REPOST: Housing Market Blows Hot and Cold

 Is the endless snow affecting the housing market? This article from Bloomberg View explains the seasonal trends in housing sales.

THIS ONE HAS GREAT CURB APPEAL. | Image Source: bloombergview.com

The northern third of the U.S. is locked in a straitjacket of snow, ice and bleak weather better suited to staying at home than going out and hunting for a new one. I can almost hear it now: Remember how awful last year’s polar vortex was for the fledgling housing-market recovery? Looks like we're in for more of the same this year.

Except that this construct reflects a significant misunderstanding about the practical nature of housing sales. Homebuyers who decide not to view property during a bout of cold weather don't drop out of the market. They just delay their search until the weather becomes more agreeable, usually in a few weeks or months at most.

Consider the chart below, which uses the average temperature of the 48 contiguous states from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the number of non-seasonally adjusted existing home sales from the National Association of Realtors. Notice anything? The seasonal trends are remarkably in sync: Housing sales rise in warm weather and fall in cold weather no matter the availability of credit, what direction interest rates are moving or the extent of wage and job growth.

Image Source: bloombergview.com

The reality is that housing sales are seasonal -- always have been, always will be.

Here's where things can get confusing, though.

Most national housing studies, such as those by the NAR, emphasize a month-over-month analysis of seasonally adjusted numbers. Throw in a federal housing-stimulus plan or a change in housing tax policy and those seasonal adjustments distort the market trends.

Other reports, such those by S&P/Case Shiller and CoreLogic, are based on a methodology that essentially strips away seasonal trends. That's a key reason those reports feel out of step with actual market patterns. 

Over the years I’ve had conversations with a number of well-respected economists about the virtues of their seasonal-adjustment methodologies. Yet consumers and real-estate brokers have a very different perspective and see the housing market as a series of “waves.” That probably is a more accurate representation of what's going on.

And that’s pretty cool.

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Continued improvement of the housing market seen in 2015

Image Source: titlesource.blogspot.com

2014 proved to be a good year for the housing market, with the steady path to recovery opening. The activity in the market is considered to be the best it has ever been since the crash almost a decade ago and the positive trend is expected to continue well into 2015. With a return to a balanced state, the housing market is now expected to benefit both buyers and sellers.

To start, experts expect a stronger job market, continued economic growth, and increasing home prices to improve existing home sales by 7.4 percent. More and better paying jobs should also affect the millennials, especially the older ones who are now getting married and starting families. They are now expected to join the market and make up for a significant portion of new home purchases in the next five years.

Image Source: mortgagecalculator.org

However, millennials could also encounter some obstacles to home ownership. Financing is still difficult to obtain with the strict mortgage qualifications. This could prevent many millennials from buying the house that they want. Additionally, mortgage rates are still rising.

Image Source: bndcreations.ws

Meanwhile, builders focused more on multifamily homes in 2014. This year, they are expected to build more single-family homes. Experts predict healthy growth in single-family starts, which will only be limited by the supply of labor and materials. The foreclosure crisis is also expected to end this year as the number of foreclosures should return to a normal level. These factors could significantly normalize the housing market.

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REPOST: Home-building: simple ways to add value to your home

Most people who are planning to sell their home consider renovating their place, but how much value do these improvements add to the property? This article shares some home renovations that can bring more bang to your buck than others.

Creating more space in your home won't be cheap, but should reap dividends when you sell. | Image Source: theguardian.com

If you’re thinking about adding value, you are probably also thinking about moving in the short to medium term. This means the first thing you need to consider is whether you want to add value or just make your home more sellable. Making your home more sellable is all down to aesthetics: get everything really clean, sort out your front garden, change the ironmongery on your front door if it is drab, give everything a lick of paint, put down new carpets, change dreary light fittings and tidy up the back garden. It’s all very cosmetic, but first impressions definitely last.

Creating more space Adding value, on the other hand, is all about adding space. Loft conversions are just one idea: extensions, garage conversions, conservatories and even a studio or glamorous garden shed at the bottom of the garden will all provide extra rooms in your house (albeit a garden room in some cases). They’re going to cost you money, but they are also going to increase the asking price of your home.

