This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 at 8:12 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Not only can life be hectic on a regular basis, if you add the stress of the holidays on top of it, chances are you need ways to unwind. Our world moves so quickly, that between work, kids, media, chores, and other activities, we are wearing ourselves thin.

If you are moving into a new home, or are building your dream home from some House Plan Gallery Floor plans during this holiday season, you need to find some time to decompress and enjoy the simple things with your family.

I found a great article that reminded me about the joys and stress relief of simple family pleasures. Some of the items on the list are things you may have heard before, but challenge yourself to try them. Just because our world is always on the go, doesn’t mean we can’t stop to enjoy time with the ones we love.

From the article:

Having fun with your family, especially the simple kind of fun – the one that doesn’t drain you emotionally and financially, is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy life. And in times of economic uncertainty, it is especially important to enjoy family time that does not involve spending lots of money.

Read the entire article: Simple Family Pleasures

Take a breather this holiday season and keep it simple!

Leave us a comment below and tell us about your favorite simple family pleasures1

This entry was posted on Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 12:09 am and is filed under House Plan Helpful Tips, House Plan News, House Plan Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

People will stop at nothing in order to create the most unique home plans possible. Of course, you want your home to reflect your personality, but I have to wonder when that goes a *little* too far. Some of the articles and stories I come across completely amaze me and I just have to share them with you!

Should you ever travel to Poland, you have to visit this completely upside down house (and try not to get too dizzy!)

From the article:

The Upside Down House is a project created by a Polish businessman and philanthropist named Daniel Czapiewski, and is located in Poland in the tiny village of Szymbark, and here are a few pics with this house. Rather than simply being a bizarre tourist attraction this house, managed to attract thousands of tourists. The house is also meant to be a profound statement about the Communist era and the state of the world.

Read the entire article (complete with pictures and video) : Upside Down House

Talk about adventurous! Hopefully, your home building journey will be much less eventful.

Share a comment with us below: What features of the house did you like?

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 at 5:12 am and is filed under Builder Favorite House Plans, Craftsman Home Plans, European House Plans, House Plan Helpful Tips, House Plan News, House Plan and Home Construction Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Have you ever looked at a house and thought “What on Earth were they thinking?” Or maybe you have seen a really unique home and completely admired some of its features. Perhaps you are looking to incorporate some unique designs into your own home plans.

Every person in the world has some ideas when it comes to their “perfect home.” In this fun article and slide show, you will see quite a few ‘crazy’ homes. Some are really cool, some very creative, and some…just plain strange! Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy checking out some of these more unusual residences.

From the article:

Oh poo! This toilet-shaped house – named Haewoojae, which means “a place of sanctuary where one can solve one’s worries” – was designed by the chairman of the organizing committee of the Inaugural General Assembly of the World Toilet Association, who hopes that it will bring attention to the world’s sanitation problems, according to Freshome.com. It is located in Suweon, which is south of Seoul, Korea.

Read more: Craziest homes.

Even though some of these designs may be well beyond what you want in a house, you may find a couple of ideas which will work for you!

Share a comment below- What house had the craziest design?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm and is filed under European House Plans, Frequently Asked Questions, House Plan Helpful Tips, Interesting House News, Narrow Lot Home Designs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

You have to have a little bit of fun as you come up with ideas for house designs for your unique dream home. Why not search the homes in your favorite movies for design ideas? Movies can provide the inspiration for theme, decor, colors, appliances, room types, etc. Now you have another excuse to watch your favorite movies again.

Take a look through this fun set of pictures and see if you can recognize these iconic homes from movies…some may stump you and some will surprise you, but you never know, you just may find the inspiration for your own home!

From the article:

This beautiful, white clapboard home was featured in the uber-successful ‘Forrest Gump.’ which received thirteen Academy Award nominations and won Best Picture.

Looks at all the homes here : Icon Homes

Leave us a Comment Below: What are your favorite movie homes?

This entry was posted on Monday, December 20th, 2010 at 6:45 pm and is filed under Great View Home Plans, House Plan News, Interesting House News, Luxury House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Now that we are deep into cold and flu season, it becomes important to protect ourselves from the massive amount of illness causing germs. Cleaning and disinfecting your home becomes a huge priority. There are so many places germs can be found, it is easy to overlook some of them. Germs don’t discriminate between home design plans, they are everywhere!

Every year the flu becomes one of our biggest adversaries. In this great pictorial article, you will learn a variety of methods for how to flu-proof your home. There are quite a few things I didn’t know before that I am looking forward to using in my own home!

From the article:

Charles Gerba, microbiologist and author of The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu, says remote controls and countertops can be the germiest locale in the whole house. “What’s the first thing you do after you call in sick? Pick up the remote control,” he says. “Sixty percent of them contain influenza virus in the home of a sick person.”

(yuck!)

Read the article in its entirety here: Flu-Proof Home

Stay one step ahead of the flu and be able to enjoy your winter with a healthy family!

Share your comments below and let us know what you use to fight germs!

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 1:56 pm and is filed under House Plan Helpful Tips, House Plan News, House Plan Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 7th, 2010 at 7:28 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Top Seller for European House Plans - HPG-1654-1

While it is often said that a man’s home is his “castle”, what they’re really not telling you is that when it comes to home design – what a woman wants is usually what happens! Women rule the roost when it comes to running the home in most marriages, so it is only natural that they have a big say so when it comes to the design of the home. Let’s look at what she wants for her new house floor plans as far as design principles and additions go.

Mud Rooms

Most women will say that a mud room is an essential part of any home. Sneakers, shoes, sporting equipment and school bags all have a place – and it’s not in the front entrance. The mud room is typically informal in design and usually located on the back of the house or as a side entrance.

Separate Space for Laundry

If possible, make the mud room large enough to double as a laundry area, too. If not in the mud room, the laundry room works the best on the top floor – but if you don’t have room and the laundry room must go downstairs, just be sure to install a laundry “shoot” in a convenient spot on floor two so that Mom doesn’t have to traverse up and down the stairs with dirty laundry. Don’t consider not incorporating a laundry room into its own space. Gone are the days when it was acceptable to have your washer and dryer in your kitchen or hallway for country house plans.

Lots of Storage

There seems to never be enough storage for the modern homeowner anymore; hence the popularity of self-storage units. Incorporate as many storage spaces into the home as possible, including walk-in closets, window seats, corner shelves, walk-in pantries, media centers and more. Don’t forget that the garage, once considered to the “man’s” territory is becoming a popular spot for storage for the rest of the home as well – so incorporate at least some storage possibilities into the plans for your garage for southern house floor plans .

