Tuesday, June 24, 10:56 AM EDT

By Carole Hawkins, Staff Writer

He wondered if he could do that with Portofino a 23-unit upscale townhome development planned for Jacksonvilles Intracoastal area and how expensive it would be.

Gonzales, a managing partner at Urban Partners Construction, would eventually include smartphone-controlled light switches, thermostats, door looks and garage-door openers as standard features in his design. Thats for homes starting in the high $200,000s.

Its crazy for me not to use it, Gonzales said. Were in the 21st century. I dont want to build a 19th or 20th-century home. Why other people arent doing this, I have no idea.

Home automation, for decades the province of wealthy consumers purchasing custom systems for $10,000 to $100,000 and more, is now finding its way into middle America.

Armed with a cellphone and Wi-Fi connection, homeowners can automate air conditioning, lights, locks, cameras, garage doors and electrical outlets by purchasing off-the-shelf products or paying a monthly service contract from a home automation vendor.

This used to be a very expensive platform, Gonzales said. Now because of apps, you can download for free. Its a very efficient and cost-effective way of getting the same technology.

In the Jacksonville area, cable and telecom companies Comcast and AT&T offer basic smart home systems. Also, some security companies like ADT offer home automation as an add-on service.

Builders, too, are starting to preinstall home automation.

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Home automation systems no longer limited to luxury homes

Preferred Builders Inc. of Old Greenwich has been awarded a Housing Innovation Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The Housing Innovation Awards recognize elite builders who design and create high-performance, energy-efficient homes.

Housing Innovation Award winners are leading a major housing industry transformation to zero energy ready homes. This level of performance is the home of the future because it improves the way Americans live by substantially reducing or eliminating utility bills, ensuring engineered comfort way beyond traditional homes, protecting health with a comprehensive package of indoor air quality measures, and helping maximize the largest investment of a lifetime, DOE Building Technologies Office Chief Architect Sam Rashkin said in a statement.

Sustainability is a growing concern for the U.S. housing industry, prompting the DOE to celebrate those who push the boundaries of standard design to create zero energy-ready homes. Preferred Builders was chosen as the grand winner in the custom category of the 2013 Housing Innovation Awards for a house completed in 2012.

That home was just the second in the country to earn Challenge Home certification, and was awarded LEED Platnium and National Green Building Standard Emerald level certifications as well. The 2,700 neo-colonial house is fitted with a solor PV system on the roof.

Preferred Builders Inc. of Old Greenwich, was selected as the grand winner in the Custom Builder category. Completed in October 2012, the home was the second in the country to earn Challenge Home certification and has also earned other green building awards including LEED Platinum and National Green Building Standard Emerald level certifications. The 2,700-square-foot Neo-Colonial earned a home energy rating (HERS) Index score of 20. The projected annual utility costs for the home is just $910 when the projected $1,509 annual revenue from the solar PV system is taken into account.

Preferred Builders owner Peter Fusaro, claims that the gas bill for the property from November through January was only $292, while the electric bill showed a credit of $558.

See the article here:
Preferred Builders Inc. receives prestigious housing award

St. Johns, Florida (PRWEB) June 24, 2014

Pricing for Oxford Estates, a new community in St. Johns with homes built by MasterCraft Builder Group, was released to a VIP list on Friday, June 13 before being released publicly. The semi-custom homes in this community will range in size from 2,700-4,000+ square feet with prices starting in the mid $300s.

Buyers have the option of choosing between five custom home floor plans, each featuring a three-car garage, with three elevation options (exterior front facade designs) for each plan. Depending on the elevation chosen, stone, stucco, brick or a combination of the three is used to accentuate the fine design details in each home. The team at MasterCraft Builder Group will work with buyers to choose the best floor plan and customize the interior to meet individual needs, design aesthetic and budget to truly make each home one of a kind.

This luxury-gated community is sure to be one of the most enviable addresses in St. Johns. Oxford Estates is nestled on more than 90 acres on Longleaf Pine Parkway north of Greenbriar Road. Phase One, currently under construction, will have 132 quarter-acre home sites, most of which back to preserved land, a lake or a combination of both. Oxford Estates provides its residents with many amenities, including environmentally-friendly natural gas, close proximity to the St. Johns River, no CDD fees and top performing public schools in Cunningham Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle School and Bartram Trail High School. Gas lanterns adorning a lushly landscaped stone entry will add a touch of elegance to the community. A step above the rest, Oxford Estates will be the place youll love to call home.

The current 132 estate-sized home sites are scheduled as one of several phases of development. The entire community of Oxford Estates, once completed, will total a couple hundred home sites. Additional amenities are in the plans as the community progresses.

The area is primed for growth with other new communities in the planning stages as well as the growing communities of Durbin and Aberdeen, and, with several other phases still in the planning stages, Oxford Estates is set to flourish with the area.

For more information on Oxford Estates or to schedule a site visit, please email info(at)mastercraftbuildergroup.com or call Brad Shee at 904-263-5090.