Basement conversions are another very good way of adding value, but these can be costly to do and are only worth it in areas with very high property prices per square foot, like London. An easier way to utilise cellar space is to waterproof the existing space, paint it, add a good mechanical ventilation system and some decent lighting and turn it into a utility/storage room. This way, it won’t matter if there are no windows and the headroom is restricted. A room like this will always be a great asset and selling point in a family home.

Little improvements can make a big difference If your budget doesn’t stretch far enough to choose one of these options, or you can’t create extra space because of the type of property you own, it is still possible to add value in other ways. Any general improvements that make your home more comfortable or energy efficient will help increase the selling price. This could be double glazing (or triple glazing, especially if you’re near a busy road); replacing the boiler; rewiring, or insulating to a high specification. If you want to make your property stand out from the crowd, consider changing your kitchen or bathroom: it’ll make your home look hygienic and smart and appeal to all those buyers looking to move into a property that doesn’t require work.

Think smart Relatively minor changes can make your home feel more spacious. Start by decluttering – this can make your rooms seem bigger straight away. Fit some fully integrated storage units for the things you do want to keep. If your budget stretches to more than this, consider installing underfloor heating (removing radiators frees up valuable wall space) or reorganising the internal walls to give more space to the rooms that really need it.

Make sure you have dealt with any rotten windows, cracks, damp, broken downpipes, missing roof tiles or rusty radiators before you give the estate agents a call. A surveyor will pick up on these immediately and then your buyer will ask for a reduction.

Visit this Galloway Custom Homes Facebook page to discover more unique home design ideas.

Don't touch that lever: The beauty of secret rooms in houses

Image Source: thedreamzone.com

Ever since time immemorial, many people have fostered a love of secret rooms and passageways. It is not uncommon to hear adults fantasizing of walls that open after pressing a specific piano key or after pulling a mysteriously large book. Popular media encourage these visions, too; from Indiana Jones to the Addams Family, many films and literature feature a secret room that is usually a space for something precious, like gold, jewellery, or the protagonist’s costume and weapons, or even just a space to hide away from the world.

But this is usually where the dreams and fantasies stop. Most people consider these visions as something only the eccentric would do. The truth of the matter is, there are a lot of modern applications for secret rooms. As with the early Egyptians who built these spaces to hide their secrets and prevent robbers from stealing any of their goods, today’s secret rooms serve a similar function. They can be the homeowner’s private and personal space, or an ideal area where precious materials can be placed.

Image Source: bitrebels.com

This does not necessarily mean that secret rooms are only for the rich. These can also be installed in ordinary homes as libraries or gaming rooms, or any space where the homeowner can be himself or herself without any fear of judgement. The beauty of these rooms is as implied: They are secret.

The early Egyptians used to kill the slaves who worked on these passageways so that the secret would die with them. Today, however, this is hardly necessary as architects and custom home builders are obligated by law never to divulge these types of information. Additionally, with the growth of technology and enhancement of design options, many secret rooms can be designed and customized to the homeowner’s specific needs and objectives.

Image Source: bitrebels.com

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REPOST: Your Home in Their Hands, BBC One, review: 'sadistic but dull'

Sarah Crompton reviews the home makeover show, "Your Home in Their Hands." Her verdict: The program is less fun than it sounds. Read the rest of the review below:

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

Your Home in Their Hands (BBC One), conversely, left a very nasty taste in the mouth. This is clearly intended as some kind of successor to Changing Rooms, the design programme that launched a million pieces of stencilled hardboard into the world.

But where that show attempted home improvement, this one seemed bent on home destruction, by placing the hopes and dreams of unsuspecting home owners in the hands of amateur designers, who lacked any sensitivity to people’s aesthetic tastes or practical requirements.

The whole horrible mess is corralled by Celia Sawyer, who describes herself as an interior designer. On the basis of her dress sense alone – all skintight skirts and flash jewellery – I’d be slamming the door in her face. Unfortunately, nice Kelly and Andy Pitwell opened it. She liked “lairy” colours and va va voom, he liked white walls, but neither could have expected a bedroom turned into a psychedelic red and purple bordello by Kirsty McKenzie, a woman who thought it the height of style to plonk a soft toy on her head.

