According to the 2000 Census, 3.9 million American homes have three or more generations living together. (78,000 households contain four generations.)   “One segment of this growing population is baby boomers caring for aging parents,” notes Linda Reimer, president of Design Basics, Inc.

“Another group consists of younger families who live with able-bodied parents in order to pool finances in expensive housing markets or so they both can afford to live in a nicer home. Having grandparents involved in their grandchildren’s lives and available for babysitting is an added bonus.

Design 42045 - In-Law suite option

“ The last group is made up of empty nesters who welcome their grown children back for a period of time to help them get on their feet financially after graduating from college, losing a job or going through a divorce.

“A well-designed in-law suite can make sharing a household much more enjoyable for everyone. But before getting started, it’s important to check local codes to see if there are any restrictions.  For example, some municipalities prohibit a single-family home from having two full kitchens or a suite having a separate entrance. Others will allow these options, but will require homeowners to verify a relative is living in the space.”

Our lifestyles have spread across the lans and separated our familles.  Economic times being what they are, these trends may be changing.  We have had quite a bit of interest in multi-generaltional home designs.

20 years ago my parents built a 900 square foot a self-contained apartment for my grandmother in thier home.  Today, my wife an I looking at doing something similar for my father in the next few years.

What are your thoughts and needs regarding  your multi-generaltional homes?  What is realistic for your family?

Read our entire “The In-Law-Suite“

See our design with Guest Suites and In-Law Suite.

Desgin 6706 as built by C & E Builders in Petersburg, VA

From the National Association of Home Builders – The information on this page pertains to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

• The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

More information:  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/index.html

Find your new dream home plan:  http:/www.designbasics.com/

Has the tax credit helped you make a new home purchase desicion?

Would you like to be shown to a cozy, tucked-away room with a bed dressed up in catalog linens and a down duvet, adjoining a full bath stocked with fluffy towels and wrapped soaps?  More typically, it might be the 10-year-old family room sleeper sofa.

Read about creating a flex spaces that can easily become a welcoming guest room: 

What makes you feel most welcome when you’re an overnight guest?

Good-Looking, Time-Saving Products for your Home

CerainTeed offers the gamut of low-maintenance vinyl siding choices, from value priced options to simulated shakes.

What’s behind the trend toward low-maintenance products for the home? Her Home went one-on-one with home buyers and builders to discover the perceptions and values behind the surge. The insights just might surprise you!

With warm weather settling in, Cindy’s thoughts turned to her spacious backyard deck where she and her family love to spend time. Every couple of years, she and her husband face the hassle of power washing and re-sealing their wood deck. Cindy says a low-maintenance alternative would be mentally freeing. “Installing a low-maintenance deck would bring the freedom of knowing you are completed with the project. I would never have to do anything with it again. I could sit and enjoy my deck without constantly thinking about the work it needs. It would bring closure to an otherwise ongoing project.”

Like Cindy, most of the women we talked with described maintenance as emotionally burdensome. Some felt guilty about not getting everything done. Others worried that bigger problems might arise if they didn’t get little upkeep projects done in time. The tasks intimidated some who feared they couldn’t do the job properly or that they would hire the wrong contractor and get “taken.” And, of course, most were concerned that their homes appeared well kept. Recently widowed, Delores provided a unique, new perspective on low maintenance that will likely only grow in importance. “When Steve (her husband) was around, we shared the maintenance issues. Now all of the home maintenance has fallen on me. There’s so much to be done; I don’t have time to do the things I would really like to do.”

Other women concurred, dismissing the notion that exterior maintenance and upkeep is primarily the man’s responsibility.

For many, the appeal is  “easy to clean” or “lifetime warranty.”  Is it any wonder so many homes are being touted as low maintenance?

What items or products would you like to see included in a new home?  What are your “hot button” exterior cleaning or maintenance items?

Read the article at http://www.designbasics.com/Articles/DesignTrends/Carefree-Exteriors.asp.

