2014 Parade of Homes Sneak Peak
This month, Metzler Home Builders will showcase our Sheffield III Model in the 2014 Parade of Homes (Entry #7). This lovely home is located in the beautiful Willow Bend Farm community in West Lampeter Township.
The 2,460-square-foot plan boasts an open-concept first level with hardwood floors throughout the main living area. As you enter the home, a beautiful great room with a coffered ceiling and a custom-stone-surround fireplace greet you. The spacious kitchen and dining area includes a large island, custom range hood, plentiful pantry, and the windows allow a generous amount of natural light to stream through. A mudroom with a corner storage unit serves as a transition area and entrance to the private, backside first-floor master suite.
This two-story home offers three spacious bedrooms on the second floor, as well as a large low-maintenance deck in the back. Four acres of wooded area border the property, which also includes a private walking path. It is a gorgeous location!
Parade of Homes begins this weekend! Be sure to visit this attractive craftsman-style home for yourself during the 2014 Parade of Homes, June 14-22 at 307 Weatherfield Place, Lancaster, PA 17603.
See our Parade of Home entry here (this link has expired) or get more details about the Willow Bend Farm community here.
Smart Home Safety Tips for Summer
The home is a sanctuary for your family, and there is nothing more unnerving that realizing that your home has been broken into. According to the FBI, there were over 2 million burglaries in 2010 – a decrease of 2 percent when compared to the year before – and although crime is a serious concern, our homes and neighborhoods are safer than ever before – much in part to awareness and the preventative steps we are taking.
Still, summer is a season when homes are burglarize the most. The weather is nice and many families go on vacation. Additionally, because people are in and out of the homes more frequently – for strolls or a quick errand – they often get lax in securing their home.
Here are a few things to remember this summer to keep your home belongings and family safe:
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Never allow strangers in your home, even if they look hurt or in distress.
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Most contractors, such as HVAC or pool companies, will wear uniforms and/or show up in a company vehicle. If they are a smaller firm where their employees don’t have those items, they will present you with a business card and notify you ahead of time of what to expect when they show up to your home for the pre-scheduled appointment.
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When you go for a walk or leave your home for a quick errand, take the time to secure your home. Lock your doors, put your garage door down and close and lock any sliding doors or windows that can easily be entered.
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When you leave for vacation, make sure you tell a trusted neighbor. Ask them to pick up your mail, paper and other items that can make an unscrupulous person quickly see that you are away. Put your lights on timers so your homes looks lived in.
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Invest in a safe to store valuable items such as jewelry and important documents. You may also want to consider buying one that is flood and fire proof.
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One of your homes easiest entry points is the garage. Keep your garage door closed at all times and lock the door that leads from the garage into your home.
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Don’t leave ladders and tools unsecured outside. These items can be used to gain access to your home.
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Look at your shrubbery around your first-floor windows, and if you don’t have any, you may want to plant a few. They can deter a robber from entering your home – especially if they are thorny.
This summer, relax and enjoy the warm days, but also realize that break-ins can be avoided when you take some precautions. Get more home and neighborhood safety resources by visiting the National Crime Prevention Council’s website.
The Benefits of Building Your New Home
The National Association of Home Builders has proclaimed June as National Homeownership Month, and to kick-off this month-long event, we wanted to provide you with some obvious – and not so obvious – benefits of building or buying a new home.
The Obvious Benefits
There are many obvious benefits of building a new home instead of purchasing an existing one. Here are a few:
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The science of building a home has improved greatly over the years. Today, new homes are built with a higher energy efficiency rating than older homes – even those that aren’t all that old.
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Home technology is incredible. Every year, new technologies are being incorporated into homes – from the ability to monitor your home from your mobile device to behind the walls features that improve how we live within the home.
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Floor plans have become more open – and attractive – in new homes.
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New homes come with warranties. In addition to the builder warranty, there are warranties on many of the products within the home. Together, this gives home buyers a peace of mind that you don’t get by purchasing an existing home.
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The ability to select your appliances, flooring, paint colors, cabinetry, exterior finishes … and more make building a new home very attractive.
The Not-So-Obvious Benefits
There are a many not-so-obvious benefits of buying a new home that customers have shared with us. Here are a few of our favorites:
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When you build a home in a newer community, like Willow Bend Farm in Lampeter Township, you get the benefit of meeting others who are new to the neighborhood, too. Often it is these connections that form strong bonds of friendships for decades to come.
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Many desirable amenities are built into new neighborhoods. For instance, Willow Bend Farm has wooded areas with walking trails, sidewalks, a community building and is located close to several golf courses. Many other neighborhoods across Lancaster County boast similar niceties that older neighborhoods don’t have.
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There are many advantages of being a first-owner of a home. Everything is clean, and you don’t have to worry about stripping tired wallpaper from the dining room or repainting to suite your tastes. Outside, you can enhance the landscape by planning flowerbeds and gardens the way you envision.
