As we move into the New Year, there are many things we all can do to be greener. If you are considering building a new home, it’s the perfect time to explore adding environmentally friendly features.  Today’s energy efficient green-built construction will save you money in the long term all the while helping to preserve our planet for future generations.

Utility costs will continue to rise over time.  A relatively small upgrade cost today to the HVAC system or insulation package can lead to sizeable savings in monthly utility costs over the life of the home.  It will also save precious resources and lead to cleaner air for our children.

With energy efficiency, there are many options to consider and some items may be more cost efficient than others. When considering options keep in mind it is important to consider both the long and short term benefits versus the cost of the green item you are considering. At ProBuilt, we use what we call the “Sensibly Green” approach and serve as a consultant to our clients on the many different green building options and approaches. We give you all the information as well as our recommendations on what options may be best for your goals and budget. Our philosophy is to minimize our impact on the environment as well as maximize both short and long term value for our clients.

We wish you Happy Holidays and a Greener New Year!

Brady Secre is the Sales Manager of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio and a licensed Realtor with ReMax.  She can be reached at 440-255-6535 x1.

“We are very proud of this honor.  We could not have done it without the hard work of our staff and trade partners,” said George Davis, President of ProBuilt Homes.

ProBuilt Homes serves Lake and Geauga County. ProBuilt is a three time builder of the Lake County YMCA Dream House. The company is a single family and multifamily residential construction firm operating in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit organization founded in 1943 dedicated to the promotion, advancement and professionalism of the building industry and associated industries. It is the HBA’s responsibility to uphold good construction standards, quality workmanship and to keep abreast of all codes and regulations that affect the building industry.

Choose from 1 of 5 Terrific Options Packages including:

• Home Entertainment Package
• Sensibly Green Energy Efficiency Package
• Basement Bath Upgrade Package
• ProBuilt Standard Professional Appliance Package
• Construction Loan Payback

Click the image for details.

The Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50 is a business recognition program celebrating the contributions of local companies to Lake and Geauga county economies. It shares the success of Northeast Ohio businesses with their employees, customers, vendors and communities. The awards banquet shares the energy of success and regional pride.

Learn more at www.fasttrack50.org

We extend our gratitude to our clients and trade partners for helping us achieve this recognition.

For the last few years, the construction industry (builders, tradesmen and suppliers) have held back price increases and offered a great deal to the consumer. However, there are signs that this may be coming to an end.   Drywall manufacturers recently announced a 35% price increase as of November 1^st.  It is predicted that other building materials will also rise in the near future. These material price increases not only affect new homes but also raise costs for anyone considering remodeling or rehabbing a bank owned purchase.

In recent years new construction has been a great opportunity for homebuyers looking for the most value in their housing investment. New construction customers have taken advantage of low interest rates, lowered land costs and reduced builder pricing. As a builder we have offered many free incentives including upgrades such as appliance packages, hardwood, granite, energy efficient options and mortgage interest reimbursement during the build.  These reduced costs and incentives combined with the benefits of purchasing a new, more energy efficient home with deferred maintenance have made new construction a affordable alternative to purchasing an existing home over the last couple of years.

The economy is improving.  Material prices are starting to go up.  The price of land will rise soon.  Interest rates will go higher and builder incentives will go away.  The homebuilding industry will do its best to hold prices as long as possible but, if you are considering building in the near future it would be wise to get a house quote today to take advantage of all the great benefits this market has to offer.

Brady Secre is the Sales Manager of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio and a licensed Realtor with ReMax.  She can be reached at 440-255-6535 x1 or www.probuilt-homes.com.

How often have you heard someone say there’s no such thing as a national housing market?

That old adage would have to qualify as wishful thinking during most of the last four years, as the national economy wreaked havoc on local markets throughout the country. And even as annualized estimates for permits and starts yo-yoed up and down last summer, 2011 is poised to be the worst year on record for new-home sales.

