Bathroom Redo Ideas

Here's an interesting take on redoing a bathroom. . .

To Get the "Look," Avoid These Mistakes

Want a fresh look for your home, and want to do it yourself? Here are some decorating mistakes to avoid:

1. Too many colors. Try to keep the paint colors in your home to a minimum – two or three at most. And, if possible, use one carpet throughout the entire house. A plethora of colors will make your home feel chopped up and stop the visual flow of your spaces.

2. Busy fabrics on large pieces. Think of your sofa and sectional as background. Select simple fabrics for them, preferably without much color or pattern variation. Think of these large furniture pieces as something akin to your “basic black” dress. You can dress them up or dress them down. Save the patterned fabrics for pillows or drapes.  Use accessories – like art, area rugs or throws – to bring the “punch” into your rooms.

3. Layout unbalanced. When arranging your furniture, be careful not to put all the heavy pieces on one side of the room. If you have something tall (like an armoire) on one wall, try to balance it with, for example, a large picture on the opposite wall.

4. Too much stuff. A good rule of thumb is this: Think of everything you want to put into a room, and then cut it in half.

5. No theme. The eclectic look is great, but – for it to be successful – it needs a theme, be it style, topic or color. In our Stillwater model home at Newport Cove, our waterfront development on the Chain O’ Lakes, the theme is nautical and color-centered, using a palette of white, blue and tan. This 2,215-square-foot home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a full basement with nine-foot walls and an optional bonus room over the 2.5-car garage. It is in the community's Cottages neighborhood, an area where the homeowners' association takes care of all landscaping maintenance and snow removal.

Attractive Practicality Is "In"

According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, the average square footage of new homes has been dropping. The median size of new homes being built today is just above 2,100 square feet, down from 2,309 square feet three years ago, in 2007. However, the survey also shows that, while the size of homes has decreased, the price (and cost) per square foot generally has not. Labor costs have gone done, but material costs – copper and steel, for example – have skyrocketed. Recent federal legislation is requiring more energy-efficient (translation, more expensive) insulation, windows and heating/cooling systems. Moreover, more buyers seem to think, “Well, if I’m building smaller, at least I’m going to build better.” As a result, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and designer touches are de rigueur.

Consumers, from baby boomers to their children, the “eco-boomers,” are realizing that a well-planned house can live bigger than one that’s big simply for the sake of being big. Spaces that serve double purposes, such as a family room that converts to a media room, or an office tucked into a nook rather than using an entire room, are in demand. Today’s home buyers simply do not want to pay for and/or maintain space they rarely use.

Amenities also are important to today's consumer.  Home buyers are willing to pay a little more to live where there are amenities - such as Newport Cove with its private marina and waterfront common areas.

Attractive practicality may be the theme of the day. . .

Today's Homes Are More Affordable

Housing Watch says that homes are more affordable today than they have been in the past 20 years.  As the old adage says, "Buy straw hats in the winter."

http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/11/22/homeownership-most-affordable-rates-in-20-years/

Housing Prices WILL Go Up

Despite the endless doom and gloom about housing on television business news programs, we have been contending that the economic fundamentals soon will reassert themselves, that the cost of homes will rise to meet the cost to produce them, that supply and demand will be equalized.  And, when that happens, the price of housing will rise rapidly and dramatically.

This article in Nation's Housing News and the research it is based upon support our contention

If living in a permanent vacation setting has been your dream, there's no time like now to build a home at Newport Cove!

A Dozen Reasons Why New Homes Are Better

1. New homes appreciate more. Even though real estate currently is in a slump, history tells us that not only do homes appreciate, but the value of new homes tends to grow more than the value of used homes.

2. New homes cost less to operate. Maintaining a house can be expensive. Because everything in a new home is NEW, you will have fewer major repairs – things like roofs, furnaces, appliances, etc.

3. New homes are under warranty. Typically a new home has a builder warranty. This means that certain items in your home will be maintenance-cost-free for the length of that warranty (one-year for most items, 30 years or more for some items like roofs and siding).

4. You don’t pay for space you won’t use. With a new home, particularly a custom-built home designed for your specific lifestyle, you are building only the space you use. Take the cost per square foot (use $100 per foot as an easy benchmark) and determine what that extra unused square footage costs for not just mortgage, but also utilities, maintenance and real estate taxes.

5. New homes are designed for today. The way we live has changed over the years. We spend more time in the great room and less in a formal dining room. Kitchens have grown larger and become as much a gathering place as a cooking space. Closets are larger. Technology spaces are planned into the design.

6. New homes are tech friendly. New homes are built with the wiring required for today’s connected world.

7. New homes are “green.” Building codes and technology have greatly improved the energy efficiency of homes. New homes built in the Midwest after January 1, 2010, must have R-19 insulation in the walls, R-45 in the ceilings and low-e windows, as well as fully insulated basements.

8. New homes are healthier. New homes – unlike their older counterparts – no longer include asbestos or lead paint. Today’s plywood and particle board emit almost no formaldehyde.

9. New homes contain better products. The quality of many building products has dramatically increased. For example, the mechanicals – heating, air conditioning, ventilating, electrical systems, plumbing – available today are much superior to those in older homes.

