building a new home: My first blog! - 04/22/08 12:35 PM
Charlie bit my finger! Have you ever purchased a new home directly from a builder without the assistance of your own realtor representation? Is it the same as putting your finger in a babies mouth and expecting him not to bite? What experiences have you had? What is the importance … (8 comments)
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building a new home: Buying Property to Build - 10/08/07 03:04 PM
The ideal piece of land cannot be purchased without due diligence. Say you notice a lot for sale in a suburban area that looks like a perfect place to build your dream home. Buying undeveloped land can provide an opportunity to build a house that will meet your needs, but you … (1 comments)
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building a new home: Fifth in a Series: Buyers: Moving up, down - Building your own, buying an older home - Staying put - 08/24/07 03:58 PM
Moving Up and Moving Down are Increasingly Popular
More and more buyers are moving up in a single neighborhood. Home buyers purchase a home that requires some renovations for a lower price. Then, they renovate at their own pace, building up what is often referred to as "sweat equity." This equity … (1 comments)
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building a new home: Building a New Home: Doorless Showers - 06/20/07 11:17 PM
European Concepts in New Home Designs
I have to be honest, when my wife and I were looking at new homes, I started noticing a trend of open showers, multiple shower heads and doorless showers. I have to admit, I like a warm shower and the thought of a doorless shower just didn't give … (28 comments)
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building a new home: Building a New Home: Tile Floors - 05/16/07 11:06 PM
Installing Tile Floors
Here'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 new home: Building a New Home: Installing Hardwood Floors - 05/15/07 11:54 PM
How to Install Hardwood Flooring
Installation 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 new 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 new 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 new home: Building a New Home: Trim Secrets - 04/26/07 09:07 PM
Secret Tips when you Trim Windows and Doors
Every 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 new home: Themes or Chaos? - 04/25/07 11:41 PM
Are Themes Useful, or do they just get in the way?
Are themes used in staging new homes anymore? Do you consider the exterior style of the home and where it is located to define a theme for the interior of the home? How many themes should you use in the presentation of a … (11 comments)
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building a new 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 new home: Building a New Home: Structural Floor Supports - 04/11/07 12:45 AM
Traditional Floor Joints versus Wooden I-Beams
Some 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 Percent
The 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 new 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 new 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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