards That Are Established, Don’t Veer Too Far Off Course

Everyone wants their home to be unique, but there are certain proven methods that have become established for a reason. They work both from a style and a functionality perspective. So when you start the design process, do not throw decades of design practice out the window. You can still have a one of a kind home while sticking to more traditional design standards. Venturing too far outside the established norms can turn your home into a funhouse, something that will really come back to bite when it’s time to sell. Keep it simple here.

Traditional Designs Have More Acceptance and Appeal To Buyers When It’s Time to Sell

Unfortunately, you cannot just think about your own personal preferences when it comes to home design. Especially if you are a first time home buyer. Unless you plan on living in the house for the rest of your life, you need to consider what the design will do to the resale value. Sure, a gothic style might appeal to you now, but it could turn off potential buyers later on. The Colonial, Georgian, or Victorian styles have proven to stand the test of time and will entice future buyers down the road.

Timeless Designs Can Be Fresh and New Without Losing Traditional Appeal

Know that your new home is not destined to be cookie cutter. Traditional designs can be updated with new ideas and still hold their timeless appeal. For example, you can borrow bits and pieces from traditional style and use them to give your modern home a more classical appearance. Use neutral color schemes and motifs to give rooms a traditional feel. Also, elements like granite and wood give even the most modern houses a nod to the traditional. And as far as furniture is concerned, done tastefully, it is okay to mix traditional furniture with modern architecture and vice versa.

Regardless of your home design preferences, traditional styles are tried and true and have mass appeal to potential buyers. Traditional design aesthetics like room placement, ceiling height, and window choices to name a few have stood the test of time for a reason. They work and can work incorporated in to most other home styles. Mixing in traditional features will give your house a timeless appeal, not to mention the resale value you are looking for.

Why New Homes are More Efficient

Most everyone desires a comfortable and safe place to live. Older homes may offer historic charms, but more often than not, they are models of inefficiency. Older homes usually have poor insulation, single pane windows and insufficient heat and air conditioning. These deficiencies can add up and create wasted costs just to maintain the home. Modern building technology and materials are taking new homes light years ahead of their predecessors. The following will help clearly illustrate why a new home is more efficient:

Better Insulation

New homes are simply better insulated. Insulation helps retain the cool temperature from your air conditioning system while also keeping the summer heat out. On the flip side, insulation keeps a homes warmth inside during the cold season. New homes are more efficient since they use the latest insulation materials. Today’s products have high R-Values. This is the rating system used to gauge thermal performance. Highly efficient insulation products include fiberglass blanket, foil face Polyisocyanurate sheets, and cell spray foam.

Smarter Designs

New homes are designed and built with the latest and most efficient design innovations. This involves creating larger indoor spaces or properly-zoned areas to control improved airflow. New homes are also employing cool roof technology, windows with multiple panes, radiant floor heating, efficient water fixtures, strategic landscaping and more.

Better HVAC Systems

Current HVAC systems are a huge factor in new home efficiency. By providing consistent heating, ventilation and air conditioning, a home doesn’t suffer from wide swings in both temperature and humidity. This consistency is also aided by smart thermostats which have almost become the norm in new homes. These systems are a beneficial investment as well, since the improved the energy efficiency reduces utility bills.

Renewable power

Renewable energy is more frequently being used to power homes. These products can reduce or completely eliminate your utility bills. These systems include solar panels, wind turbines and large rechargeable batteries that can store several kilowatt-hours of electricity.

frank betz firethorn holly — Frank Betz Associates, Firethorn Holly

More Efficient Home Appliances
Modern homebuilders are almost exclusively using energy efficient appliances. Beyond HVAC systems, appliances like tankless water heaters, water saving plumbing fixtures and kitchen appliances are all geared to conserving energy and running more effectively. Another innovation in lighting has come from LED light bulbs. These typically use about 25%-80% less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs from the past and can last up to 25 times longer.

