You’ve made it through the bikes in the driveway and treehouses.  You have arrived at time of your life that your home is full of love and memories all the time, but only full of people on the holidays.  As you make the next decision in ownership, we want you to know you have many exciting options.  Reducing the cost of ownership via energy savings is one way to reduce the need to find a smaller “empty nest” dwelling.

While you are at it, adding some great entertainment and hospitality amenities couldn’t hurt either.  Consider adding finished basement to have the entire family over for the holidays or even a great Sunday dinner and football game.

More practical needs?   We can help you design safe living spaces like walk in showers, new ramps and handrails, and  whole house automation to help you control all the security and functional aspects of you home from an easy to use touch screen.  We can show you how to use technology without knowing bunches of computer jargon.  The first step to investigating your options is to create a free profile so we can give you access to research tools, financing options, and project planning guides so you can make an informed decision.

Vacation Homes can be a wonderful investment and make family gatherings an awesome event.  They can also be a great weekend gateway, place to fish, or write that novel.  Just because you can afford a vacation home doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy a good bargain, right?  Energy savings is just another way of getting a bargain that pays you from the time you negotiate the cost in your offer and every month that it delivers savings.  If you are looking a property that doesn’t need energy upgrades like new windows, HVAC and appliances then you can look to take the next step to adding solar energy to the mix.  Right now is a the best time to consider.  State and Federal programs and incentives really make a compelling case.  Imagine getting money for the electric company instead of paying.

Not sure it’s worth it?  Create your free project profile and find out.
[ google_authorship_badge ]

The post Buying & Renovating a Home – Ideas for the Empty Nest / Vacation Home Buyers appeared first on Discover Building.

You know what you are looking for to make your new house a fit into your changing needs.  If it is new bigger space, perhaps the fix is literally under your nose at your current address.  Have you considered renovating your current home to accommodate your growing needs?  We have worked with thousands of families over the years to complete a construction project.  Most of them had little or no building experience at all.  So give it some thought before you place the for sale sign out there.

There are a wide range of possibilities.  You could add a second floor master bedroom suite and everyone else “move up” a bedroom or you can finish an attic or basement for one of the older kids and you keep your bedroom.  If you are unsure of the cost and future value, well you just hit on our value proposition to you.  Create a free profile and have at it – a project sandbox to learn, plan, and create your next space.  There are no upsells its always free to you.  Why?  Well our prescreened pros and sponsor lenders are eagerly waiting to earn your business.   We pride ourselves on delivering educated, organized, and motivated prospects to them day after day.  If you have a question for us or a contractor click here.

Now there is the possibility that location is the key driving force behind your move.  If you are moving for work, school or an overall better neighborhood we can help you maximize your housing dollar.  Without our program that guides you through the complete process with budgets, future value, material selection and contractors to carry out your plans you may skip over a treasure trove of great houses that just need a little TLC and buy straight retail.  Now you can at least consider buying a home that may have some outdated mechanicals, low energy rated windows, and avocado colored appliances and use your creative side to envision an energy efficient HVAC system, EnergyStar rated windows and new fingerprint-less stainless steel appliances in and expanded kitchen.

Worried about paying too much? 

We have the answer.  Before the mortgage industry restructuring (crash) of 2008 most of us here were construction consultants or construction loan officers. Well back then we tended to clash with the underwriting department to get loans closed.  Well times have changed.  Underwriting now has a more common sense approach and loan officers are being proactive in understanding what type of transactions the lender is will to fund.  What does this mean to you?  It means that your approval, your costs and your future completed value are guaranteed to be in sync or they will not fund the loan.  When you create your free project profile you will have access to the terms of your loan, hands-on calculators and estimator tools, and future completed value estimates right at a click of the mouse. (or phone, tablet, etc.)

The post Buying & Renovating a Home – Upgrades for the Move Up Home Buyers appeared first on Discover Building.

When looking at houses you will need to approach the search in a few different ways.  First as cliché as it sounds is location.  Proximity work, good schools and family not only impact your emotional levels, but also impact your travel budget.  Then there is imagination.  As you look at these homes, start thinking of cost effective ways to add space (for those big ideas) and value (things that will make the house your “home” these can be updates or items related to increased functionality. Next is the cost of ownership. Every month you will be expect to handle the bills and if you do some research on the property you are considering you can take an awesome proactive approach.

We can help you determine if updating all the windows and doors will help reduce your heating

Sounds like a lot of lists and notes, right?  Well we can help you there too.  Simply complete the free registration and we will issue you a password to access your very own secure dashboard.  We have loaded calculators and notes from the best construction and mortgage sources in the business.  Don’t worry, you will not be inundated with contractor quote requests.  We only provide contacts when you are ready.  We follow a proven system to help you discover building.  The resources here are designed to help you with the following:

1. Educate you on the loan products available for your specific need
2. Expose you to ideas and scenarios that you can consider
3. Introduce you to prescreened and insured contractors and home builders
4. Provide project planning tools focused on cost, loan, and future value.