Spare No Expense in the Kitchen

If a woman has her choice of the one room where there should be no expense spared, it would be the kitchen. That includes the best and most recent styles in appliances, sinks, countertops, faucets and more, including cabinets and flooring. Popular flooring choices include beautiful ceramic or glass tile or traditional hardwoods in warm, rich colors. Don’t forget that glass tile and ceramic tile are also useful in making a beautiful backsplash for the kitchen sink and stove – and may be a better alternative to other choices out there because glass and ceramic tiles are versatile and come in a plethora of color choices. Most women like to see a breakfast nook in the kitchen – although many modern kitchens double as the dining area as more and more homes are foregoing the traditional formal dining room for an eat-in kitchen. Either way, there should be some type of eating arrangement in the kitchen for simple breakfasts.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 2:29 am and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Seller Country House Plans - HPG-1848-1

The economy has really affected the way banks will lend money for small home plans, they are very timid about lending out money. Keeping costs down has become more important than ever. Gone are the days when the banks were handing out money left and right to build big extravagant homes, they are much more cautious now and will be very hard pressed to lend out money for new home construction when there are so many properties for sale which they own.

If you have your heart set on building a new home keep in mind the lower the loan amount the more likely a bank will shell it out. There are ways to keep that home loan costs down. Read the following tips:

• The right piece of property to build on can save some costs. If the property is already developed, meaning there is sewer and water already ran to the property that will save the cost of the having to install it, if the property is pretty well cleared that is also a cost saver. Avoid property that has to have extensive clearing done to it, like blasting rock or bringing in fill to level it out.
• The design plan can also save you some money, not merely by square footage but by building up instead of out. A ranch that is three thousand square feet will be ten to twenty thousand more to build than a two story home that is the same size. Why? The ranch style home or country style house plans has a larger footprint than the two story and requires more in the way of foundation costs.
• Square footage is the main contributor to overall costs. The home design plan should be made with the least amount of square footage that the home owner can live in comfortably.
• Home owner as general contractor is another way to save a bagful of money. You can easily save ten to fifteen percent of the overall costs simply by being your own general contractor. This is not a project for the faint of heart, but it can be accomplished and will save thousands of dollars.
• Saving money on materials can be accomplished by looking for recycled materials which not only saves money but helps the environment as well. Some savings can also be realized by purchasing materials that were used as floor models or try to check some of the best floor plans.
• Pitch in as much as your own time as possible. You can save a few thousand dollars by doing some of the work yourself. Painting, cleaning, landscaping are all things that can cut costs if you are willing to put some work into it. Ask your general contractor which work you can do on your own to save some money.
• Being green can save you some green, there are deep tax breaks offered for using energy star rated appliances on new home construction as well as making the home as energy efficient as possible, it probably won’t help in keeping initial costs down but will help with keeping energy bills down.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 2:14 am and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Sellere Ranch House Plans - HPG-1802-1

Building a home in a rural area may have some extra benefits over building the best home designs in suburbia. The federal government has home mortgages available that have no closing costs and no down payments needed. This is a great opportunity if you already planned to build in a rural area. Even if your plans did not include building in a rural area this may still be a very valid option and should be something that is investigated.

The Program

The name of the program is The FHA Rural Development housing project, Rural Housing Service (RHS) which was implemented in 1994 in response to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act to better enable and fund housing needs for the rural areas of America and for America’s rural communities. The driving factor behind the programs are to assist low to moderate income families in under represented areas to be able to become home owners. The program is an excellent means of building up communities and developing areas with southern style house plans.

This program allows more families and individuals to own their own homes thanks to the help of the Rural Housing Service Programs. The USDA Rural Housing Service has quite a few programs in place to help potential homeowners in rural areas, build, buy, relocated homes in rural areas. These programs have become extremely popular in the south eastern United States and are slowly spreading in popularity to other areas of the United States. The funding is ample and available so taking advantage of the program now is a great opportunity.

The Process

Building a house in a rural location will pretty much be the same process as if it was built in any other location the difference is that there will be an extra step for the design process. The plans have to be certified by a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) that specializes in affordable residential designs. This seems as if it would be simple enough, but there are only hands full of home designers that specialize in this process and that have the specialized certification that is FHA approved. The home designer specialist that assists with this process will probably also be able to supply additional information regarding the program as well. If you cannot find an FHA approved home designer then contact the CPBD for referrals.

Of course there are other requirements. The program is only valid in certain areas and zip codes are the determining factor for the area. The idea is to build up under represented areas, so the area restrictions are very stringent. There are income requirements as well and of course credit worthiness plays a factor as well with country home plans.

Finding Help With the Process

Typically in each rural community there is a rural community office that can better explain the details of the program and provide direction on filling out the forms. Most banks that service rural areas will also be able to provide the information that is needed to meet the program requirements successfully. There are plenty of websites that are dedicated to information for specialty mortgages such as this program.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 2:00 am and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Seller Country House Plans - HPG-1501-1

Home design is changing. Tomorrow’s homes are on the drawing board and the designs for southern style house plan are anything but conventional. The advent of new technologies and better materials is pushing the limits of what can be achieve and reshaping home design as we know it. Architects and designers are adapting to the new trends and you can expect homes of the future to be very green and flexible with tones of storage. People want space and there are more ways to get it.

• More windows and skylights are being employed to open up a space.
• A more open floor plan to that takes full advantage of sightlines.
• More cabinet space, bigger closets and generally more storage is being employed to reduce clutter.

The influences are mixed, but the overall affect is the same, stunning.

There has been an enormous push for greener homes. Green buildings are being designed, sat and constructed with the environment in mind. New technology and products are making it possible for you to build your dream home that will reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing aesthetics.

The very idea of the outdoor living space is being rethought. Creating an outdoor living room has become a major trend and it’s only expected to grow. The use of fountains, fireplaces, lighting, bars, kitchens, patios and hot tubs in the pool area has revolutionized the way we see outdoor living spaces. Architects and designers are now adding these types of outdoor living spaces to their house plans.

The change in lifestyles has lead to a change in living spaces. People look for house plans with more flexible spaces that don’t have set functions. This leaves room for lofts, optional bedrooms, bonus rooms and home offices. More homes are being built with sliding doors, pocket doors and other types of movable partitions to allow for a more malleable space. Living and dining rooms are being pushed aside by large multi-purpose spaces. This makes it possible for your home to change with your needs for country style house plan.