If you are considering buying a home, we invite you to attend the BIA’s Parade of Homes where we’ll have one of our Willow Bend Farm homes on display. The Parade runs June 14-22, weekdays from 5-8pm and weekends from 12-6pm. It is free to attend.
Visit the Parade of Homes website to see all the details on our home in Willow Bend Farms.
Summer Cookout Safety Tips
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and across the country, families and friends will gather to cook out, enjoy the warmer weather and visit with each other.
Grilling is one of America’s favorite pastimes. Not only does it make for easy meal prep, but it also keeps the home cooler during the warm summer months. But the grill can also be dangerous, so keep these cookout safety tips in mind this summer.
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Before you begin grilling for the summer, check the propane tank to make sure it is properly connected.
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If using a charcoal grill, make sure that the lighter fluid and matches are stored in a safe place after the coals are lit.
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Move the grill away from the side of your home and deck railing. The heat from the grill can melt vinyl siding and could also cause a fire. Additionally, never use a charcoal or propane grill indoors or in enclosed garages or patios.
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Place your grill on a flat surface so it is stable and can’t be tipped over.
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Keep children and pets away from the grill. It is natural for everyone to congregate around the chef while he is cooking the burgers and hot dogs, but make sure that everyone keeps a safe distance away from the grill so they don’t get burnt.
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Don’t wear loose clothing around a grill.
Another favorite pastime in Lancaster County is gathering around the fire pit during the evenings. The kids toast marshmallows while the adults share stories and plans for summer vacations. Open fires can also be dangerous, so please keep these safety tips in mind:
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Observe “burn warnings” in your area. Townships will post notices when it is too dry or windy to burn.
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Build your fire pit in an open area – away from dry grass, leaves and overhanging trees. You don’t want windborne embers catching things on fire.
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It is better to keep your fire small so it stays controlled – just a few logs at a time.
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Keep a bucket of water and a shovel close to the fire, just in case. These will also be handy when you are ready to extinguish the fire for the evening.
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Never leave fire pits unattended.
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When you are ready to call it a night, take extra care to make sure the fire is completely out before heading indoors.
Read more of our blog articles for home tips and inspiration.
Spotlight Project: Open Spaces
With the living space of their home divided by walls, John and Carole felt confined and knew it was time for a change. Openness, flow and functionality were high priorities when it came to designing their home’s new floor plan. A spacious kitchen and large area to gather as a family were also important. In search of a builder that was experienced with performing whole-house renovations and additions, John and Carole found Metzler Home Builders.
The new addition included a family room and sunroom and provided the perfect spot for family gatherings. The foyer, kitchen, dining room, laundry and side entrance were completely revamped. The dining room was moved to the front of the home and the kitchen moved to the back to make ample room for a formal dining room and a larger, airy kitchen. Distinctive arches were utilized throughout the project to provide flow and allow open spaces that can be enjoyed for years to come.
2014 Cost vs. Value Report for Lancaster County Remodeling Projects
Remodeling Magazine recently released their annual Remodeling 2014 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), and for the second year in a row, we are happy to report that remodeling is up.
This year’s report notes that there is still progress that needs to be made before the remodeling market fully recovers, “but the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report shows that the national average cost-value ratio is up more than 9%, with 15 projects improving between 10% and 28% compared with 2013 (see ‘Biggest Gainers’).” You can read the full trend report here.
Here in Lancaster County, the outlook is good for remodeling. While this is the first year that Lancaster has been classified as a stand-alone metro area (so data can’t be compared to the previous year), many of the costs recouped locally are on par with Harrisburg, where most values have gained from 2013. According to the report, some of the best investments include garage additions, garage door replacements, major kitchen remodels and window replacements.
While the percentages may be lower than you’d expect, keep in mind that the Cost vs. Value Report is not based on actual projects. Costs can vary significantly depending on materials selected and the size and scope of a project. Read “What the Numbers Mean” for a full disclosure.
Additionally, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently published their remodeling industry outlook. There they noted that Americans spent $116 billion on home improvements in 2013 and anticipate this figure to continue to gradually increase.
According to NAHB surveys, some of the most popular remodeling / home improvement projects are:
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Bathrooms
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Kitchens
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Window and door replacements
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Room additions
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Whole-house remodeling projects
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Decks
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Roofing
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Finished basements
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Adding or enclosing a porch
We also find these to be some of the most popular renovation projects among our clients. Many indicate that they wish to gain more living space or update their home to better fit how they choose to live today.
If you are considering renovating your home, learn more about how we can help you remodel your home.
Decks, Patios, Screened-In Porches and Pergolas
When it comes to creating your ideal outdoor living space, it is important that you consider how you – and your family – like to enjoy the outdoors. Some love the heat and can’t get enough sunshine, while others wish to be shaded and comfortable. Outdoor living really is an extension of your home, and it is our goal to help you get a space you’ll actually enjoy.
Here are a few ideas for creating your ideal outdoor living space.