Most homes built today include a bathtub or whirlpool tub in addition to a separate shower in the master bath.  My wife and I built our home nine years ago.  The sales agent/Realtor said we had to include it for resale value.  We would have preferred a different use for the space, but followed the builder’s advice.  In nine years, the tub has been used less than a dozen times.  In our view it is wasted space.  Neither my wife nor I take baths.  We use the shower. 

Today, some home builders have moved away from offering only a tub and separate shower.  In addition to the traditional tub and separate shower, the builders are offering a deluxe or spa shower option and no tub.

As Bob Dylan once sung, “The times, they are a changing.” 

What do you think?  Is a tub or whirlpool tub a waste of space?

Lisa Albrecht

Lisa Albrecht shares more lessons she’s learned while building her dream home. In the second part of her journey, Lisa provides advice for the framing stage.

1. Keep your eyes on the job.

Keep your blueprint (or mini print) close at hand to verify that dimensions and details correspond with what is actually going up.

The windows in my master bedroom were supposed to be near the corners so there would be enough room for my king-size bed and end tables in between them. When I visited the house, I noticed they weren’t far enough apart to accommodate my furniture – which was the focal point of the room. So I insisted the framers move them.

The support beams in the basement were also located incorrectly. So we compromised. Some minor modifications were made to make the beams work where they were…in exchange for the windows being moved.

2. Decide what your priorities are.

Rather than let upgrades wreak havoc on my budget, I stuck with standard products – except for the things that would be difficult (and costly) to change later. My interior will be contemporary, so I chose black laminate countertops for most of the kitchen and then highlighted the island with a red Silestone¨ countertop.

While the Silestone was expensive, it’s a choice I can’t live without. As a trade-off, I’m choosing standard faucets, door knobs, pulls and paint in the kitchen.

I also put extra money in some custom windows and my wood floor (which will be factory sanded and stained black). If I don’t get these items now, I probably never will. To offset these costs, I chose the standard carpet grade and vinyl flooring rather than tile in my guest bath and mudroom.

On the exterior, I upgraded the brick to cultured stone and added some pillars to the front porch. In exchange, I selected an inexpensive front door and outdoor light fixtures that I can replace at a later date.

3. Let your real estate agent serve as a go-between.

Asking my agent to express my concerns and negotiate changes alleviates some friction by keeping communications more professional and less personal.

4. Don’t forget to ask your builder to use radon-resistent construction techniques.

There are simple measures that can be used to help prevent radon entry into your home. If they are incorporated during construction, they are considerably less expensive than mitigating a radon problem after the home is completed.

5. Get everything in writing!

This includes corrections that must be made, upgrades, and change orders – what they will cost and when they will be completed.

6. If you have existing tress or areas of vegetation on your property, indicate which ones you want to keep on your plot plan.

Otherwise, you may lose them during grading.

7. Either have someone create a landscaping plan or draw up your own.

While I won’t be able to complete my whole plan immediately, it helps me decide how to spend my landscaping allowance and ensures there will be continuity as time passes. I can also give my builder the plan so the subs will know where to place sprinkler heads.

8. Consider planting some plants or flowers before you move in.

Because I know new landscaping takes awhile to get going, I planted some flower bulbs in the woods at the edge of my property last fall. So when I move in, this May, I’ll have something colorful to look at.

9. Keep accurate room dimensions with you when you shop for furniture

I bought my home plan from Design Basics and also purchased a furniture layout guide, which includes a simplified floor plan with plastic furniture pieces to scale. I carry it with me…so if I run across a piece of artwork or furniture I like, I can check whether it will fit.

10. Learn to Dance

I’m learning to dance with the builder and subs (I take chili to the jobsite on cold Saturdays); to dance with my decorator so I make wise choices; and to dance with myself by asking “What do I need? What do I want?”

No one offers dance lessons for building a new house, but I’m learning. I just hope I don’t step on too many toes!

The after the Garage-Tex Installation

In 1950, 2-stall garages were very rare in the United States and 53% of homes didn’t even have a single garage. Among families who did possess one, garages were generally a husband’s domain. Today, nearly all new homes include a 2-stall garage and 25% of homebuyers want at least a 3-car garage. What’s more, women are taking an active role in planning and using garage space. There’s more to this increased interest than families owning more than one car. Front and center is the need for extra storage.As the before and after photos show, making the most of the space you have can increase your garage’s storage capacity while dramatically improving its appearance.

