Newport Cove

NFL, HBA Help Build Home For Wounded Vet at Newport Cove

2011-11-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

NFL great Reggie Smith with
Newport Cove team members John and Chris

Sometime next year a wounded warrior from the Chicago metropolitan area will get the keys to a new home, thanks to a team of local organizations and individuals.

The Chicago NFL Players Association, the Chicago area home builders associations, an anonymous donor, the Newport Cove community in Lake County and an architectural school have joined together to create a home for a military veteran wounded in Afghanistan or Iraq.

“We want to give back,” said Reggie Smith, retired linebacker and president of the NFLPA’s Chicago chapter, in making the announcement today, Veterans Day. “It’s our way of thanking the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country.”

The home, a LIFEhouse™ featuring universal design principles, will be located in Newport Cove, a waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch. “It’s a lovely setting,” said Rita Unzner, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago. “The house is being designed to accommodate the special needs of the wounded veteran. It will not only be functional, but also beautiful, a place where the vet and his – or her – family can heal and grow.”

“We hope it will be the first of several homes our groups create,” she said.

She added that many members of the three Chicago area home builders associations (HBAGC, Northern Illinois HBA and Fox Valley HBA) will be providing products and labor for the venture.

“The wounded veteran recipient will be chosen from recommendations by local veterans associations, VA hospitals and communities,” Unzner said.

New American Homes, the developer of Newport Cove, will construct the house. “The home building industry has been suffering in this economy,” said Susanne Tauke, company president. “This is a way of turning lemons into lemonade. Thanks to a very generous donation of seed money and partners like the NFLPA and home builders groups, we are able to work together to create something that will be a wonderful gift for a wounded veteran.”

Newport Cove, an award-winning planned community of 67 homes located on 42 waterfront acres along Bluff Lake on the Chain O’ Lakes, includes a private 100-slip marina and eight-acre waterfront park.

Tauke’s company has some experience in creating universally designed homes. Two years ago New American Homes teamed up with the Department of Architecture, State University of New York at Buffalo, to create the first LIFEhouse™, a home exemplifying universal design standards. The university is internationally renowned for its IDEA Center (Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Research) and its pioneering work in accessibility and universal design.

The LIFEhouse™, located at Newport Cove and open for viewing, is a 1,992-square-foot ranch home with three or four bedrooms and three baths plus a full lower level. It has received several awards and been featured at the American Institute of Architects 2011 National Convention, the National Endowment for the Arts/American Institute of Architects 2010 Diversity Leadership Meeting and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s 2011 Social Change lecture series.

The wounded warrior home will be another LIFEhouse™.

This is the second project in which the local NFLPA and builders associations have worked together. Last spring they joined to help renovate Chicago’s AMI Kids, an alternative school for troubled children.

“Our home builders want to use their skills to do something valuable for the communities we live and work in,” said Unzner. “We hope to encourage people to join with us to build many projects like this wounded veteran house.” Asked what is needed to complete the home, she mentioned cabinets, plumbing fixtures and carpeting, among other products, then pointed at the Newport Cove marina and said, smiling, “We’d also love to find someone to donate fishing poles – or a boat!”

Housing Shows Strength With Summer Activity

2011-08-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Housing starts made a big jump in June, reports the Department of Housing and Urban Development, reflecting increasing consumer interest in residential real estate in a time of record-low interest rates.

The recently-released HUD statistics covered the month of June. Nationwide, starts were up a hefty 14.6% from May. In the Midwest, the numbers were even better, as starts increased by 25.3%.

Brian Wesbury, chief economist for First Trust Bank right here in Illinois, said the month was "the beginning of a recovery in housing" that "will last for many years in the future."

Even better, national starts beat the consensus expectation of economists by nearly 10%, showing that the momentum behind the activity is building.

"Today's numbers are an encouraging sign that builders are responding to improving consumer interest in new homes and apartments by gradually replenishing their extremely thin inventories in places where demand is evident," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen.

Remember, Newport Cove is offering 10-year hybrid ARM loans, with the chance to lock in your first two years at just 2.5%. As consumers return to housing, prices will rise, so now is the time to make sure you get the most bang for your monthly payment buck.

Today's Luxury Home: Smarter, Smaller, More High-Style

2011-07-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Today’s luxury homes are not necessarily bigger. They’re just better. While the size of American homes is declining, the amenities buyers expect are increasing.

It’s all about life style. Buyers want more than just four walls. They want fun, fitness, security, technology and maybe, as in the case of a development like Newport Cove on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, a place to park their boat.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average size of new single-family homes completed in 2010 shrunk, measuring an average of 2,377 square feet, down about three percent from 2009. By 2015, the association expects the average home size to be 2,152 square feet. After expanding for nearly three decade, the average size peaked at 2,521 square feet in 2007.

So, if the McMasion is “over,” what’s in?

Let’s start with technology. Home technology systems for internet, entertainment, security, monitoring heating and cooling system, and appliances are part of any new luxury home. Ovens that “think” and refrigerators that keep track of grocery needs can be part of the equation.

Energy efficiency is in. Foam insulation, high-efficiency furnaces and appliances, LED bulbs and low-E glass insure a comfortable home with low energy bills.

Security is important. State-of-the-art home security systems are popular. Many luxury buyers want to know their home will operate “off” the grid, so they are installing whole-house generators.

Universal design is another hot button. Features such as elevators, extra wide passageways and large showers ensure that the buyer can live in his or her home for a longer period of time.

Fitness is part of a luxury lifestyle, so expect today’s upscale home to have a spa bath, exercise facilities, a sauna or steam room.

And don’t forget fun – a media area or game room is de rigueur in the new luxury home.

There also are more places for food. Besides the kitchen, there may be a mini refrigerator and built-in espresso machine in the master bedroom, an outdoor kitchen or a fully equipped bar (with refrigeration and microwave) in the recreational area.

Finally, the new luxury home is more likely to be in a community planned around a golf course, a marina or even a race car track.

Newport Cove, a luxury planned community near Antioch, is centered around a lakefront life style. The 42-acre community will eventually be home to 67 upscale residences. Forty percent of the site is open space, including a private eight-acre waterfront park extending along the community’s 1,800 feet of lakefront.

Newport Cove has a private marina with more than 100 slips on Bluff Lake, part of the Chain O’ Lakes. With some 7,100 acres of water, 15 lakes and 45 miles of river, this "Key West of the Midwest" accommodates activities for every water-lover: boating, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, fishing, even hunting. Chicagoland's playground for more than a century (it is about an hour's drive from the big city), the Chain boasts two State Parks as well as many great boat-in (or drive-to) restaurants and “hot spots”. Newport Cove’s marina is a stone’s “skip” from several.

Award-winning builder New American Homes is building luxury semi-custom and custom homes in the community. Newport Cove offers three distinct “neighborhoods”: the Waterfront (21 waterfront sites reserved for custom homes with 2,500 to 4,200 feet above grade and all with walk-out basements), the Estates (15 custom homes sized from 2,200 to 3,500 square feet) and the Cottages (31 smaller homes, 1,600 to 2,300 square feet in a carefree enclave where the grass is mowed, landscape pruned, sidewalks shoveled and driveways plowed).

All Newport Cove homes have the same coastal-style look: siding, shingles and stone exteriors with white trim and cottage style landscaping. Prices start at $290,000 and go to about $1 million.

Models are open noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment.

LIFEhouse Highlights Advantages of Universal Design

2011-07-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

In our last post, we described some of the more common ways in which many Americans face daily physical difficulties. Now we’ll show you a few of the aspects of Universal Design that can make home living much easier for millions of people. Newport Cove’s LIFEhouse, located on our waterfront development on the Chain O' Lakes and currently open for public viewing, contains dozens of features like these:

Kitchen offers many lighting levels

- Multiple layers of light, especially in active areas like the kitchen. This means that, in addition to overhead lighting, there are lights under cabinets, shelves, etc., giving those with low vision better ability to see what they’re doing. The LIFEhouse has seven different kinds of lighting in its kitchen.

