building a home: The Language Of Building - 05/08/08 08:57 AM
I received this in an email from Progress Street Builders this afternoon, and I thought it might be good material for the blog. The text is entitled "The Language of Building", and focuses on definitions of things that you might hear in construction of your new home. As someone who … (0 comments)
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building a home: Part 4: Building a Home In The Collingwood – Blue Mountain Area: Financing - 04/24/08 12:30 PM
In our continuing series on building your own home, today I'm pleased to present an article about financing your build written by my favourite local mortgage broker, Michelle Reichart with Invis. Thanks for your contribution Michelle!
About 5 years ago I helped my brother in law build his dream cottage on a … (0 comments)
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building a home: Part 3: Building A Home in the Collingwood – Blue Mountain Area: Construction - 04/07/08 08:57 AM
WARNING TO READERS: This post can be a dream buster. Read it at your own peril.In parts 1 and 2 of this series, we looked at general building considerations and then, land and site preparation costs. Now we'll look at construction costs and what someone should expect or consider.When people start … (0 comments)
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building a home: What to Know When Buying Land - 04/02/08 03:10 PM
Buying land and building are an exciting proposition. The idea of hand-picking the setting for your dream home is a special one indeed. If your plans include buying and building, here are some recommendations to keep in mind as you search for that perfect piece of land.First, look to see if … (0 comments)
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building a home: Part 2: Building A Home in the Collingwood – Blue Mountain Area: The Land - 03/26/08 10:16 AM
In Part 1, we looked at the general considerations you might want to think about before deciding if you are ready to build your own home. Here, we'll look at some of the land and site preparation considerations and costs. First you need to find a suitable piece of vacant land which might … (0 comments)
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building a home: Part 1: Building Your Own Home in the Collingwood – Blue Mountain Area - 03/23/08 10:18 AM
With spring fast approaching, we're getting more enquiries again from people who are looking for vacant land on which to build their new home now or at some point down the road. After 19 years in this business, I've seen both winners and the losers in the building game. There are … (3 comments)
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building a home: Building a home with women in mind, something to think about - 01/29/08 02:08 PM
There's has been a lot of new home development in Woodstock Ontario real estate market here's a little something to think about if you've considered buliding.
Home construction remains an industry made up largely of men and as a result, homes are often built without some of the elements and features women … (1 comments)
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building a home: New Homes and Inspections - 12/15/07 12:03 AM
If you are buying a brand new home or having one built, do you know you can use a real estate agent. In fact, you should be using a real estate agent to represent you when buying a new home. First of all they can make sure you get what was … (0 comments)
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building a home: County of Maui - State of Hawaii - official website is very useful - 11/26/07 04:57 PM
Many people are moving to Maui, and they have questions about how things work here on Maui. I like to send them a link to the official website for the government of the County of Maui, in the State of Hawaii, USA. Maui County encompasses the islands of Kaho`olawe, Lana`i, Maui and … (2 comments)
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building a home: Building a home or building equity? - 11/17/07 11:21 PM
I just finished the remodel of my kitchen. It was a low cost remodel, which basically means that I didn't replace any of the cabinets and I didn't hire anyone else to do the work. I invested a lot of my own time and work into this kitchen. A great deal … (23 comments)
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building a home: Alternative Construction Materials - 09/15/07 11:15 PM
Want to build a high efficiency home, don't know where to begin? How about considering building a home out of ICF's? What are ICF's? Insulated Concrete Forms!