Yet some builders have managed to valiantly buck the trend, growing – or at least holding the line on revenue and making money – even in some of the hardest-hit markets. [more]

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The First Steps in Building a New Home
You have decided you want to build a new home, but what do you do now? Where do you start? This is a common question. There are so many things to consider, and the process can seem overwhelming. Here’s a few tips that will help you navigate through many of the pitfalls.

The best land is typically not listed with real estate agents
Builders and developers typically only list land with realtors if they are having difficulty selling them. The premiere lots are usually sold direct. Your best resource to find the most comprehensive list of what land is available is a reputable local builder. For example, my company has a binder that is 5 inches thick full of information on lots and land parcels available throughout Lake and Geauga counties and only a small fraction of those are listed.

Work with a bank loan officer that is familiar with new construction lending
In today’s market, there are a limited number of banks and mortgage companies offering construction loans. Even with banks offering construction loans, it is critical to be working with a loan officer who specializes in new construction lending. The process for a construction loan is different than a typical mortgage and a knowledgeable loan officer can make the process effortless. Your best resource for finding a good loan officer is the builder. They have worked with most banks and loan officers in the area and can refer you to the one with the best rates, lowest closing costs and most experience.

Consider Design-Build
Who better to help you design the home than the company that will be building it. Working with the builder during the design phase is a smart move. Many builders offer design-build services where they do the custom design as well as build the home. Part of the design-build process is establishing a budget and then making sure the home design can be built for the budget amount.

Even if you work with an independent architect, having the builder involved in the design phase is the best way to ensure that the home design can be built within your budget. Many times potential clients bring us plans they have had drawn for us to bid only to find out that the house they designed cannot be build for their budget. Then they have to go back to the architect and pay for a re-design to make the home more affordable.

Take advantage of the market
I can’t say it enough! There is no better time than today to get a great deal on new construction. Land prices have dropped, interest rates are at historic lows, builders are including as standard features many items that were upgrades in the past, and construction costs very reasonable due to the economic downturn.

Work with a Professional
When building a new home, the best individual to guide you through the process is a builder’s salesperson. A good builder’s sales staff should be true new construction experts who can help you find the land, get financed, design the house plan, and help get the best pricing on your new home. As an added bonus, many also have a REALTOR license and can help you sell your current home, coordinate your move and negotiate a rental if necessary. Many even offer discounted commissions on the sale of your existing home.

George Davis is the founder and President of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio. Mr. Davis has 18 years of construction experience. He can be reached at 440-255-6535 or www.probuilt-homes.com.

“We’re proud to be making a commitment to continue building ENERGY STAR qualified homes in 2012, said ProBuilt’s President George Davis. “By stepping up to the new requirements, we’re going to be offering customers state-of-the-art performance in our homes with a comprehensive package of features that deliver greater value, quality, and comfort than ever before.”

Homes built to the new, more rigorous requirements (referred to as “Version 3”) will be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and will include additional features to give them a performance edge of 20-30% compared to typical new homes and even more when measured against most re-sale homes on the market today.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes that earn the label in 2012 will be built with a comprehensive, building science-based approach that features:

• A detailed package of home envelope air sealing, properly installed insulation, and high-performance windows to deliver comfort, durability, and lower utility bills.
• A high-efficiency heating, cooling, and ventilation system designed and installed for optimal performance.
• A complete water and moisture management package to protect roofs, walls, and foundations.
• ENERGY STAR certified lighting and appliances that help reduce monthly utility bills.
• Third-party verification, with independent inspections and testing by a certified Home Energy Rater.

“EPA has raised the bar for what families can expect when they buy a new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR,” said Jonathan Passe, Acting Chief of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Builders who meet the new ENERGY STAR requirements are making a strong statement about their leadership and commitment to providing American homebuyers with truly energy-efficient homes that offer lower utility bills and greater benefits for the environment.”

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, save money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners, committed to improving energy efficiency in homes, products, and businesses.

About ProBuilt Homes
ProBuilt is a single family and multifamily residential construction firm operating in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties. ProBuilt is a three time builder of the Lake County YMCA Dream House.

The “Best of the Best ” are chosen by News-Herald readers annually in a variety of categories.

The company previously received the award in 2009.