Stair tread color varies

- Another improvement on the visual aspect of a home, this time with regard to safety, is a combination of simple, common-sense improvements to stairways. Falling down the stairs is the most frequent household accident, and can be extremely dangerous. To help prevent falls, the undersides of stairway railings are equipped with small lights which are activated by motion sensors any time a person approaches. Additionally, the stair treads themselves are colored in two alternating tones, making it easier to distinguish each edge.

- What if going up or down stairs at all becomes difficult? The natural response for most people would be, “Install an elevator.” The LIFEhouse already has one. But, elevators are expensive, and most houses aren’t built with the potential for such a major renovation in mind. Good planning solves that problem: When designing a home, stack closets on each floor directly above and below one another, so that a natural space for an elevator shaft already exists. Then, should the need arise, a system can be installed with little change to the structure of the building itself.

- Rather than installing traditional round doorknobs, levers are used instead, allowing those with muscle weakness, arthritis or a physically damaged hand to easily open doors.

- Wiring for audio systems that better distribute the sounds made by electronic equipment are built in for those with hearing difficulties.

Those are just a few of the ideas that go into Universal Design, turning a home into something that works with its owner. Visit the LIFEhouse at Newport Cove to see more. It is open noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Call 847.726.2727.

Universal Design House Makes Life Easier

2011-07-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

Most houses are built for people who are healthy, people with good vision, great hearing and four working limbs. But how many of us in the course of our lives experience some sort of physical problem – a broken leg, bad eyesight or worse? A new trend in home building is addressing these issues, working to create homes that serve a greater number of people for a longer period of time. Architects have labeled this sort of planning Universal Design.

LIFEhouse kitchen and hearth room

Newport Cove recently opened a home that is an example of Universal Design. The Newport Cove LIFEhouse offers a number of features which make a house more livable, yet do not detract from a pleasant, homelike environment. The LIFEhouse is a collaboration between custom builder New American Homes and the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center), University at Buffalo - State University of New York.

When people think of living in “accessible” housing, images of wheelchairs and false limbs come to mind. But many of us suffer from physical impairments that are not as obvious. According to research that went into the Americans with Disabilities Act, several of the most common impairments are things that affect everyday life, even though they have little to no outward signs. Here are a few examples:

- Bad vision, 2.8 percent of all ADA claims: At times this can mean nothing more than slightly blurry vision that's easily corrected with glasses or contacts. But it can also mean poor peripheral vision, or a limited ability to see anything that's dimly lit.

- Hearing impairment, 3 percent of all ADA claims: In addition to complete deafness, reduced hearing or imbalanced hearing, when one ear performs better than the other, is a problem for millions.

- Back/spinal injury, 19.1 percent of ADA claims: While paralysis is included in this category, so are many non-paralyzing injuries, including damage to the muscles of the back.

In our next post, we'll show you some of the ways that Universal Design will revolutionize the way you live in your home.

Warren Buffett Bets on Housing Rebound

2011-07-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

Famed investor Warren Buffett is betting on housing... literally.

Perhaps replaying a scene from a classic movie, the Berkshire Hathaway CEO has made a Trading-Places-esque $1 bet with former Office of Management and Budget director Peter Orszag that unemployment will fall below 8 percent before the next presidential election due to a strong housing rebound that will breathe life—and jobs—into the economy.

Buffett emphasized that while his bet rests on the job market, the true key is real estate. "I've got a bet with [Orszag about unemployment]," he said. "But... that's because I think housing will come back before that. If I'm wrong about housing, I lose the bet."

Buffett elaborated on Friday, telling Bloomberg Television that "he sees nothing that indicates any kind of double dip," adding that he believes the real estate recovery "could begin relatively soon."

Don't miss out on your chance to bet with Buffett. Mortgage rates are at all-time lows at Newport Cove, and the only way to avoid losing a lot more than Peter Orszag's dollar is to lock in those rates now.

HUD Secretary Says Bubble Is Over

2011-07-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

Not only does the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development believe that it's “very unlikely” that there will be any more significant drops in housing prices, he also told CNN on Sunday that the recovery in housing prices could begin as early as the end of the summer.

With Newport Cove's special financing,
this Stillwater model initially costs less than
$1,400 per month for principal and interest
on an 80 percent loan.

Additionally, Secretary Shaun Donovan noted that home sales have increased over six of the past nine months, and that the number of homeowners in default is declining, suggesting that the popping of the bubble has bottomed out.

“In the long run, it’s a good time to become a homeowner because it’s so affordable today, compared to where it’s been for generations,” said Donovan.

He’s right, and nothing’s more affordable than Newport Cove’s 10-yer hybrid ARM loan, with the first two years locked in at a ridiculous 2.5 percent interest, and the next eight locked in at under 4.5 percent interest. There's no better time to take advantage of ultra-low mortgage rates. Make sure you've put yours into writing before it's too late.

Blarney Island, An Entertainment Destination On The Chain O' Lakes

2011-06-27T05:40:00.000-07:00

Feel like a party? There always seems to be one at Blarney's. . .

Located in the middle of Grass Lake in Illinois’ famous Chain O' Lakes, Blarney Island is one of the few bars in the country that’s only accessible by boat. (A sister bar, Port of Blarney, is on the “mainland” for those who prefer to stay on solid ground. A shuttle runs from the "port" to the "island".) Once a small operation known best for the women’s underwear hanging from its rafters, Blarney Island has grown into a prime party destination, earning its nickname, “Key West of the Midwest.”

Legend has it that the island itself was wagered in a poker game a century ago, when Jack O’Connor won it from “Shorty” Shobin. At the time the land wasn’t even an island, but the construction of the Stratton Dam flooded the surrounding area in 1939. Since then, ownership has changed a number of times, and the bar that sits atop the island has grown with the popularity of the Chain.

Today, the bar runs a regular shuttle service between the island and Port of Blarney, ferrying revelers to frequent live concerts, bikini contests and themed events. The bar also hosts weekly boat races in the summer, with a “regular season” that culminates in the top four boats racing at the end of August.

Blarney Island, is just a 10-minute boat ride away from Newport Cove's planned community and its 67 homes, 100-slip marina and eight-acre waterfront park. If boating, water skiing, gardening, barbecuing and fishing doesn't complete your summer fun at Newport Cove, Blarney Island provides plenty of convenient entertainment.

A few photos of recent events:

Time To Own, Not Rent

2011-06-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

Does the state of the housing market make it smarter to rent than to buy?

In a word, no. In three words, not at all. In fact, as the financial crisis has played out, the costs of buying have dropped dramatically, while the costs of renting have surged as demand for rental units has exploded. According to the New York Times, if you plan to live in the same place for at least six years, your average savings if you buy instead of rent will be over $10,000. That’s nearly $2,000 per year. In fact, even if you own a home for just four years, you save money:

Don’t want to use a national average? No problem. Trulia, an online hub for real estate information, has gathered plenty of data on the total costs of renting versus owning. And the results for the Chicago metropolitan area put it in the green for choosing to buy a home over renting a residence:

The numbers are clear—if you want the most bang for your buck, it’s time to buy low. And few properties offer the chance to get in on premier waterfront housing like Newport Cove, where owning land on Illinois’ “Chain’o’Lakes” provides some of the best upside potential in the country.

A 2.5% Mortgage? Read On. . .

2011-06-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

In a post-bubble world, buying a home may not seem like the easy decision it once was, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t the right one.

After falling for several years, national inflation-adjusted housing prices are now back to where they were in 1999, before the bubble was inflated. And according to the FNC Residential Price Index, homes in the greater Chicago area have just experienced their first consecutive months of roughly 2% gains in value since peaking in June of 2007. Now that the market has corrected, smart buyers are taking advantage of great deals before prices resume the steady growth that was the hallmark of pre-bubble housing, and they’re doing it when the cost of a mortgage has never been lower.

