Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog: February 2010

Wondering how to save money in your new home?

Tips on What's Worth Upgrading - From a Custom Home Builder

Smart home building tips for the Kitchen

This questionnaire will help you determine where to spend your money in the kitchen as you  build - and what you can do differently, later.

1. Where do you spend your time in the kitchen? Factor in ease-of-use and functionality.

2.  Who hangs there with you? Do you need an island, breakfast bar, or conversation corner? Do the countertops need to incorporate extra width or arches, or will something simple do?

3.  How important is the overall look and feel - layout, cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, cooking, sink capacity?

4.  How much traffic flow through capability is necessary?

5.  How much usage will the room get? Do you need the strength of granite, or will a laminate be sufficient?

6.  What's a reasonable cabinetry package for your budget?  Do you need a higher-end wood like cherry or exotics, or will a maple or oak package with lots of extra storage options be better for you? 

7.  Cooking for a crowd? Need two ovens, deep freeze, heavy duty dishwasher?

Some things are more costly than others to change later.  Here's what to focus on:

Layout

The layout is extremely expensive to do all over again. Expanding the kitchen to gain more space involves major renovations that can cost three times more later than during initial construction.

Adding an island or moving major appliances

Another costly renovation; unless your kitchen has a lot of extra space, an island added later can actually reduce your ability to maneuver.

Deciding the oven would be better in another area means rewiring and restructuring, plus changes to cabinetry (which may not match the originals). 

Major structural changes to a kitchen can be the most costly change in the house.

Adding windows

The ability to add windows or sky lights later can depend on the construction of your home. It's not always possible to put it where you want it, once the home has been completed, due to structural issues. This is one of the things you'll want to get right, the first time.  Not sure?  Talk to your builder about "preframing" a future window. 

Adding lighting

If you're going to want a lot of lights in the ceiling, under the cabinets, or in special areas, this is something you'll pay a lot less for if you have it wired when the house is under construction. Doing it later can involve a lot more time and complexity. 

However, you don't need to spend a lot of money up front on the latest designer lighting fixtures.  If the prewire is in place, you can add many of the fixtures later.

Start simple, with basic lighting.

Putting in a bigger pantry

If you want a big, walk-in pantry, you're going to pay a whole lot less to start right out with that. Unless you're willing to knock out some walls and lose some space later in the adjoining family room, dining room or hallway, there's just no way to add another room in the middle of the house without a lot more work than you're going to want to adjust to.

Cabinets

If you decide on inexpensive cabinets, don't be under the mistaken impression they can be changed out easily later on.

The process can involve much more than the cupboards - including removal of countertops, flooring, trimwork and appliances. Ask your builder how to choose a quality cabinetry that you'll be happy with, without breaking the bank - and start with these tips:

Type of Wood - Consider oak or maple as an alternative to more expensive hickory or cherry choices.  A well-made cabinet can be just as appealing in a variety of different species, at varying costs.  

Glazes and Special Finishes - a glaze can add 15-35% or more to your total cabinetry package.  Consider accent pieces as an alternative if you're on a tight budget. A pair of glass doors or a contrasting accent door hardware can spark up the decor at a lower cost.    

Storage Solutions - Have your builder tell you whether that built-in recycle center or wine rack involves an extra charge. It may be just what you want - but find out what it's costing, just in case.

Countertops

The difference in cost can be huge depending on what kind of countertop you use. Recycled glass countertops may sound economical, but can cost three times as much as granite. Your builder can walk you through the choices, benefits and costs of every option out there, so you know just what you're getting - and paying.

Countertop questions to ask your builder:

What kind of countertops are best for each room?

What would it take to change countertops in a few years?

What are my best ways to save money on countertops?

Will a few changes in design save some money on countertops?

Flooring

Starting with a laminate floor won't break the budget later if you decide to go tile or hardwood. The floor is one of the easier things in the kitchen to change later - and many kinds of flooring can be done with some "do it yourself" skills. 

Appliances

As long as you don't want two ovens instead of one, or a bigger appliance than what you're starting with, changing out appliances is not going to involve ripping apart the entire kitchen. But before you decide to start with the most economical brands available, determine other cost factors such as energy saving and estimated life cycle. 

Ask your builder if you can supply your own appliances - then shop around for the very best pricing. 

Keeping Upgrades in Line

Talk to your builder about your lifestyle, and let him help guide your choices, from layout through amenities.  Ask your builder if they'll let you take a second look at all your choices before making a final decision - sometimes it's easier to decide when you can sit down with the price tag for each feature.

Room-by-room: Smart building choices that help you stay on budget.

Watch for upcoming articles - and learn what's smart to "upgrade" in your new home, while keeping your overall budget in line. 

Kitchen

Bathroom

Master Suite

Bedrooms

Family Room

Entryway

Laundry Room

Garage

Exterior

Energy Savings

        

Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area

Stanton Homes makes it easy!  We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations.  New homes from the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom modifications available too!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more today.

Floorplans | Communities | Stanton Homes | Energy Wise | Contact Us

Military Discounts | Accessible Homes | Green Building | Newsletter

Browse New Home Communities, Lots, and Land available throughout the Triangle!

Alamance County New Homes | Apex New Homes | Carrboro New Homes | Cary New Homes | Chapel Hill New Homes | Clayton New Homes | Chatham County New Homes | Fuquay Varina New Homes | Holly Springs New Homes | Hillsborough New Homes | Raleigh New Homes |  Wake Forest New Homes

Article copyright Stanton Homes 2010.   Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.   Stanton Homes is an NC New Homes Builder.  Please note:  all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date.  Information subject to change.  Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of above lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase lots and build.  Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions.  Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan.

Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area.  No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.  

There is something about the Old Barns across our country that stir up childhood memories in many of us.  The smell of fresh straw,  grain bins and  hay lofts, will never be experienced by the babies growing up today

I remember the stables beneath the barn where the bigger than life draft horses would enjoy contentment on A Sunday afternoon

A visit to the farms.... where every Sunday the steps to the story book, Victorian farm house would be filled with Sunday visitors and family sitting in a row on the  steps. The large  porch  was filled, everyone enjoying each others company...after all Sunday was a  " Day of Rest"  not for working or shopping or  Walmarts...no.....

.A day to visit with friends at a beautiful old farm house where the flower gardens were always beautiful and fragrant, grandma always in the kitchen and my grandpa ....with his best friend his Shepherd dog at his side  would wonder the 100 acre farm bring home fresh fruit from the orchard and water cress from the spring near the creek. 

On a hot summer Sunday, the swimming home Stone Wall  along the creek was the gathering place to be. 

We would know when grandma and grandma had a disagreement...he would sit on the front porch...she would sit on the side porch...but nary a nasty word between them.

A family of thirteen children....Now that is a Walton family...my Aunts and Uncles.  The old house is gone ...the only remnant

of the " Good Old Days" was the barn and now...it's gone.

This barn was on my grandparents farm and dismantled,  taken down and placed on a new home site...good by old barn..but never good by to fun memories and the " Good Old Days "