“I am honored to be considered a part of 40 under forty. It serves as a pleasant reminder that you can make a difference in your community,” said Davis.

Mr. Davis was the only Ohio building professional on the list.

ProBuilt Homes serves Lake and Geauga County. ProBuilt is a three time builder of the Lake County YMCA Dream House. The company is a single family and multifamily residential construction firm operating in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties.

Professional Builder is a nationally renowned monthly publication highlighting news and features in the building industry.

Most savvy buyers truly understand that there is an upside to this down market. When it comes to the opportunities to build a new home, the glass is truly more full than empty. The upside to new construction today is that not only do you get the custom features you have been dreaming about, but also a more energy efficient home at a fantastic price.

When considering to build there are many questions and concerns. One of the most common questions that arises is “why should I build when there are so many great deals on existing homes?”

There are many opportunities to buy a pre-existing home that may appear to be a good deal. Many buyers settle for a pre-existing home because of the appearance of a great price. However, the majority of these deals are on distressed properties. Distressed properties include foreclosures, bank-owned homes and short sales. With distressed purchases, there are unknown risks with regards to repair and upkeep. Often times the families that purchase these homes spend more money fixing up the home to make it their dream home than they would have spent if they had built a brand new home. They could have built new and had everything they wanted initially and also gotten a much more energy efficient home.

Another common concern potential customers have is that they won’t be able to sell their existing house or they will have to give it away. I tell all my customers “we are in a price war and beauty contest.” While it is true that the market is unpredictable, it is important to understand, when a good house is priced right, it will always sell. We are finding that with the understanding of what the market will bear and correctly pricing and staging your home, the opportunity is there to move up to your dream of custom building. The money you save on the new home will more than offset the lesser sale price on your existing home.

Right now, some of the greatest opportunities to purchase land are out there. We are experiencing 50% discounts in some communities. Also, low interest rates compounded with discounted promotions from our local lenders have saved customers tens of thousands of dollars. In this economy builders have even lowered their profit margins, offer more builder incentives (including upgraded options as standard features) and are offering more energy efficient products as a standard.

Customers also worry about the timing of selling their existing home and moving into their new one. There is usually a concern about where they will live if their home sells before their new one is completed. Most of the time the house will sell before the new home is built. When this happens, rentals are easily found for them in the interim. It is also a possibility to rent back your existing home from the new owners.

The truth about new construction today is that you can buy land for less, builders are giving you more for your money, and interest rates are at historic lows. Savvy buyers understand this and are moving forward to benefit from the great deals that are out there. They understand that there is only so much developed land, that interest rates will rise and that the cost of building and land will go back up. There truly is no better time to take advantage of the market!

Brady Secre is the Sales Manager of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio and a licensed Realtor with ReMax. She can be reached at 440-255-6535 x1 or www.probuilt-homes.com.

The choices are endless when building a custom home. Here’s my top 5 things to consider when building a new home:

1. Consider an ENERGYSTAR rated home: ENERGYSTAR is a U.S. government program that rates a home’s energy efficiency against a standard home. An independent rater inspects and tests the home for its energy efficiency. This is a great way to ensure that claims your builder may have made about the energy efficiency of the home are accurate. The ENERGYSTAR website has a list of ENERGYSTAR builders. The list even shows how many ENERGYSTAR homes each builder has built. This is a great tool to see if your builder has experience with the program. Also, ask who is the rater that your builder uses. The rater should be an independent third-party, not affiliated with the builder’s HVAC or insulation contractor. More information is available at www.energystar.gov.

2. Explore energy efficiency options: Utility costs will continue to rise over time. A relatively small upgrade cost today to the HVAC system or insulation package can lead to sizeable savings in monthly utility costs over the life of the home. There are many possibilities, ask your builder to review energy efficiency upgrades they have available.

3. “Right-sizing”: The opulence of the 1990s and early 2000s is gone. The giant cookie-cutter homes of those times were comically called McMansions. The theme of today is right-sizing. Spend time during the design phase to incorporate all the things you want and need in a home, but also keep an eye on room sizes and wasted space. Then consider taking the money saved by eliminating the unnecessary square footage and putting it into luxury upgrades that you will enjoy such as a home theater, custom tiled master shower or hardwood flooring.