10. A new home reflects your personal taste. When you build a new home, you can select the style of the cabinets, the material in the countertops, the tile and the flooring, the color of the walls, the type of hardware, the features of your appliances, etc., etc.

11. A new home in a new development offers better infrastructure. For example, a new home in Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, IL, is hooked up to a new sewer system, all the storm and sanitary sewers are new, the wells are new, the roads are new, the new cable and electrical wires are buried under ground.

12. A new home in a new development often has special amenities. The owners at Newport Cove can enjoy the community’s 8-acre private waterfront park, the community’s private marina, walking paths, picnic gazebo, wildflower gardens and other amenities.

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. . .

This is a good article about how mirrors can make a smaller home feel larger.  We've used many of these ideas in our cottage homes at Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Bluff Lake in unincorporated Antioch, IL.

http://freshome.com/2010/11/03/how-to-enlarge-your-space-using-mirrors/

Some Mistakes Can't Be Fixed

This is a helpful article for homeowners thinking of customizing their new home or changing their old. . .

HOME PROJECTS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BOTCH.

Should You Buy A House?

Is renting better than purchasing? As home values stagnate, many people seem to think so.

But, before you decide to sign that lease, consider these points:

1. Rent usually goes up. If you have a fixed price mortgage, your payment will be the same for 30 years and – at the end of that time – you will have no house payments whatsoever.

2. A home is an investment. When you pay rent, you are putting money in someone else’s pocket.When you pay a mortgage, part of that money is being invested in your property. Eventually you can own your home free and clear.

3. A lease is short-term. If you have a one- or two-year lease, at the end of the lease a landlord can decide to no longer rent the property. If you own a home, you can live there as long as you like (if you pay the mortgage and taxes).

4. You will pay less income tax. The interest you pay on your mortgage AND your real estate taxes are tax deductible on your federal and state income tax returns. Rent is NOT tax deductible.

5. Real estate tends to increase in value. That fact is difficult to believe in a down-trending market, but in the long term real estate prices have done nothing but go up.

6. Mortgage rates are at historic lows. Because of the low rates, today it is more cost effective to buy a house than to rent one of the same size.



7. You become part of a community. Homeowners tend to be more invested in their communities, to stay longer in their residences.

8. You have more influence. Municipal officials, whether it is fair or not, tend to pay more attention to property owners than to renters.

Would your landlord like this color?



9. You can plant a garden. With a home usually comes a little land – a place for a garden plot or a swing set.

10. You can paint the walls RED. When you own your home, YOU are the landlord. You can paint, decorate, make the home your own.

Newport Cove, New American Homes' waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL, has new homes available for immediate occupancy starting at $395,000.  Or, we can build you a new home starting from $325,000.

The Colors of Cottage

The colors of sand, sunshine, water and flower gardens – these are cottage colors. At Newport Cove, the award-winning waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes in suburban Antioch, builder New American Homes has some favorite paint colors for its coastal-style homes:

They include:

Behr’s “Clambake,” “Cottage White” and “Laurel Mist.” Benjamin Moore’s “Nantucket Breeze.” Restoration Hardware’s “Sand Dollar” (top), “Silver Sage" (middle) and “Seafoam” (bottom). Teamed with bright white trim, these colors say summer, lazy days and serenity. Psychologists have proved that color affects mood. Who could feel unhappy surrounded by these hues?

A Housing Shortage? You Kidding Me??

Is a housing shortage coming? If you watch TV news or read newspapers, you would say, “Absolutely not!” Yet a few economists are beginning to predict a housing shortage in just a few years. Why? Here’s the story:

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, our country forms something north of one million new households each year. In other words, every year we need to add another one million-plus housing units – apartments, condos, single-family homes. During the height of the housing boom, the country was building more new homes than households being formed. (Small wonder there was a housing glut!) But, now, we are building far fewer. Recent housing statistics show that the country is adding around 500,000 units per year, less than half of what is needed.  And, this number does not take into account the obsolete housing units that are torn down annually.

Once the country burns through the excess inventory built in the 2005-2008 era, the supply of housing being produced will not begin to meet the demand. Because so many building material suppliers and construction companies have either cut back or disappeared, it will be difficult to construct the number of units needed. Thus, some economists are beginning to predict not only a housing shortage, but an accompanying increase in housing prices.

Not many people have the courage to buy in a down market. But, historically, smart investors run against the herd. They sell when everyone else is buying and buy when everyone else is selling. With interest rates at record lows and housing prices down from their lofty heights, now might be the best time in a lifetime to buy real estate.

Appraisal Know-How

In today’s turbulent real estate market, an appraisal can make or break the sale of your home. Yet, appraising is far from an exacting profession. Here are a few things to know about appraisals so that the house you are buying or selling is valued properly:

1. An appraisal is one person’s opinion. During our 25 years in business, New American Homes has found that appraisals on the same property can vary greatly. The opinion of one appraiser does not necessarily match the opinion of another.

2. Qualify your appraiser. When the appraiser calls to make an appointment to view your property, ask if he or she is familiar with your neighborhood. If not, call the lender and ask that an appraiser with “geographic competency” value your home.

3. Be proactive with your appraiser. Be prepared to give the appraiser favorable comparables (or “comps”) from your neighborhood. Point out properties that have sold recently and compare well with your property. Tell the appraiser how these comps are better or worse than your property – for example, does your home have more bedrooms, an updated kitchen, a finished basement, more square footage, a preferred location? 