Thanks to government efforts to rejuvenate the economy, interest rates that are hovering near all-time lows. The extraordinary measures that are forcing rates down are creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay less for your mortgage than at any other time in decades:

If rates only return to their post-WWII average, buyers who wait will have missed out on the opportunity to cut their interest payments in half. Over the life of a mortgage, those savings add up to tens of thousands of dollars—dollars that could allow you to afford the home of your dreams if you act now.

There’s no better way to take advantage of today’s circumstances than with Newport Cove’s 10-year hybrid ARM loan. Interest for the first two years is locked in at an incredibly low 2.5%, and for the first ten years, it can never go higher than 4.5%. It may be decades before rates are this low again. Don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of them for years to come.

Test Drive a Dream Boat

2011-05-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Picture this: a lake, an open boat, a full-throttle ride. You can be in this picture Saturday, June 11, when Cobalt Boats hosts a demo day at Newport Cove’s private marina, located on Bluff Lake on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, IL. This is your chance to test drive some of the best power boats on the water.

Sponsored by Gordy’s Boats and Newport Cove, the event will allow prospective buyers (or dreamers) to get behind the wheel of a new 2011 Cobalt boat, such as the 23-foot 232 and 24-foot 242 bowriders, and go for a cruise on Bluff Lake. Rides will be on a first-come, first-served basis from noon to 4 p.m.

Gordy’s Boats, headquartered in Lake Geneva, WI and with a Chain O’ Lakes location in Fox Lake, IL, is Chicagoland’s only Cobalt dealer. For eight straight years, the J. D. Powers’ customer survey has ranked Cobalt’s day boats as the best of their category. “That’s a pretty strong standing,” said Tom Whowell, whose grandfather Gordy founded the family-owned boat dealership in 1955.

The Cobalt company is located in the small town of Neodesha, KS. A crew of experienced builders handcraft the limited-production boats. “We’ve had customers go down to watch their boats being built, and they always are floored by Cobalt’s attention to detail,” said Whowell. Although Cobalt makes everything from 20-foot ski boats to luxury yachts, the company is best known for its runabouts and bowriders.

Gordy’s Chain O’ Lakes showroom is located at 36 South Route 12 in Fox Lake. Both it and the Lake Geneva showroom have waterfront locations. “Visit one of our showrooms, and we can have you behind the wheel and on the water in five minutes,” said Whowell.

Newport Cove is a 42-acre, 67-home waterfront community. It features upscale coastal-style homes, an open landscape planted with trees and prairie flowers, an eight-acre waterfront park, 1,800 feet of shoreline and a 100-slip private marina. Award-winning builder New American Homes is offering its Newport Cove residences at prices ranging from $325,000 to more than $1 million.

Newport Cove is located at Bluff Lake and Elime Roads in Antioch. For further information call 847.726.2727.

The 10-Year Hybrid ARM Makes Sense!

2011-04-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Question: Do you want to buy a house?

Did you answer, YES?

Then, ask yourself these questions: Has your job required a transfer in the past 10 years? Are you buying a starter home? Are you single, but planning to someday get married and have children? Do you plan to retire in the next 10 years? Are you having trouble qualifying for a fixed rate mortgage? Do you expect to move in the next decade? Do you need a jumbo mortgage? Do you believe the country will have significant inflation in the next decade?

If your answer to one or more of these questions also is in the affirmative, you may be a candidate for a “hybrid” adjustable rate mortgage. At Newport Cove, we think the 10-year hybrid ARM is a great financing vehicle. And, be assured, it is not the same old ARM your father warned you about!

Often when Americans move, they think they will stay in their new home “forever.” This is rarely the case. People move because of job changes, retirement, changes in family size, marital status and economic situation. The typical length of home ownership in the U.S. is about five to seven years.

As the length of the mortgage term goes up, so goes the rate of the mortgage. Thus, a 30-year-fixed mortgage is more expensive than a 15-year, and 15-year mortgage more expensive than a five-year. If you know you will be in your home for less than 10 years (or even 12), you are wasting money if you take on a 30-year mortgage.

A hybrid 10-year ARM offers a fixed rate for 10 years, and then an adjustable rate for the next 20. For those who are quite certain that a move is in their future, this mortgage can be just the ticket. For 10 years they will enjoy a much lower monthly payment. If they are still in their home in the 11th year, the mortgage rate will adjust then and every year thereafter, according to the terms agreed to at the beginning of the loan.

Lenders have much more leeway in pricing ARM mortgages versus fixed-rate mortgages. If you decide on an ARM loan, you will find that rates can vary significantly – in some cases, almost two points – from one institution to another. (You will not see this much variance in 30-year fixed rates). In other words, if you are looking at an ARM, it pays to shop!!

At Newport Cove, we are offering special financing on 10-year ARMs for our existing spec homes. For the first two years, qualified buyers will pay a rate of 2.5 percent. The most they will pay in that 10-year period is 4.5 percent. (This program assumes a downpayment of 80 percent. For those who want 90 percent mortgages, Newport Cove can purchase other special financing programs from our lenders.) Thus, for two years, a buyer could be living in our beautiful Highmeadow model home, at right, for a principal and interest payment of just $1,249 per month. And, in the first 10 years, the largest monthly payment the buyer would face would be $1,602 per month. (The sales price of this home is $395,000.)

The hybrid ARM is an interesting alternative to normal fixed rate mortgages. Whenever you borrow, you take on risk. Savvy borrowers decide what risk works best for them in their own unique situation.

The Home Of Her Dreams

2011-04-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

The concept of home is a powerful one. The home of your dreams can come true, wherever those dreams lead you, be it a new home at Newport Cove, our waterfront property on the Chain O' Lakes, or a former house you could never quite forget. This is a touching story of a woman who reclaimed her home. It took years, but she did come home again. . .

Benjamin Moore "Affinity" Color: A Shade of Genius

2011-04-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hve you ever spent hours trying to coordinate point colors? We have! But now, Benjami Moore has come up with a great idea: the Affinity Color Collectives. It is a sophisticated palette of 144 harmonius hues. Every color in this full rainbow of colors, harmonizes with every other color. So, you can paintthe kitchen "terra bella" and the dining room"seedling" and the master bedroom "serenata" and know that they won't clash. Very cool. Creative genius at work!

Many of the colors would look great in a cottage or coastal-style home, like the ones we are building at Newport Cove, our waterfront development overlooking Bluff Lake, one of the lakes in the Chain O' Lakes. Newport Cove combines a vacation lifestyle - boating, fishing, water sports - with a year-round or weekend home - your choice!

A Home For All Ages

2011-03-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

New American Homes’ LIFEhouse™, opening soon in our waterfront development on the Chain O’ Lakes, is a home for the ages. Designed to be especially safe for those under six, over 60 and everywhere in between, the LIFEhouse™ offers features that make everyday living a little easier and accommodate more people for a longer time. We call it “a home for ALL of your life.”

A few photos illustrate what we mean:

The exterior of the LIFEhouse™ is a charming cottage. Tucked into the landscape and front porch design is an inobtrustive bricked ramp, ready to accommodate those who might have issues with steps. Another plus is that the ramp makes moving things in and out of the house easier. (The front door is 42 inches wide; there is no “step up” at this door.)

The kitchen is a contemporary, trendy design, yet it can be completely accessible. Note the easy-access appliances - the dishwasher, oven, refrigerator (as well as the microwave and warming drawer) are all within reach whether a person is sitting or standing. The space is exceptionally well-lit with over-cabinet, under-cabinet, ceiling, pendant and natural lighting.

The tech center, tucked into a hallway, is a great space for paying bills or playing computer games. It's an ideal spot for adults and children - away from the hustle and bustle, but in sight of the main living areas.