4. Design for re-sale: The average American moves every 5-7 years so keep re-sale in mind when designing your home. Do research on the community you will be building in. If in your price range a four bedroom house is the norm, do not build a three-bedroom home. You may not need a basement, but if every home in your neighborhood has one, do not eliminate it to save on cost. A formal dining area might not be important to you, but consider leaving the space in the plan. You can install french doors and use the dining room as a home office rather than eliminate it.

5. The kitchen will be your gathering place: No matter what my wife and I do to encourage people to congregate in the greatroom, hearthroom, basement or patio area, the party always ends up in the kitchen! Design the kitchen as your entertaining hub. Incorporate bar-area seating where guests can interact with you while the food is prepared. If you do have extra funds during the build, spend some of it on kitchen upgrades like granite countertops, upgraded cabinetry, and professional series appliances. Make it one of the showpieces of your dream home. Your builder’s kitchen designer is a great source for design ideas and current trends.

George Davis is the founder and President of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio. Mr. Davis has 18 years of construction experience. He can be reached at 440-255-6535.

They include:

• Best Exterior Architectual Design – 2001-3000 s.f. for our Stonington Design
• Best Exterior Architectual Design – 3001-4000 s.f. for our Fernwood Design
• Best Green Built Marketing Campaign for our “Sensibly Green Campaign”
• Advertisement of the Year – Best Electronic Advertisement for our “Sensibly Green Campaign”
• Builder Sales Award of Merit – Brady Secre (over $4,000,000 in new home sales in 2010)

ProBuilt Homes serves Lake and Geauga County. ProBuilt is a three time builder of the Lake County YMCA Dream House. The company is a single family and multifamily residential construction firm operating in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties.

The company has won 18 Cleveland Choice Awards over the past 5 years.

Tips for interviewing prospective builders
Start by asking the builder for customer references, but recognize that the builder is picking the client references they give you. So in addition to customer references I suggest you delve deeper. Ask for the builder’s trades and suppliers list and then call some of them. Ask how the builder is to work for. Ask how long they have worked for the builder and does the builder pay them within terms. You’ll be surprised how brutally honest the trades and vendors will be. We have had many customers choose us over our competitors after talking to our and our competitors’ trade partners and suppliers.

You might think that building the house is the hard part, but for many builders warranting the house after the sale is the most challenging. Everything in the organization is geared towards building the house. For a lot of builders warranty service is an afterthought assigned to an over worked superintendent or a secretary. Ask the builder about their warranty policies and procedures. Also ask to review the warranty prior to contract signing. At ProBuilt we take the warranty experience very seriously. For example, we offer 24 hour emergency service through a call center so clients don’t have to worry about someone answering their cell phone at 1 am.

Is the housing market really that bad?
The doom and gloom articles that headline the newspapers and television programs are almost always referencing problems in highly volatile markets like Florida, California and Las Vegas. But what does that have to do with more conservative areas like Ohio and more specifically Lake and Geauga counties? Not very much. Our business has remained steady during this economic downturn. 2010 was our second best year in company history and we are seeing more traffic and prospects in 2011 than we ever have. Also, Fortune magazine recently named Cleveland the 4th best city in America for homebuyers.

Is now a good time to build?
Most definitely! We are selling the same home today for tens of thousands of dollars less than we did four years ago. The economic slowdown has forced builders, tradesmen and material suppliers to find ways to become more competitive. Also, land costs have come down considerably. Many prime building lots that were nearly $100,000 four years ago can be purchased for 20 to 30 percent less today. Many of the premium features like granite countertops and hardwood floors that we charged extra for are now included as standard features. Finally, mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. The low interest rate gives today’s home purchaser a much lower monthly payment.

George Davis is the founder and President of ProBuilt Homes of Mentor, Ohio. Mr. Davis has 18 years of construction experience. He can be reached at 440-255-6535.

Visit the Cleveland Home & Garden Show site for hours, directions and other details.