Accessible home design is becoming increasingly more popular. The days of sunken living rooms, spiral staircases and high cabinets are fading to make way for a more accessible floor plan. Called “universal design” by architects, these homes can be comfortable for all ages and abilities because they are easy to move around. Things such as wider hallways and doors blend seamlessly into the design to give the home room without giving it a clinical appearance.

Storage is the new buzz word in design. Enormous walk-in closets, spacious dressing rooms, and plenty of easy-to-reach built-in cabinets are becoming commonplace. High Cathedral style ceilings are becoming passé as there is often a great need for storage space under the roof for families. The size of garages is increasing to accommodate SUVs, recreational vehicles, workshops and more storage space.

Eastern ideas are infiltrating home designs, particularly Feng Shui. It’s all about creating a harmonious environment through ambiance. This ancient Chinese science and art is intended to improve our health, harmony, longevity, career and wealth through specific placement with southern house plans.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 1:54 am and is filed under Narrow Lot Home Designs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Seller Southern House Plans - HPG-1638-1

The laundry room has been around a long time, and many families still include one in the best home plans. But since design has changed over the years, so has the location of where the laundry goes. Mud rooms are often a place to put the washer and dryer as the Mud room is a transition room. It’s designed for those coming from outside to remove their wet, muddy or dirty outer clothing so that when they arrive on the inside, there’s no muss or fuss. Mudrooms are places to remove paw prints from pets and catch the leaves and whatever else came in the house. What a perfect place to put a washer and dryer.

Space Considerations
You’ve spent a lot of time and money perfecting your home environment. It’s a statement of your style, taste and personality. Don’t let function ruin the space that you’ve created. Laundry areas are best left where they either can’t be seen or where they don’t take up much space. That’s why so many people previously put the washer and dryer in the basement. Today, the basement is often one big recreational area for the children, and having the machines there makes no sense with southern style house plans.

Why not put the laundry facilities closest to where the dirty belongings are created. This may be upstairs in a spare room or closet. It’s also a great way to encourage those who don’t like to do wash their clothes. They don’t have to walk downstairs, upstairs or really anywhere to take care of this task.

Stacked sets often work in homes without a lot of room. You can put this combination in a closet or pantry as long as you have the proper piping. The advantage, too, is that you can close the door and not look at the machines when they’re not in use.

If you’re at the design stage of your home building, consider a small separate room off the main entrance and high traffic areas. Be sure to leave plenty of clearance space should you replace the machines at any time with larger ones. It’s also helpful to have clearance space that workmen can use to check on hoses and parts on the back of the machine.

Laundry Supplies
Remember to set aside a shelf or cabinet for laundry supplies such as detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets and hampers. There’s no reason that you should have to look at these products every time you pass them. Also, it’s particularly helpful to have space to put these items away if you have cats, dogs or small children. You never know what they’ll find.

Noise
While machines have become quieter and quieter, they still do generate noise. By adding insulation to your laundry area wall and floor, you can reduce the amount of machine operation that you hear. And, if you are keeping your laundry facilities in your basement, insulation will also help keep you warm while you’re working with small floor plans.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 1:41 am and is filed under NEW House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Top Seller European House Plan - HPG-1800B-1

One of the best ways to reduce your maintenance costs is by thoroughly insulating your home. In addition to saving you money, it will also improve your comfort during extreme temperatures. The cold will be less cold and the hot will be less hot and you won’t have to adjust your thermostat nearly as often. Also, those drafty areas near the floors and windows aren’t nearly as common if you’re properly insulated with southern style house plan.

What is Insulation?
Many people know of its importance but they don’t really know how it’s made. Basically it’s a type of fiber, whether cotton or cellulose that is treated with chemicals and a cover material. These chemicals make it temperature, fire and mold resistant. There are many types of insulation and technical information abounds.

How Does it Work?
The insulation is placed in areas where there most likely will be heat loss. In attics, in basements and small holes or cracks. The builder typically selects the insulation based on a rating system called the R-value. The higher the value, the more effective the insulation. Energy Star homes have specific guidelines on what types to use. Even if you don’t want to go forward with a certified Energy Star home, you may want to follow the recommendations on insulation as it will save you quite a bit of money.

There is batt insulation derived from mineral fiber such as fiberglass which is most commonly used. It is best used by filling the walls or the areas below the floorboards. Fiberglass is most effective when it’s installed before the home is completely built. Due to the properties of the fiberglass, it is very important for workers to use eye, lung and skin protection when handling it. It can be scratchy and bothersome. Another disadvantage is that experts say that rodents like to make their nests in fiberglass. That’s one visitor you most likely want to eliminate with the new country house plans.

Installers use hoses to lay blown-in insulation. The advantage here is that the insulation can get into areas where the batt insulation can’t. The same can be said of foam insulation as it is sprayed into areas where it expands. As the foam is a polyurethane and not a natural fiber, it can be more toxic and less healthy than cotton fiber insulation.

Insulation has been around a very long time. It hasn’t been nearly the topic of conversation that it is now. Most everyone has taken a closer look at their heating bill than in past years. Our expectations now are also higher; old homes with drafty, cold rooms and irregular heating were much more acceptable. Today, we want our money’s worth which includes consistently warm rooms that don’t cost a fortune for small home plans.

Not sure what’s the best insulation for you? Talk with your architect, designer, contractor, neighbors and friends. Make sure you research the green technologies. Much of the cost of heating a home can be manipulated through the proper type and installation of insulation.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 1:33 am and is filed under House Plan Helpful Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Seller for Traditional House Plans - HPG-1751-1

More and more homeowners are demanding homes that are not only beautiful and affordable, but that are constructed in an energy-efficient manner – and many demand that they are Energy Star qualified. In order to qualify for Energy Star status, the home that is constructed must meet particular guidelines that are set about by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. EPA guidelines state that Energy Start qualified country house plans are at least fifteen percent more energy efficient than similar homes that was built to the International Residential Code requirements of 2004, also known as IRC requirements. Energy Star qualified homes are usually up to thirty percent more efficient from an energy used standpoint than traditional or standard homes in their categories. Let’s look at the features of a home that will qualify to be called an Energy Star home under EPA guidelines.

Energy Star Homes Have Effective Insulation

Energy Star homes should be well-insulated against the elements. All insulation in the walls, floors, attic spaces, and around windows and doors should be properly installed and inspected, and should be of high grade. Proper insulation throughout your home will ensure that temperatures throughout the home are even, which provides a more comfortable home environment, and also reduces the amount of energy that is required to heat and cool your southern home plans.