In a secondary bath, two vanity levels make life easier for children and adults, standing or sitting. A "spa" bench next to the vanity is set across from the shower, so one can sit there to meditate or dry off!

Built in collaboration with the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center) at the State University of New York, the LIFEhouse™ is a living laboratory of a safer home that is more user-friendly to a wider range of people.

It makes sense to design “accessibility” into every home, but – too often – this means an institutional feel. The goal of the LIFEhouse™ is to provide an attractive, quiet, upbeat, yet easier-to-live-in home.

Some Colors Sell

2011-03-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

If you want to change your lifestyle (maybe move to a boating community like Newport Cove, on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL), you may need to sell the house you live in now. Sales experts know that a fresh coat of paint and the right colors help sell a home. According to an industry survey, the right paint job can sell your home faster and for a better price (more than the cost of the paint, if you do it yourself). And, no, you should NOT paint the walls white. . .

We Have What Consumers Want

2011-03-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

What do consumers want in a new home?

According to a recent survey by Better Homes and Gardens, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems top the list of features consumers say they would like in their next home, with 89 percent of those polled making this a priority. Eighty-five percent want high-efficiency appliances; 84 percent, a deck or patio; 79 percent, a private backyard, and 78 percent desire nicer finishes, everything from wood flooring to granite countertops and fancy trim.

When it comes to living spaces, 81 percent want a separate laundry room; 79 percent, extra storage through dedicated storage spaces, larger closets or built-ins; 67 percent, a home office space or tech center, 67 percent, an outdoor living area; 65 percent, at least one additional bedroom with a private bath, and 64 percent wish for an everyday eating area close to the kitchen.

Although the size of the average new American home has been declining, four out of 10 consumers indicate that, should they purchase a new home, they want it to be slightly larger, not smaller. The median-sized home these buyers are looking for is 1,914 square feet, about 50 feet larger than the median size of their current homes. The average new American home built in 2010 was 2,377 square feet, compared to 2,438 in 2009.

The Cottages at Newport Cove, offered at our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, IL, are on target with these consumer desires. Sized from 1,625 to 2,300 square feet, the coastal-styled Cottages have high-efficiency heating/cooling systems and appliances, decks or patios, small backyards and top-notch fnishes (basements with nine-foot ceilings, concrete fiber siding, Pella windows, eight-foot-tall interior doors, standard oak flooring, upgraded kitchens and more). All Cottages come with laundry rooms, plenty of storage, tech centers (see photo), guest suites, plus eat-in kitchens. And, all have first-floor master suites – two of the floorplans are ranch style and two are story-and-a-half homes.

Housing's Short Sale "Game" - Sham or Opportunity?

2011-02-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

Is the listing price of a home always the price? Not if it’s a “short sale” situation.

A new sales strategy, born of the short sale phenomenon, has been rocking the real estate industry, creating false hope for potential buyers, confusing appraisers and generally wreaking havoc with what should - for the common good - be an orderly market.

Just what is a short sale? It's when a house is listed for sale for less than its mortgage amount. Real estate regulations/laws require that this be disclosed in the listing. In a standard "non-short" sale, if a buyer comes in with an offer that is full price with no contingencies, the seller must accept the offer or be liable for a penalty. But, by disclosing that the sale is a short sale, the seller is let off the hook. Why? Because in a short sale situation, the bank holding the mortgage must approve the sale.

So, what’s the latest wrinkle in this world of short sales? Sellers are offering their homes at ridiculous prices, hoping to attract some attention. Buyers, sniffing an unbelievable deal, make offers. The seller rejects them, even if they are higher than his/her listing price. The buyers become emotionally involved in the house, offer a little more and then a little more.

At Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Illinois' Chain O' Lakes, we are in the midst of one such situation. A house originally listed for $999,000 was reduced to $385,000 a few days ago. In big letters the listing sheet said “SHORT SALE.” A price of $385,000 for a waterfront house in a premier community is an unbelievable deal. And, yes, it’s too good to be true.

In a matter of days, the seller has received three offers, each significantly higher than the new listing price, and has rejected all of them. Now, the price is being bid up to what the market might and should bear.

But, even if the seller and one of the potential buyers agree on a price, that doesn’t mean the house is sold. The bank holding the mortgage must approve the sale. According to realtors certified in short sales, Chicago area banks typically are not approving offers for less than 85 percent of the mortgage amount. The approval process tends to be a long one, sometimes more than a year.

Although the house now for sale at Newport Cove is not owned by the development, but by one of the community’s residents, the Newport Cove sales office has been inundated with phone calls from potential buyers, many disappointed when they learn that the house cannot be bought for anywhere near the current asking price. These callers feel this is a dishonest marketing tactic – a bait-and-switch sort of thing. And, although the tactic is legal, we agree. It’s a flim-flam way to do business.

Courage Has Its Rewards

2011-01-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

Not everyone thinks the housing market will never recover. In this article Barbara Corcoran, one of the top real estate thinkers in the United States, says now is the best buying opportunity in a lifetime. All that's required is a little courage.

Bathroom Redo Ideas

2010-12-30T05:44:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting take on redoing a bathroom. . .

To Get the "Look," Avoid These Mistakes

2010-12-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

Want a fresh look for your home, and want to do it yourself? Here are some decorating mistakes to avoid:

1. Too many colors. Try to keep the paint colors in your home to a minimum – two or three at most. And, if possible, use one carpet throughout the entire house. A plethora of colors will make your home feel chopped up and stop the visual flow of your spaces.

2. Busy fabrics on large pieces. Think of your sofa and sectional as background. Select simple fabrics for them, preferably without much color or pattern variation. Think of these large furniture pieces as something akin to your “basic black” dress. You can dress them up or dress them down. Save the patterned fabrics for pillows or drapes. Use accessories – like art, area rugs or throws – to bring the “punch” into your rooms.

3. Layout unbalanced. When arranging your furniture, be careful not to put all the heavy pieces on one side of the room. If you have something tall (like an armoire) on one wall, try to balance it with, for example, a large picture on the opposite wall.

4. Too much stuff. A good rule of thumb is this: Think of everything you want to put into a room, and then cut it in half.

5. No theme. The eclectic look is great, but – for it to be successful – it needs a theme, be it style, topic or color. In our Stillwater model home at Newport Cove, our waterfront development on the Chain O’ Lakes, the theme is nautical and color-centered, using a palette of white, blue and tan. This 2,215-square-foot home offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a full basement with nine-foot walls and an optional bonus room over the 2.5-car garage. It is in the community's Cottages neighborhood, an area where the homeowners' association takes care of all landscaping maintenance and snow removal.

Attractive Practicality Is "In"

2010-12-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, the average square footage of new homes has been dropping. The median size of new homes being built today is just above 2,100 square feet, down from 2,309 square feet three years ago, in 2007. However, the survey also shows that, while the size of homes has decreased, the price (and cost) per square foot generally has not. Labor costs have gone done, but material costs – copper and steel, for example – have skyrocketed. Recent federal legislation is requiring more energy-efficient (translation, more expensive) insulation, windows and heating/cooling systems. Moreover, more buyers seem to think, “Well, if I’m building smaller, at least I’m going to build better.” As a result, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and designer touches are de rigueur.

Consumers, from baby boomers to their children, the “eco-boomers,” are realizing that a well-planned house can live bigger than one that’s big simply for the sake of being big. Spaces that serve double purposes, such as a family room that converts to a media room, or an office tucked into a nook rather than using an entire room, are in demand. Today’s home buyers simply do not want to pay for and/or maintain space they rarely use.

Amenities also are important to today's consumer. Home buyers are willing to pay a little more to live where there are amenities - such as Newport Cove with its private marina and waterfront common areas.

Attractive practicality may be the theme of the day. . .

