Homebuilding Tips

Spring is the time of year when homeowners get the urge to freshen up the look of their home. As the weather warms up, it’s natural to want to do a deep clean, get rid of some of the clutter, and maybe even spice up the look of your home. Luckily, each of these tasks is relatively cheap and easy—and there’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to completely change the feeling of a home!

It is fascinating to watch how paint color trends evolve over the years. Just like fashion and home design, our collective tastes gradually change, and it can be fun to incorporate a new color into your home. You might be surprised how a fresh palette in your living room or kitchen, throughout your bathroom, or on your home’s exterior can make the house feel brand new.

Let’s take a look at some of the top paint color trends for 2018:

There’s no denying that people love their pets—and can you blame them? Dogs, cats, fish, birds, lizards, and the many creatures in between have the power to bring joy and companionship to any home. It’s no wonder we often treat our furry friends like people. In fact, Americans spend nearly $70 billion a year on their pets.

But you don’t have to be extravagant to show your pets that you love them. With a few simple DIY tricks, you can make your home a lot more pet friendly.

Here, we highlight some of the top DIY custom home features to try for your furry (or feathery) friends:

The custom homebuilding process includes so many exciting moments, from finding the perfect piece of land to choosing the floorplan that you’ve always wanted. But for many of our clients, the best part of the entire process is getting to select their interior design elements and decide on finishing touches. That, they say, is what really starts to make a house a home.  

With modern devices that allow you to use voice control or wirelessly connect to appliances, outlets, and more, it’s easier than ever to implement smart features in your home without a significant investment. Many people want the peace of mind that these modern conveniences enable—better security, energy efficiency, home comfort, key-free locks, etc.—but don’t want to install a costly system.

If you want to make your home smarter, consider the following DIY ideas:

As Americans continue to live longer and more active lives, a new dynamic has emerged between many homeowners and their family members. Today, more than 10 million adults help take care of an aging parent, often for years or even decades at a time. But that begs the question: Where are the parents going to live?

In many cases, the best solution is to have the parent—or both parents—come live with the rest of the family. Multigenerational living is becoming increasingly common across the country, as it offers convenience and cost savings.

Strong holiday sales of smart home devices such as Alexa, Echo, and Google Home are evidence that an increasing number of people are adopting these new technologies for both convenience and comfort. If you received one of these practical (and sometimes entertaining) devices or are planning to purchase one, it’s a good idea to learn all about the various smart home features available to you.

The backyard is an extension of your home, and when done right, it can be a space that the whole family will enjoy. Whether you want a safe space for the kids to play, a quiet retreat after a busy day, or a party patio for entertaining the neighbors, these tips will help you make it happen.

The exterior of your home is an opportunity to make a strong first impression. Whether it’s fitting in with the aesthetic of the neighborhood or standing out as one of the more distinct homes on the block, the exterior design and materials you choose are important considerations.

Having two master bedrooms in your home gives you flexibility in how your family lives today and into the future. Dual master suites provide large bedrooms, bathrooms, and closet spaces that offer both comfort and privacy, and can be used in a variety of ways, such as:

The basement is an easily forgotten and often underutilized space in your home. If you’re just using it for laundry or storage, chances are that you are missing out on a potentially great space that your family would enjoy.