How Flashing Valleys of Pitched Roofs Saves Headaches and Cost

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With the onset of Spring, seasonable rain and floods are a reality many homeowners face. That in mind, simplifying a new home’s exterior architecture and finishes is a popular trend in the current economy.

Reducing number of gables, trimming cladding varieties and not cutting roofs into a hodgepodge of angles and intersecting slopes are all part of the process.

More than just good advice, the process of simplifying also reduces hard costs and boosts curb appeal, while mitigating callbacks. Read more

Designing His and Her Baths Takes Thought and Time

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Other than kitchens, bathrooms are another main consideration when building and designing the interior of your home.

Three main factors determine how you will design a bathroom for both genders:

  1. Routines
  2. Habits
  3. Physical Attributes
Before you begin, identify all the activities that will be performed in the living space. Modern master baths tend to have more extensive types of activities than those of the past.  Read more

How to Select the Right CounterTop for Your Home

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Today’s kitchen countertop’s come in a wide variety of colors, materials and styles, so how do you know which ones to choose? Here’s what to consider when buying countertops in regards to function, look and style of your home and budget:

Although granite’s been a common favorite in recent years, the latest trends in countertop surfaces include soapstone, solid surface and laminate.Decorative and durable, these surfaces range from affordable to expensive and glossy to matte, all of which can fit your kitchen needs. Read more

How to Compare Home Insulation Options and Energy Savings

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Icynene-Insulation-In-Exterior-Walls-resized-600.JPGKey considerations when building your home are types of insulation and energy efficiency. Though there are many options to consider,geographic location, your budget and compliance with federal regulations for energy efficiency will be the primary factors involved in selecting the right insulation for your housing needs.

Following are the main types of materials used for home insulation: Read more

Should I Build a New Home or Buying An Existing Home To Remodel?

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custom-country-home-oberlin-ohio-resized-600.jpgPurchasing a new home is one of the most exciting and rewarding accomplishments in life. However, it can also become a difficult decision to make when setting out to build a new home or purchase an existing home in today’s market.

Here are some variables to consider as you move through the decision making process:

Before you begin exploring your options, consider whether you’ll work with a general contractor to build a custom home, or purchase a new pre-built home. If you’re thinking about purchasing an existing home, you will need to complete an inspection and also provide an estimate of costs associated with the remodeling process. Read more

Adopting Energy Efficiency: 5 Resources for Building a Green Home

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Icynene-Insulation-Installation-resized-600.jpgToday’s homebuilders commonly refer to themselves as “green builders.” Toward the end of the home building process, many home builders install energy star appliances and light fixtures, which are available in myriad retailers.

But that’s not enough to qualify them as a green home builder. A true green home involves a larger scope, from the foundation and everything in between.

Here are 5 key resource options to consider when building an energy-efficient home: Read more

Cleveland Home Builder Tips, How To Choose The Right Foundation

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Picture 139-resized-600.jpgSo you’ve found the perfect lot, and selected your home builder. It’s time to start planning the home of your dreams.

A home, after all, is only as good as its foundation.

Here are some fundamentals and tips for the various options and decisions involved as you build the right foundation for your new home. Read more

How To Select A Lot: Tips From An Ohio Custom Home Builder

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Picture 022-resized-600.jpgSelecting a lot to build a new home in Northeast Ohio can be a difficult task. Once you believe you have found the right lot, it’s best to confer with a professional, such as a qualified general contractor to avoid unforseen or unecessary costs.

You also want to make sure you don’t purchase property that you are unable to build on, which seems unlikely but is often a common issue home buyers run into. Read more

Why Custom Home Square-Footage Costs are Often Misleading

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custom-home-on-lake-erie-resized-600.jpgAMHERST, Ohio – New home construction square-footage costs can often be misleading. This is because home builders typically showcase a cost-per-square-foot value using builder-grade products to build the home.

For example, a home builder may use a noisy bathroom exhaust fan that moves the minimum amount of CFM air exchanges required. Read more

Building A Custom Home Doesn’t Have to Cost More

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Northeast Ohio Home Sales 2010-2011-resized-600.jpgAMHERST, OHIO – Property prices and the state of the housing market can be a depressing subject nowadays, especially for first-time buyers mired in a host of other economic challenges.

Inflation. Continued spikes in oil prices and fragile consumer confidence.

But the outlook’s stabilizing, especially in Northeast Ohio and locations where the cost of living is relatively lower.

According to the Plain Dealer, sales of new and existing houses were up 18.3 percent from October 2010, when the housing market was in a slump after a popular tax credit for buyers expired. Read more