In Portsmouth, Yvonne Lavery was reduced to tears by a kitchen so migraine-inducing that even Sawyer turned up her retroussé nose. What made it worse was that one built with love by her dad had been ripped out to bring in this monstrosity. “The ceiling’s still the same,” said husband Dan, helpfully.

The designers – two in each home – fell out among themselves, and also wept. All of which makes this programme sound more fun than it was. It was not only sadistic, but also dull, as an awful lot of people intoned about being worried, and Sawyer said things like “This is all part of the business of interior design”. It really isn’t.

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Factors in choosing the best roofing materials

Image Source: roof-repair-los-angeles-la.com

Having a sturdy and good-looking roof is not enough to make you feel secure. From natural to manufactured products, roofing materials hold a distinct element that may determine the overall beauty and longevity of your home.

According to the DIY Network, the best roofing material for your home depends on three factors:

Image Source: maierroofing.com

Style. Determining the look you want for your home is important because each roof style has a different effect on a house’s exterior. Shingles, for example, is one good option for those who want something unique in terms of roof color. To better assess the roofing material that matches your house’s style, it is best to ask for the opinion of a stylist or by using a “virtual renovation” service.

Cost. Quality comes with cost. A slate roof, for example, is considered one of the most expensive materials in the market today, costing between $250 and $600 per square depending on the complexity of the roof. It is, however, the most durable, with a life span of at least 100 years and strength that can hold a heavy load.

Image Source: nmdprojects.net

Location. Weather conditions in a particular area should also be considered in choosing the right material. For example, it is wise to stay away from clay-based materials if you live in an area prone to heavy snow or rainfall. Instead, choose materials like concrete or shingles which can withstand harsh conditions.

When choosing the right material—whether for a modest house or fancy mansion—it is most important to take time to look for as many options as possible. Talk to experts and do your research.

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REPOST: Home Improvements: DIY or Hire a Pro?

 This article from Fox Business helps us decide whether a renovation project at home is DIY or better left with the pros.

Image Source: foxbusiness.com

Home improvement shows and magazines make repairs look easy, but sometimes taking the do-it-yourself approach can end up costing more money than hiring a professional.

Unless you are handy or have experience in the home improvement business, experts recommend doing extensive research before going at a project alone.  

“DIY projects are rarely as easy as they seem, and all too often it ends up costing you,” says Angie Hicks, founder of online referral service Angie's List www.angieslist.com. “Thousands of people, for example, end up in the emergency room every year because of ladder falls, power tools that got away from them, situations like that. Even if you’re not injured, you could end up paying twice for the project – once for your attempt and then again when you’re in over your head and have to call a pro to fix the mess.”

Home improvement experts recommend evaluating your strengths and ability to get a job done before launching a project After all, you don’t want to start something only to let it languish for months or even years, which according to Hicks, is often the case. She suggests evaluating whether you have the time and tools to properly complete a project.

The cost of your time should also be considered when contemplating a project. “Too often, people forget to put a price on their time when they’re deciding whether to DIY or hire,” says Hicks. “They add up the cost of the supplies and think they’re going to be saving themselves a bundle. They forget that they are likely going to spend more time on the work than a professional would, even if it goes well.”

Another potential expense homeowners don’t think about: getting hurt. Professionals are licensed and insured, so if they get injured on a job the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about paying the medical bills. But if you get hurt during a project, you not only face medical bills you will also have to pay for a professional to come in and make the fixes.

A rule of thumb, according to Zillow.com’s real estate expert Brendon DeSimone, if it’s a cosmetic fix or project, DIY might be the way to go. But if it’s something that requires a permit or a specialist--leave it to the pros. “You should paint, resand your floors, grout your tiles and stain your deck on your own,” says DeSimone. “Anything that requires specific knowledge or permits, you need to hire a professional.” He adds bringing in an expert to deal with any structural, plumbing or electrical work as well.

If you do want to get involved with some DIY projects, experts say to start off small. Paint a room in your house before tackling the entire interior, or plant a small garden before taking on a large landscaping project.

“Don’t decide one day on a lark that you’re going to build yourself a stone patio with a full outside kitchen and you’re going to get it done in a weekend or on a summer vacation. Never plan your project in the aisle of a big box store,” says Hicks. “Take the time to research, evaluate your space, budget and true needs/wants.”

