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What are the Key Home Design and Decorating Trends for 2014?

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With home prices up nationwide, many people are selling now, and buying anotherhome, while others are finally able to be a first time homebuyer.  With purchases come remodels, and for 2014 the trends in home design will emphasize remodeling kitchens, according to experts at The Plan Collection (www.theplancollection.com). New looks feature open or glass front shelving as well as cabinets, and black countertops. In fact, darker cabinet tones are also in style, lending more sophistication in design booth architecturally and in decor. Additionally, kitchens are at the top the list of spaces homeowners plan to remodel this coming year.

According to industry experts kitchens are usually always first on the list when it comes to a home’s redesign, and of course, bathrooms are next. In 2014 some of the hot style changes in kitchen design include: glass-front cabinets and darker paint tones will be popular with homeowners next year, according to Zillow Digs Home Design Trend Report for 2014. People are now enjoying collections, and then displaying these in their kitchen – as kitchen wares is a growing trend. It is now fashionable to display collections in the kitchen including –pitcher, plates coffee mug collections, and dishes to pots and pans to oils and vinegars. Source: The Zillow Digs Home Design Trend Report.

There is an important aspect of the kitchen which is the new family room. So many families have multiple members who are working — has become a central meeting place for family and friends, presentation has become a priority for many homeowners.

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Trends for 2014 kitchen designs include black countertops, glass, and wood grain – all of which add texture with contrasting lighter metallic shades.

It seems that homeowners will want to add a bit of sophistication to their kitchen designs this next year, and the best ways to achieve this look includes the use of glass and the color black. Of course added flair means you can bring some of the latest colors in – including apple red, or cayenne red, teal blue or yellow – all very Americana in style. To break the boldness of black countertops, many decorators are recommending mixing in a lighter counter tones such light gray, granite, or metal tones for a little contrast.

The Plan Collection’s House Plan #161-648 is a modern home, Fine featuring an ultra-sleek kitchen. Wood grain is also popular this year.  We are seeing finely crafted wooden tables with metal frames, and bar stools with stylish wood seats. There is plenty of seating at the bar, which features a corrugated textural treatment, and ample seating for people with busy schedules. And note the use of brushed aluminum, and light treatments with glass.

The above five bedroom, five and a half bathe home features two floors with 10 foot ceilings on first floor and basement with nine foot ceilings in the second floor. A three car garage offers plenty of storage space and room for cars plus maybe even a recreational vehicle. It is available at www.theplancollection.com.

 

 

 

Housing Markets Back to Normal in 52 Metros According to New LMI Index

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Farmhouse plan

According to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI), Housing markets in 52 out of the approximately 350 metro areas nationwide have now returned to normal – running at 85 percent of normal activity. This is based on current permits, prices and employment data.  What this means is that the housing markets have returned to levels of activity that are pre-recessionary.  Now more people are and will be buying, and building, homes.

While the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the top major metro area on the LMI, boasting a score of 1.41 – it is 41 percent better than its last normal market level. Other major metros high up on the list include Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, Austin and Houston, Texas, and Honolulu, Hawaii, – with LMI scores that exceed previous normal levels.

This research also indicates that it is the smaller metro areas that are leading the way to a housing recovery, accounting for 43 of the top 50 markets on the current LMI. For example, Midland, Texas, has a score of 2.0 or better, and others are Bismarck, North Dakota, Casper, Wyoming, and Florence, Alabama.

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Farm houses are the latest rage among retiring baby boomers.

The Plan Collection sees increases in interest from home builders shopping for house plans online based on sales and also the number of people who are signing up for the company’s newsletter. Today, post-recession trends that are of interest to readers today are trending topics such as smaller homes, the 21st Century chic farmhouse. Retiring baby boomers are moving out of cities and into more urban areas, and there is a greater interest in organic farming and sustainable living.

Data Confirms Consumers Want Smaller Homes

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Smaller home design.

The following U.S. Census Bureau statistics confirm what the housing industry has suspected for a while. It says that the average size of a home in the third quarter of 2008 was about 2,438 square feet.  This is down from 2,629 square feet during the second quarter. The median size of homes started in the third quarter was 2,090 square feet, down from 2,291.  Does this mean the era of big homes may be on the way out? Apparently people are seeking a home that is the right-size, organized and economized.

Plan 163-1020 View from the Loft
View from the Loft of a big family room in The Plan Collection’s Plan 163-1020. Go to www.theplancollection.com

What’s more,  according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 88 percent of their members said they are planning to build a larger share of smaller homes this year.  The NAHB also said that 89 percent of their builder members also said they are planning on building more lower-priced models of homes.

Better Homes and Gardens also conducted a study and found that the top priorities among homeowners regarding a new home were – number one affordable price, then natural light, and last comfortable family gathering places. The publication’s survey also uncovered other consumer housing trends – that they actually do not need as many luxuries in their next home, for instance. In fact 20 percent or more of the participants looked at upgraded landscaping,  finished granite countertops, and lux master bedroom suites as less important features.  Ironically, although 62 percent of new homes that were completed in 1991 had at least one fireplace, fireplaces and high ceilings in the living areas were tagged as less important to 35 percent of those surveyed.