Treated lumber decks are a good option for those looking to define an outdoor living space, as it has low upfront cost. Lumber can be stained or painted to match (or contrast) your home, and a deck is a great place to stick a grill and outdoor table to enjoy a barbeque. One drawback to treated lumber decks, however, is that regular maintenance is required. They must be washed, stained and water-treated regularly to keep the boards from warping and splintering.
Composite decking material, such as Azek, is relatively low-maintenance and is resistant to mold and algae growth, which makes it ideal for high-moisture areas. It comes in a wide variety of color choices, which makes it an attractive option. Many homeowners choose a main decking color and then an accent color for the railing – to give their deck more character. Sometimes, acrylic glass railing is also used, particularly when the homeowner wants an unobstructed view of their backyard.
Patios can be located anywhere in your yard but are typically located adjacent to your home. Concrete, stamped concrete, pavers or bricks can all be used to create this space; however, pavers and bricks can be a bit more maintenance as they can shift out of place and become uneven. Outdoor patio areas often include fire pits, outdoor kitchens and even tranquil water gardens.
Screened-in porches and decks are a great solution if you are looking to create an outdoor space that is protected from the elements (and bugs). While some screened-in porches are rather simple, because this space is protected from the weather, homeowners can feel comfortable incorporating fireplaces, televisions and audio systems into this area -for a truly relaxing outdoor living experience. Panels come in a variety of style options, and you can also choose a partially screened panel – where the bottom is solid – to give the space a bit more privacy.
Pergolas are another option for an inviting outdoor living space. They can be built from vinyl or wood, and while wooden pergolas do require more maintenance, many homeowners prefer their classy look. Pergolas provide a partially-shaded canopy to enjoy your outdoor space, and you’ll often find interesting climbing vines, such as wisteria, planted around the pergola.
For more outdoor living inspiration, take a look at our photos on Houzz!
Weekly News Roundup – November 15th
We’d like to provide you an opportunity to browse some current home design, real estate news, and building / remodeling articles by bringing you a few each week that we think might be useful, informative and entertaining. Enjoy!
MSN Real Estate provides an insightful article into some home maintenance musts as winter approaches
A Houzz.com article gives some inspiration and direction on selecting a countertop and backsplash
This interesting Yahoo.com feature highlights a few stories of 20-somethings who debated between renting a home or buying new
Enjoy this unique picture collage of Bathrooms from Dwell.com – you’ll be sure to get some “out of the box” ideas!
A Truly Custom Experience, Sub-Contractors
When building a home or undertaking a remodeling project, you expect to have to make a variety of decisions. From design to finished detail and everything in between, the design/build process is one that comes with many selections, and from there, choices of what fits your lifestyle, tastes and budget are made.
But what might be surprising to you is that when our customers build or remodel with us, they also have an additional choice:
They have the freedom to use subcontractors that they have an existing relationship with – instead of ours.
Recommending your subs
Most people are amazed to discover that we “allow” our customers to work with subcontractors they know and recommend because many other builders and remodelers don’t. While we certainly see the rationality behind why other builders will only work with specific subcontractors, we, on the other hand, see this customized construction experience from another perspective – through our customers’ eyes.
- For starters, while we may be the builder, building or remodeling a home isn’t about us; it is about what our customers want for their home. Often, our customers have spent years dreaming about their perfect home, and they have chosen us to help facilitate that process. The people who choose to build or remodel with us are trusting us to listen to and design the home they have in mind. They are confident in our skills to be able to deliver their home in a safe and timely manner and make it an enjoyable experience.
- Secondly, by “allowing” new-to-us subcontractors to work on your home, we recognize that you are verifying that the sub is legitimate and understands his craft. We know that you would not want a subcontractor working on your home that you did not trust.
- Additionally, we fully recognize that there are many outstanding subcontractors in our area, and often we’ve even heard of these folks. We recently completed projects where one homeowner had an existing relationship with an excavator and another homeowner’s brother-in-law was a superb drywaller. And even though the subcontractors were new-to-us, both projects went just fine.
Timing is Everything
When working with a customer-recommended subcontractor, our biggest concern is timing of the project. We’ve made a commitment to you, our customer, that we will deliver your home by a particular date. What we have found is that professional subcontractors understand this, and they, too, want to adhere to the schedule and give the homeowner an amazing construction experience.
For all of these reasons, this is why we don’t shy away from using new-to-us subcontractors. In the end, our customers are the ones who need to be comfortable, and it is up to us to deliver an experience that is pleasant and memorable.
Be “Green” around your Home – Conserve Water
With all the
talk out there of “Going Green” or “Being Green” we’d like to offer you some practical tips on how to be more sustainable or “green” in your home.
Conserve water at your home – Here are a few helpful water conservation tips from the American Water Works Association.
- Use the Shower. A Five minute shower = 10-25 gallons of water; A full bathtub = 70 gallons
- Check for drips at faucets
- Only run your dishwasher when it is full
- Replace your old clothes washer with a high efficiency machine that can save up to 12-15 gallons per load