With all the advances in residential building technology, new homes are running more efficiently than ever. Sealing the homes with high R-Value insulation, designing rooms to maximize air flow, installing the latest HVAC systems and appliances and even incorporating renewable power sources are making a big difference in home efficiency. When beginning the new home building process, take time to carefully plan these elements with your builder. He should be familiar with all the latest techniques and be able to guide you accordingly. In the end, you’ll have the home you always wanted and a highly efficient one at that.

Why Buying a New House is Better than Renovating an Old One

Custom home design

You may love your current house, but there often comes a time when you would like to make some changes. Those changes may include adding rooms, opening walls, or just an overall fresh look. And while you may love parts of your home and its location, it does not always make sense to stay. These are common dilemmas that prompt many homeowners to make a crucial choice – buy a new home or renovate the current home to meet their needs.

There are no definite answers as to why buying a new house is better than renovating. There are cases when renovation is the right call and when buying a new home is the best option. However, buying a new house does often work out better than renovating due to the following reasons:

The Easiest Path

It is much less of a hassle to purchase a new home. You will know exactly what you are purchasing. There won’t be a worry about hidden issues such as termite damage, leaks and foundation problems. And if there are problems that arise, a new home comes with a warranty from the builder. A new home includes the peace-of-mind that major components like HVAC and kitchen appliances are all new and under warranty. It is also easier to finance a new home. Renovations are usually paid for through a second mortgage on the house. These need a higher credit score for approval and have shorter payoff terms. Getting a loan for a new house is usually easier.

Cost

While it may seem cheaper than a new purchase, you should consider a few things that come with renovation. To begin with, do you have the time and propensity to deal with contractors and manage renovation costs? The majority of home renovation projects bring unexpected complications, budget overruns, and stress. With a new house, you will know the exact cost and be able to move right in and continue on with life.

Value

A home renovation can and should add to a home’s value. While one can recoup some or even most costs during a home’s sale, there are still no guarantees. Buyers and markets operate in cycles. And if you are on the down end of a cycle when you go to sell, you may not see that beneficial return on your renovation. Home renovations are usually made to improve lifestyles and living conditions. With that said, emotion becomes a driving factor. And emotion is rarely accurate in a financial situation. You will likely reduce ownership costs and enjoy more improved and modern features of a new home without the difficult renovation experience.

You should now have a better perspective on why buying a new home is the better call. For convenience, practicality, and cost-efficiency, a new home is typically the right path. As one of the major purchases in life, it pays to weigh the pros and cons to decide what is best for you and your family. But in most cases, buying new makes the most sense over time. And who doesn’t love a new house!

When building a home, size matters: What square footage is right for you?

Custom home design

Determining the size of your future house is perhaps one of the most important factors in the building process. Choosing either large or small comes with its own perks and downsides.

Large houses certainly offer an allure of their own. More square footage allows for more space in terms of bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces and bonus rooms like a craft room, a home office or a game room. On the other hand, smaller houses are more affordable to furnish, maintain, cool, heat and clean!

The appropriate house size will be based on a range of factors regarding your family’s needs and lifestyle:

What is the number of family members?

This is definitely the most important consideration when choosing the amount of square footage. It will determine the size of the whole house, as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. The number of rooms is also dependent on whether you have guests staying over often or need extra rooms for your elderly parents. These factors will make you more apt to go for a larger house. Moreover, take into consideration if your family will be expanding or contracting anytime soon. A new addition or additions to the family mean more rooms and the need for more square footage. On the flip side, children leaving the nest will mean a need for less rooms.

Do you need work space at home?

These days, an increasing number of employers are allowing people to work from home. If that’s your case, you’ll need ample space for your home office. You could choose to create a space in one of the larger living areas, but a room unto itself, away from the main gathering areas will make for better productivity. If you’re going to be using your house as your workspace, factor that into your square footage needs.

Do you need storage? If so, how much?

Storage space is another important factor in determining your house size. Including a basement or attic area for storage is a plus. This square footage is comparably cheaper than building large closets or other storage space in the common living areas. If you’re like most in the U.S., you have a lot of stuff and thus a need to store it.
However, you might consider streamlining your possessions before your move. This will reduce the amount of square footage for your new home and, in turn, the price tag.

What can you easily afford?