4. Identify foreclosures.  Be sure that, if an appraiser is using a foreclosed property as a comp, this fact is properly noted and the condition of the foreclosed property is known.  (Many foreclosed properties are "stripped" before they are sold, and the recorded sale prices do not take into consideration the cost of bringing the properties back to a livable condition.)

The following link from AOL’s real estate blog, “Inside the Mind of an Appraiser,” is an excellent short video on how an appraiser looks at a home:  Inside the Mind of an Appraiser

Stairway Savvy

Ever trip going down the stairs to your basement? Here's a safety tip from New American Homes, award-winning builder of Newport Cove, a planned waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes:

In dark stairwells, vary the color of the stair treads. Shown here is the stairwell to the lower level in the LIFEhouse, a concept house featuring universal design and opening soon at Newport Cove. Note how the stair carpet color changes. Note the rope lighting routed into the stairrail. These are two inexpensive ideas to add a smart (and interesting) touch of safety to your home.

The Challenge of Building Accessible Homes

New American Homes, the builder of Newport Cove, has been in the home building business since the mid-1980s.  Over the course of those years, we have been asked four different times to retrofit a home we had built to accommodate a person who - due to either accident or illness - had become wheelchair bound. Then, in each of those instances, once the home owners had decided to move from their residences, we were again hired to remove all of the accessibility features so that the home could be sold.

It is very difficult to sell a home that LOOKS accessible. Buyers do not want to be reminded of the world’s difficulties, the trials and tribulations of illness and aging.

Because of these experiences, we became interested in accessible housing.  It seemed foolish to build a house, retrofit a house and then remove the retrofitting.  The solution, of course, is a design that does not scream accessibility.  Over the years we have begun adding several accessible features to our homes. We – as a matter of course – build wider hallways, wider doorways and stacked closets.  But, the kitchens and baths are always the big challenge.  The average buyers still want the private water closet.  They shy away from grab bars.  They want storage space under their vanity sinks.

This all led to the building of our LIFEhouse, a concept home we are just completing in our Newport Cove waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes.

The LIFEhouse is a 2,000 square-foot-ranch home with a full basement.  The floor plan is simply one of our standard models TWEAKED a bit so that it follows the principles of “universal design.”  Much of the house is accessible; the rest could easily become so.

The home’s entrances are no-step.  The front porch camouflages a brick paver ramp that comes off the front sidewalk. The front door is 42 inches wide.  The house has a lift that stops at the garage, the first floor and the lower level.  The kitchen, master bath and lower level bath are fully accessible.  A third bath is semi-accessible.  The home has many, many features that are universally designed.  Yet, it is an attractive home.  It is trendy, young-feeling - not at all hospital-like.

We are finding that people from their 50s on are quite interested in the concept.  They like the house.  They like its feel.  They GET the practicality of it.  Will they pay for it?

As you know, elevators and lifts are budget busters, as are some of the new high-tech options – but the little things, including more and better lighting, accessible hardware and faucets, well-placed appliances – these things are easy and inexpensive.

For us, the challenge is to create a universally designed home package that is more or less the same cost as one of our standard homes.  That’s the challenge.

So, here’s a question:  Would you pay extra for the security of remaining in your home as your lifestyle changes?

Homes With Benefits

You may have heard the words “planned community” or “planned urban development (PUD),” but what do those words mean to a home buyer? In the simplest sense they indicate that, when the property was zoned, certain amenities were built into the plan. The land wasn’t just cut up into as many home sites as possible. Instead, space was left for common areas – for parks, natural habitats, green belts, perhaps a stand of old trees. A "planned community" also means that the development has certain guidelines and standards which typically are higher than the normal zoning code. Perhaps all the architecture is required to be the same “style”. Maybe all roofs must be the same color. Some PUDs prevent the permanent parking of commercial vehicles - boats or campers, as examples, or limit the numbers of pets homeowners can shelter.

Today governmental bodies and municipalities encourage PUDs, especially for significant pieces of land being developed. This allows the land to be thoughtfully designed. In a sense, it’s urban planning on a small scale.

Lifestyle, convenience and aesthetics draw people to planned development. Our Newport Cove community on the Chain O’ Lakes is one example. Homeowners say they have moved there for the waterfront lifestyle and the quality environment. “We want a place where our friends, our kids and grandkids will want to visit,” is something we hear time and again.

Housing choices

Planned communities typically offer variety in the size and type of houses. Maintenance-free smaller houses, like Newport Cove’s Cottages, meet the need of empty nesters or second-home buyers. Custom-designed larger homes satisfy a growing family. Houses built using universal design or aging-in-place principles assure a home that will meet owners' changing needs. What ties these housing choices together is not uniformity, but rather attention to details that cultivate community. Front porches and shared common grounds allow neighbors to know one another and congregate as they see fit.

Architectural integrity

Architectural guidelines assure integrity in the look and building quality of a planned community. Adherence to these guidelines creates a consistently pleasing environment. For example, all the homes at Newport Cove use a coastal-style architecture featuring siding and stone facades, all with white trim, and this brings a bright, clean look to the community.