Energy Star Homes Have Energy-Efficient Windows

The high-performance energy-efficient windows that are required under Energy Star guidelines use the science of advanced technology to keep heat in during the cold winter months and keep heat out (and cool air in) during the warm summer months. The technologies used in the manufacture of these widows may include improved, well-insulated frames or protective coatings that work to block damage from UV rays that can typically cause discoloration in furnishings and carpeting, while allowing for natural light to filter through.

Energy Star Homes Have Tight Construction

An Energy Star home has tight construction throughout the home, including the duct work. The home “envelope” must be completely sealed, including all cracks and holes. In addition, the duct system throughout the home that services the home’s heating and cooling systems should be completely sealed in order to reduce or prevent moisture, drafts, pollen, noise and dust. A home that is tightly sealed will be a comfortable home with unsurpassed air quality that requires very little maintenance with your best house plans.

Energy Star Homes Have Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems and More

The biggest energy sucker in your home is the heating and cooling system, comprising the bulk of the energy that is used during each day by your home. Energy Star homes have heating and cooling systems that use less energy than standard systems, while reducing indoor humidity and running quietly – making for a more comfortable home that is less expensive to run. The Energy Star home should also have Energy Star rated products like appliances, vent fans, compact fluorescent bulbs and lighting fixtures that work to reduce the amount of energy that your household consumes overall.

Energy Star Homes Are Verified by Third Parties

The last step to owning an Energy Star qualified home is to have the home inspected by an independent home energy rater who will conduct tests and inspects to verify the energy efficiency of duct work, insulation and air tightness within the home, as well as check to see that the home is operated with energy-efficient appliances and heats and cools with an energy-efficient system.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 8th, 2010 at 1:24 am and is filed under House Plan Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Top Seller French Country House Plans - HPG-20002-1

Of particular importance in your effort to build an environmentally-friendly home is the windows that you will choose. Energy efficient windows for your new home construction can make your heating bills lower in the winter and your cooling bills easier to handle in the summer. An energy efficient window needs to be at two panes thick, have a low-E (emitting) glass coating, an airtight frame, and be rated as energy-efficient by the Energy Star program. Let’s look at each of these elements of the energy efficient window in greater detail with your country style house plan .

Frames

When considering your window frames, the material of the frame is very crucial the energy efficiency of the window itself. Opting for a vinyl or fiberglass frame ensures maximum efficiency and both of these materials do a great job of reducing the heat transfer and improving the insulation factor of the home and the home’s envelope. The decision to go with vinyl or fiberglass is usually an aesthetic one for most homeowners, although cost of the window frame itself certainly plays a role in that decision. Look for window frames in vinyl and fiberglass that have been specifically engineered and designed to perform optimally, such as those that have chambers within the frame that enhance their strength, provide additional insulation and reduce noise.

Multiple Panes

Having dual pane or multiple pane windows is important when installing windows that are energy efficient. Dual pane windows have a space between the two panes of glass that is filled with either gas (look for those gases like argon or krypton for their non-toxicity) or air. This provides more insulation than a single pan window. If you can afford it, go for Energy Star rated windows that have three or even more panes for the highest level of energy savings with your new house plan. Look for windows that feature spacers between the panes that allow for the correct distance of panes in order to allow for airflow within the pane. These warm edge spacers can be made of fiberglass, vinyl, foam or steel and will have the added benefit of reducing or preventing condensation between panes. Your windows should also feature low-E coating that will block out the infrared light from the sun that makes your home hotter in the summer and that can fade your flooring, carpeting, or furniture over time.

Financial Incentives for High Efficiency Windows

Local, state and federal governments have recently announced incentives for homeowners who install energy-efficient upgrades in their best home designs. These incentives include tax breaks and tax rebates. Talk to your installer or your contractor to find out if the windows that you choose qualify for these tax incentives and be sure to file for them in a timely manner. You can get up to $200 under some programs for each window that you install, either as a tax deduction or a credit on your taxes. That makes paying for your high efficiency windows easier, and provides you with a bit of money to spend on other eco-friendly upgrades.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 1:11 am and is filed under House Plan News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Best Selling European House Plan - HPG-1752-1

Baby Boomers (people born between the years of 1946 and 1964) make up a huge sector of the population when it comes to home buyers and those who are looking to build a home. After all, Baby Boomers do make up nearly half of the work force and control the most income in the entire country.

Some Boomers are getting ready for retirement or are retired, while others are looking towards retirement within the next decade or so. Most Baby Boomer inspired small house plans have a huge master bedroom suite, flexible living spaces and floor plans, and bonus rooms that are perfect for those with empty nests.

And because Baby Boomers are often charged with caring for their elderly parents, these home additions are ideal in the “here and now” as well as in the not-so-far-away future. Let’s look at the features of a Baby Boomer house plan that you should consider in order to get more comfort out of your home.

• No step entryway. Even if you are completely healthy and able to climb up a few steps to get into your home now, you want a home that allows for the future possibility that you might not be able to traverse steps like before.
• One story living space. While some well-to-do baby boomers go for chair lifts and elevators (very costly), the typical Baby Boomer plan will feature one story living with a large number of square foot options, features, best floor plans, styles and benefits for being comfortable at home. By using one story space efficiently, you will have as much room as a two story home (with the added advantage of costing you less).
• Wide hallways and doorways allow you to get through the home easily, even as you grow older and may need to use a walker or wheelchair. Modifying the size of your entryways, hallways, doorways, etc., for any house plan is not that much of an expense and most contractors can easily accommodate that request.
• Open floor spaces allow you to easily change your room layout without any problems.
• Look for flooring in the bathroom that is non-slip and safe for you as you grow older. The same goes for the bathtub. Consider a bathtub that is easy to get into and out of. Many people invest in a walk-in bathtub at this point in their lives, which is a bit more expensive but well worth it.
• Thresholds are designed to avoid tripping, slips and falls.
• Light fixtures that are placed optimally throughout the home are important, especially in areas where natural light is at a minimum, like basements and stairwells. Energy efficient lighting is important to, not just to save money on energy costs, but also so that you don’t need to change your light bulbs as often.
• Lever door handles and sliding doors provide for easiest entry, even as we age.
• A highly functional kitchen that features cabinetry that is not too far of a reach is important to the Baby Boomer generation and should be incorporated into the design of your home and your new house plans.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 1:03 am and is filed under House Plan Resources, NEW House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Finding financing for you dream home in this economic climate can be a challenge, but not beyond doing. There are a few traditional places to start your search. Your personal bank is a good place to try finding financing for your dream home. If you have a strong relationship with your bank the bank might be willing to write you a low interest mortgage as a nod to an appreciation for your business. As part of the loan process you may have to meet a particular credit score and be able to put a percentage down. Credit scores and debt to income ratio are two of the biggest factors in securing financing. If your credit score is high enough and you can prove your ability to repay the loan through your income to debt ration than traditional financing is the key way to finding financing for your dream home. Savings is a great place for finding financing for your dream home.