Get more tips on home renovation by visiting this Galloway Custom Homes blog.

Four easy, inexpensive ways to add value to a home

The housing market might be a little unpredictable, but selling a house during these difficult economic times isn’t impossible. Homeowners wishing to sell now or those who are renovating in preparation for a future sale have a bevy of options to improve and increase the value of their homes without spending a fortune. A little creativity and some elbow grease will attract the real estate profits. The following, in no particular order, are five home improvement projects that can leverage a house's resale value.  

1. Create space

Image Source: jcress.com

If the house has small rooms, knocking down a non-structural wall or two can create the illusion of space. Many buyers prefer open-plan homes that ease the flow of foot traffic, make it easier to entertain guests, and provide them with the flexibility of designing rooms exactly the way they want. Open-plan kitchens are great for young families, too: parents can watch the kids while they're preparing meals.  

2. Use the power of paint

Image Source: pbstudiopro.com

A fresh coat of paint indoors and outdoors improves a home's appearance and adds instant value. It's also inexpensive, especially when compared to the costs of replacing faded wallpaper. White, neutrals, and pastels can make a small room look bigger, and bright hues create the illusion of light.

3. Add some curb appeal

Image Source: suiteexchange.com

Trees, flowers, and plants prettify home exterior. Research says that these trimmings add real value to property, but when landscaping for curb appeal, homeowners should consider their target market and the type of house they have. A formal garden with rows of perfectly manicured trees would look odd with a rustic log cabin, while a profusion of flowers and climbing vines can make a stately Georgian home look unruly and rundown.  

4. Add eco-friendly features

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

Results from research conducted by the National Association of Realtors show that an average of nine out of 10 recent home buyers considered energy costs as an important factor when choosing a home for purchase. Simple changes, like updating old window panes with low-e glazing, installing a timer for the water heater, and insulation can increase a house's value, especially in the eyes of eco-conscious buyers.  

Tom Galloway of Muskegon is the founder of Galloway Custom Homes, a leading custom home builder that specializes in high-quality, energy-efficient homes. For discussions on home renovation projects, like this Facebook page.

REPOST: Homebuilder Confidence Rises in June: Is Housing Recovering?

According to a report on zacks.com, homebuilding is recovering from its funk in the past months with its improved results in the June housing market index. Read the full article below for more details.

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Image Source: toptennewhomecommunities.com

The beleaguered housing market is finally showing some signs of improvement as construction spending appears to have gained steadily over the spring and summer months.

Homebuilders’ confidence, as indicated by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo housing market index, rose four points to 49 in June – indicating that the builders’ expectations for the next six months have improved.

Image Source: homes.com

 The index dropped to below 50 in the past four months from 56 recorded in January, indicating increasing builder concerns about meeting ongoing and future demand due to a shortage of lots and labor. The June number is just a point shy of the benchmark of 50 which indicates good housing conditions.

The housing slowdown that began in the second half of 2013 was aggravated by harsh winter in the December quarter, delaying construction and raising serious doubts as to the strength of the housing market.

Moreover, shortage of lots and skilled labor, rising cost of materials and declining inventory of new homes were not making things easier for the builders. Also, the spike in mortgage rates and rising home prices were hurting demand. As a result, many companies witnessed declining order trends in the December quarter.

However, as the winter chill subsided and spring selling season set in, many homebuilders recorded improving order trends in the March quarter. Order trends improved sequentially for D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI - Analyst Report), PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM - Analyst Report), Toll Brothers, Inc. (TOL - Analyst Report) and Ryland Group, Inc. (RYL - Snapshot Report) (RYL - Snapshot Report). Around this time, the sector also reported some encouraging numbers indicating that the housing sector is gathering steam.

New home sales for April, as reported by the Commerce Department, rose 6.4% from March. Though sales were down 4.2% compared with the prior year, it nevertheless marks an improvement from the previous month. New home sales numbers for May are expected on later this month.

Building permits, a gauge of future construction, also bucked the previous trend. After declining for four times in five months, building permits grew 8% in April from the previous month.

Existing home sales data increased 1.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.65 million in April from 4.59 million in March. Existing home sales rose for the first time this year at the fastest pace since Dec 2013.