Okay, so what is that? Well, in the basic form it looks like Styrofoam blocks (large Lego blocks) that you put together then pour … (10 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Tile Floors - 05/16/07 11:06 PM
Installing Tile FloorsHere's a great web site for installing ceramic tile floors in your new home or existing home. Ceramic-Tile-Floor.info Their step by step process provides you with exceptional details on installing ceramic tile floors.So you want tile floors in your home. Well, after several home showings and a few large installation of … (6 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Installing Hardwood Floors - 05/15/07 11:54 PM
How to Install Hardwood FlooringInstallation Tips for installing hardwood flooring.For me, hardwood floors add that extra beauty in a home that gives the new home a richness and style that never goes out of style. If installed, sanded and finished properly, hardwoods provide years of beauty and elegance. You can learn how to install hardwood flooring with the proper tools … (6 comments)
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building a home: Real Estate Tips: Noisy Water Pipes - 05/02/07 09:52 PM
Bang, Bang, clatter, klunk,... Noisy Water Pipes
Ever have that vibrating noise when you flush the toilet, turn off the shower, or use the washing machine? Noisy pipes are often caused by "water hammer". Shutting off the flow suddenly sends a pressure or shock wave down the water line through the water shocking … (2 comments)
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building a home: Real Estate Tips: Are Termites your Friend? - 05/01/07 10:31 PM
Termites, Ants, Mold and Fungus I'm sure most of you have seen a termite sometime in your lifetime. But what gets me is the extreme scare they put in people when someone mentions the word "Termite" or WDI (wood destroying insects, carpenter ants are also in this category). Here's a site that … (8 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: What Windows... - 05/01/07 09:37 PM
Windows are a critical component in building your new home.One of the things I have observed when selling real estate in previously owned homes, is the quality of the double pane window. The most important tip on a double pane window in your new home is the space between the two pieces of glass … (2 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Trim Secrets - 04/26/07 09:07 PM
Secret Tips when you Trim Windows and DoorsEvery want to have a nice tight 45 degree corner with no gaps that creates that perfect fit. Well you can have it! Here's a few tips used by the professional trim carpenters who build those beautiful new homes.Before you measure and cut your trim … (8 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Consolidated List - 04/24/07 11:25 PM
I have had such great comments on my posts for "Building a New Home" here at activerain.com that I thought I would take a tip from another activerain blogger. The tip was to go back through all my posts related to building a new home and creating a page listing all the posts. So, here it is, a quick reference … (2 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Drive Up not Through! - 04/23/07 11:43 PM
Putting in your driveway. What will it cost you?
You only need 3-4 inches (thickness) of concrete to put in a good driveway at your new home. It's really fairly easy to calculate what is will cost you to put in the driveway. Here's a concrete calculator from concrete.com that will assist you with the amount of … (6 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Roof Pitch...fastball or curve? - 04/23/07 12:11 AM
Roof Pitch...standing or sliding!Many popular new home roof designs in the Olathe Kansas area are changing from a steep pitched roof to a roof pitch that is easier to walk rather than slide down!! The roof pitch on new homes are known to builders to be a 4/12, 5/12 or 6/12 roof pitch. Several builders … (14 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: 10 Common Kitchen Mistakes - 04/15/07 11:08 PM
10 Common Mistakes in Kitchen DesignsOne of the most popular rooms in a new home is the kitchen so it's important to get this one right. Treat yourself to a beautiful kitchen that allows functionality. 1. StorageTry to think of all the items that require extra space. The good china, containers, food storage, … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Framing, Level and Square - 04/14/07 11:44 PM
Framing a New Home is one of the critical components of a building a new home. If you frame a new home with a simple rule, you will allow the rest of the home building to go much more smoothly and with greater ease. Keeping the walls level and corners square … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Structural Floor Supports - 04/11/07 12:45 AM
Traditional Floor Joints versus Wooden I-BeamsSome builders are using this new laminated wooden I-beams for floor joints versus the traditional 2x8, 2x10 or 2x12 floor joints. Some of the reasons for using these laminated wooden I-beams for floor joists in new home construction is they are lighter, easier to handle and span longer distances … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Resources - 04/07/07 11:53 PM
I came across three real estate books which provide some excellent new home resources.
General Home Building Books
Better Houses, Better Living by Myron FergusonWhat to look for in your new home--and mistakes to avoid!
The Well-Built HouseAn insider's guide to construction, written by a professional contractor.
Your New HouseThe alert consumer's guide to buying … (9 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Will the Builder Last? - 04/07/07 09:23 PM
Is your Builder still around? Did your builder take care of you after the fact?