Non Traditional Methods

Non conforming loans can help in finding financing for your dream home. Non conforming loans are like traditional loans but are meant to substitute conforming loans when a customer cannot meet one or two of the requirements of the conforming loans. Usually the interest rate is going to be higher in these types of loans and may require a higher down payment. Sometimes getting creative in finding financing for your dream home is required. There are a lot of non-traditional funding sources for mortgages that are available. These options include finance companies and capital gains investment companies. There is a trend called the pay as you go option which allows you to pay for building items as you have the money (if finding financing for your dream home is to cover building your dream home). The pay as you go option works for folks that aren’t in a particular rush to get into their homes, but requires a hands-on approach. In other words the pay as you go option will require a certain amount of “elbow grease” on your part. A lot of retirement accounts have provision written in for no penalty withdrawals when the money withdrawn is used to buy a home. Withdrawing funds from a retirement fund can be a viable option if you have enough time to pay the money back to yourself. Hard money lenders might be an option for finding financing for your dream home, although this is the most expensive way to any purchase, including a home. Hard money loans are almost never written by commercial banks and are sometimes called subprime loans. This type of loan is usually made by private investors in a local area. The loan ratio on hard money loans is usually 60-70% of the property’s value.

Government Programs

Never overlook the possibility of the first-time home buyer’s credit that is being offered under the 2009 government stimulus bill. Homeowners can receive a credit of up to $8,000 towards the purchase of a new home (if you’re not a first time home buyer, then you cannot have owned a home in the last three years). With some lenders, potential home buyers can be “advanced” the credit in order to use it for a down payment, assuming that the borrower qualifies for traditional financing and has fairly good credit.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 12:37 pm and is filed under House Plan Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

When designing a new home, or looking to update an existing home, one of the biggest considerations you will need to make involves the roof of the home.  For many people, the roof of the home is somewhat of an afterthought until a leak springs in the roof and maintenance must be performed.

The roof has a bigger job, however, than just keeping the home dry.  It also is a big contributor to the overall look of the house.  When building a new home, remodeling, or adding a new addition, you have many options when it comes to roofing. Let’s look at the most popular roof options on today’s market.

Asphalt Shingles

Most of the roofs in the U.S. are covered in asphalt shingles – which are standard “three tab” shingles that are among the least expensive options available.  Asphalt shingles are available in dozens of colors that are either solid or blended with other colors for a 3-D effect.  Most asphalt shingles carry a fairly good guarantee (average of around 20 years or so), which makes them a good buy for most homeowners.

The principle advantage to using asphalt shingles for your roof is the great value that you get for your money, which is one reason they are so common; inversely, if you are looking for a unique look, asphalt shingles are very common so you’re not going to be “going against the grain” in your home design.  A bit pricier asphalt shingle is the architectural shingle, which is about twice as thick as the normal asphalt shingle and is installed in staggers that give them a layered look.  Some of these shingles resemble wood or slate.

Wood Shingles

From an aesthetic point of view, a wood shingle roof is very appealing to many homeowners, and wood shingles tend to weather out to a soft silver or gray that gives the home an inviting appeal.  Cedar is the most common species of wood that is used for wood shingles, which are relatively smooth in appearance and cut to be uniformly thick and in varying widths.  With a wood roof, you will need a substrate that will allow air to circulate behind the shingles, so installation is usually more costly.  Some contractors use the method of laying the wood shingles on lattice that is pressure treated.

Slate Roofs

Slate is another traditional roof option that is usually reserved for higher end homes and government buildings.  Slate is attractive and lasts for decades, has a tendency to shed snow and ice very easily, and is (unfortunately) very, very expensive.  Slate is heavy, and thus requires that a beefy roof structure be constructed in order to support its weight. Slate is being used less and less in modern construction, although it still has a large audience among discerning builders.

Classic Metal Roof

Metal roofs are not only for barns and outbuildings; in fact, many homes are built with metal in galvanized, corrugated sheets that are cheap and rugged, long lasting and very simple to install.  One metal that is less commonly used but beautiful nonetheless is copper. Copper roofing is, unlike traditional galvanized metal roof products, very expensive but very attractive and can be found on many of the finest homes in the country.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 7:23 am and is filed under House Plan Resources, House Plan and Home Construction Videos, New Home Construction Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

An energy credit is a tax credit – a payment made on the taxes you owe. A tax credit offers you a larger impact on your tax liability than a deduction because it is deducted from the tax money that is owed as opposed to deducting the money from the total liability. Home builders across the United States are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit per sold home. These credits will be doled out using the guidelines set up by the Department of Energy’s Energy Star standards for builders that can meet the standards.

Site Built Homes

New homes have to be energy efficient homes that exceed the Energy Star standards set by the new Department of Energy for energy efficiency. The Energy Star standards are a set of guidelines that were implemented in 2004 as part of an incentive to reduce energy consumption. Site built homes are eligible to receive the credit as are manufactured homes (see below). For homes that are site built they must be built in the United States and have energy efficiency ratings of at least 50% over the guidelines that are set forth in the 2004 Energy Star Regulations. Only homes that have been built after 2005 are eligible for the tax credit. At least one fifth of the energy savings must be derived from the area of the home that is heated/cooled. The homes must pass using Department of Energy software and also have to be inspected by an independent third party inspector certified by the DOE. The home has to be ready for occupancy by December 31 of the year construction began.

Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes that are built have to have an energy efficiency rating of at least 30% over the 2004 Energy Star guidelines; the available tax credit for manufactured homes is $1000 per home. The Manufactured homes have to have been manufactured after 2005 and be certified using the same Department of Energy Software and third party inspection is also required by a certified DOE inspector as site built homes. The manufactured home has to be delivered and setup and ready for occupancy no later than December 31 of the year it was manufactured.

How Can a Home Qualify?

To qualify a building for the credit certain materials can be used. Energy efficient windows, well constructed foundations, heavily insulated attics, walls, ceilings. Using alternate energy sources can also qualify as long as the rating meets that 50% mark for site built and 30% mark for manufactured. With newer materials available today and newer technology used in building these marks are not that hard to reach.