Image Source: bidorbuy.co.za

These encouraging data signal that the housing sector might be on the verge of a recovery. Though headwinds from supply shortage and rising land, material and labor costs exist, homebuilders are increasingly optimistic of improving demand in the future quarters.

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Tasks to accomplish before a big home remodeling project

Image Source: brentmore.com

As with many things, home renovations start with a dream. Homeowners had a dream home in mind but due to some issues like budget constraints they’ve had to settle for something less than perfect. Jump to a few years down the road when they’ve managed to pay off their mortgage and even have a hefty sum saved up to get the home that they’ve always wanted.

Turning that dream home into a reality isn’t going to be easy, of course. It requires some careful planning, and a lot of tasks need to be done along the way. To help, here is a short checklist of the items that should be in a homeowner’s to-do list before they start with a home remodeling project.

Image Source: theurbanhousewife.com

1. Illustrate. Even a simple drawing of the dream home could help the architect visualize what the homeowner truly wants.

2. Plan ahead. Some renovation plans may actually decrease the resale value of a home and some may not fit in with other plans that the homeowner may have in mind for the future.

3. Review the budget. Home renovation projects can cost a lot more than people expect. Project estimates tend to be on the low side as well so it would help to have some backup plans for saving on costs and getting extra funds when the remodeling project does go over budget.

4. Choose qualified home builders. Finding a team of qualified, licensed, and properly insured home builders with the same vision requires some research and negotiation.

5. Apply for permits. In most cases, home renovations require permits from the city government to ensure that the project meets local building and safety regulations.

Image Source: blog.gtageneralcontractors.com

Tom Galloway Custom Homes is a leading custom home builder in Muskegon, Michigan. For more resources and tips on home renovations, follow this Twitter account.

REPOST: Rent is dead money. Or is it? Property expert Chris Gray examines being a tenant and a landlord

Property specialist Chris Gray shares the real cost of buying vs. renting in this News.com article.

To buy or rent is one of the biggest questions in real estate and it gets more difficult to answer when the option of investing is added to the equation. Image Source: news.com.au

MOST high-income earners think that renting is for those who are worse off financially and that owning your home is not only a mark of success, but it is a better long-term financial decision.

Everyone knows rent is dead money, right? But what if this long-held Australian belief was wrong? How do the numbers compare when weighing up a lifetime of renting versus buying?

Who, at the end of the day, is likely to be better off?

Consider this scenario: If you had the opportunity to borrow $1.5 million and had the choice ­between buying your own home for $1.5 million, or buying three ­investments worth $500,000 each and renting your home, which ­option would you choose?

Option one: Buying your home. To evaluate this choice we need to consider the long-term costs of ­finance. Historically, the average mortgage rate is 8 per cent.

Your $1.5 million buy equates to spending $120,000 a year.

Option two: If you chose the ­investment path and bought three properties at $500,000 each, your ­financial situation would include an estimated 4 per cent rent ­return, equating to $400 a week after expenses.

And, as the properties would be investments, you would get a tax rebate on any losses. Still needing a place to live, you then decide to rent a $1.5 million property. At that price the demand for properties is lower than average, given they are beyond the price range of most people.

It’s likely you would pay only an estimated 2 per cent in rent. Taking this into account, it might cost $30,000 a year to rent and your ­financial position would be as shown at the top of the table above.

These figures reveal that by choosing to buy three investment properties and rent a $1.5 million property, your total annual spend would be about $60,000. Remember, if you chose to buy the $1.5 million home, it would be $120,000. This example shows that while both options allow you to live in a $1.5 million property, in the long term, renting (while investing in property) will cost less.

Additionally, by having investment properties you gain the benefit of tax deductions now, instead of waiting for capital gains tax free status when you sell your own home in retirement (which may never happen). But you can do better than living in a $1.5 million home. You could stretch the renting scenario further and rent a $4.5m property while investing in three properties worth $500,000 each — all for the same cost as buying one home to live in worth $1.5 million.

Look at the lower part of the table. While the numbers add up, it is worthwhile considering the disadvantages of renting. Security comes first to mind. You may be forced to move from one property to another every few years at the whim of your landlords. The second biggest drawback is decorating. You may not be as free to style your home as you prefer.

