You’ve decided to build your own home. That’s a huge project and sometimes it can be a daunting one. Well, we’re here to help. This article is all about the first step in building a home. From site analysis to helping you decide what you need in a home, we’ve got you covered. Site Analysis Site Analysis is the first stage in any major construction project. Even if you are building something small you have to know where you want to build it and how suitable the land is to build it there. This is

We all love Farmhouse Style. Those wide covered porches and white rooms with the comfortable and inviting décor. That open, airy kitchen filled with color and laughter. The luxurious claw footed bathtub where you can just soak for hours to relax. We all want to have those in our home. So how do we make this rural dream a reality no matter where we live? What makes a home have that Farmhouse Style? Is it a formula that you can follow and give your home that look instantly? Is it something that ca

One of the newest trends to sweep the nation is a return to the farmhouse style. Popular shows like Fixer Upper and Pioneer Woman have made the rural style fresh and new again. So what makes up that style? Where did it come from? And how can I have my house look as good as theirs? What defines a farmhouse? A farmhouse is not one particular style, but rather a home in a rural setting. The modern farmhouse is homage to our rural roots. The elements of a farmhouse are simple. They are well crafted

On March 3, 2019, Lee County Alabama was devastated by a confirmed EF4 tornado. This incredible storm left a twenty-four mile long track through Alabama and into Georgia. This storm broke a record-long 673 day streak of nonviolent storms in the U.S. It also took the lives of 23 people. Severe weather is a serious consideration when you are building a home. The main concern with severe weather is, of course, the safety of your family and loved ones. When you are looking into ways to keep you and

We’ve all had that moment. A nice leisurely trip to the store turns into a race against the impending storm clouds that you inevitably lose. So here you are trudging in with load after load of groceries and soggy feet. You finally get done with the lugging and toting and realize you have covered your lovely home with muddy footprints. If only there was some sort of special room that would solve this dilemma! Let me introduce you to the mudroom. The mudroom has been a staple in Northeastern an

Farmhouses are one of the most popular styles for new homes. While they have always been around they have made a surge in popularity over the past few years due to the incorporation of modern elements making them relevant and new. One of these modern elements is sleek metal roofing either in accents around the home or for the entirety of the roofing system. As you are preparing to build your home you may be considering metal roofing for some, or all, of your roof. While this does seem to be tr

When it comes to choosing house plans for spec homes we know there is a lot to consider. Whether you are looking to sell or rent these new builds it is important that you get the best return on investment possible. This means making sure the house plans you choose are designed to make the most out of each and every square foot of the home. It also means keeping in mind things such as: a boxy footprint, straight and lined up framing and rooflines that are not going to break the bank. Here are a f

Temperatures are dropping and winter is almost here which means it is time to winterize! No one wants to see their electrical bill sky rocket as heat escapes under the front door or to replace the water pipes because someone forgot water expands when it freezes.... So here are a few tips on how to winterize your home! 1) Prevent pipes from freezing! Frozen pipes can burst and do a lot of damage, costing you an arm and a leg, but you can avoid all that expanding water drama by taking a few prec

House Plans With A View You say it on vacation and when you’re at your favorite locations… but you could be saying it when you build the house that is right for you in the location that is right for you. So why not say this phrase everyday: “Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up to this view every day?" Whether that dream location is on the side of a mountain overlooking a beautiful tree line or in the woods looking into the trees the only way you are going to see those views are with a house pla

Are the rising prices of building materials across the nation putting a bit of hesitation in your decision to build your next home? This certainly doesn’t have to stop you from building. However, it does mean you may need to be a bit more selective when choosing the house plan that is right for you. Going into searching for a house plan with the knowledge of what can save you money and what can make your project more costly than you are wanting to go will help you tackle your dream of building y

This beautiful European house plan by designer Seth Michael Nelson is quickly making its way to being a best selling design. What has made SMN 1022- La Maison Point so popular? Let’s take a look. The first major draw to this home is the fact that at only 2,503 square feet of living space it contains 4 spacious bedrooms as well as an office and large laundry room. Not many homes can contain so much while fitting in that footprint but with the efficiency used in creating this floor plan you will

Farmhouses have always held a special place in the housing industry but in recent years Farmhouses have been making a steady and persistent comeback. This renewed zeal has been helped by shows like Fixer Upper with their white siding, large porches and a country vibe and by brands like Pioneer Woman adding tons of country charm to the home but there has to be more to the appeal than a few shows and some charming kitchen accessories. The farmhouse style is definitely all the rage, but why? Farm

If you are building your new home or looking to remodel, then now is the time to order your Mastic Siding! Their line of vinyl siding is not only beautiful but durable and if you order by October 15th you will qualify for a $250.00 rebate. What could be better than that? Everyone can use an extra $250, especially when it comes to building or remodeling your home. You can use this rebate to get that dining room light fixture you’ve been looking at or the shelving for your closet to keep your sh

This beautiful 4-plex house plan is perfect for your next investment property. We have all heard you can’t judge a book by its cover, but I think we can all agree that concept goes straight out the door when you are looking for a place to rent or buy. The beautiful mixture of stone and stucco complimented by wood shutters and the timber truss above the entry to the two middle units all works together to catch your potential renter's eye. As you step into each unit you will find yourself in the

In our busy hectic lives simple chores can become a hassle. One such chore is ironing. We all know the struggle as you pull out the shirt you are wanting to wear to your big meeting only to find that, low and behold, it is wrinkled beyond what a three-minute dryer run can repair. Now you must take the time to pull out that bulky iron board from wherever you have stuffed it and find a place to set it up, near enough to an outlet for the iron and not in the way of early morning traffic through y