There are many areas that can cost you money as a new homebuyer.  Asking questions is key.  Both from a negotiation standpoint and from a long term cost one too.  As you check out the school districts and where the local parks are located, be equally as interested in the age of the furnace and all the HVAC components.  As you make your offer you can deduct the part of all of the cost to replace an older furnace or A/C unit with a new energy efficient one.  Mechanical item replacement is an allowable line item expense in your renovation mortgage, but since it may not add much value if the other is “working”, you will need to create that equity in the loan by reducing the price offered.

Asking the age of the windows can be a money saver too.  You can roll the cost to replace into the loan.  Exterior considerations are present as well.  You want to check the roof, not only for leaks, but also for hail damage or weathering that can be a ticking meter waiting to cost you in repairs.  When you are in the attic check to see that the level of insulation is adequate – ask to see the home inspection report and consider ordering one of your own.

Shorthand Checklist:  Energy Efficient Home Renovation Projects

What are they?  Allowable projects able to be funded in the first mortgage.

1. New HVAC, furnace and/or water heater
2. New Windows
3. New Roof & Gutters
4. Other Energy Saving projects

Why are they important?  They protect your investment, make your home more comfortable & safe, and save you money.  43% of the average energy bill is for Heating & Cooling, 12% for Water Heating, 11% lighting, 9% computers & electronics, 9% appliances, 8% refrigeration, and 8% other

How do I do this?  Ask for the inspection report, check out the with one of our inspectors, or ask a contractor friend to visit the property too.  (bring your phone for some pics too)

Request your renovation loan planning guide here.

Ask a contractor a question here

Get pre-qualified for a renovation mortgage here

The post Buying & Renovating a Home – Upgrades for the First Time Home Buyers appeared first on Discover Building.

The post Bioethanol Fireplaces By EcoSmart Fire appeared first on Discover Building.

Folding Doors.

[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last]Exterior folding door system opens completely to the outdoors. It’s accordion style folding door hinging system allows fast and convenient expanding and collapsing for those backyard parties. Available from Jeld-wen with Custom Wood Series.[/one_half_last]

Cross ventilation picture windows.

[one_half]Have a beautiful picture window with functionality built in with Mavin Venting Picture window. Winner of Window & Door magazine’s Most Innovative Window. Awesome website to boot.[/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Multi Panel Sliding Glass Doors

[one_half]

[/one_half][one_half_last]Looking for the perfect sliding glass door? Check out Andersen’s new four panel sliding glass door. Exterior finish available in wood varieties and grid patterns. Craftsman classic French doors by Simpson door company. Used for interior or exterior doors, available in wood varieties and insulation.[/one_half_last]

The post New Windows and Doors Offering Functionality and Design appeared first on Discover Building.

Learn more about Zero-Energy Homes.

The post Net-zero Energy Homes appeared first on Discover Building.

Here are a few features of contemporary modular homes:

[one_third]

High Quality

These houses are built at factories with high quality-control standards. These houses can be mass produced while maintaining a high level of quality. These factories have access to machines not generally available on a job-site. Walls that are built are generally built stronger than stick-built houses’ walls.
[/one_third][one_third]

Low Cost

Contemporary modular homes are cost efficient because of the automated process of house prefabrication. With the use of machines there is less labor, less travel to and from a job site, and mistakes are handled inside the factory before the house is completed instead of later on. There is an overall lower cost of materials, lack of job-site risks, and theft.
[/one_third][one_third_last]

Fast

A prefab house is built much faster than a stick-built home. A small prefab home consisting of two “modules” can take three to four weeks long to complete. Again, machines make this possible by automating a lot of the home building process.
[/one_third_last]

[one_third]

Green Building

Newer modular homes are being built to federal “green building” and EPA standards. These houses are Energy Star compliant and very energy efficient. You will save money over the life of the house due to lower electricity, water, and heating bills.
[/one_third][one_third]

Higher Value

While modular homes generally cost less than a stick-built home, they are typically worth at least the same or more. Due to the modular home’s high quality construction they retain their value very well.
[/one_third][one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Contemporary modular homes are not the same as mobile homes. A modular home is built to the same standards as a normal site-built home. Mobile homes are built to different federal safety standards. This is one reason for modular homes increasing in popularity.

Modular homes are a great value, performance based, high quality alternative to a stick-built home.  These companies make some very nice modular homes:

[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

The post Contemporary Modular Homes appeared first on Discover Building.

Biggest Selling Point

How a kitchen looks can be a major selling point or a deal breaker for people looking for a home to buy. One of the things that your buyers would probably look at is how your kitchen cabinets are structured. Trends show that most people these days prefer bigger kitchens even if they don’t often cook at home. Studies of these trends also show that buyers prefer functional cabinet systems instead of just pretty-looking ones. As far as appearances are concerned, more people prefer an informal design in their kitchen rather than formal designs. More people are also concerned about the appearance and functionality over the price and flashiness of kitchen systems.

