Newly constructed homes are energy-efficient and clean, but most don’t have the same kind of charm of an older home. True “vintage homes”, for all their beauty, tend to have problems just beneath the surface that reveal their true age.

Now, builders and architects are turning to reclaimed materials and classical decorative elements to give high-performance new homes and remodeling projects a less “cookie-cutter look” and give them more character. Some are doing so by giving new life to reclaimed or vintage materials like antique slate roof, reclaimed barn stone, and salvaged timbers as accents inside or outside the home. Others are replicating historic architectural styles, with cornices, columns and all!

One place in the home that is perfect for using recycled or reclaimed materials is the bathroom. Reclaimed wood or stone can be used for countertops. Recycled glass tiles create a unique look for bathroom walls. The giant, old-style cast-iron tubs and sinks are in high demand.

Check out this Star Tribune article for more ideas on how the bathroom can be particularly eco-friendly in a remodel or new home construction project.

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Though the housing bust has shattered home property values and changed the landscape of neighborhoods, one thing is still the same: Americans are committed to homeownership. Whether they own their home, are underwater on a mortgage, rent or live with roommates (or parents), a recent poll found that a large majority of U.S. residents want to own their own home.

The poll, conducted this May by the firms Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders, had a sampling of 2,000 likely voters. It found that 94% of respondents ranked owning their own home as at least somewhat important. A decided majority of the respondents, 74%, said it was “very important” or “one of the most important” priorities in their lives. Owning a home ranked just below being successful at work and slightly more important than the ability to pay for an education or that of a family member.

Three out of four of those polled said they agreed with the idea that “owning a home is the best long-term investment they can make,” even with the ups and downs in the market. Even 20% homeowners who were underwater on their mortgage agreed with the statement.

“Despite the current housing downturn, Americans still see homeownership as a core value and a key building block of being in the middle class and creating strong jobs in their communities,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, in a press statement. “The bipartisan consensus outside the Beltway is that owning a home remains an essential part of the American dream.”

Having the money to invest in the first place seems to be the biggest challenge. When non-homeowners were asked about their biggest obstacle to buying a home, lack of savings for the down payment and closing costs came first, at 31 percent. Presumably, that answer stems in some measure from the fact that 20 percent of those polled indicated that either they or a member of their immediate household was out of work and looking for a job.

Respondents were evenly split in their feelings on the idea of requiring home buyers to put a minimum 20% down on a home purchase. Their opinion seemed to hinge largely on whether they were already a homeowner or had yet to take the real estate plunge, however.

Read the rest of the report at Builder Magazine.

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For people planning to build their dream home, one of the most important steps is to find the most reliable general contractors in the Twin Cities. A new home is an investment that should be enjoyed for years, even decades. Choosing a high-quality, qualified new home builder is vital to a well-built house that stands the test of time.

We offer the following tips and advice to help in that decision-making process.

1. Make a list of qualities you want in a general contractor. Then pick someone with those qualities. Some examples to consider include honesty, dependability, knowledgeable, trust-worthy, skilled, helpful and good at communicating. This will be someone literally building the foundation for your future. It will also be someone with whom you will be working for a while, so it makes sense to find a contractor with a compatible attitude.
2. Get references. Do not just choose the first new home construction company that pops up in an internet search. Though a company’s website is a good place to compare and assess their experience and expertise, browsing the internet won’t give a complete idea of the kind of service they provide. Ask some friends and acquaintances if they personally know of any designers or contractors in the area, especially if any of them have already had to opportunity to build a new home or are familiar with other individuals who have.
3. Do the research. Look for reviews of past customers. If possible, try to arrange to meet with some of their customers, maybe even in the homes the contractor built. A first-hand account like this give deep insight as to whether the new home construction company you are considering is worthy of being hired.
4. Approve their floor plans. Many existing homes have useless rooms or square footage. Modern building techniques and uses of space are one of the appeals of new home construction. Ensure the contractor’s floor plans are geared toward maximizing usable space, minimizing energy costs and simplifying maintenance needs.
5. Check their work. A common complaint from people who have had new homes built has been careless workmanship. Confirm with your references that the contractor’s work was superior. During the construction phase, visit the work-site often to ensure that your wishes are being carried out. With electricians, plumbers, laborers and others, building your dream home is a huge task. Good communication can go far in preventing expensive mistakes.
6. Consider their schedule. Don’t choose a contractor embarking on too many projects at the same time you approach them with your building needs. Because this is your dream home, you want a crew that has can focus its attention on prioritizing the details of your home. A good approach is to choose a Twin Cities area general contractor instead of a larger, regional residential builder. A smaller, local construction company will likely have fewer projects than the larger ones, meaning they can devote more attention to yours.
7. Estimate their costs. Ask for price quotes from a few of the most reliable residential construction companies in the Twin Cities. Compare the estimates and the services that they provide. If their offer is greater than your budget, ask if there are ways they can cut down on costs without sacrificing your dream – or the quality of the materials used during construction. A well-established new home construction company should have a network of suppliers that can provide alternative materials that are less costly.
8. Get it in writing. Getting an agreement in writing is essential for the well-being of both the contractor and the home buyer. A homeowner should hire the services of an attorney to review any contractual agreements before they sign anything. Any reputable builder will expect you to do this.