Today's Homes Are More Affordable

2010-11-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Housing Watch says that homes are more affordable today than they have been in the past 20 years. As the old adage says, "Buy straw hats in the winter."

http://www.housingwatch.com/2010/11/22/homeownership-most-affordable-rates-in-20-years/

Housing Prices WILL Go Up

2010-11-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

Despite the endless doom and gloom about housing on television business news programs, we have been contending that the economic fundamentals soon will reassert themselves, that the cost of homes will rise to meet the cost to produce them, that supply and demand will be equalized. And, when that happens, the price of housing will rise rapidly and dramatically.

This article in Nation's Housing News and the research it is based upon support our contention

If living in a permanent vacation setting has been your dream, there's no time like now to build a home at Newport Cove!

A Dozen Reasons Why New Homes Are Better

2010-11-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

1. New homes appreciate more. Even though real estate currently is in a slump, history tells us that not only do homes appreciate, but the value of new homes tends to grow more than the value of used homes.

2. New homes cost less to operate. Maintaining a house can be expensive. Because everything in a new home is NEW, you will have fewer major repairs – things like roofs, furnaces, appliances, etc.

3. New homes are under warranty. Typically a new home has a builder warranty. This means that certain items in your home will be maintenance-cost-free for the length of that warranty (one-year for most items, 30 years or more for some items like roofs and siding).

4. You don’t pay for space you won’t use. With a new home, particularly a custom-built home designed for your specific lifestyle, you are building only the space you use. Take the cost per square foot (use $100 per foot as an easy benchmark) and determine what that extra unused square footage costs for not just mortgage, but also utilities, maintenance and real estate taxes.

5. New homes are designed for today. The way we live has changed over the years. We spend more time in the great room and less in a formal dining room. Kitchens have grown larger and become as much a gathering place as a cooking space. Closets are larger. Technology spaces are planned into the design.

6. New homes are tech friendly. New homes are built with the wiring required for today’s connected world.

7. New homes are “green.” Building codes and technology have greatly improved the energy efficiency of homes. New homes built in the Midwest after January 1, 2010, must have R-19 insulation in the walls, R-45 in the ceilings and low-e windows, as well as fully insulated basements.

8. New homes are healthier. New homes – unlike their older counterparts – no longer include asbestos or lead paint. Today’s plywood and particle board emit almost no formaldehyde.

9. New homes contain better products. The quality of many building products has dramatically increased. For example, the mechanicals – heating, air conditioning, ventilating, electrical systems, plumbing – available today are much superior to those in older homes.

10. A new home reflects your personal taste. When you build a new home, you can select the style of the cabinets, the material in the countertops, the tile and the flooring, the color of the walls, the type of hardware, the features of your appliances, etc., etc.

11. A new home in a new development offers better infrastructure. For example, a new home in Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, IL, is hooked up to a new sewer system, all the storm and sanitary sewers are new, the wells are new, the roads are new, the new cable and electrical wires are buried under ground.

12. A new home in a new development often has special amenities. The owners at Newport Cove can enjoy the community’s 8-acre private waterfront park, the community’s private marina, walking paths, picnic gazebo, wildflower gardens and other amenities.

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. . .

2010-11-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

This is a good article about how mirrors can make a smaller home feel larger. We've used many of these ideas in our cottage homes at Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Bluff Lake in unincorporated Antioch, IL.

http://freshome.com/2010/11/03/how-to-enlarge-your-space-using-mirrors/

Some Mistakes Can't Be Fixed

2010-10-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

This is a helpful article for homeowners thinking of customizing their new home or changing their old. . .

HOME PROJECTS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BOTCH.

Should You Buy A House?

2010-10-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

Is renting better than purchasing? As home values stagnate, many people seem to think so.

But, before you decide to sign that lease, consider these points:

1. Rent usually goes up. If you have a fixed price mortgage, your payment will be the same for 30 years and – at the end of that time – you will have no house payments whatsoever.

2. A home is an investment. When you pay rent, you are putting money in someone else’s pocket.When you pay a mortgage, part of that money is being invested in your property. Eventually you can own your home free and clear.

3. A lease is short-term. If you have a one- or two-year lease, at the end of the lease a landlord can decide to no longer rent the property. If you own a home, you can live there as long as you like (if you pay the mortgage and taxes).

4. You will pay less income tax. The interest you pay on your mortgage AND your real estate taxes are tax deductible on your federal and state income tax returns. Rent is NOT tax deductible.

5. Real estate tends to increase in value. That fact is difficult to believe in a down-trending market, but in the long term real estate prices have done nothing but go up.

6. Mortgage rates are at historic lows. Because of the low rates, today it is more cost effective to buy a house than to rent one of the same size.

7. You become part of a community. Homeowners tend to be more invested in their communities, to stay longer in their residences.

8. You have more influence. Municipal officials, whether it is fair or not, tend to pay more attention to property owners than to renters.

Would your landlord like this color?

9. You can plant a garden. With a home usually comes a little land – a place for a garden plot or a swing set.

10. You can paint the walls RED. When you own your home, YOU are the landlord. You can paint, decorate, make the home your own.

Newport Cove, New American Homes' waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL, has new homes available for immediate occupancy starting at $395,000. Or, we can build you a new home starting from $325,000.

The Colors of Cottage

2010-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

The colors of sand, sunshine, water and flower gardens – these are cottage colors. At Newport Cove, the award-winning waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes in suburban Antioch, builder New American Homes has some favorite paint colors for its coastal-style homes:

They include:

Behr’s “Clambake,” “Cottage White” and “Laurel Mist.” Benjamin Moore’s “Nantucket Breeze.” Restoration Hardware’s “Sand Dollar” (top), “Silver Sage" (middle) and “Seafoam” (bottom). Teamed with bright white trim, these colors say summer, lazy days and serenity. Psychologists have proved that color affects mood. Who could feel unhappy surrounded by these hues?

A Housing Shortage? You Kidding Me??

2010-09-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Is a housing shortage coming? If you watch TV news or read newspapers, you would say, “Absolutely not!” Yet a few economists are beginning to predict a housing shortage in just a few years. Why? Here’s the story:

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, our country forms something north of one million new households each year. In other words, every year we need to add another one million-plus housing units – apartments, condos, single-family homes. During the height of the housing boom, the country was building more new homes than households being formed. (Small wonder there was a housing glut!) But, now, we are building far fewer. Recent housing statistics show that the country is adding around 500,000 units per year, less than half of what is needed. And, this number does not take into account the obsolete housing units that are torn down annually.

Once the country burns through the excess inventory built in the 2005-2008 era, the supply of housing being produced will not begin to meet the demand. Because so many building material suppliers and construction companies have either cut back or disappeared, it will be difficult to construct the number of units needed. Thus, some economists are beginning to predict not only a housing shortage, but an accompanying increase in housing prices.

Not many people have the courage to buy in a down market. But, historically, smart investors run against the herd. They sell when everyone else is buying and buy when everyone else is selling. With interest rates at record lows and housing prices down from their lofty heights, now might be the best time in a lifetime to buy real estate.

Appraisal Know-How

2010-08-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

In today’s turbulent real estate market, an appraisal can make or break the sale of your home. Yet, appraising is far from an exacting profession. Here are a few things to know about appraisals so that the house you are buying or selling is valued properly:

1. An appraisal is one person’s opinion. During our 25 years in business, New American Homes has found that appraisals on the same property can vary greatly. The opinion of one appraiser does not necessarily match the opinion of another.

2. Qualify your appraiser. When the appraiser calls to make an appointment to view your property, ask if he or she is familiar with your neighborhood. If not, call the lender and ask that an appraiser with “geographic competency” value your home.

3. Be proactive with your appraiser. Be prepared to give the appraiser favorable comparables (or “comps”) from your neighborhood. Point out properties that have sold recently and compare well with your property. Tell the appraiser how these comps are better or worse than your property – for example, does your home have more bedrooms, an updated kitchen, a finished basement, more square footage, a preferred location?