As far as new homeowners are concerned, most prefer to have their kitchens opening to an adjacent room so as to feel that it’s a vital and accessible part of the house. In terms of decorating the kitchen, more people are opting for a cross cultural experience as the popularity of Asian and Hispanic influences in designs are becoming more popular. Rustic colors, distinct geometric designs, a streamlined look, and dark wood are all the rage in designing kitchens these days.

Since kitchen cabinets are usually purchased along with the home, it’s important that builders have an understanding of what systems go along with the design of the kitchen itself. Current designs for kitchen cabinet systems offer an interesting line of choice of cabinets in varied shapes, sizes, and functionalities. New homeowners these days are more conscious not just of the attractiveness of the design but also with the durability of the systems and their functionality. A lot of the newer designs incorporate dark with light wood finish or an antique style finish accomplished through glazing.

Supplying attractive and efficient cabinet systems are not just limited to bathrooms and kitchens anymore. The demand for a better cabinet system is becoming more popular especially in dual-purpose living spaces.

The Growing Need for Organization

As home owners live in a house longer, they naturally accumulate more gadgets, books, and other belongings. The need for ways to integrate organizers into living spaces is continually growing. Examples of such organizers may include more spice racks, roll-out cabinets and trays, pull-down racks, shelves, and more. Added designs and details are also popular for kitchen systems these days, but avoid over decorating or putting too much embellishments on cabinet systems. Consumers these days prefer a casual atmosphere with maximum functionality included.

The post Keeping Up With Kitchen Cabinet Trends appeared first on Discover Building.

One selling point: energy bills that can run more than $2,700 a year are cut to about $700, and total energy savings allow buyers to recoup the purchase premium in roughly 12 years after tax incentives and rebates are included.

A 12 year recoup after tax incentives proves there is still a long way to go to bring these technologies to general public acceptance.  The solar and wind power is offset by new efficient technologies in; natural lighting, high performance windows, energy star appliances, waste water heat recovery systems, thermal storage basements, high efficiency heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation, quality insulation and state of the art mechanical controllers.

See an interactive net-zero home here at wsj.com.

The post Builders Focus On Zero Net Energy-Neutral Techniques appeared first on Discover Building.

Protecting Your Home from Pets

When planning to build a home with pets in the scenario, it’s best to choose your building materials wisely. Opting for hardwood, stone tiles, or laminated finish floors would be better than choosing wall-to-wall carpet for obvious reasons. You can go for area rugs if you want to put some texture on the floors of your home. Wall-to-wall carpets are hard and expensive to clean up and they absorb odors which might make your house smell funny after a while. Bare floors will save you the headache of cleaning up the “accidents” your pet may make once in a while. You may opt to put carpeting on the stairs so that your pets would avoid slipping, especially if your stairs are made of smooth wood or marble.

Weigh down your area rugs with furniture so that your pets won’t scatter them around or think that they’re chew toys. To protect your walls from stains, hair and paw prints, you can also opt for matte finish or the non-glossy finish. You can also use window blinds, roman blinds, and the likes as an alternative to heavy drapes which can accumulate dust and pet hairs over time.

If your pets don’t have a habit of climbing furniture, then you can color-coordinate their beds or pillows on the floor to match your furniture’s upholstery. If your pets like to climb on to your sofa to nap, you might want to cover your furniture with washable cloths.

Making Room For Your Pet

Making room for pets in your new home takes some planning. There are ways to make the spaces attractive so that they go along with the architectural theme of the house. In the kitchen, you can create dens or crawling spaces under the cabinets to keep your pets from getting stepped on while you’re cooking. Laundry rooms can be a great place to make a grooming station for your pet. Feeding stations can be built in as pull-out compartments from kitchen cabinets. For people with cats as pets, you can create a more dynamic play area for your cat by making built in ramps and beams in addition to kitty condos.

There are special carpets that are manufactured specifically for pet owners. These carpets have waterproof backing that is meant to keep your pet’s urine from reaching the carpet.

Outdoors, you can also create a separate space for your cats or dogs so that they will do their digging there instead of dig away at your flower beds. It’s also important to know that making space for your pets in your home means that you’ll need to pet proof it as well. Your garden, for instance, should have no plants that are poisonous when eaten. You can consult your landscaping company for recommendations on the types of plants that you can get for your garden. Also take extra care to close and lock cabinet doors that contain toxic materials because your pet may be able to open them. You can also think about investing in invisible fences to keep your pets from getting run over by passing vehicles.

With a little careful planning, your new home can be a haven for your pet too.

The post Plan a Household for Pets appeared first on Discover Building.