Before the remodel.

The owner of this 40-year-old home used the garage to store Christmas decorations, memorabilia, chemicals, bikes, sporting goods and lawn and gardening items. Longing for more efficiency and order, she contacted Todd Burns, a GarageTek franchisee based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Todd met the homeowner in her garage, and consulted with her regarding her family’s individual storage needs. They chose components from a catalog of 75 different accessories. Because the garage was tucked under the home, the 8′6″ ceiling was too low to accommodate GarageTek’s overhead storage rack, which is potential on each wall. Later that day, Todd emailed a computer-generated drawing to the homeowner – which was enthusiastically approved.

A major cleaning was slated before installation. Todd advised the homeowner to rent a U-haul and a dumpster. Things the family no longer needed went in the dumpster. Items that needed to come back into the garage were stored in the U-haul, which could be locked overnight.

Once the excess clutter was eliminated, Todd’s crew arrived. Because the garage’s walls were comprised of cinder blocks, they framed out the walls with 2 x 4’s before attaching the TekPanel®

At last, the family’s belongings were returned to the garage, now organized by zones: a Christmas zone; a memorabilia zone; a sports zone; a drop zone to plug in cell phones and hang keys; a safety area with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher; chemical storage; a spot for lawn chairs, a cooler and other picnic items; and an area for shovels, rakes, brooms and gardening equipment. A handy tool area includes a workbench on coasters, which easily wheels out to the driveway for car maintenance.

The homeowner could not be more thrilled with her bright, cheery, tidy garage! What organization remodeling projects have you completed that have helped you destress your life?

Click on comments below to post / send us your thoughts!

Lisa Albrecht shares lessons she’s learned while building her dream home.

Making the decision to build a new home is a thrilling prospect. For many, it is the realization of a dream. But many potential new home owners don’t realize that some of the decisions made after signing a contract would be less expensive and better negotiated if they researched their needs before inking the deal.

We spoke to one woman who, in the process of considering her building project, took extra steps to research what she wanted. She ultimately saved thousands of dollars in “up charges” – changes or additions made by the builder once a contract is signed. Here are the ten items she considered before signing, and what she learned in the process.

1. Pre-qualify for a mortgage.

• Get credit information in order.
• Check out several lenders.
• Review needs for a construction loan or a bridge loan.
• Understand mortgage products; energy efficient,

“ Pre-qualifying for a mortgage put my mind at ease. I knew how much home I could buy. I wanted to look for homes only within my price range.”

2. Review your present home and situation.

• Are room sizes adequate?
• What special needs do you have, such as a blended family or the need for a workshop?
• What furniture will you keep?

“ My existing townhouse is great for entertaining. And the master bedroom is separate from the other bedrooms, which works well for my blended family. I wanted to keep most of my furniture, so the rooms in my new house will need to be large.”

3. Find a lot.

• Is it close to schools, church, shopping, health care, pizza delivery?
• What direction does the lot face?
• Do you want morning sun? A special view?
• Do you want a sloping lot for a walkout basement?
• Study covenant and community restrictions.
• What is the tax levy?
• Look around the neighborhood.
• What do you like? What bothers you?

“ Trees are very important to me, and also a private backyard – so that I am not looking at my neighbor’s house. My location was also determined by good pizza delivery service!“

4. Find a home plan by asking the following questions:

• How do I want to entertain?
• How much storage will I need? What kind?
• Does the plan have flexibility for special rooms or situations (exercise room, craft area, etc.)?
• How does the home help me de-stress? A quiet area for me?
• Built-in organization like drop zones? Whirpool bath? Sunroom?
• Porches?
• Where do I want the master bedroom?
• Is a healthy home important to me?

“Once I identified that I needed an open floor plan with a lot of space in the kitchen and great room, as well as divided bedrooms and storage space, finding a plan was a piece of cake. I walked through a number of model homes to get a sense of room-size proportions and went on www.DesignBasics.com.”