4. Identify foreclosures. Be sure that, if an appraiser is using a foreclosed property as a comp, this fact is properly noted and the condition of the foreclosed property is known. (Many foreclosed properties are "stripped" before they are sold, and the recorded sale prices do not take into consideration the cost of bringing the properties back to a livable condition.)

The following link from AOL’s real estate blog, “Inside the Mind of an Appraiser,” is an excellent short video on how an appraiser looks at a home: Inside the Mind of an Appraiser

Stairway Savvy

2010-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ever trip going down the stairs to your basement? Here's a safety tip from New American Homes, award-winning builder of Newport Cove, a planned waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes:

In dark stairwells, vary the color of the stair treads. Shown here is the stairwell to the lower level in the LIFEhouse, a concept house featuring universal design and opening soon at Newport Cove. Note how the stair carpet color changes. Note the rope lighting routed into the stairrail. These are two inexpensive ideas to add a smart (and interesting) touch of safety to your home.

The Challenge of Building Accessible Homes

2010-08-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

New American Homes, the builder of Newport Cove, has been in the home building business since the mid-1980s. Over the course of those years, we have been asked four different times to retrofit a home we had built to accommodate a person who - due to either accident or illness - had become wheelchair bound. Then, in each of those instances, once the home owners had decided to move from their residences, we were again hired to remove all of the accessibility features so that the home could be sold.

It is very difficult to sell a home that LOOKS accessible. Buyers do not want to be reminded of the world’s difficulties, the trials and tribulations of illness and aging.

Because of these experiences, we became interested in accessible housing. It seemed foolish to build a house, retrofit a house and then remove the retrofitting. The solution, of course, is a design that does not scream accessibility. Over the years we have begun adding several accessible features to our homes. We – as a matter of course – build wider hallways, wider doorways and stacked closets. But, the kitchens and baths are always the big challenge. The average buyers still want the private water closet. They shy away from grab bars. They want storage space under their vanity sinks.

This all led to the building of our LIFEhouse, a concept home we are just completing in our Newport Cove waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes.

The LIFEhouse is a 2,000 square-foot-ranch home with a full basement. The floor plan is simply one of our standard models TWEAKED a bit so that it follows the principles of “universal design.” Much of the house is accessible; the rest could easily become so.

The home’s entrances are no-step. The front porch camouflages a brick paver ramp that comes off the front sidewalk. The front door is 42 inches wide. The house has a lift that stops at the garage, the first floor and the lower level. The kitchen, master bath and lower level bath are fully accessible. A third bath is semi-accessible. The home has many, many features that are universally designed. Yet, it is an attractive home. It is trendy, young-feeling - not at all hospital-like.

We are finding that people from their 50s on are quite interested in the concept. They like the house. They like its feel. They GET the practicality of it. Will they pay for it?

As you know, elevators and lifts are budget busters, as are some of the new high-tech options – but the little things, including more and better lighting, accessible hardware and faucets, well-placed appliances – these things are easy and inexpensive.

For us, the challenge is to create a universally designed home package that is more or less the same cost as one of our standard homes. That’s the challenge.

So, here’s a question: Would you pay extra for the security of remaining in your home as your lifestyle changes?

Homes With Benefits

2010-08-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

You may have heard the words “planned community” or “planned urban development (PUD),” but what do those words mean to a home buyer? In the simplest sense they indicate that, when the property was zoned, certain amenities were built into the plan. The land wasn’t just cut up into as many home sites as possible. Instead, space was left for common areas – for parks, natural habitats, green belts, perhaps a stand of old trees. A "planned community" also means that the development has certain guidelines and standards which typically are higher than the normal zoning code. Perhaps all the architecture is required to be the same “style”. Maybe all roofs must be the same color. Some PUDs prevent the permanent parking of commercial vehicles - boats or campers, as examples, or limit the numbers of pets homeowners can shelter.

Today governmental bodies and municipalities encourage PUDs, especially for significant pieces of land being developed. This allows the land to be thoughtfully designed. In a sense, it’s urban planning on a small scale.

Lifestyle, convenience and aesthetics draw people to planned development. Our Newport Cove community on the Chain O’ Lakes is one example. Homeowners say they have moved there for the waterfront lifestyle and the quality environment. “We want a place where our friends, our kids and grandkids will want to visit,” is something we hear time and again.

Housing choices

Planned communities typically offer variety in the size and type of houses. Maintenance-free smaller houses, like Newport Cove’s Cottages, meet the need of empty nesters or second-home buyers. Custom-designed larger homes satisfy a growing family. Houses built using universal design or aging-in-place principles assure a home that will meet owners' changing needs. What ties these housing choices together is not uniformity, but rather attention to details that cultivate community. Front porches and shared common grounds allow neighbors to know one another and congregate as they see fit.

Architectural integrity

Architectural guidelines assure integrity in the look and building quality of a planned community. Adherence to these guidelines creates a consistently pleasing environment. For example, all the homes at Newport Cove use a coastal-style architecture featuring siding and stone facades, all with white trim, and this brings a bright, clean look to the community.

Amenities

Vacationing where you live is a theme of many planned communities. Recreation possibilities may include golf, fishing and boating. New, state-of-the-art, easy-maintenances homes allow for more time to enjoy these amenities. At Newport Cove owners can be seen congregating on the walking paths, strolling along the lake, picnicking in the community gazebo, fishing from the piers and – of course – spending time in their boats.

Open space

Land planning is important in a PUD. Attractive natural landscapes with open spaces are increasingly appealing to buyers. Carefully constructed street scenes and walking paths provide views of the natural environments. For example, Newport Cove’s acres of wild flowers and natural grasses will add more and more interest to the environment as the years go on.

If you were planning a community what would you want to include?

Window Shopping

2010-08-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Positioned appropriately and installed correctly, windows spread light, increase ventilation, insulate and complement a home’s architecture. Details make a difference. When window-shopping for your new home, think beyond the floor plan to a wall plan. Create affordable comfort in your new home with the right windows.

How to choose

Windows come in many shapes and sizes. Decide on a consistent window treatment – pattern, trim and casing. Then select the scale, quantity and style of your windows, relying on the treatment for design unity.

If you have ceilings nine-feet or taller, you may want to bring the top of your windows to an eight-foot height rather than the six-foot eight-inch height that is typical. This extra 16 inches of light can make a huge difference in the brightness of your home.

Consider how window placement affects heating and cooling. Windows opposite each other create passive ventilation.

Rooms with more than a view

Imagine the view from outside of the house as well as from the inside. What side of a room do you want the light to come from? East and west windows accept a lot of light from the sun during spring and fall so, if the room is being used for television watching or computer work, this can be an issue.

When the living room overlooks a pleasing outdoor area, you might choose big windows to extend the space. Use your windows to accentuate your best views. We have seen many, many homes on beautiful sites with living rooms that, rather than focusing on the grand vista outside, have two-story fireplaces or massive walls blocking the view of the water, the woods or the golf course.

On the other hand, you can skimp a bit on windows for rooms that aren’t used much during the daylight hours. A formal dining room is one example.

Energy savings

Energy-efficient windows will reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Window glass (or as it is called in the trade, “glaze”) is important for achieving good insulation and temperature retention. The glaze is measured in R and U values. Look for a glaze with high R-value and low U-value.

Low-e windows – windows with a coated glass that offers protection against both heat and cold – are a proven energy-saver. Double-pane or, even better, triple-pane windows, ensure a better insulated home.

A window for your lifestyle

To save time on home maintenance, choose top and bottom tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning. Anti-water systems around bay windows make them a worry-free choice.

Do you like blinds or shades? Be sure your windows have low-profile, fold-away handles that minimize hardware obstruction.

New manufacturing processes and window technology are creating multiple possibilities for indoor comfort. Here’s a room with a view at Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes.

Three Reasons To Buy A Lakeside Home NOW

2010-07-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Living year-round in a newly built, energy-efficient lakeside home is a practical choice wise home investors are pursuing now.