Other Credits

The tax credit has been extended through 2016. Specific energy credits through the federal government are not available to builders of new homes yet but the credits are available to the home owner. Some states offer energy credits to new home builders for implementing solar and other alternate energy sources in new home construction, an interested party will have to check with the state that they do business in to check out the regulations.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 3:56 am and is filed under Builder Favorite House Plans, House Plan Helpful Tips, House Plan News, House Plan Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Whether you are handicapped or live with someone who is the prospect of building a custom home for yourself presents a valuable opportunity to incorporate a variety of items to improve your quality of life. Home designs that incorporate these features are becoming even more popular as baby-boomers move into the later years of life and seek to maintain their independence while also being able to live in a safe environment. In recent years, the concept of “Universal Design” has emerged as a leader in the design of accessible and error tolerant home construction for the handicapped and elderly.

Universal Design Trends

One floor if possible- Unless you have the money to install elevators in your home (and even so) your home design should give access to the large majority of rooms and living quarters on the first floor.

Expanded walkways and transits – When determining the position of walkways, doors, furniture, appliances and cabinetry you should expand the area and entrances to a large enough size to accommodate the handicapped and any equipment that they require. This will make their maneuverability much easier by eliminating bottlenecks and tight turns. In the bathroom, the room should be expanded and modified to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. A roll in shower is often necessary to make the daily task of bathing as effortless and safe as possible.

Ramps not steps- If there are any changes in elevation between rooms this transition should be accommodated with a ramp and not a step. Careful consideration to your layout should be given to allow these ramps to be of a slight versus steep angle and wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.

Railings – Railings encourage safety and mobility and are essential in hard to navigate areas where the individual may need to get out of their wheelchair or along steps and ramps.

Accessible Cabinetry – For those in wheelchairs the ability to reach the sink, stove and other appliances can be severely hindered by traditional cabinets. At these areas, roll under cabinets and appliances should be installed to enhance the accessibility of the handicapped to these items. Furthermore, cabinets and shelving containing necessary item, such as dishes, food and cookware, should be at the ground level and not elevated above the counter tops.

Easy Communication – Intercom systems and Bluetooth communication devices can be incorporated into your home design to allow easy communication between the handicapped, other residents, caretakers or emergency services. Remote control devices can also be incorporated that allow for wireless control of thermostats, hearing devices and even door locks. This reduces the need for shouting or searching the house for someone and can be invaluable in an emergency.

Other Considerations

What your home requires can be as important as who you choose to build it. Seek out contractors with experience constructing handicap accessible homes in the field of Universal Design. Their insight into certain situations can be invaluable to ensuring that your home accommodates all or your needs.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 3:46 am and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans, House Plan Helpful Tips, House Plan and Home Construction Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Becoming a homeowner is the dream of many individuals and couples. Selecting the home that you will spend the beginning of your new life in can be an exciting experience and the thrill of your new independence is exhilarating.  Your first home is about planning your future; whether that includes children, job changes or a spouse. Considering this, your first home should have room for your life and your family to expand. Since many first time home buyers are young professionals on tight budgets the most important consideration should be the affordability of your new home.

A World of Options

Modular Homes and Prefabs – Modular and prefabricated homes are an attractive option for first time home buyers because they can often be constructed at a much lower cost than existing or custom homes. These units can be customized in a variety of ways and are offered in a wide range of styles to ensure that you receive the home that suits you perfectly.

Stock Plans – There are so many stock plans available that can be modified cheaply to meet your needs that you would be hard pressed to not be able to find what you desire. Buying stock plans can save you thousands of dollars versus hiring an architect to design your home from scratch. The internet offers hundred of sources for stock plans and the experience of being able to browse these different styles and designs will save you a great deal of time versus visiting home shows and tours.

Kit Homes – If you have a do-it-yourself attitude, a flexible schedule and know how to swing a hammer then a kit home can be a big money saver. Kit homes are often smaller than traditional houses, so if you are a single individual of new couple without children in your immediate future these may be perfect for you. Kit homes are most popular in cabin and cottage style layouts and usually feature just enough living space for first time homeowners. However, if you require, some can get rather large and ostentatious.

Custom Design – Do you have an amazing idea for a convenient and affordable home in the back of your mind? Working with an architect to turn these ideas into a reality will guarantee you get exactly what you want out of your first home.

Rehabilitation – There are plenty of homes out there in poor condition or in gentrifying neighborhoods waiting to be transformed into something new. Shells and other properties, like prefabs and kit homes, can often end up costing much less than an existing home. In addition, the character and ambiance that these existing structures offer can be incorporated into their new modernized appearance.

Getting it Right

When you are young it is hard to know what the future has in store for you but you are probably not short on ambition. Your first home is the chance to put the hopes of your future into something that represent your goals and prepares you for your life ahead.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 3:30 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Using stainless steel in the kitchen can be a great added benefit. Not only is stainless steel sleek and contemporary, but it is also durable and easy to clean. Stainless steel will not stain or burn, making it a very long lasting investment in your kitchen. As with any features in your home, upgrading to stainless steel may or may not increase the resale value. Either way, adding stainless steel to your kitchen will increase the wow-factor and in that way may increase your chances of quickly selling your home. Keep in mind that if you are planning on staying in your home forever, then resale value does not matter and you should simply do what pleases you.

Stainless Steel Appliances

If you are just upgrading your appliances and your kitchen is bright and cheery, stainless steel appliances will make all the difference. When deciding whether or not to use stainless steel, remember to consider whether the style of the kitchen can accommodate the new upgrade. Will your counters, cabinets, and floor look good paired with the stainless steel accessories? The wonderful thing about stainless steel appliances is that they are easy to clean because the surface of the steel is nonporous and therefore is easy to keep sanitary and germ free. The downfall of stainless steel regarding cleanliness is that stainless steel attracts fingerprints, and lots of them! Older and low end models are notorious for this. To the delight of all parents who would prefer stainless steel, most manufacturers are now offering fingerprint resistant steel. When choosing your stainless steel appliances, try to choose models that match, look at the handles and patterns. Manufacturers rarely make an entire matching series so be sure that you take the time to research and compare all the pieces before you commit to them and bring them home only to find that the stove and the dishwasher do not match.