Amenities

Vacationing where you live is a theme of many planned communities. Recreation possibilities may include golf, fishing and boating. New, state-of-the-art, easy-maintenances homes allow for more time to enjoy these amenities. At Newport Cove owners can be seen congregating on the walking paths, strolling along the lake, picnicking in the community gazebo, fishing from the piers and – of course – spending time in their boats.

Open space

Land planning is important in a PUD. Attractive natural landscapes with open spaces are increasingly appealing to buyers. Carefully constructed street scenes and walking paths provide views of the natural environments. For example, Newport Cove’s  acres of wild flowers and natural grasses will add more and more interest to the environment as the years go on.

If you were planning a community what would you want to include?

Window Shopping

Positioned appropriately and installed correctly, windows spread light, increase ventilation, insulate and complement a home’s architecture.  Details make a difference.  When window-shopping for your new home, think beyond the floor plan to a wall plan.  Create affordable comfort in your new home with the right windows.

How to choose

Windows come in many shapes and sizes.  Decide on a consistent window treatment – pattern, trim and casing.  Then select the scale, quantity and style of your windows, relying on the treatment for design unity.

If you have ceilings nine-feet or taller, you may want to bring the top of your windows to an eight-foot height rather than the six-foot eight-inch height that is typical.  This extra 16 inches of light can make a huge difference in the brightness of your home.

Consider how window placement affects heating and cooling. Windows opposite each other create passive ventilation.

Rooms with more than a view

Imagine the view from outside of the house as well as from the inside. What side of a room do you want the light to come from? East and west windows accept a lot of light from the sun during spring and fall so, if the room is being used for television watching or computer work, this can be an issue.

When the living room overlooks a pleasing outdoor area, you might choose big windows to extend the space. Use your windows to accentuate your best views. We have seen many, many homes on beautiful sites with living rooms that, rather than focusing on the grand vista outside, have two-story fireplaces or massive walls blocking the view of the water, the woods or the golf course.

On the other hand, you can skimp a bit on windows for rooms that aren’t used much during the daylight hours. A formal dining room is one example.

Energy savings

Energy-efficient windows will reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Window glass (or as it is called in the trade, “glaze”) is important for achieving good insulation and temperature retention. The glaze is measured in R and U values. Look for a glaze with high R-value and low U-value.

Low-e windows – windows with a coated glass that offers protection against both heat and cold – are a proven energy-saver. Double-pane or, even better, triple-pane windows, ensure a better insulated home.

A window for your lifestyle

To save time on home maintenance, choose top and bottom tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning. Anti-water systems around bay windows make them a worry-free choice.

Do you like blinds or shades? Be sure your windows have low-profile, fold-away handles that minimize hardware obstruction.

New manufacturing processes and window technology are creating multiple possibilities for indoor comfort. Here’s a room with a view at Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes.

Three Reasons To Buy A Lakeside Home NOW

Living year-round in a newly built, energy-efficient lakeside home is a practical choice wise home investors are pursuing now.

1. Lowest mortgage rates

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan sank to 4.58 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac.  That is the lowest rate since the mortgage company began keeping records in 1971.  At this rate, the interest one would pay on a $400,000 mortgage would be $18,320 per year, a little more than $1,500 per month, and that $1,500 is tax deductible!

2. At-cost price tag

The award-winning builder of Newport Cove, New American Homes, will build a custom home AT COST on Newport Cove’s estate or lakefront home sites as long as the buyer pays full price for the lot and begins building before October 1, 2010. This is a tremendous savings, particularly when one considers that it includes a beautifully designed and appointed coastal-style home offering the latest in energy-saving technology PLUS access to a fresh water lake, walking paths and open “green” spaces on land served by a state-of-the-art sewer system.

3. Recreation & quality lifestyle

A lakeside home in a planned waterfront community near Chicago offers multiple advantages including recreation and quality time with family.  Fish, swim, take out the boat moored in Newport Cove’s private marina on Bluff Lake. Simplify your life with a beautiful new home in a serene setting.  There’s never been a better time to capture that dream.

To learn more call: 847-726-2727 and visit www.newport-cove.com

Homes Can Grow With You

Within the next 25 years, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older. If you are remodeling your home or building a new one, ask yourself this question: Will your house appeal to this changing population? It’s a question all homeowners should answer.

A little forethought and small design changes can make a big difference in making a house user-friendly for a longer time period. If it’s a two-story, stacking closets one above the other can create a spot for a future elevator. “Blocking” – adding extra support wood behind bath and shower walls – provides a place to anchor future grab bars. Trading a front door with sidelights for an extra-wide door can make access (as well as such mundane events as moving a sofa) easier. Being sure each room has three levels of lighting – natural, ambient and task lighting – ensures that weaker eyes can see better.

Helping customers create home environments that are usable by all people is a service offered by New American Homes, Inc. and its Newport Cove development, a planned waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes in Chicagoland. An example of a universally designed home, the LIFEhouse™ concept home, designed in conjunction with the internationally renowned IDEA Center at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, will be opening soon.

A bath in the home, pictured here, illustrates several universally designed features, including a bench located across from the shower.

The Changing "Shape" of New Homes. . .

Home sizes in the U.S. are declining. Is it because of recession, energy conservation or an aging population that wants to spend less time caring for homes?

