I had a meeting with a local appraiser this morning to have her take a look at some lots that we have prepared and have available for clients.  They are located in and around the Medford and Rib Lake area, both in city, and a few country plots. We have seen some drop in land values, but nothing that would prevent building a complete home.  We are fortunate that the homes we build (Stratford Homes) appraise at the top of the market.  This helps offset any land decrease, thus making new home builds affordable for most families.
This is also good news also for anyone who holds a piece of land that they are preparing to build home upon.  If you are willing to be a little conservative with placing options in your new home, appraisal should still work, just as it has in past years.

You gotta see this.  We have a new under mount kitchen sink that  that works with regular laminate counter tops, and is seamless!  I know, how awesome is that.  We put men on the moon 40 years ago, but couldn't get a laminate top/sink without a seam until now.  So, say good bye to that seam to clean on all other sinks, and say hello to the new Wilsonart undermount sink line up.

We are busy preparing a home for our client.   We set the closing for Saturday at 9:00 a.m.   The home construction has been completed, final inspection has been done,  cleaning is complete, and it is 24 hours until the client resides there.  So, what happens for closing?   The client meets with us to do a final inspection of the home. We have a 120 point check list that helps us make sure every detail has been attended to.  We teach the client how all mechanical systems work, and how to maintenance them.  We then present the client with a folder containing all the warranties for the products used in the home.  The clients final questions are answered, and then keys are issued so the client has sole access to his or her new home.  Just imagine, 10 weeks ago we broke ground at our client's site.  Saturday afternoon he moves in...... we so love what we do.

I have been asked about going to Stratford Homes to see how they build their home, and to see what is is like to build in a weather controlled environment.  I very much enjoy showing the Stratford building process.  You'll never see carpenters struggling in the mud, or getting rained on before the shingles are down.  Just a clean, organized work area where each carpenter has every tool they need to complete their custom work.  Let me know if you you would be interested in taking a plant tour, and I'll get it set up.  
Residential Planner: John Mueller  1 -715-748-0896 office
                                                                jlmuellerch@gmail.com
 

If you haven't received copies of the New Stratford Homes floor plan books, you need to hop online at Stratfordhomes.com and look, or go to contemporaryhomes.net to request a hard copy.  The more I get to work with these plans, the more I see the details come to life.  I just had to feature the Belmont Ranch plan in the Life Styles Brochure.   When entering the foyer, the stair and kitchen island angle outward to make the plan open up.  It's trully living life large, baby,  but in a modest sized home.   I am making it one of my goals, no, I am making it my New Year's Resolution,  to build the Belmont in 2011.  Make sure to take a peek and let me know your thoughts on how you would perfect the plan.

"When are new home builds most affordable?"
 As a residential planner, I get asked this question alot.  There are several variables to consider, beyond what any builder has control over.  These two factors are:  Market changes in cost of materials and interest rates.  When these two are favorable, you have the lowest cost to build.  

So, where are these right now?  Interest rates are still very low, currently today at approx. 4.75%.  If you look at the graph below, the interest rate chart shows that today's interest rates are better than any of our parents saw throughout their lives.
 
Cost of materials: Materials prices, historically, are lowest in January and February.  This is because demand for building items goes down in the winter season in our colder climates.  As we approach Spring, materials suppliers anticipate building cycles and price materials higher as demand increases.   

Currently, the best way to get the best pricing on a new home build, is to plan ahead now, facilitate your builder to pre-buy volatile materials, and use a mortgage provider that can lock in low interest rates up to 90 days prior to the conclusion of your build.