Building a home is one of the most significant events to occur in many people’s lives. By following these steps toward finding the right contractor to build your dream home, you can increase the likelihood of a happily ever after when the keys are handed over.

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One of the first decisions a potential home buyer should make is whether buy a new construction home or purchase an existing house. There are some serious advantages to purchasing a new house over a resale.

1. New Home Pricing. Though new homes are generally priced higher than an equivalent existing one, a new house will likely need fewer repairs or replacements.

2. A Well Planned Neighborhood. In addition to having a choice for home sites, such as in a cul-de-sac or located near a park, new home buyers get to choose what type of community in which they want to live. Builders incorporate desirable amenities such as recreation areas, neighborhood clubhouses, swimming pools, playgrounds, sidewalks and paved trails into new communities to attract residents.

3. Modern Design. New ways of building homes are constantly being developed. Consumer trends also changing, motivating builders to respond by drafting floor plans to include what clients want, like large family rooms, over-sized closets, built-in media areas and up-to-date kitchens.

4. Warranties. Something an older home can never provide is a builder’s limited warranty. A new home warranty typically covers appliances, carpets, mechanical equipment, and overall construction. Though warranties do eventually expire, they can cover various items for between one to ten years!

5. Energy Efficiency. Modern insulation, windows and heating and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than in the past. New home builders are required to meet stricter energy codes. This can be of great benefit, considering the current costs of energy.

6. Modern Wiring. New homes are generally wired to accommodate electrical components that weren’t around when scores of existing homes were built, such as home computers, media centers and surround sound systems.

7. Modern Appliances. New homes are capable of accommodating latest state-of-the-art equipment, right off the bat. Dishwashers, stoves, microwaves and refrigerators installed in new homes function within modern water and energy standards.

8. Health Conscious Construction. New homes built with modern building materials offer some health advantages. No asbestos or lead paint to be found in a new home, but it could be costly to have it removed from an older house.

9. Low Maintenance. The latest in building materials also means convenience for new home buyers. Because it was just built, new homes are practically maintenance-free for up to ten years and in some cases, longer.

10. A New Home Is All Yours. Buyers of new homes can have a hand in creating the home they desire, instead of having to adapt an older home to their preference. Whether its the type of flooring to the brand of appliances, all aspects of a new home can be fit to your tastes from the beginning.

Though they tend to be more expensive than existing homes, purchasing a new construction home offers many advantages a resale residence simply cannot. Its worth making the price comparison to see if a new home is within your budget.

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For the second month in a row, more people bought new homes in April, but sales remain well below a pace that would indicate a turnaround for the real estate market.

New-home sales rose 7.3% during April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 323,000, according to figures from the United States’ Commerce Department. A healthy housing market would produce about 700,000 new-home sales per year.

New-home purchases rose in every region during April, after severe winter weather had pounded many areas during winter. Sales jumped over 15% in the West, 7.7% in the Northeast, nearly 5% in the Midwest and over 4% in the South.

Last year, Americans bought the fewest new homes on records dating back nearly 50 years. High unemployment, restricted credit and fears that prices will start slipping again have discouraged many would-be buyers. A further obstacle is gas prices putting a hitch in big-ticket purchase plans.

The number of new homes on the market — about 174,000 — is at its lowest point since record-keeping began in 1963. At the current pace of sales, it would take 6.5 months to clear them off the market. That’s the lowest supply in a year.

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