5. Select a builder.

• Is there a builder attached to the lot you want? If so, interview him/her extensively.
• If not, interview several builders. Try to find someone with whom you’ll have good chemistry.
• Check references of the builder’s former homebuyers, subcontractors and vendors.
• “My builder was attached to my lot, which was a big consideration, since I had to work with this person. I drove him crazy asking so many questions. But since this is a huge decision, I wanted to do it right.”

6. Consult with an interior designer for a couple of hours.

• Make sure everything flows; coordinate colors,
• flooring and countertops; and plan placement of outlets.

“The time I had with an interior design consultant was the best money I spent. I wanted a contemporary look, and she helped me coordinate flooring, countertops and colors. While I have a sense of my style, I am now more confident with my choices.”

7. Meet with an electrician and electronic specialists to pre-wire the house properly.

• Consider Christmas lights, other outdoor lighting, accent lighting, security, stereo surround sound, telephones, ample outlets and their placements, Internet and media rooms.

“I walked through the entire plan with an electrician to get advice on lighting, security, outlets, etc. This was time well spent, because I made sure the elements were incorporated before I signed the contract and avoided many upcharges.”

8. Talk to as many people as you can who have been through the building process. Be sure to ask what they would do differently.

“I learned a great deal from the mistakes of others
– which saved me tons of headaches.”

9. Customize Your Home Plan.

• Make sure the working drawings are clear and exactly how you want them. Consult with an interior designer for a couple of hours.

“I did not want any ambiguity on my working drawings. I made sure everything was how I wanted it. I revised my plans many times; it’s worth the hard work to get what I want.“

10. Pack Your Survival Kit.

• A sense of humor
• A 12-pack of patience
• Drawers of chocolate
• Bottles of aspirin
• A jump rope for de-stressing
• “ I’m ready to sign the contract and get started!”

“Now I’m ready to sign the contract and get started!”

Sprucing up a home before putting it on the market is hardly a new idea. Most of us have been through the process of repainting walls, replacing carpets, scouring kitchens and bathrooms and meticulously manicuring the yard.

Today, many home sellers are going a step farther: hiring an expert to come in and set the stage, to make their homes more visually and emotionally appealing to buyers. Staging professionals are like personal trainers…for the home. These home makeover artists have become increasingly popular as buyers have become more discriminating – perhaps due to a wealth of decorating programs on television.

Stagers usually have a background in interior design and they have the ability to look at your home objectively, without the emotional attachments that may color your own judgment.

To make a home feel more spacious, they often begin by removing some furniture and rearranging remaining pieces more attractively. If the furniture is outdated or incorrectly sized to the room, some stagers will go so fa as to lend homeowners more suitable pieces.

Counters, dressers and end tables are also de-cluttered. Personal collections and photos are limited. Unique collections can distract buyers, causing them to notice the home’s contents more than its features. Family photos may make it harder for buyers to picture themselves in the home. Because storage is always an important issue, they also clean out and organize cabinets, closets, storerooms and garages.

To make the home feel airy, stagers may remove heavy window coverings, open blinds and suggest repainting walls in lighter, neutral colors. To make it brighter, they might bring in additional lamps or add rope lighting behind molding or under upper cabinets.

Stagers may add pizzazz with new bedspreads, slipcovers, accent pillows, colorful towels and area rugs. Some lend homeowners attractive artwork, accent pieces and live plants. No detail is overlooked…whether it’s a new doorknob and a seasonal wreath on the front door, updated faucets and hardware in the kitchen, an arrangement of candles in the bathroom or a bouquet of fresh flowers on the dining room table.

In today’ s tight Real Estate market, making that first great impression is more important that ever!

See pictures and explanations of how one home was staged:  http://www.designbasics.com/Articles/DesignTrends/Setting-The-Stage.asp

Livability at a Glance™ floor plans highlight four different categories especially important to women: Entertaining (yellow), De-Stressing (blue), Storing (orange) and Flexible Living (green).

Explore our Livability at a Glance categories:
http://www.designbasics.com/Plan/Livability-legend.asp?FormUse=LAAG_Demo