Stainless Steel Counters and Cabinets

Becoming increasingly popular are stainless steel counters and cabinets. By utilizing stainless steel as a material for cabinets and counters, a home owner can create a modern sleek design. Not only is the design modern and sleek, but it is very functional. Most professional grade appliances and surfaces are made of stainless steel because it’s the easiest to keep sanitary and it can withstand the perils of a kitchen. Stainless steel can handle both heat and moisture, making it a perfect material to use near hot surfaces and sinks. Although when using stainless steel a person must keep in mind to avoid abrasive cleaners as stainless will easily scratch if exposed to cleaners such as souring powders. Stainless steel can also dent easily if not prepped properly with a solid layer of material underneath.  Stainless steel is both attractive and functional as long as proper care is taken to conserve its beauty.

Stainless steel can increase the wow-factor of your home, making it the talk of the neighborhood. If you are planning on reselling, just remember not to overprice for the market in your neighborhood. Choosing stainless for your kitchen is a great investment whether you are counting on resale value or if it is in your forever home.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 3:09 am and is filed under House Plan News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The home office is increasing in prevalence as more and more people do a majority of their work from home.  Home office designs that reflect functionality and are attractive at the same time will help you to get the most out of your time spent in the home office – and give you a lovely place to work and do your business.

Identifying Your Needs

Before you look for home office designs, you should first identify the needs that you will have for your home office.  What will occur in this space that you have designated for a home office? Will you be the only user of the office, or will your children or significant other be using the office for homework, playing videos, or watching television. Many home offices also double as a guest bedroom or sewing/crafts room.  Identifying the needs that you have for your home office will allow you to make the most use of your space and also give you an idea of how much you will need to spend to make your home office a reality.

Home Office Infrastructure

Once you have determined the uses that you will have for your home office, you will need to make sure that the infrastructure of the home office is already in place or that you make arrangements for it.  The basic infrastructure that you will need for your home office is conduit material that nearly disguises any computer wiring or power cords, an abundance of electrical outlets and telephone jacks, power surge protectors for your office and computer equipment, and cords that are long enough to connect your computer and its different accessories in your new office space.  Your home office design space needn’t be that big in order to be adequate, but should be big enough to accommodate your desk and chair and give you room to “roll” around if you need to.

Home Office Design Focal Point

Just as with any other room in the home, your home office should be pleasantly decorated – which means that you’ll need to identify a focal point in the room and build from that focal point to make the rest of the room have a tailored and neat appearance.  Choose a fireplace (if you are so lucky as to have one), a statue or picture, a beautiful window with a great view – whatever your space allows, and work from that focal point. In many home office designs, especially for smaller offices with limited space, the focal point may be a beautiful desk or table.  Whatever you choose for your focal point, make sure that it’s eye-catching but not too overbearing.

Arranging Your Home Office Design

There are limitless possibilities with how to arrange your home office. Many people choose the L-shaped home office design which features allows for everything to be along two walls for easy access.  If your space doubles as a guest room, you might want to choose furniture that looks less like office furniture and more like bedroom furniture (and the market is full of options).  Functionality is extremely important for those who work from home, so making your home office functional is your utmost concern.  Besides your computer and printer, you might also want your telephone and fax machine nearby.  Purchase a comfortable office chair – those with high backs or executive chairs are a bit more expensive but will certainly pay off with years of comfort in the long run.  Make sure you have adequate lighting – a nice desk lamp will help.  You may also need shelving – a great option is to choose book shelves of the same finish as your desk or other furniture in the room.  Throw in some beautiful artwork or family mementos and you have the perfect home office design!

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:51 pm and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans, Bungalow Home Plans, House Plan Helpful Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

If you are looking at new home construction, you should consider choosing earth-friendly building materials that are not only good for the environment but are more energy efficient for you – which can reduce your monthly energy bills.  There are many myths regarding “green” or earth-friendly building that are just that – myths.  Let’s look at some of the common misconceptions surrounding green building and put an end to the misinformation.

Myth: Green Building is More Expensive

While some materials for building “greener” and smarter are a bit more expensive, green building strategies, materials, and designs will save you money in the long run by reducing energy costs and even health costs!  Typical green building enhances the quality of your indoor air, making you healthier.  Green materials last longer and require fewer resources to develop.  Most are aesthetically pleasing to look at and the resell value of homes and other structures built with green materials that are environmentally sound are greater than traditional homes.  So while this myth is partially true (green building materials are a bit more costly than traditional building materials) the money saved in the long run will negate the initial expense of building green.

Myth: Green Products Don’t Help the Environment That Much

While the move towards green building has just begun to pick up speed in recent years – it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you’re using less energy, water and other resources to run your home that you’re helping the environment.  If you compare the trend to building sustainable and earth-friendly housing to the organic farming movement of just a few decades ago, you’ll see a strong parallel.  It took a few decades for organic food to catch on – but now it’s a huge trend that is growing substantially every year as people realize the health benefits to be realized.  The same is true for green building – and as more green homes are built, the benefits for the environment will become more widely recognized.

Myth: Zero VOC or VOC Compliant Makes a Material Green

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have received a lot of press in the past year or so.  Most people now believe that all VOCs are bad and that they should not be used, period.  Government regulation of VOCs is due to the fact that some VOCs react with chlorine to form smog – so not using VOCs reducing air pollution.  But the recognition of VOCs as dangerous to human health is not always taken into consideration when the government makes a product exempt from the VOC list – as is the case with many paints that contain ethylene glycol, which is a product similar to antifreeze that is used in outdoor paint.  While ethylene glycol is considered a VOC, its counterpart, propylene glycol is also a VOC but is not listed as such.  Bottom line, VOC standards as ruled by the U.S. government may be meaningless when comparing green products.

Myth: Green Building is a Fad that Works in States Like California

While California is certainly one state that has led the movement towards building green housing, green building is not a fad for “hippies” like it once was in the 1970s.  Inversely, green building is quickly becoming mainstream as more architects, designers and builders join the green revolution to build homes that are energy-efficient and sustainable.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:24 pm and is filed under House Plan News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Everyone dreams of the designer kitchens that are featured on the pages of magazines, but with money tight, who can afford it? It is possible to design a gourmet kitchen on a budget, but you have to spend wisely and make some tough decisions.  If you are planning on a complete remodel, the help of a professional can be a lifesaver should the unexpected happen, but the do-it-yourselfer with building experience can save a lot of money. If you are just planning on upgrading and sprucing up your current kitchen there are lots of options to help you keep your project under budget.

Keep It Simple and Functional

A gourmet kitchen does not need to be spectacular. It should reflect those that will be using it and it should most of all be functional.  Consider the flow of traffic through your planned space. Choose a layout that will allow free movement between work stations and that does not interfere with traffic through the kitchen space.

