| Thinking of building a new home? Before you pick | | | | door? Take the additional step to share your |
| your Location, your Home Plan or your Home | | | | home plan with an Architect. |
| Builder, invest some time, to read about the 7 | | | | 5. Lost In My Design Layers ... Share A Coffee, |
| common mistakes when home building. Avoiding | | | | With An Interior Designer |
| these mistakes can ensure that your home | | | | Once you have agreed on your floor plan, and |
| creates... The Wow Effect. | | | | have drafted your unique spaces or opportunities |
| 1. Finding a Home Builder with ... Passion! | | | | for drama, the next step is ... Interior Design. |
| "Home Builders with Passion" - In every town, | | | | Here you will coordinate all of the layers of your |
| there are always a few Home Builders that are | | | | Interior Design Project. This can be overwhelming |
| so passionate about their craft, that every home | | | | at times. All of these design elements must flow |
| they build is a "Work of Art?. Their attention to | | | | congruently to create a dramatic effect |
| detail, ensure that they will always be at the top | | | | throughout your home. |
| of their industry. | | | | I would strongly encourage you to discuss your |
| When you first meet a "Home Builder with | | | | project with an Interior Designer. They have a |
| Passion", you will notice their charm, and keen | | | | unique gift to visualize multiple layers of color, |
| listening skills. They are very similar to a great | | | | texture, and effect, which is difficult to do. |
| doctor. Their focus will be entirely on listening to | | | | Discuss their fees, which can vary from nothing, |
| the patient, or you the homebuyer. They will have | | | | to an hourly fee. |
| many questions, which will help them diagnose or | | | | 6. Electrical Decisions ... I Wish I Would Have |
| determine your needs. | | | | This has to be high on the list of regrets for |
| Once they understand your needs and desires... | | | | many homeowners. It is so hard to visualize all of |
| Hang On. They will begin a presentation of ideas | | | | the areas where you will have future electrical |
| and possibilities that will astound you. You are now | | | | needs. During the holidays it may be a receptacle |
| sensing that they are more than just a Home | | | | on the stair landing, front porch, or separate |
| Builder. | | | | breakers for outside lighting. |
| To find your "Home Builder with Passion", begin by | | | | Important - go through the seasons, reviewing |
| asking for referrals from friends, subcontractors, | | | | how all areas of your home will be used. Will a |
| Interior Designers, and Architects. Also visit new | | | | bedroom someday become a future office? |
| real estate developments, looking for clues. | | | | Remember, lighting is so important when you are |
| One of the "Secrets to Great Curb Appeal" in a | | | | staging a room. Meet with a lighting specialist to |
| new home, is the importance of "Staggered Visual | | | | discuss these many decisions. |
| Lines". Square boxes are not visually interesting, | | | | If you invest the time, you will be well prepared, |
| without another visual dimension added to it. Our | | | | when you get the call to meet with your Electrical |
| eyes and our emotion, love to focus on... curves, | | | | Contractor. |
| angles, depth, texture, and color tones. | | | | 7. Budget Blues, Not Designating Funds For ... "The |
| When first meeting with the Home Builder, listen | | | | Wow Effect" |
| to their story. How are they different from the | | | | Everything in the Home Building Construction |
| other Home Builders in the area? How do they | | | | process revolves around the target budget. But |
| capture trends in New Home Building Construction | | | | almost everyday, you will be confronted with new |
| Ideas? | | | | cost overrun decisions. |
| Important - do not make your decision on the | | | | Keep in mind these words ... Drama, Effect, and |
| lowest bid. Almost anyone can make various cuts | | | | Staging. If you truly wish for your home to have |
| to lower their final estimate. | | | | ?The Wow Effect?, then you must designate a |
| Invest the time, to find your "Home Builder with | | | | budget for it. Without designating funding, the |
| Passion". Their ability to balance your enthusiasm | | | | opportunities that you have designed and drafted |
| and the realities of building, are what make them | | | | into your floor plan will not create the drama or |
| so unusual. | | | | effect. |
| 2. Saving Money On Your Lot? ... Maybe Not | | | | Think back, we have all gone through the annual |
| If you are saving money on your lot today, you | | | | Home Builders Parade of Homes, and waited in line |
| will have to pass this savings on tomorrow. The | | | | for the 1 or 2 homes, that truly understand "The |