1. Lowest mortgage rates

The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan sank to 4.58 percent last week, according to Freddie Mac. That is the lowest rate since the mortgage company began keeping records in 1971. At this rate, the interest one would pay on a $400,000 mortgage would be $18,320 per year, a little more than $1,500 per month, and that $1,500 is tax deductible!

2. At-cost price tag

The award-winning builder of Newport Cove, New American Homes, will build a custom home AT COST on Newport Cove’s estate or lakefront home sites as long as the buyer pays full price for the lot and begins building before October 1, 2010. This is a tremendous savings, particularly when one considers that it includes a beautifully designed and appointed coastal-style home offering the latest in energy-saving technology PLUS access to a fresh water lake, walking paths and open “green” spaces on land served by a state-of-the-art sewer system.

3. Recreation & quality lifestyle

A lakeside home in a planned waterfront community near Chicago offers multiple advantages including recreation and quality time with family. Fish, swim, take out the boat moored in Newport Cove’s private marina on Bluff Lake. Simplify your life with a beautiful new home in a serene setting. There’s never been a better time to capture that dream.

To learn more call: 847-726-2727 and visit www.newport-cove.com

Homes Can Grow With You

2010-06-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

Within the next 25 years, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older. If you are remodeling your home or building a new one, ask yourself this question: Will your house appeal to this changing population? It’s a question all homeowners should answer.

A little forethought and small design changes can make a big difference in making a house user-friendly for a longer time period. If it’s a two-story, stacking closets one above the other can create a spot for a future elevator. “Blocking” – adding extra support wood behind bath and shower walls – provides a place to anchor future grab bars. Trading a front door with sidelights for an extra-wide door can make access (as well as such mundane events as moving a sofa) easier. Being sure each room has three levels of lighting – natural, ambient and task lighting – ensures that weaker eyes can see better.

Helping customers create home environments that are usable by all people is a service offered by New American Homes, Inc. and its Newport Cove development, a planned waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes in Chicagoland. An example of a universally designed home, the LIFEhouse™ concept home, designed in conjunction with the internationally renowned IDEA Center at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, will be opening soon.

A bath in the home, pictured here, illustrates several universally designed features, including a bench located across from the shower.

The Changing "Shape" of New Homes. . .

2010-06-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Home sizes in the U.S. are declining. Is it because of recession, energy conservation or an aging population that wants to spend less time caring for homes?

The average square footage for new homes in the United States dropped signficantly in 2009 for the first time in nearly 30 years, according to figures just released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

New homes in 2009 averaged 2,438 square feet, down from 2,519 square feet in 2008. The average peaked in 2007 at 2,521 square feet. American house sizes have been trending upward since averages were first calculated in 1973, when homes were an average of 1,660 square feet.

The Census figures show the trend in smaller homes visible in other ways. Only 36 percent of new homes in 2009 had four or more bedrooms, down from 40 percent the previous years and the lowest percentage since 1997. And, the number of single-story homes increased from 44 percent to 47 percent.

These trends seem to be confirmed at our Newport Cove waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch where customer “hot buttons” are moving toward the quality rather than quantity of space, fewer bedrooms, ranch-style homes or – at minimum - first-floor masters, easy-care materials and energy-conserving construction.

Tight envelopes: green but not glamorous

2010-06-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

Wondering what is the most cost-efficient way to make a home energy efficient? The answer is simple: Create a tight building envelope through improved insulation and proper window and door installation.

Often customers will demand the more “trend-setting” options such as solar or wind products, but builders know that the greatest return on investment - the biggest bang for the buck - is insulation coupled with good doors and windows.

A rule of thumb in home construction has been that the cost of insulation is about one percent of the entire construction cost. For this one percent, a home owner can get good quality standard fiberglass batt insulation and a vapor barrier. However, if one doubles the insulation budget to two percent of the home's cost, that amount typically will buy a state-of-the-art closed cell foam insulation system and more than twice the energy efficiency. The resulting “tighter” envelope can save as much as half on heating and cooling costs.

Solar and wind are all the “buzz” when it comes to home energy efficiency, but boring, non-glamorous insulation is today’s best bet.

At Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes, we offer buyers the smart buildng options that will create an efficient, cost-effective - and COMFORTABLE - home.

Why A "Not So Big" House Works

2010-06-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

The "Not So Big" philosophy of home building works for home buyers on many levels: financial, social and personal. Sarah Susanka, architect and author of the Not So Big series of books, talked recently at a 365GreenExpo online event. She advocates a “quality, not quantity” way of thinking. With the new economy and need for sustainability, this message is resonating with home buyers and builders, including developer New American Homes and its waterfront community of Newport Cove, located near Antioch on the Chain O’ Lakes. (See Newport's Moonriver model, pictured below.)

Affordability, according to Susanka, can be as simple as taking inventory of what you really need. Will you use it? If not, forget it. Think food, shelter and security. Rather than increasing costly square footage, put money into enhancing the quality of space. Builders can make less feel like more using varied ceiling heights, open floor plan and details. What’s needed is not size, but a custom-designed personal space that enhances the quality of life. A sense of home, sought by so many, can be defined and, thus, afforded.

Environmental awareness can reduce home costs and protect the eco-system. Susanka says that 20 percent of all carbon emissions come from existing housing stock. “Leaky” houses have an enormous environmental impact. She suggests homeowners have an energy audit conducted to lower utility bills and reduce emissions. Well-built new houses, using the latest in building technology, attend to these factors so owners won’t have to spend time and money retrofitting.

But, beauty matters, too. A house may be efficient and affordable, but if it’s not pleasing, it’s not sustainable. Its owners won’t care enough about it to care for it. When a home offers a sanctuary for its occupants, it can give more than it takes. It is a place to grow.

Finally, the Not So Big concept does not require that you build a small house, only that you build efficient space. In an upcoming post we’ll talk about the benefits of a Not So Big community.

April Home Prices Are UP!

2010-05-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

Home prices and sales rose in April, and that's good news for home owners and home sellers.

The National Association of Realtors said yesterday that the nation's sales of previously owned homes rose a surprising 7.6 percent last month. This is the best showing in five months and far better than what economists had predicted. The Midwest did even better than most of the country. Sales here rose 9.9 percent.

The increase in sales sparked a rise in home prices. The median price for homes sold rose to $173,100, up 4 percent from a year ago.

Balance Cost and Quality In Your New Home

2010-05-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

How can you get the best for less when building a new home? Work with a builder who respects your choices and is dedicated to serving you. A cost-conscience builder will provide you with the best materials aligned with your budget and design preferences. He (or she) will watch for waste and excess on your behalf.

Here are several home building options buyers can make to contain cost yet still enjoy a quality, custom-built home.

• Check into the cost of permit and impact fees for new homes in the area. Some towns may have fees as high as $25,000 for a new family home, while the neighboring town’s fees might be under $10,000.

• Choose a lot that does not require blasting or clearing, does not have a high water table, has access to electricity, gas and sewer.

• Because square or nearly square shaped homes have fewer linear feet of exterior walls (and walls are one of the most expensive elements of the home), such homes cost less to build.

• Ranch homes cost more than two-story homes. Multi-story homes may provide the same amount of living space, but with a smaller roof and foundation, the expense is significantly less.

• Consider the length/width of the driveway when you decide whether to locate garage doors on the front or side of a home.

• Remember that smaller houses are more affordable to build and more economical to maintain.

• Minimize hallways and wasted space to create a more efficient floor plan.

• “Open” floor plans live larger and generally cost less – there are fewer walls.

• Even though the initial cost is higher, consider using energy-efficient appliances, heating/cooling systems and windows. But, before purchasing them, calculate the cost/benefit. If you plan to stay in the home for many years, the energy savings from these items will eventually pay for their extra cost – and then some. However, if you plan to move in a couple years, you may not want to opt for all of these products.