Your budget is obviously going to tremendously impact your decision. Every square foot has a price in new construction. With this in mind, find a middle ground that works for your budget as well as your requirements. You don’t want to end up purchasing a house that’s too big for your needs and also much harder to maintain – and you also don’t want to go too small, leaving you feeling cluttered and suffocated.

In a nutshell:

Given the tradeoffs between a larger house with more space and the convenience and affordability of a smaller one, size is a huge factor when building a new home. Keep in mind that every family has its own unique situation, and you must choose one that suits yours. Remember, no square footage is free – but your comfort and ease can come at a higher price too.

How much does a new home really cost?

Building a new home can be an appealing and exciting experience. Yet, if it is the first time, few people really know how much work is involved. Not to mention an accurate estimate of the cost. Variable costs that include architectural fees, permit fees, construction costs and the builder’s fee and land costs all need to be considered to formulate the final price tag and to protect your budget.

Before the first nail is driven, you will need to have a good set of architectural drawings. This usually involves hiring an architect or residential designer. The architect or designer will work with the customer to design the home, produce construction documents, aid and assist with product selection and sometimes manage or monitor the construction of the home. Typically, an architect will cost between $7,500 and $30,000. He or she may also charge a percentage of the construction costs or base their fees on a price per square foot. As an alternative, there are many quality pre-designed house plans available through various media outlets by very talented architects and designers.

Land is another major cost consideration. As the population increases in major cities, so has the cost of building lots. In the U.S., a buildable lot averages $85,000.00. This number includes survey and financing costs.

Once the lot is secured, the homeowner needs to factor the builder’s fee. Typically, the builder will charge a 10% to 20 % fee. Though this fee might seem excessive, hiring a builder saves both time and money and minimizes waste. Builders can bring valuable expertise in land selection, preparation of your lot, the construction process, obtaining financing and appropriate material selection. They also bring much needed experience to navigating the complicated permitting and inspection process.

Next on the list, is materials. Steel prices have increased significantly over the past years: from May 2017 to December 2017, the global steel price has almost doubled. Future prices are predicted to continue growing, considering the recent 25% tariff imposed on steel imports. Costs like drywall average $11,000 while a typical roof goes for $10,000. Other hard material costs that effect framing, and flooring have become costly as well. The choice of exterior finishes such as brick, siding or stucco also have a major effect on the final home price. And let’s not forget about the cost of appliances, cabinets, countertops, windows, doors, interior trim and plumbing and lighting fixtures.

With the recent uptick in the U.S. economy, new home building has increased and this has made labor harder to come by. Skilled labor is needed to prepare the lot for building, pouring foundations, framing, flooring, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, interior trim, painting, lighting, and much more. With demand for this skilled labor, up, so is the cost.

And before you put your pencil down, you’ll also need to figure in landscaping materials, outdoor structures like carports, sheds or barns, decks and porches, patios and the driveway. These and other exterior accessories can quickly add up and exceed your budget if not accounted for in the beginning.

Taking all this into account, the national average for the overall cost of a 2,000 square foot home is around $285,900.00. A typical low price will be approximately $74/square foot to a high price average of $360/square foot depending on location and materials used. Since building a new home may be the purchase of a lifetime, much preparation and planning should go into the cost considerations. Knowing all the variables up front will make the whole building process run more smoothly and successfully.

Checklist for First-Time Home Buyers

Custom home design

Preparing to purchase your first home is usually a thrilling experience. However, when looking at the process as a whole, it can seem a bit overwhelming. Taking it step by step makes the process much easier. A checklist for first time home buyers can help move from creating a sensible budget to finding a suitable home within that budget and finally, to signing the mortgage.

First Time Home Buyers Checklist

Know what you can afford and manage the budget.

Nothing is more important to the first time home buying process than accurately assessing how much home you can afford and calculate a mortgage that fits within your budget. A mortgage of not more than 2.5 times your household gross yearly income is a nice benchmark. Consider your financial scenario and factor in any of you and your partner’s current debt.

Remember, owning a home is a commitment, and you must plan to live in it for about five years to receive the benefits of equity.