At the heart of every kitchen lie the appliances. Your choice of appliances can make or break the bank. Any avid cook would love to purchase professional grade appliances, but they may not fit the budget. Instead, choose appliances that not only fit your space, but also fulfill your needs.   Choose finishes that match your style and meet your needs. If you have children, consider a finish that is easy to clean little fingerprints off of.

Money Saving Options

There are many options when designing a gourmet kitchen. Options range from flooring to lighting and everywhere in between.  Let’s start at the bottom.

• Flooring – The first thought on flooring is that it should be durable and easy to keep clean. There are many choices and many options that can help keep your budget low while keeping your kitchen beautiful. Two inexpensive options are linoleum floor tiles and laminate wood flooring. Both are very reasonably priced, only costing a fraction of ceramic tiles and both still durable and easy on the eyes. Another perk of the linoleum and laminate is the ease of installation. If you follow the directions and prep properly, installation is relatively simple.

• Cabinets – Custom cabinets can be very expensive. Instead opt to use stock cabinets and combine shapes and sizes to create a custom look. If your cabinets are still in good shape, another cost saving option is to refinish the cabinets or paint and antique them.

• Countertops – Laminate countertops are only a fraction of the price of marble or the other stone tops that are available. When keeping a low budget, laminate is the way to go. There are many colors and patterns to choose from, allowing for a customizable design.

• Lighting – Part of a safe and effective kitchen is sufficient lighting. There are many options, but the most attractive is recessed lighting and under-cabinet lighting. When choosing your source of light, remember where your workspaces are and where you will need the most light to safely operate in your gourmet kitchen.

When designing a gourmet kitchen on a budget, the most important aspect to remember is to keep the functionality of the space in mind. Your kitchen is your space and should reflect your personality and style. Now go design your new gourmet kitchen!

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:13 pm and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans, House Plan and Home Construction Videos, Ranch House Plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

If you are building a new home, now is the time to choose the energy-efficient “green” home upgrades that will not only help lower your heating and cooling costs, but will also reduce the size of your family’s carbon footprint in the future.  The best green home upgrades for 2009 include:

- Energy Star appliances.  Energy Star appliances are singled out for their ability to use 10% to 50% less energy than other comparable models on the market and most homeowner’s associations don’t require that you ask permission to install them (which is a problem that some other types of upgrades present for the homeowner).  Although you will pay premium price for these types of appliances, the savings you will reap over time will allow you to recoup much of what you pay upfront. In addition, there are various government incentives in place right now (and through the end of 2010) for families to get on board with certain Energy Star appliances.  If you ever go to resell your home, you’ll find that these appliance upgrades are very much appreciated by potential buyers.

- “Green switches”.  Some people are converting the wiring in their home to single-control outlets that allow them to flip one simple switch that will automatically turn off all of the electronics in their homes that are running on standby.  A green switch in the home can save as much as 10% on the total energy bills for the home, or up to $1,000.  That’s a significant savings to be reaped.

- Argon-filled windows.  Most windows in newer homes are double-paned windows that are vacuum sealed, so there’s nothing between the two panes of glass at all.  Windows that are filled with argon gas will help to block UV rays from the sun while helping to insulate the interior of the home.  Another option is krypton gas filled windows, which are thought to provide the same benefits.

- Tankless hot water heaters.  No new home should ever have an old, energy-sucking tank style water heater – that’s like putting the engine from a 1985 Buick into your new car.  Tankless water heaters are also called on-demand water heaters and heat water to the perfect temperature as it is needed, unlike tank style models that keep gallons of water piping hot 24/7/365 – even if you’re away on vacation which is a ridiculous concept.  Want to go even greener? Go for a solar powered tankless hot water heater and heat your water with the energy of the sun.  As an added bonus, many local utility companies as well as the federal government have great incentive programs that will sometimes subsidize the installation of a tankless water heater.  Either way, your purchase will pay for itself within five years of installation in energy costs saved.

- Low flow showerheads and toilets.  The low flow showerhead and toilet have come a long way in the past five years.  The new generation of low flow bathroom necessities can now use just 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while the low flow showerhead can give you excellent water pressure but still use as little as a half gallon per minute.  That’s a significant savings on your water bill, and a great way to save our planet’s dwindling water supply.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:41 pm and is filed under Building your Dream House Plans, Frequently Asked Questions, House Plan News, House Plan and Home Construction Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Hiring a reputable contractor can be accomplished if the research is done before making a decision. New home construction, like any other industry, has both good and not so good people involved in it. Taking the time to assess the situation (and the contractor) before hand can save time and money throughout the project.

Bids for the Project

The best practice for securing bids from contractors is to provide each contractor that will bid on the project with a copy of the design plan (if there is one) prepare a form for the contractor to submit the bid on. Each contractor should have the same exact information and the same exact forms to submit the bid on. Providing each contractor with identical information will insure that there is no miscommunication in getting what is needed. Once the bids have been submitted review them diligently, keeping in mind that the lowest bid is not always the best. Any possible candidate for the job should be fully licensed, bonded and insured to work on your property without liability to you; if someone falls off the roof, whose insurance covers that? You need to find these things out in advance. A reputable contractor will have his own insurance.

About Low Bids

Value for your dollar is more important than lower and higher when reviewing bids. When reviewing the bids keep in mind that value is what the goal is – finding a contractor that will provide the best value for the dollar. Best value can be determined by, best service, experience, best materials, and length of time that the contractor takes to complete the project once he gets started. Essentially if something seems too good to be true with a contractor it probably is. Accepting the lowest bid could compromise the quality of the project. Unfortunately many times the lowest bid is submitted by a contractor that does not have the staff to commit to a larger project hence the lower bid, or the contractor may use subpar materials on the project which is another money saver for the contractor but not something anyone would like for their project. In extreme cases the contractor provides the lowest bid to get the job takes fifty percent up front than never does the job.

Take a Couple of Additional Steps

Before making a decision, take a few additional steps. Contact the Better Business Bureau in your area and make and inquiry about the contractor. Look out for a few flags from the contractor. If the contractor gives only a PO Box as an address, if the contractor asks for more than half the money up front, if the contractor asks that you file for permits -these are all signs of bad business practices. There are also a few other indicators that should be noted; if there are complaints on record with the Better Business Bureau take heed, don’t ignore the complaints. Don’t be pressured into quick decisions, do the research and keep in mind the lowest bid is most likely not the best bid.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 7:59 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 8:37 pm and is filed under House Plan News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.