I have talked with several real estate buyers and sellers about building a new home and one of the most common questions I get is, where to you find a builder that has a good reputation, builds a quality new home … (7 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Basement Tips - 04/06/07 01:05 AM
Here in Kansas City, when you build your basement for your new home, you might check with your builder to see if a "Keyway" is used in the basement construction. Using a "Keyway" provides for a longer life to your new home.When building a basement for your new home, a footing is poured … (4 comments)
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building a home: Home Inspections Throughout Construction?? - 04/05/07 09:30 AM
Last year, we made a decision to purchase a new home. I firmly believe that it is the new construction of homes and the price builders are charging per square foot that really determines the strentgh and conditions of a local real estate market. Afterall, the opportunity cost of not having … (5 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: 3 Critical Construction Components - 03/26/07 10:23 PM
3 Critical Construction Components in Building a New Home
I was talking to my father this weekend as we were working on my son's home, remodeling his basement with a new bathroom and utility room. During our casual conversations, I mentioned to my father that I was putting this blog together to share information … (6 comments)
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building a home: New Home Statistics: Starts Up, But Still Lag - 03/24/07 12:48 AM
Housing Starts Up 9 Percent, But Still Lag 28.5 PercentThe following article reflects the national average for housing starts. Here in the Kansas City Metro area, our new home built over the last two quarters of 2006 are down about 14% and the first quarter 2007 is forecast to be down. One point … (0 comments)
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building a home: Protecting your Assets: Advice from an Attorney - 03/20/07 11:26 PM
Although, this information is not directly related to building a new home, it is information you can use to protect your assets and a new home falls into this catergory. I'm sure there are someone out there that can relate to this experience, hopefully it will benefit more before anything happens … (0 comments)
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building a home: Picking a Builder... - 03/20/07 12:24 AM
Okay, you want to build a new home. Here are some questions you should ask yourself.Where do you find a builder? One place is 1800contractor.com, ask for others?How do you know if this builder is reputable? Home Builders Association is a start, but there's more. What's this builder's work really like? Do you really know from what … (0 comments)
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building a home: New Home Considerations... - 03/18/07 11:12 PM
Considerations when building a new home should be carefully thought out. Whether you design it and become the general contractor or you find a builder that is building in a development, these are things to consider when building a new home.Build for future needs. Remember, builders create homes with defined demographic groups in mind, … (0 comments)
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building a home: Real Estate Related items: Facts about Radon - 03/14/07 12:31 AM
Breathing Easy: What Home Buyers and Sellers Should Know About Radon
This video below is provided by from the EPA web site and satisfies a long-standing need for a short visual educational tool on how to best include radon in residential real estate transactions. With a bit of light humor, the video … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Steps in Building a Home - 03/12/07 11:50 PM
This is a checklist for steps in building a home. I will provide more details in separate sections to clarify and define each steps in further detail. For now, here are the basics.Lot size and slopeFootings, Foundations and BasementsFlooring depending on number of levels and stairwaysFraming, walls and roofingExterior finishWindows and Doors, types … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Common Mistakes - 03/12/07 11:17 PM
Here's a list of common mistakes or forgotten items when building a new home.Exhaust fans in all bathrooms including entry and basementWindows or Peep holes in the front and back doorsElectrical outlets at various elevations for outside use, such as christmas decor, deck lighting, etc...Enough of a roof overhang at the front … (5 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home: Deciding on the size of a home - 03/12/07 12:35 AM
Considerations to be given to the size of your new home.How much total square footage do you need?In today's market, you should consider a minimum of 3 bedrooms, two baths and a double car garage as a minimum. A basement is a definite plus and between 1200 to 1500 square feet provides adequate … (0 comments)
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building a home: Building a New Home at the Coast- NC - 02/14/07 07:50 PM
Let Michele Connors,Broker - Represent Your Best Interest When Building a Second Home at the Coast
Michele has a great reputation with local builders. Her flair is to match personalities and construction style with her clients. Having Michele as Your Own Agent in Buying Costs You NothingAny compensation/ commission given to the buyer's Realtor … (4 comments)
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building a home: Zoning In - 02/06/07 10:39 AM
Every city and county has zoning laws that define and restrict how property owners can use the land. The purpose of zoning regulations is to establish development standards and to ensure that the land is used for the common good. There are restrictions on both the type of structures you can … (2 comments)
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