But most landlords will let you do anything as long as it increases the value of their property. But then again, some are set in their ways. I recently discovered an unrenovated property in Sydney’s Point Piper worth $7-$8 million for rent. The owners were asking $3000 a week (2 per cent). I offered them $2000 a week (1.35 per cent), and ­offered to fully renovate the two bathrooms, repaint and lay new carpet throughout.

My advantage was my ability to renovate at wholesale prices, and the home would be to my preferences, while still saving money. But the owners renovated the house themselves. The property has been vacant for six months and the rent dropped to $2800 a week. Renting may not be for you, but if you can do away with what you think are the hallmarks of success, your property investment strategies might just benefit.

Galloway Custom Homes is a leading builder of classic homes in the Lakeshore area in Michigan. To know more about the company, visit this Facebook page.

REPOST: The real estate update: Opportunities in the homebuilding sector

Opportunities in the building sector is getting bigger. Read more in this MarketList.com article.


There are two major stories happening with the builders, and those are the dearth of homebuilding since the real estate bust as well as low household formation numbers and low building that have created a lot of pent-up demand for new homes. Low household formation numbers were not driven by fertility rates 30 years ago. They were driven by the lousy economy. The important thing to remember is that even in lousy economies, people still get married, have kids, and ditch the roommates. So, if you look at the drop in household formation numbers, remember the drop represents people who do want to buy a home but aren’t in a position to, at the moment. That will change.

Image Source: marketrealist.com

The U.S. recently hit 1.1 million housing starts (which is an annualized number). This is a big number compared to the past few years, but it’s not big historically. The U.S. averaged about 1.5 million units a year since the 1950s. During recoveries, we’ve seen years where starts were above 2 million a year and averaged 924 last year. Given how much the builders have underbuilt, there’s a secular (long-term) story that should buoy the builders for several years.

If the economy recovers and the first-time homebuyer returns to the market, we should see housing starts at least approaching average levels if not spiking like they have in prior recoveries. KB Home’s stock price is probably priced for another 1 million year in housing starts. If starts improve, KB Home’s earnings will improve—even if margins fall.

The cyclical side is different—the builders are very cyclical stocks. This means when times are bad, they trade at very high multiples. When earnings are great, they trade at single-digit multiples. So an investor could get it right about earnings only to see multiple compression offset the earnings. While KB Home (KBH) could experience high earnings growth, it’s not a “growth stock” the way Twitter (TWTR) is, and it will never command the type of multiple that Twitter will (when it eventually earns money). This same analysis applies to other builders like D.R. Horton (DHI), Lennar (LEN), PulteGroup (PHM) and Toll Brothers (TOL).

Investors that are interested in investing in the homebuilding sector should take a look at the S&P SPDR Homebuilder ETF (XHB).

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REPOST: The Power of Sticker Shock

This NewYorkTimes.com article shares the neighboring homes that offers privacy, and stops traffic too with the help of sticker shock.

Image Source: nytimes.com

The idea of wrapping a house in giant graphic stickers, like the ones used for ads on city buses, appealed to Eric Chu the moment his architect suggested it.

But then, Mr. Chu, 38, rarely shies away from trying something new. After starting a computer hardware and software business when he was barely 20, Mr. Chu, who was born in Taiwan, owned a restaurant, invested in real estate and designed furniture that he welded himself.

As he put it, “I definitely approach life with a ‘why not?’ philosophy.”

Like many Los Angeles homeowners whose property is zoned R-2 (or two-family), Mr. Chu had decided to replace the single, modest home on his lot with two houses — one to live in and the other to rent out. But as spacious backyards throughout the city give way to revenue-earning second units, the land between the front and back houses can be odd territory, where privacy is elusive.

Applying colorful, blown-up photos to the exterior glass walls — allowing daytime views out, but not in — was the unconventional solution proposed by Mr. Chu’s architect, Whitney Sander, who runs Sander Architects with his wife, Catherine Holliss.

For a lot nearly 150 feet deep but little more than 40 feet wide, Mr. Sander designed two three-story houses — Mr. Chu’s 2,200-square-foot unit and a slightly larger one behind — separated by a drive-in courtyard.