It would appear that most homeowners want to make the most of the space they do have these days, and while homes are getting smaller people family rooms that are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of family activities, from fitness, to TV and movies, to music and games. Outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas are also rising in popularity.

 

Steps to Building Your Dream House

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The building of a home takes careful planning and The Plan Collection is here to help by offering this checklist as follows:

1) What’s your budget? You must determine your budget first, as the components of pricing out your home will vary based upon the area of the country in which you live in, along with the size and type of house, specifics of the lot, and the quality of building materials chosen. Plus you’ll need to add in the cost of house plans.

2) Next, think about the style of home that you prefer.  Do you want a slab foundation or a basement foundation? Would it be one or two stories? Believe it or not, these choices will impact the construction costs regardless of the architectural style that you choose. Certain styles could increase the construction cost of your home, so this too must be accounted for in your budget. Just as one example, ranch house plans are simple and more cost effective than Mediterranean style architectural plans.

3) Look for a broker or real estate agent to help you find a lot. There are many ways to find a residential lot. For example, in a suburban area, developers sometimes offer lots that are all prepped for home construction – with established utility hook-ups, and an often more streamlined permitting process. In other regions, classified ads are the  primary source to find home building lots.  This can often make the process go more quickly although may also involve a fee.

4) Now it is time to decide on square footage and the number of rooms you want. Do you need an attached garage?  Have you decided how many bays you want? After you know how many rooms you want, you can take your specs to an architect who will then then draw up a detailed set of floor plans for a substantial fee – or you can start shopping for your house plan at The Plan Collection – where you will find more than 20,000 house plans. These pre-drawn floor plans can be purchased at a significantly lower cost, plus they can also be modified locally to

5) Show your house plans to several contractors locally. Research each of the contractors and check with the Better Business Bureau and state licensing agencies, then look for for reviews online from local home owners.Be sure you get a list of houses the builder has constructed recently in your area and check them out. And don’t forget to draft a comprehensive contract to avoid any misunderstandings. The goal will be to keep your house building on time and on budget.

4) Arrange your financing. Bankers will need to review your house plans, lot information and the home builder’s estimate. Shoot for a pre-qualified for a loan early on in the process to make sure your budget is accurate.Discuss the types of construction loan structures that are available in your area. You will need a home construction loan that will be used to pay the builder in various stages throughout the construction process. The construction loan will then be paid off with a residential mortgage once the house is approved for occupancy. Don’t forget construction insurance as part of the financing package.

5) Get the right permits and approvals to start building. Residential builders are required by their local town or government to submit the lot information and house plans to local building officials for approval and so that they comply with local regulations. There are national building codes, but local regulations may vary depending on the region of the country. As you get closer to starting construction, your home builder can also help you go through the permitting process.

6) Now your home construction can begin! Once the foundation is complete, the house framing can begin; this includes the floors, walls, ceilings and roof — all of which are framed out first.  Next, windows and exterior doors are then installed followed by the exterior siding (brick, siding or stucco.)

7) Next the mechanical systems such as heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC), rough plumbing and electrical.  Each of these tasks must be installed by a licensed subcontractor. Once the roof is completed after HVAC, plumbing must be roughed out but before the ele8. ctrical work.

8) Once all of the above “behind the wall” systems are completed, and the required inspections complete, the interior drywall can be hung. Next the cabinets, interior doors and trim, plus the first coat of paint should be applied to the walls and ceilings.  Then the hardwood floors, or ceramic tile or carpet is installed. Last come the major appliances. Of course the mechanical systems will be completed includingplumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, and then final paint and wood floors are finished.

Once you have the final inspection of the house to ensure the work was done “to code” then you get a Certificate of Occupancy, also known as a “CO”). Now  it is time to move into your new house!

For more helpful information visit The Plan Collection at http://www.theplancollection.com

Hottest Trends in Real Estate Revealed at The Plan Collection

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As home builders are purchasing more and more house plans online at sites like The Plan Collection, people are beginning to realize that this fact is actually offering early insights into upcoming home design trends and consumer preferences.

It appears that with marked improvements in consumer confidence and home buying – especially in the single family housing market – more Americans are choosing to purchase their house plans online, an easy place to search for plans of popular and modern homes or renovations.

Higher mortgage rates in recent months may have briefly spooked multi-family construction, but consumer spending on the web continues to see double digit growth. And hitting a seven year high this month, construction starts in June 2013 were up by double digit percentages compared to a year ago.

What’s more, e-commerce spending in the United States will hit approximately $262 billion this year, up 13.4 percent from $231 billion a year ago, according to May 2013 Forrester Research.

Despite bumps along the way, we are now seeing a rate of 591,000 seasonally adjusted single family housing starts for June 2013 – an 11.5 percent increase versus June 2012 – and a rate for single family building permits of 624,000 for June 2013 – an increase of 24.6 percent versus June 2012 – (Source: Construction report for June 2013 from the U.S. government.)

Overall housing starts in June 2013 were down 9.9 percent as compared to a month ago.  

The February Ellie Mae Originations Report states that home mortgage approval rates are also up quite a bit. There’s a pretty strong financial picture for the average American family who is applying for a home loan.  Don’t forget, mortgage approval rates are up nearly 20 percent.

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