The average square footage for new homes in the United States dropped signficantly in 2009 for the first time in nearly 30 years, according to figures just released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

New homes in 2009 averaged 2,438 square feet, down from 2,519 square feet in 2008. The average peaked in 2007 at 2,521 square feet. American house sizes have been trending upward since averages were first calculated in 1973, when homes were an average of 1,660 square feet.

The Census figures show the trend in smaller homes visible in other ways. Only 36 percent of new homes in 2009 had four or more bedrooms, down from 40 percent the previous years and the lowest percentage since 1997. And, the number of single-story homes increased from 44 percent to 47 percent.

These trends seem to be confirmed at our Newport Cove waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch where customer “hot buttons” are moving toward the quality rather than quantity of space, fewer bedrooms, ranch-style homes or – at minimum - first-floor masters, easy-care materials and energy-conserving construction.

Tight envelopes: green but not glamorous

Wondering what is the most cost-efficient way to make a home energy efficient? The answer is simple: Create a tight building envelope through improved insulation and proper window and door installation.

Often customers will demand the more “trend-setting” options such as solar or wind products, but builders know that the greatest return on investment - the biggest bang for the buck - is insulation coupled with good doors and windows.

A rule of thumb in home construction has been that the cost of insulation is about one percent of the entire construction cost. For this one percent, a home owner can get good quality standard fiberglass batt insulation and a vapor barrier. However, if one doubles the insulation budget to two percent of the home's cost, that amount typically will buy a state-of-the-art closed cell foam insulation system and more than twice the energy efficiency.  The resulting “tighter” envelope can save as much as half on heating and cooling costs.

Solar and wind are all the “buzz” when it comes to home energy efficiency, but boring, non-glamorous insulation is today’s best bet.

At Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes, we offer buyers the smart buildng options that will create an efficient, cost-effective - and COMFORTABLE - home.

Why A "Not So Big" House Works

The "Not So Big" philosophy of home building works for home buyers on many levels: financial, social and personal. Sarah Susanka, architect and author of the Not So Big series of books, talked recently at a 365GreenExpo online event. She advocates a “quality, not quantity” way of thinking. With the new economy and need for sustainability, this message is resonating with home buyers and builders, including developer New American Homes and its waterfront community of Newport Cove, located near Antioch on the Chain O’ Lakes.  (See Newport's Moonriver model, pictured below.)

Affordability, according to Susanka, can be as simple as taking inventory of what you really need. Will you use it? If not, forget it. Think food, shelter and security. Rather than increasing costly square footage, put money into enhancing the quality of space. Builders can make less feel like more using varied ceiling heights, open floor plan and details. What’s needed is not size, but a custom-designed personal space that enhances the quality of life. A sense of home, sought by so many, can be defined and, thus, afforded.

Environmental awareness can reduce home costs and protect the eco-system. Susanka says that 20 percent of all carbon emissions come from existing housing stock. “Leaky” houses have an enormous environmental impact. She suggests homeowners have an energy audit conducted to lower utility bills and reduce emissions. Well-built new houses, using the latest in building technology, attend to these factors so owners won’t have to spend time and money retrofitting.

But, beauty matters, too. A house may be efficient and affordable, but if it’s not pleasing, it’s not sustainable. Its owners won’t care enough about it to care for it. When a home offers a sanctuary for its occupants, it can give more than it takes. It is a place to grow.

Finally, the Not So Big concept does not require that you build a small house, only that you build efficient space. In an upcoming post we’ll talk about the benefits of a Not So Big community.

April Home Prices Are UP!

Home prices and sales rose in April, and that's good news for home owners and home sellers.

The National Association of Realtors said yesterday that the nation's sales of previously owned homes rose a surprising 7.6 percent last month. This is the best showing in five months and far better than what economists had predicted. The Midwest did even better than most of the country. Sales here rose 9.9 percent.

The increase in sales sparked a rise in home prices. The median price for homes sold rose to $173,100, up 4 percent from a year ago.

Balance Cost and Quality In Your New Home

How can you get the best for less when building a new home? Work with a builder who respects your choices and is dedicated to serving you. A cost-conscience builder will provide you with the best materials aligned with your budget and design preferences. He (or she) will watch for waste and excess on your behalf.

Here are several home building options buyers can make to contain cost yet still enjoy a quality, custom-built home.

• Check into the cost of permit and impact fees for new homes in the area. Some towns may have fees as high as $25,000 for a new family home, while the neighboring town’s fees might be under $10,000.

• Choose a lot that does not require blasting or clearing, does not have a high water table, has access to electricity, gas and sewer.

• Because square or nearly square shaped homes have fewer linear feet of exterior walls (and walls are one of the most expensive elements of the home), such homes cost less to build.

• Ranch homes cost more than two-story homes. Multi-story homes may provide the same amount of living space, but with a smaller roof and foundation, the expense is significantly less.

• Consider the length/width of the driveway when you decide whether to locate garage doors on the front or side of a home.

• Remember that smaller houses are more affordable to build and more economical to maintain.

• Minimize hallways and wasted space to create a more efficient floor plan.

• “Open” floor plans live larger and generally cost less – there are fewer walls.