Control Credit/Debt

One of the most powerful ways to save cash on your mortgage and enhance your financial picture is an excellent credit score. It can take some time, so make refining credit your priority for you and your partner, if applicable.

Take note; you’re eligible for a free credit report once a year from all three credit bureaus. Make sure to check the reports for any faults and guarantee that all your bills are paid on time. New credit accounts can impact your score as well. Try not to open new lines immediately after applying for a mortgage.

Have Savings/Down Payment Money

Making a 20% down payment is a perfect way to receive initial equity in your home and prevent having to pay mortgage insurance. It’s not needed to qualify for a home loan, but will save you money in the long run. You can also find different local and state down payment assistance programs accessible to first-time homebuyers. Just keep in mind to borrow within your means.

Create/Fine Tune and Stick to A Budget

After you find the ideal home for your needs, it is time to get down to the business of making the purchase. Determine how much you’re willing to pay for the house, make a genuine offer and stick to your budget. Anticipate negotiation, but try to refrain from lowball bids which could risk frustrating the seller. If you prefer to make a bold statement of interest, you can consider an earnest money deposit along with the offer.

Get Pre-Approved, So You Know What Size/Price Home You Should Be Looking For

Mortgage preapprovals help you determine how much you can afford. It also puts you in a dominant negotiating position with a home seller. Preapproval is different from prequalification. Prequalification is only an estimate from the lender of how much they’d be willing to lend you depending on various factors. Sellers tend to prefer homebuyers who are preapproved. It makes the financing and closing procedure move more smoothly.

Buying your first home is a major life event for most. Careful preparation and a methodical approach is always the best course. It will make all the difference as you take that first walk across your very own threshold.

The latest product trends for new home construction

Now is an exciting time to build a new home. Beyond advances in building technology and energy efficient materials, current product and home plan design trends are making today’s new homes quite remarkable. These products include unique patterned flooring, wide bi-fold/sliding doors, free standing bath tubs, interior shiplap siding, exposed beams, and bold and bright paint color schemes.

Gone are the days of boring home floors. Patterned wood and tile have made their way into homes across the nation. From fumed wood, which dramatically enhances the grain, to blanched wood for a distressed but clean look, wood flooring has taken a prominent step forward. We’re seeing mixed-width planks used to create distinct patterns to the more traditional herringbone arrangement. Marble, slate and ceramic tiles with patterns and textures are also being used to create floors that are an integral part of the home decor scheme.

New door trends are also finding their way into homes these days. What was once just a utilitarian item has now become a unique design feature. Incorporating wide sliding glass doors or large bi-folding doors into the design of home plans with covered porches, patios or decks provides living spaces with natural light and more generous views. Weather permitting, opening these wide doors also extends the home’s living space to the outside creating large, flowing floor plans perfect for entertaining and family gatherings.

In the master bathrooms, the large soaking tubs are breaking free from their typical built-in platforms as the stand-alone tub is fast becoming a hot new item. These free standing tubs, both tranquil and beautiful, make a great design focal point and many master bathrooms are being designed around these icons of luxury and relaxation to create a more spa like feel. With this increased interest, many companies have designed a wide array of tub styles that are both sculpturally beautiful and affordable.

Another trending design element made popular by the modern farmhouse plan is the use of shiplap siding as an interior feature. Bringing this common exterior finish to the inside of the house gives instant character to any space. Whether used as an accent on a fireplace or covering the walls of a room, shiplap siding provides clean, simple lines that exemplifies the “less is more” design concept while impacting the home’s aesthetic appeal.

Next on the new product trend list are exposed beams. Inspired by the roughhewn beams of old barns and traditional farm houses, leaving these bones of the ceiling exposed, adds texture and depth to family rooms, keeping rooms, bedrooms and even kitchens. Architecturally, this technique can work in many different home styles from farmhouse traditional to modern. Whether made from reclaimed or new timbers, exposed beams celebrate the engineering of a home while bringing the ceiling into the forefront of the design pallet.