About MasterCraft Builder Group

MasterCraft Builder Group was founded by three close friends who combined have more than 40 years of experience in the home building industry. A shared passion for building quality homes matched with the desire to use more innovative building practices has propelled MasterCraft Builder Group to be one of the premier home builders in Northeast Florida. Whether youre looking for your next home or want to give your home a refresh by remodeling one room or the entire home, MasterCraft Builder Group can help. For more information about MasterCraft Builder Group, please visit MasterCraftBuilderGroup.com.

Original post:
Pricing Released for Oxford Estates, a Community of New Homes Constructed by MasterCraft Builder Group

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Wounded Heroes Fund is nearly ready to hand over the keys for a brand new home to Lance Corporal Jeremiah Thein. Thein is a double amputee, losing his legs in an I.E.D. explosion while serving in Afghanistan. Thanks to community donations, he will soon be able to move into a custom house, designed just for him and his family.

Thein and his family have been staying in military housing in San Diego while his home is being built. He's eager to come home to Bakersfield. He has no clue about the details of the house waiting for him.

"I don't know if he is going to be able to process this, honestly," said Wendy Porter, Wounded Heroes Fund Executive Director.

Porter had been working on making the home a reality for nearly two years when she learned of Jeremiah's brave actions in Afghanistan.

The non-profit built a home for Wesley Barrientos, who lost his legs in Iraq several years ago.

Just down the road from Wesley's home, on September 11th, Jeremiah helped break ground on his home. Today, it's nearly done.

There are huge closets, a roll-in shower, room under the kitchen counters for a wheelchair, every door is widened, and it's all built with community donations.

"To be able to do something like that for somebody who has paid such a high price is incredibly rewarding," said Jim Ward of Northwest Builders who donated his services.

"We are such a patriotic and supportive community, and this really was done on the community's shoulders. Without everyone's support we would not have been able to accomplish this. So, it means a lot," said Porter.

Finishing touches are being made. The pool and barbecue still need to be done. But on July 4th, all will be ready to welcome a hero to his home.

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A home for a hero

Midlands dramatic construction growth in recent years allowed Tony Hinton to retire at 45.

The native Midlander, however, wasnt a real estate broker, developer, contractor or even a private investor. Instead, he was a firefighter and paramedic for more than two decades with a small business on the side.

After eight years, Hintons business Spyglass Home Inspections, finally picked up enough to allow him to retire last year.

While the Tall Citys dramatic increase in housing construction opened new doors for Hinton, it also has put a thorn in the side of some Midland homebuyers. There still is a lack of options for buyers, and several consumers complain about the quality of new homes.

It wasnt until about two years ago that Hintons home inspection business provided enough work to sustain him and his family. Business has tripled since 2012, he said, meaning he no longer has to put his life in harms way working for the Odessa Fire Department and Medical Center Hospital.

I get to be my own boss; I get to make my own schedule and I dont face near the potential dangers, he said.

The growth in Hintons business reflects the overall increase of construction in Midland. In fact, the city issued 732 new residential permits last year -- more than three times the number issued in 2002, as reported last week.

Rise of production homes

More permits have been issued in recent years to help combat the regions severe housing shortage. Most of the residential permits approved are for production home development.

Production builders are kind of a new phenomenon to Midland, said Steve Thorpe, the citys building official.

More:
Labor turnover problematic for new home construction

ABILENE, Texas -

The Big Country Home Builders Association hosted the 'Parade of Homes' on Saturday and Sunday.

This event gave people a chance to look at new buildings and landscaping designs, even if they weren't interested in buying. A total of 16 homes in eight subdivisions in Abilene were available for viewing.

It might be a good time to buy a home because interest rates are currently lower than normal.

"During the building process if you wanted to build a home, we have a design team that you could meet with to design your own custom home," said homebuilder Ryan Clift. "Once we get the design finalized, we can break ground. As soon as we break ground, 90 to 120 days, we'll be done."

The event will continue next weekend from 2 - 5 p.m. daily.

Admission is $5, but children under 3 are free.

For more information, click here.

Read the original here:
New builders, subdivisions unveiled in Abilene 'Parade of Homes'

Carroll County Custom Home Builders - Coleman Homes Inc.
http://colemanhomesinc.com/ Coleman Homes Inc. Finksburg MD, 21048 443-739-8611 Custom Home Builder.

By: ASN Loop

Read more here:
Carroll County Custom Home Builders - Coleman Homes Inc. - Video

During the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Northwest Indianas 31st Annual Parade of Homes this week, you can explore new construction homes at your leisure. Admission is free for the scattered site eventwith 37 homes in Lake and Porter counties open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the weekends and 4 - 7 p.m. during the week through next Sunday, June 29.

Showcasing a variety of the finest new housing opportunities available across our region, the Parade of Homes is a great opportunity to get some new ideas - whether a new home is in your future this year while prices remain competitive and interest rates are low or you simply want a bit of inspiration for a few updates to improve your current home for now and for later when it does come time to sell.