• Even though the initial cost is higher, consider using energy-efficient appliances, heating/cooling systems and windows. But, before purchasing them, calculate the cost/benefit. If you plan to stay in the home for many years, the energy savings from these items will eventually pay for their extra cost – and then some. However, if you plan to move in a couple years, you may not want to opt for all of these products.

• Better insulation is the most cost-effective energy-saving item you can buy.

• If you want a great-looking kitchen on a budget, choose less pricey cabinets and put your money in the trims (crown molding, glass doors, etc.) and countertops. Expensive cabinets with a laminate top will cost more than moderately priced cabinets with a granite top, but the latter will look more expensive.

• Carefully choose your finish carpenter, tile installer and painter. No matter how well your home is built, if the finishes are not done well, your house will look cheap. Don’t let an amateur carpenter hang the cabinets. Be sure your painter sprays the trim.

• Upgrade your moldings. A 3.5-inch casing looks much more expensive than a 2-inch, but the incremental cost is minimal.

• Get that cushy expensive carpet feel with moderately priced carpet and an upgraded pad. Often the better pads far outlive the life of any carpet.

You can contain costs without sacrificing quality. At New American Homes, we do this every day for every homeowner. Visit Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes, to see for yourself.

Your Home IS Your Lifestyle

Lifestyle is often more centered on the home you live in than on nights out or days away. How can you enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always wanted?

You might start with entryways. Does your home welcome you? Are the doorways well positioned and wide enough? (At Newport Cove, our standard front door is an extra-wide 42 inches.)

Then look at the rooms. Do they invite you in with a human-scale ceiling height and beautiful window views? Do you like the paint colors on your walls?

Are the handles you grasp each day easy to use and in good working order? Do your appliances work? These encounters can affect mood. Like a firm handshake or a warm smile, the working parts of a house should evoke confidence and comfort.

What aromas fill your house? If it’s yesterday’s dinner you may need to check on the ventilation.

Listen for sounds in your home. Are the fans too loud? What do you hear outside - neighbors next door or birds singing? (Newport Cove, although just an hour from downtown Chicago, is in another world – a world of lakes and Mother Nature and water sports.)

Are your home belongings beautiful and functional? A professional organizer told us today that most people use only 20 percent of what they own. Are you spending your time taking care of “things” and “stuff” you rarely (if ever) use? Should you simplify your life?

When you’re in a house that fits you, you won’t be over or under stimulated. Visit Newport Cove. It’s not just a home, it’s a lifestyle. You can make it your own.

Chicagoland Getaway: A Day in Suburban Antioch

It’s a great feeling finding something new in somewhere old. Your getaway day can begin with a tour of custom homes at the Newport Cove waterfront planned community near Antioch on the Chain O' Lakes. See quality craftsmanship up close. View the newest features in home design. Walk the pathways surrounded by natural prairie landscaping. Dangle your feet off the piers at the marina on Bluff Lake. If you lived here, you’d be just steps away from all of this and more.

After touring Newport Cove, you might want to visit the Infini-tea, a charming tea house/eaterie in nearby downtown Antioch. Tea is served all day long in a quaint, relaxing environment. More than 50 varieties of tea are offered from all around the world. At the entrance, open jars of tea are available for customers to take a whiff. The lunch menu includes gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches. Scones and other baked goodies are offered as well. Thirsty children can enjoy juices and smoothies.

Around the corner is a shop called Hannah’s “Where inspiration is always free.” This family-owned craft store has a paper department, a frame shop, candle center, custom floral and home décor. It carries name brands “Life is Good”, Vera Bradley, Pandora jewelry and women’s accessories. Card making, soldering, beading and scrapbooking are some of the classes offered here. For $12 on Friday nights, scrapbooking students get dinner, dessert, demos and lively conversation.

You won’t want to leave the area before visiting Pickard China, known as America’s oldest and finest china maker. Serving markets around the world, the family-owned business began operating in 1893. It has supplied custom china for Air Force One, Blair House and Camp David. Dignitaries including the Queen of England and the King of Saudi Arabia chose Pickard to produce exclusive fine china. You can visit the outlet store and factory museum to be enchanted by the history of such craftsmanship.

In each of these places, “Made in America” still reigns. An attention to detail, product quality and customer’s satisfaction is paramount. Enjoy your day!

Sell Yourself, Sell Your Home

When your lifestyle reflects market trends, it's possible that if you sell yourself, you can sell your home. How can unfinished rooms in a basement be turned into a selling point? Lots of people are looking for studio space. Mary's basement rooms became studios with a drafting board for design work and a potter's wheel for making ceramics. Her husband set up an area for making wine. Think charm, not glamor. 

Cook at home. Selling point: Chef's kitchen. A real cook makes the kitchen work no matter what kind of cabinets are used. Kate shows the good use of space and storage in her kitchen. She organizes shelves and arranges furniture so it's easy for her to make an inviting environment around meals.

Cultivate a garden. Selling point: Curb appeal. Cut flowers in vases display a domestic touch. Don't go overboard in the yard. Too much may intimidate those who don't garden. Low maintenance perennials are lovely.

Check out the nine-foot basement ceilings at Newport Cove, a waterfront community of custom homes on the Chain O' Lakes in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Kitchen space is well-designed for busy cooks. Professionally designed landscaping uses prairie plants and grasses to accent roads and pathways. Models are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

Trying to Sell Your Home? Be Ready with Selling Points

Do you have lifestyle selling points worth mentioning when trying to sell your home? Realtors may not list these assets along with wood floors and granite counter tops, but they may be worth discussing when potential buyers are wavering between your house and someone else's. Here are some potential house selling points you may have overlooked.