And finally, what’s new on the home construction front wouldn’t be complete without a mention of trending paint colors. Bold is back. Striking paint color choices like dark navy, rich golds and berry reds are finding their way onto the walls of new homes. Homeowners are embracing intense color schemes, from deep earth tones to vibrant jewel tones, to establish personality and character for their rooms.

All told, conventional home construction has made way for a brave new world of exciting product trends. These products help create a new home that breaks from the norm and better fits the needs and style of the individual family. More than ever, the home has become an extension of a family’s lifestyle. These trends help enable that expression.

Choosing A Houseplan

A little neighborly advice for choosing the right house plan.

Building a new home can be an exciting and sometimes daunting experience.
However, deciding to start with a proven and well-crafted house plan is a great first step. Purchasing a house plan will go a long way to making your home building process less stressful and more successful.

To begin with, there are thousands of house plans available. Choosing the right one will make all the difference, not only to fit the needs of you and your family, but the homes marketability if and when you ever choose to sell. With a little planning before you pick a plan, you’ll be on the right path to laying out the welcome mat.

Tried and true considerations for choosing a house plan:

What are your lifestyle needs?

  Do you have a family? If so, how big? You’ll need a certain amount of bedrooms and
  bathrooms. And if there are more children planned or relatives who visit often, you should
  also plan for that additional living space. The interior size needs of your future home is one of
  the most important factors when choosing a house plan.

Chestnut Springs House Plan- Kitchen and Keeping area

What’s your style?

From traditional to contemporary to rustic, there a many different house design styles.

And each style has its own type of house plan. Your furnishings, and neighborhood can also

affect the type of house plan you choose. For example, mid century modern furniture may not
be suited for a traditional farmhouse style home.

Summerlake House Plan – Rustic Elevation

Where will your house live?

In addition to the surrounding neighborhood style, the size and shape of your lot is a major

factor when it comes to choosing a house plan. If you like the outdoors, you’ll need a plan
that allows for outdoor space like a yard, garden, patio, decks or even a pool. A house plan

needs to comfortably fit the lot and the natural surroundings, while addressing additional

uses for your property. Factors such as the width and depth of your lot and whether it’s flat or

sloping will dictate the type of house plan. Also, if privacy is a concern, the right house plan

with the right layout is a must. Nobody wants to their kitchen staring into the neighbor’s

bedroom. And vice versa.

Got space?

   Space and its uses are key when determining which house plan is best. Are you into cooking?
   Then maybe a house plan with a larger kitchen is a must. Will you need a home office,
   storage areas or other special interests that might call for certain space needs? These

usability details need to be considered not only for your enjoyment but future owners.

Taking the time to carefully consider what you want out of your new home is guaranteed to make the whole building process easier. Choosing a house plan that fits these needs, pushes you to think about your house from the inside out. Elements like exterior details and interior finishes are easily adaptable to most house plans and are easier to plan once the floor layout, room count and lot orientation are nailed down. Think of them as the icing on your new, house cake.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Searching for the Perfect House Plan

Custom home design

Are you ready to build your dream home? Is this the year that you will begin the search for your perfect house plan? You have probably done all of your research, and feel like you know exactly what type of plan you are looking for. Does this sound like you? If so, finding your future home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Whether you are a seasoned builder or a first time homeowner, these tips will be sure to give you something to think about.

1. Budget

Your budget should realistically be the first thing that you understand when deciding to build a home. Before anything else, you should do is ask your builder what the cost per square foot is in your county. This will help you determine whether a house plan is within your budget or not. Another thing to factor in is the cost of upgrades to the home you decide to build. How much will those upgrades be? Will you need there to be any additional changes? Take some time to have this discussion with your builder. Once you have your budget solid and on paper, the search for your dream home can begin.

2. The Lot Size

Although this may seem like an evident factor to consider, lot sizes are often overlooked. Many times, buyers will find their ideal home plan first, only to be disappointed when they find out that it is too large for their chosen lot. One way to avoid this is to have your builder tell you the parameters that you need to stay within. Be sure to keep note of the maximum width and depth when conducting your search.