Who knows, when you discover all the very tangible benefits of building new, you may opt to take the plunge sooner rather than laterand its definitely the best time of the year to get started.

Along with being able to see the many design advantages of the latest floor plans first hand, be sure to ask the builders and their representatives to point out the state-of-the-art materials and technologies that contribute to a lower cost of home ownership as you tour different homes during the Parade.

For example, new homes typically include significantly more storage and livable space than existing homes. According to New Home Source, new homes offer three times the closet space and two times the bathroom space when compared to most existing homes. Its not hard to imaging how that could improve the quality of life for an average family!

Then, in their effort to meet and often exceed the latest building codes, local builders are using the most advanced materials available many of which are designed to significantly reduce maintenance and utility costs for homeowners. They also typically provide comprehensive home warranties that give buyers peace of mind to go along with the fact that everything is brand new inside and out.

When you consider the repair and remodeling costs that often go along with moving into an existing home, these are just a few of the key advantages of new construction. Find out how a local builder can create your personal vision of a dream home so you can avoid the time and money associated with reshaping someone elses.

Visit the latest homes by the following builders to learn more, and be sure to enter the Walk In & Win drawing for a Toshiba 50-inch 1080p LED HDTV. Pick up an entry form at the first Parade home you visit and have it stamped. Tour 8 of the 37 homes and request stamps along the way to complete your form, which can then be left in an official drawing box at any home. All entries will be combined, with one winner selected and notified by e-mail following the drawing on June 30.

Cook Builders

cookbuilders.com

Link:
HBA Parade of Homes starts today: Meet the builders!

LAWRENCE Habitat for Humanity has been responsible for building more than 40 homes in the lower Tower Hill neighborhood of Lawrence, but its latest project on Acton Street is unique. Last Sunday, it was a vacant lot. This Saturday, it will be the site of two brand new homes.

Habitat for Humanitys Home Builders Blitz is a national event that will produce more than 300 homes across the country in just five days. Husband and wife Susan and Steve Howell, both of whom are on the board of directors of Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity, led a Blitz in 2012 on Market Street. The pair owns Howell Custom Building Group in Lawrence, and Steve Howell heads the team of lead builders for this project.

The lesson he has learned twice over is simple.

You cant plan enough. You have your primary plans, and then contingency plans, and then you need a back-up for those plans, he said.

When theres a whole building to finish in five days, every step in the construction process is scheduled down to 30 minute increments. Some nights, build crews will work until midnight. About 250 construction professionals have donated their time to the project, along with 125 other volunteers who provide support services like working the food tent and help with smaller construction tasks. Local businesses that have pitched in include Cote & Foster, Steeplechase Builders and McLennan Century 21, all in Methuen, and Marketing Matters LLC in North Andover.

The new building, designed by local architect Andrew Steingiser, contains two townhouses. Each is a three-bedroom home with its own entrance, so that both families can enjoy their own space.

Steve Howell said he and his wife treat the time they spend working on the Habitat house like a vacation week, but rather than taking a trip down to the Cape like some people might, they spend it working to better the community.

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Home Builders Blitz

Fourteen newly constructed homes are on display this weekend and next as part of the HBA Parade of Homes.

Folks can get in free starting at one until six today.

You can also download a new app, Parade Craze, and get a map of all the homes located throughout the Ozarks.

Edited from a press release from the Home Builders Association:

HBA Parade of Homes Starts Tomorrow Number of homes on tour nearly double from 2013

SPRINGFIELD, MO The HBA Parade of Homes kicks off its 2014 event tomorrow, Friday, June 20 with free admission to all attendees.

Fourteen newly constructed homes will be featured during the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfields 2014 HBA Parade of Homes.

With price points from $179,900 to $795,000, these custom and spec designed homes will provide ideas and inspiration to individuals thinking of building a brand new home or just improving their current residence. The Parade homes are located in Springfield, Republic, Strafford, Rogersville, Ozark, Nixa, and Saddlebrooke and will be available for touring June 20-22 and June 27-29 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.

Admittance to the 2014 HBA Parade of Homes is FREE with a quick and easy online ticket registration through the Parade of Homes new Parade Craze Mobile App. Users can easily download the Parade Craze app from HBAParadeHomes.com and will receive, along with a map to Parade homes, the chance to win a grill provided by Propane Exceptional Energy, the MO Propane Education and Research Council, valued at $3,000.

The Parade lineup this year is outstanding, said Matt Bailey, HBA Board President. We have homes in all prices ranges, on acreage and in subdivisions. Its a great way to get ideas for remodeling or building, and attendees can visit one-on-one with HBA professional builders in each home. The event itself is absolutely free, and in terms of quality, our builders work is unbeatable. As always, the HBA Parade of Homes Magazine (including maps, photos and directions) will be available beginning June 11th at area Meeks The Builders Choice, The Light House Gallery, Herrman Lumber Co., The Carpet Shoppe and Maschinos.

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HBA Parade Of Homes Starts Today