Mr. Sander was planning to use translucent acrylic panels for the two walls that face each other when he chanced upon something much better: a perforated, adhesive-backed film, custom-printed by Astek Wallcoverings, which was suitable for floor-to-ceiling windows. A close-up photo Mr. Chu had snapped of a sapling, and then computer-manipulated, became the wrapping for those two facades.

Suddenly, they could have it all: daylight, views out and privacy. (The sustainability-minded architects were also pleased to discover that the film offered another benefit: a 50 percent reduction in sun infiltration.)

For the other facades, the designers chose a different strategy, veiling them in a sunshade of diagonal aluminum angles. But long before the building’s skin went up, the skeleton was stopping traffic, Mr. Sander said: “People would pull up in their cars and ask, ‘What’s going on?’ ”

Passers-by were curious about the diagonal screen, as well as the quickly assembled structural-steel frame. Common to much of Mr. Sander’s work, it is a custom-modified prefab system of recycled-metal components typically used in pre-engineered warehouses or agricultural buildings.

One of those who stopped was Lucas Ma, an architect-turned-real-estate-investor, who was eyeing the rental unit. After it was completed two years ago, he and his wife, Joyce Wong, moved in with their young daughter. Mr. Chu now lives in the two-bedroom front house with his longtime girlfriend, Katie Freeman, 29, a massage therapist; one of the bedrooms is his office.

The paired townhouses, which cost about $1.4 million, share a material and stylistic sensibility, with rooftop decks, floors of concrete, hardwood or bamboo, vivid ceramic tile, raw-steel stairways and professional-grade appliances. But they differ in layout: While the soaring, double-height main space in the tenants’ unit is a kitchen-and-dining area, it’s a living room in the owner’s home.

“The front house feels very well suited to my needs,” Mr. Chu said. But since moving in, he added, he has learned at least one surprising thing: During the day, light-colored graphics offer more privacy than dark ones.

Still, “that’s an easy fix,” he said. “We could swap the image. Maybe next time, it’ll be a photo of dandelions.”

Galloway Custom Homes understands each client’s demands when it comes to building their dream home. For more information about the company, visit this Facebook page.

Home building and design trends for 2014

A heavy emphasis on art was one of the biggest trends in home building and design in 2013. From warm and organic home kitchens to bright painted walls, homes took on very interesting aesthetics.

This year, however, the market is shifting toward something “bigger.”

Based on a Bloomberg Businessweek report, these galloping trends will shape the home building and design industry in 2014:

Image Source: decisivemagazine.com

The return of McMansions. Hummer houses will relive their glory after a heavy decline during the 2008 economic recession. According to the latest government data, a newly built U.S. single family home is 2,505 square ft., which is about 50 percent larger than an average American home back in the 70s. Furthermore, typical new home buyers want residences that are 17 percent bigger than their current ones.

More rooms for families. Over 40 percent of the newly constructed home market have four bedrooms, providing more room for more relatives and kids moving back home.

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More storage. Scott Tomas, an architect from one of the largest home building firms in the country, revealed that about half of the square footage on homes built by his company in the past decade has gone to storage.


Back to black. From bathrooms and kitchens to interior doors and exterior sliding, black will be the new color for 2014 as a way of modernizing new and old homes.

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With its mission to provide clients quality and comfortable homes, Tom Galloway Custom Homes has successfully positioned itself as one of the most trusted builders of custom homes in Muskegon, West Michigan. For updates about the company and its home designs, visit this blog.

Energy-efficient building materials for houses

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Energy-efficient houses are environment friendly and economically sustainable. Although they may initially dictate higher costs, energy-efficient materials can help home owners recover easily as they provide improvements in electricity, water heating, or space heating and cooling. Experts in energy conservation agree that investing on these materials will yield good returns.

For those who plan on building or renovating their homes for energy efficiency, below are some materials to consider:

Straw Bales. A byproduct of the grain industry, studies show that Straw Bales, if kept dry, can last for thousands of years and provide good insulation.

Cool roofing. Designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof, cool roofing can help homeowners reduce energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs. Moreover, it also improves indoor comfort for spaces and decreases roof temperature, which may extend roof service life.

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Recycled wood and plastic composite lumber. Adding extra strength to houses, studies show that a 50-50 combination of wood fibers and waste plastics is more durable and less toxic than conventional treated lumber.

