“We need a moment of peace!” That seems to be the consensus among many color experts and other trend prognosticators, who have almost universally chosen nature-inspired hues for 2022 that are soft, warm, often green, and intended to provide a relaxing, comfortable, Zen ambience. Below are the picks to date: AkzoNobel (a paint and coatings […]
With the build complete, there are two important processes to complete before moving in: a final walkthrough with your builder and settlement. The final walkthrough provides two opportunities for buyers: a tour and visual inspection to identify any cosmetic issues in the home, and a chance to familiarize themselves with their new home and review […]
Your house plans are final; selections are made; materials, systems, and appliances are on order; you have a permit and crews are scheduled. This is the most exciting stage for many home buyers, as their home moves from plan to reality. Building Roles It’s helpful to understand who’s responsible for different aspects of the build, […]
From a housing perspective, we continued to live in interesting times throughout 2021. In spite of (and in part due to) the pandemic, home sales were strong throughout the year. There was a normal seasonal slowdown in fall, but activity quickly resumed. Supply issues also continued throughout the year, and in many cases worsened later […]
For most homebuyers, the selections process is an exciting opportunity to infuse their personal style into their homes. Having a range of choices for finishes, trim, fixtures, and appliances affords a distinctive look and allows a homebuyer to make changes that suit their family. However, too many choices can create challenges that result in frustration […]
The best builders are artists of a sort, making communities “pop” by carefully considering the relationship of the homes to their homesites, the neighboring homes, and the site theme. Choosing effective hardscaping and landscaping help make a community feel varied yet cohesive in its visual impact. Exterior color palettes can play a surprisingly large role […]
Building a home requires obtaining a series of permits, or authorizations to perform specific types of construction work, usually from the local government. To begin a project, a builder typically needs a general building permit, which represents approval of the site plans and architectural plans by the county or municipality. As construction proceeds, the builder […]
COVID-19 supply chain challenges persist. Manufacturers are stressed to produce to capacity due to labor shortages and shutdowns to sanitize facilities. When goods are available, they may sit in warehouses and ports awaiting transport. Inventories have been depleted, both by increased building and enormous home improvement demand. Severe weather and massive fires have added to […]
Once you’ve chosen your builder, review their contract in depth and investigate before you sign it: Many builders’ contracts are non-negotiable, and you may not have much leeway to modify them. They tend to be lengthy, but you should read them and understand what you’re committing to. Make sure the contract clearly identifies allocations for […]
With way too much indoor time over the past 18 months, many families enjoy outdoor entertaining, dining, and just relaxing in the cooling fall weather. Heating outdoor living spaces is a great way to enjoy them longer. There are many different options that fall in three basic categories: fireplaces, fire pits, and outdoor heaters. Masonry […]