| Number One Rule is ... go heavy on your lot | | | | Wow Factor". It is hard to describe its effect. It |
| purchase. This is Critical! | | | | will stop you in your tracks. You will stop and |
| Unfortunately, it is very rare that you will find a | | | | stare, trying to absorb what you are seeing. All |
| good deal. Great location comes at a price. Do not | | | | senses are kicking in. Conversations can be heard |
| make your decision based on price alone. Look at | | | | around you. |
| the other homes that are in or will be built near | | | | Look at this room,... Wow, what is it?" |
| your location. Are they in the same price range? | | | | "I love the colors. What is the finish on the walls? |
| What are the future and current traffic patterns? | | | | It is almost translucent.? |
| What direction does the lot face? | | | | Did you see the Barrel Ceiling finish, is that Italian |
| Note - Location truly is everything. This is one of | | | | Venetian Plaster?" |
| those decisions in life, when you cannot make a | | | | "Did you feel the Dining Room Walls? Cold like |
| mistake. Always, go heavy on your lot | | | | stone, but felt just like marble or granite... Wow!" |
| investment; you will never regret this decision. | | | | The Best Home Builders and Interior Designers will |
| 3. Common Floor Plan? ... Lost Opportunities | | | | always include a room that will take your breath |
| Creating drama is much easier when building a | | | | away. It is bold, but not brash. It can change your |
| home from the ground up. Within your building | | | | taste in an instant. The ?Wow Factor? has pushed |
| plan, you must design and designate some areas | | | | you out of your comfort zone. Contact these |
| of unique opportunities. This is where you will be | | | | professionals to discuss your project. |
| able to create the drama in your home. | | | | Finally, building "Your Dream Home" is an important |
| The additional investment for a Tray Ceiling, Niche, | | | | goal for most families. But a word of caution, the |
| Barrel Ceiling, Dome Ceiling, Unique Drywall Spaces, | | | | Home Building process can be stressful. As a |
| Dramatic Dining Room, or Grand Columned Entry | | | | couple, I would strongly suggest that you discuss |
| Way, are minimal for what they can add to the | | | | the following rule ... "Preferably, over a Glass of |
| total market value of your home. | | | | Wine and some Great Italian Food." |
| Bring your Interior Design team together when | | | | "The Marriage Saving, Home Building Rule" |
| you are drafting your floor plan. Their experience | | | | "As a couple, if you cannot agree on a Home |
| from previous projects and gift for great design | | | | Building Decision, then wait on the decision. Sleep |
| can offer you a collection of ideas to introduce in | | | | on it that night. The next day, begin to look for a |
| your home. This additional step can ensure that | | | | better idea. You will not be as emotionally |
| you do not miss out on the many creative | | | | charged, and together, you will come up with a |
| opportunities in the designing stage. | | | | much better solution. |
| 4. Is Your Custom Floor Plan Marketable? ... | | | | "When emotions are high and each side has dug |
| Review Your Plan With An Architect | | | | in, you will be glad you have discussed this rule. |
| Custom floor plans are the Pinnacle of Home | | | | This will give you a reason, to set aside a difficult |
| Building, but make sure that your dream home is | | | | Home Building decision, preventing it from |
| marketable in the future. We have all seen floor | | | | becoming a much bigger issue than it really is. |
| plans that were not as well thought out, as they | | | | Trust me ... It Works! |
| should have been. | | | | To ensure that your new dream home, has a |
| If the floor plan for your dream home is truly | | | | minimal list of... "I wish I would have's", you must |
| unique, I would encourage that you discuss your | | | | literally... "Live In Your Floor Plan". Your |
| project with an Architect. | | | | opportunities for any change in design are... very |
| Architect's have the vision to identify problem | | | | brief. Lastly, the "New Home Building Process" is |
| areas and discover new areas of opportunity in | | | | an incredible experience. Looking back, you will |
| your home that you may not have considered. | | | | never forget the memories, the lessons, the |
| Finally, someday, maybe sooner than you think, | | | | laughs, and the new friendships you have made in |
| you will be selling your home. Could you sell your | | | | this exciting chapter of your life. |
| home tomorrow? What is it about your home | | | | Enjoy this ... Fun Walk! |
| that will generate Home Buyer's knocking at your | | | | |