3. How Many Stories

Have you thought about how many levels you want your dream home to have? This choice comes down to your lifestyle and how you see yourself growing into your new space. Would you prefer the master to be on the main level, while the children are roomed upstairs? A two-story allows for twice the square footage as well as a certain amount of privacy from the rest of the home. Or perhaps a ranch-style home makes more sense for your family, and you prefer everyone to be on the same level without a staircase in between. This is definitely something to consider during your search.

4. Open Floor Plan or Split Level

An open floor plan is becoming increasingly more popular in house plans across the country. The most common option is a great room that includes the kitchen, living room and even a dining space all in one shared space. This option is fantastic for home owners that enjoy entertaining, or homes with less square footage. A split level generally has the bedrooms on the upper floor along with the kitchen and living room. The bottom floor will usually be where the laundry room, a large living space and garage are found. This option is typically chosen by homeowners that want a lot of square footage, as they make full use of the space available.

5. Location, Location, Location

Where you decide to build your home is probably one of the most important pieces to this puzzle. Have you really thought about it? Is your dream home placed beside a lake, in the country or perhaps in a bustling suburb? Is there an active homeowner association that you will need to work with? If so, will the floor plan you choose fit in with the style of the other homes in the neighborhood and fit all of the HOA requirements? There are many factors to consider when choosing your location.

If you have factored in all of these tips and still have not found your perfect floor plan, consider the idea of customizing! We have more than 1,000 stock house plans in our inventory for you to choose from. However, if you decide that you want to modify a plan, our modification department is ready to make any changes that you may need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create your dream home!

3 House Plans for First Time Buyers

Custom home design

Buying your first home can be one of the most important and special moments of your life. For those ambitious enough to build their own, we have more than 1,000 plans to help with your journey. With so many starter plans to choose from, this makes the search for the perfect home that much more exciting.

Something to keep in mind during this process is to look for home plans with flexible space that will allow you to accommodate for a variety of uses. Although affordability is most likely at the front of your mind, there are plenty of plans that will offer everything on your wish list, such as welcoming porches, two-car garages and even open floor plans while staying within your budget. Here are three house plans from our collection that we think could be the perfect fit for any first time buyer.

1. Azalea Park

The Azalea Park house plan is a charming cottage that is a great option for first time buyers. Whether built in the countryside or in a quaint suburb, this plan offers it all. The beautiful covered porch and two-car garage give plenty of space outside, while the open floor plan inside works as a functional area for entertaining.

The master suite is located on the main level, offering convenience and privacy for parents while the children are roomed upstairs. Details like a mudroom off the garage, a large screened porch and an optional loft area upstairs make this home an ideal candidate with room for growth.

2. Bradley

frank betz bradley — Frank Betz Associates, Bradley

The Bradley house plan is a gorgeous ranch option that comes complete with a large covered porch, modern layout and plenty of square footage. A two-car garage and spacious back deck give plenty of space for outdoor recreation. The vaulted master suite is on the right wing of the house giving home buyers their privacy from the rest of the home.

Two additional bedrooms with a shared bathroom are on the opposite side of the home. Another great addition to this house is a bonus room on an optional second floor, which can easily be finished to hold another bedroom and bath.

3. Firethorn Holly

The Firethorn Holly is a beautiful patio home that is ideal for easy living while keeping the appealing details that homeowners look for. The wide open floorplan gives the appearance of an abundance of square footage while continuing to be a functional space. The kitchen, grand room and dining area are all vaulted with beams and skylights above.

A covered porch off of the grand room gives owners a space to enjoy outdoors. The master suite is located at the back of the home, giving optimal privacy to the occupants, while a second bedroom is housed at the front of the home for guests. If you are looking for a smaller sized home with optimal use of space, this plan is an ideal choice.

While these three plans are exceptional choices, there are still plenty more to look through if they don’t meet exactly what you are looking for. Try browsing through the rest of our customizable house plans which are already conveniently categorized to make your search as easy as possible. Your first home may be one of the most important decisions of your life, but with our help the process can be easy. Whether you are looking for a craftsman cottage, classic ranch or spacious country home, your perfect house plan is just a click away.