Do you pay someone to clean your house? Selling point: Professionally cleaned on a regular basis. This may influence asthma sufferers. The upkeep of a home tells potential buyers the owners care about the space they live in. If the cleaning products contain only natural ingredients be sure to mention that as well.

Raising a family in your house. Selling point: A family-friendly layout. Carol never used a baby monitor since she could hear what was going on from any room in the house. Anecdotal stories like these can turn into advantages.

Purchasing energy-saving appliances and good insulation. Selling point: Energy efficiency. If you remodeled your kitchen and installed energy-efficient appliances or added attic insulation, you may want to show your low utility bills to potential home buyers. 

Being on a good site with well-positioned windows and no clutter. Selling point: A great view. Clutter makes a house look and feel smaller. Ted's house had windows that offered views of the sunrise and sunset.

Another favorite selling point at Newport Cove, a custom home waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes in suburban Chicago, is the coastal-style architecture. Homes are built using durable, low-maintenance products such as Hardieboard concrete fiber siding and shakes, long-lived Certainteed architectural roof shingles, and aluminum-clad Pella windows.

Can Lifestyle Choices Help Sell a House?

This week we're talking about giving yourself an edge when selling an existing house. It may be as simple as looking at your lifestyle choices as a homeowner. A few years ago Mary and her husband sold their ranch house. A potential buyer impressed with the butterflies, rabbits and birds in the yard asked how they had taken care of the lawn. "We had never put pesticides and chemical-based weed killer on our property for the 16 years we lived there," she said. Their natural "green" yard was a benefit worth talking about.

One northwest suburban realtor sees potential buyers walk away from houses occupied by smokers. "The owners cleaned every inch of the house including all the fabrics. People still could smell the smoke." She said smoke is the biggest lifestyle decision that detracts from home sales.

One of the favorite selling points at Newport Cove, a waterfront community of new custom homes, is its 100-plus-slip marina. Built for the exclusive use of the community's 67 homes (and homeowners' children and grandchildren). The marina extends along the community's 1,800 feet of shoreline and fronts onto an eight-acre private lakefront. Newport Cove is located on Bluff Lake, one of the beautiful lakes in suburban Chicago's Chain O' Lakes.

Staying Ahead of New Housing Trends

New housing trends emphasize clean architectural lines, flexible floor plans and low maintenance "green" materials. Overall, home building trends are moving towards quality vs. quantity, distinction over conformity, well-designed space vs. simply SPACE.

Defined spaces. Half walls are now favored as a way to define space. They are being used to separate the kitchen from living and dining rooms. In the bathroom, spaces for the tub and shower are being separated. Transitional spaces such as hallways are sheltering home work stations, laundry alcoves and hobby nooks.

Green materials. Green products are flourishing in today's new homes. Synthetic/engineered materials (for countertops, flooring, siding, exterior trim and decking) all are increasing in popularity. Traditional exteriors are popular, while the materials used to create them are increasingly eco-friendly.

Energy efficiency. Home buyers appreciate options for energy efficiency, sustainability features and low maintenance products. Alternative home insulation such as structural foam insulation panels or sprayed foam insulation, extra insulation in the attic, double and triple glazed windows, human scale ceiling heights of nine feet are all signs of the new energy-efficient home.

Accessibility. Improving accessibility in the home is a rising trend. First-floor master bedrooms suites, ramps and elevators, multi-level counters, as well as easy-to-use handles and faucets are favorites of aging-in-place advocates.  In Newport Cove's LIFEhouse, a home designed for all of your life, an inobtrusive brick ramp, pictured at right, leads to the front door.

Outdoor Spaces. Natural landscaping sensitive to the site is an appealing alternative to time-consuming, chemcially treated, manicured lawns. Wildflowers and native grasses are favored. Recreation elements such as a lake, walking trails and bicycle paths add to the livability of a setting.

Newport Cove, a waterfront community located on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL., is staying ahead of the new housing trends offering the most popular features in custom home design. We want our buyers to love their homes and the environment around them.

On the Side of Concrete Fiber Siding

The “Cottages” at Newport Cove, the neighborhood of maintenance-free-exterior homes that is part of the Newport Cove waterfront development on the Chain O’ Lakes, come standard with fiber cement siding. It’s a product builder New American Homes has been using for several years and highly recommends.

Although fiber cement siding has the look of traditional wood siding, it is more durable than wood, vinyl or aluminum siding. It doesn’t warp, buckle or fade and has a Class 1-A fire rating. It withstands ultraviolet rays and does not rot. Birds and insects do not penetrate it (much to the dismay of the local woodpeckers and carpenter ants). Hail does not dent it, unlike aluminum siding. And, unlike vinyl siding, concrete fiber siding does not become brittle in cold weather or melt when near a barbeque grill. Moreover, it is a renewable, sustainable “green” product.

The product comes in a variety of textures, profiles and colors. Typically it carries a multi-decade warranty and its factory-applied paint lasts 15 years or more.