Plant-based Polyurethane Rigid Foam. Manufactured using foam from materials such as bamboo and hemp, this type of material possesses higher moisture and heat resistance, which are excellent acoustics and protection against mold and pests. Furthermore, it also has a higher thermal resistance and insulates better than other conventional materials.

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With its mission to provide clients quality and comfortable homes, Tom Galloway Custom Homes has successfully positioned itself as the leading homebuilder on the Lakeshore at the People’s Choice Awards for the impeccable attention to detail the company’s artisans have given to every project. For information about the company, visit this website.

Old property: To renovate or to rebuild?

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Property owners often wonder what to do with an aging property on a good location. They have vastly different options.

The choice to demolish and then rebuild from scratch is more popular among people with properties in high-value areas. They can afford to take on the extra costs of rebuilding and expect to recover from the extra expenses with the lease or the high resale value of the property.

Meanwhile, other people go with simple renovations for practical reasons. They may not have the time or extra money to spare for the destructive and costly do-over but they know that they can still build the home of their dreams a home improvement at a time.

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Of course, there are other factors that come into play. There are times homeowners’ dream homes do not agree with reality, so rebuilding becomes absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, others may find that the existing structure can work give or take a number of renovations, making a vastly improved structure at a lower cost come to life.

For those still stuck at the crossroads of this decision, experts suggest first examining the type of property that currently stands. Post-war construction bungalow types, for instance, are better off demolished and replaced with a structure with better features.

After that, analyzing the costs is the next logical step. While costs of renovations may seem more manageable, builders often use the difference in rates for new-builds and renovations as a strong argument for going with the ‘demolish and rebuild’ option. Doing research on the tax rates in their area can help the property owner determine if the difference in costs between the two options is truly significant.
 

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Galloway Custom Homes aids property owners in Muskegon, Michigan in transforming their property and building their dream homes. For more information about the company’s services, visit this Facebook page.

Galloway Custom Homes: Providing a sense of security and tranquility in the home

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When building a new home, careful consideration and planning are crucial in creating a haven with a sense of security and tranquillity. Choosing builders like Galloway Custom Homes and other names trusted by homeowners is crucial in bringing to fruition the desired architectural and design details.

Galloway Custom Homes’ trademark—attention to detail—is manifested in the exteriors and interiors of every home it builds. The interiors are adorned with custom trim combined with varying elements to result in a distinctive style. Furthermore, the exteriors are graced with details that complement the custom interiors. These make up a unique home appeal that expresses the individual lifestyles and needs of homeowners.

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While comfort and style are top priority, Galloway Custom Homes never leaves quality behind. Your home will be made of the finest materials. This promise affords individuals home enjoyment with feelings of stability and permanence.

Because the world is filled with stress and anxiety, Galloway Custom Homes believes that a home of tranquility and security is a refuge. With that, the company’s team of craftsmen and designers commits to the delivery of a home-building experience that proves the company’s reputable standing in the industry.

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Galloway Custom Homes’ credentials and commitment are reflected in every home it builds. To learn more about its services, visit its website.
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Galloway Custom Homes: Crafting your dream home with quality and style

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“Where quality comes standard.”

This is an expression of commitment that the custom home builder Galloway Custom Homes firmly upholds. As the company provides you with a quality and comfortable home, it integrates uniqueness and style, without sacrificing quality. For the home is a very significant part of your life, and it has to be crafted out of the finest materials.

Employing a team of talented experts and designers, Galloway Custom Homes delivers a home-building capacity that sets it apart from other builders. Trademarking its uncompromising attention to details, the Michigan-based home builder exhibits an expertise that is evident in both the interiors and exteriors of every home it builds. Each home is designed with custom trim and several other elements that result in a unique home style appeal.

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With its services that include kitchens, bathrooms, dining areas, bedrooms, entry ways, exteriors, renovations, and custom carpentry, Galloway will help bring your dream home and your vision to reality.

“We promise to bring the same timely performance, fine craftsmanship, and satisfactory completion as we do to our custom homes. Customer satisfaction is our first priority.”—Galloway Custom Homes.

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Galloway Custom Homes’ list of achievements is unmatched among custom home builders in the Michigan area. The company holds the distinction of being a multi-awarded and recognized force in the industry. To see its home gallery and building services, visit this website.