At Newport Cove we use the fiber concrete lap siding, board-and batten siding and shingles to create our coastal-style look. It’s one more way we build homes that are easy to live in, easy to maintain and give owners more time to enjoy their waterfront lifestyle.

Find Pleasure in Buying a New Home

When searching for a new home some people fall in love fast. For others anticipation builds. Avoid these potential trouble spots to keep your pleasure high throughout the buying process.

1. Financing. Get your mortgage pre-approved. Talk with a professional loan officer and get a firm loan commitment. This can hasten the closing process, getting you into your new home sooner rather than later.
2. The search. Find a trusted advisor. Work with a real estate agent you trust and who understands the market. Home buying is manageable on your own, but a realtor can give you insight and reassurance.
3. Tax credits. Learn about what's being offered. Currently, tax credits are being offered to new home buyers and existing home owners. These credits can take thousands of dollars off your federal tax bill. For answers to frequently asked questions: http://ow.ly/1uOx3
4. Price. Evaluate what you're really buying. You may not need a room for a home office or formal dining, so consider the efficient use of space. Also, short sales offered by banks on foreclosed properties may seem like a good deal at first, but buying a short sale is a long, involved process that delivers an as-is product often requiring major repairs and renovation.
5. Decisions. Understand what you appreciate and what you can do without. Make a list of your priorities. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Don't buy the wrong house for the wrong reasons.

Mix your joy in buying a new home with sound judgment and you're bound to live there happily ever after.

Housing Stats Predict Spring Market

The national Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) offered the real estate market a breath of spring last week.

According to the association’s Market Composite Index, more people applied for home loans during the week ending March 26 than for any other similar period in the last six months.

The weekly survey of mortgage applications is one of the earliest measures of the health of the housing market. Not only do mortgage applications estimate sales that could potentially close in the future, but the data comes out well before similar surveys tracking the pace of housing sales are released. The latest MBA survey provides one of the only market indicators currently available on housing activity occurring in late March.

At Newport Cove, New American Homes’ waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, sales have been picking up. So far this year the Newport Cove sales team has written three contracts (and closed on one) – well ahead of the sales pace of 2009.

The Rhino Challenge

How long would your carpet last in a rhinoceros cage?

If you like light-colored carpet, you may want to check into something new (and remarkable) in the carpet world: Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer. This stain-resistant carpet was used in a rhinoceros cage at the Birmingham Zoo for two weeks and – guess what – it survived!! As a custom home builder with decades of construction experience, we are quite skeptical when it comes to the many stain-resistant claims surrounding today’s carpets, but the Rhino Challenge convinced us.

At Newport Cove, our boating and watersport centered community on the Chain O’ Lakes, we are constantly on the lookout for easy-living products for our cottages and waterfront homes – products that will make your indoor/outdoor lifestyle more enjoyable. Who wants to come off your boat with a group of friends, go into your house and be anxious about – of all things – someone ruining the carpet?

So, red wine, sodas, barbeque sauce and all the other banes of white carpet beware: There now is a carpet that even a rhinoceros didn’t ruin. . . (And, incidentally, it is a “green” product, too.)

Chain O' Lakes State Park

This is an interesting "take" on Chain O' Lakes State Park, just a boat ride away from Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Bluff Lake:

Design For Our "Techy" Life

Hallway space, foyer space, walkway space – much of this space is often somewhat wasted. At Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, we have learned to tuck what we call “tech centers” into these areas of our new homes. By adding a couple feet to the width of a hallway, there’s room for a desk, cabinets, mail slots, file drawers, etc.

Buyers seem to love the tech areas; they rank among the most popular features in our homes. And why not? How many of us waste an entire spare bedroom for an office space that is ill-designed and so out of the way we rarely enter it. Instead, our laundry or kitchen counters – or bedside tables – become mail centers and offices.

Another advantage of the tech center is that, although the computer is in a semi-private location, it is enough in the open so that parents can keep an eye on their little ones’ surfing habits.

We design these centers so that printers, fax machines, surge protectors, computer towers (and all the accompanying cords) are hidden inside the cabinets. It makes for a neater look.

Flexibility in space and designing space to get the most out of it: These are hallmarks of today’s new homes. The tech center is an excellent example of this sort of thinking.

And, if you are one who does not need a tech space, it can be converted into a cabinet storage area or even a wet bar. . .

Uncle Sam Can Help You Buy Your Waterfront Home

The clock is ticking down on the federal government’s home buyer tax credit: $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for eligible existing home owners. To take advantage of this “gift” from Uncle Sam, you must sign your sales contract by April 30 and close on your home by June 30.

Newport Cove, the award-winning waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, has four homes available for immediate occupancy: three of its maintenance-free Cottage models (the Highmeadow, the Moonriver and, pictured at left, the Stillwater) and the 6,200-square-foot waterfront Boardwalk custom home. Prices for the upgraded Cottage homes start in the high $300,000s. The Boardwalk is $1.1 million. The homes - and our sales center - are open noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The government defines a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home for three years. Existing home owners can claim the $6,500 credit if they have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

To claim the full credit amounts, the buyer’s annual income must be under $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

All residents of Newport Cove have access to the property’s private marina and manicured 1,800 feet of Bluff Lake waterfront.

Interested in learning more about this buyer incentive program and Newport Cove?  Call 847.726.2727.