• Better insulation is the most cost-effective energy-saving item you can buy.

• If you want a great-looking kitchen on a budget, choose less pricey cabinets and put your money in the trims (crown molding, glass doors, etc.) and countertops. Expensive cabinets with a laminate top will cost more than moderately priced cabinets with a granite top, but the latter will look more expensive.

• Carefully choose your finish carpenter, tile installer and painter. No matter how well your home is built, if the finishes are not done well, your house will look cheap. Don’t let an amateur carpenter hang the cabinets. Be sure your painter sprays the trim.

• Upgrade your moldings. A 3.5-inch casing looks much more expensive than a 2-inch, but the incremental cost is minimal.

• Get that cushy expensive carpet feel with moderately priced carpet and an upgraded pad. Often the better pads far outlive the life of any carpet.

You can contain costs without sacrificing quality. At New American Homes, we do this every day for every homeowner. Visit Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes, to see for yourself.

Your Home IS Your Lifestyle

2010-05-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Lifestyle is often more centered on the home you live in than on nights out or days away. How can you enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always wanted?

You might start with entryways. Does your home welcome you? Are the doorways well positioned and wide enough? (At Newport Cove, our standard front door is an extra-wide 42 inches.)

Then look at the rooms. Do they invite you in with a human-scale ceiling height and beautiful window views? Do you like the paint colors on your walls?

Are the handles you grasp each day easy to use and in good working order? Do your appliances work? These encounters can affect mood. Like a firm handshake or a warm smile, the working parts of a house should evoke confidence and comfort.

What aromas fill your house? If it’s yesterday’s dinner you may need to check on the ventilation.

Listen for sounds in your home. Are the fans too loud? What do you hear outside - neighbors next door or birds singing? (Newport Cove, although just an hour from downtown Chicago, is in another world – a world of lakes and Mother Nature and water sports.)

Are your home belongings beautiful and functional? A professional organizer told us today that most people use only 20 percent of what they own. Are you spending your time taking care of “things” and “stuff” you rarely (if ever) use? Should you simplify your life?

When you’re in a house that fits you, you won’t be over or under stimulated. Visit Newport Cove. It’s not just a home, it’s a lifestyle. You can make it your own.

Chicagoland Getaway: A Day in Suburban Antioch

2010-04-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

It’s a great feeling finding something new in somewhere old. Your getaway day can begin with a tour of custom homes at the Newport Cove waterfront planned community near Antioch on the Chain O' Lakes. See quality craftsmanship up close. View the newest features in home design. Walk the pathways surrounded by natural prairie landscaping. Dangle your feet off the piers at the marina on Bluff Lake. If you lived here, you’d be just steps away from all of this and more.

After touring Newport Cove, you might want to visit the Infini-tea, a charming tea house/eaterie in nearby downtown Antioch. Tea is served all day long in a quaint, relaxing environment. More than 50 varieties of tea are offered from all around the world. At the entrance, open jars of tea are available for customers to take a whiff. The lunch menu includes gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches. Scones and other baked goodies are offered as well. Thirsty children can enjoy juices and smoothies.

Around the corner is a shop called Hannah’s “Where inspiration is always free.” This family-owned craft store has a paper department, a frame shop, candle center, custom floral and home décor. It carries name brands “Life is Good”, Vera Bradley, Pandora jewelry and women’s accessories. Card making, soldering, beading and scrapbooking are some of the classes offered here. For $12 on Friday nights, scrapbooking students get dinner, dessert, demos and lively conversation.

You won’t want to leave the area before visiting Pickard China, known as America’s oldest and finest china maker. Serving markets around the world, the family-owned business began operating in 1893. It has supplied custom china for Air Force One, Blair House and Camp David. Dignitaries including the Queen of England and the King of Saudi Arabia chose Pickard to produce exclusive fine china. You can visit the outlet store and factory museum to be enchanted by the history of such craftsmanship.

In each of these places, “Made in America” still reigns. An attention to detail, product quality and customer’s satisfaction is paramount. Enjoy your day!

Sell Yourself, Sell Your Home

2010-04-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

When your lifestyle reflects market trends, it's possible that if you sell yourself, you can sell your home. How can unfinished rooms in a basement be turned into a selling point? Lots of people are looking for studio space. Mary's basement rooms became studios with a drafting board for design work and a potter's wheel for making ceramics. Her husband set up an area for making wine. Think charm, not glamor.

Cook at home. Selling point: Chef's kitchen. A real cook makes the kitchen work no matter what kind of cabinets are used. Kate shows the good use of space and storage in her kitchen. She organizes shelves and arranges furniture so it's easy for her to make an inviting environment around meals.

Cultivate a garden. Selling point: Curb appeal. Cut flowers in vases display a domestic touch. Don't go overboard in the yard. Too much may intimidate those who don't garden. Low maintenance perennials are lovely.

Check out the nine-foot basement ceilings at Newport Cove, a waterfront community of custom homes on the Chain O' Lakes in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Kitchen space is well-designed for busy cooks. Professionally designed landscaping uses prairie plants and grasses to accent roads and pathways. Models are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

Trying to Sell Your Home? Be Ready with Selling Points

2010-04-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

Do you have lifestyle selling points worth mentioning when trying to sell your home? Realtors may not list these assets along with wood floors and granite counter tops, but they may be worth discussing when potential buyers are wavering between your house and someone else's. Here are some potential house selling points you may have overlooked.

Do you pay someone to clean your house? Selling point: Professionally cleaned on a regular basis. This may influence asthma sufferers. The upkeep of a home tells potential buyers the owners care about the space they live in. If the cleaning products contain only natural ingredients be sure to mention that as well.

Raising a family in your house. Selling point: A family-friendly layout. Carol never used a baby monitor since she could hear what was going on from any room in the house. Anecdotal stories like these can turn into advantages.

Purchasing energy-saving appliances and good insulation. Selling point: Energy efficiency. If you remodeled your kitchen and installed energy-efficient appliances or added attic insulation, you may want to show your low utility bills to potential home buyers.

Being on a good site with well-positioned windows and no clutter. Selling point: A great view. Clutter makes a house look and feel smaller. Ted's house had windows that offered views of the sunrise and sunset.

Another favorite selling point at Newport Cove, a custom home waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes in suburban Chicago, is the coastal-style architecture. Homes are built using durable, low-maintenance products such as Hardieboard concrete fiber siding and shakes, long-lived Certainteed architectural roof shingles, and aluminum-clad Pella windows.

Can Lifestyle Choices Help Sell a House?

2010-04-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

This week we're talking about giving yourself an edge when selling an existing house. It may be as simple as looking at your lifestyle choices as a homeowner. A few years ago Mary and her husband sold their ranch house. A potential buyer impressed with the butterflies, rabbits and birds in the yard asked how they had taken care of the lawn. "We had never put pesticides and chemical-based weed killer on our property for the 16 years we lived there," she said. Their natural "green" yard was a benefit worth talking about.

One northwest suburban realtor sees potential buyers walk away from houses occupied by smokers. "The owners cleaned every inch of the house including all the fabrics. People still could smell the smoke." She said smoke is the biggest lifestyle decision that detracts from home sales.

One of the favorite selling points at Newport Cove, a waterfront community of new custom homes, is its 100-plus-slip marina. Built for the exclusive use of the community's 67 homes (and homeowners' children and grandchildren). The marina extends along the community's 1,800 feet of shoreline and fronts onto an eight-acre private lakefront. Newport Cove is located on Bluff Lake, one of the beautiful lakes in suburban Chicago's Chain O' Lakes.

Staying Ahead of New Housing Trends

2010-04-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

New housing trends emphasize clean architectural lines, flexible floor plans and low maintenance "green" materials. Overall, home building trends are moving towards quality vs. quantity, distinction over conformity, well-designed space vs. simply SPACE.

Defined spaces. Half walls are now favored as a way to define space. They are being used to separate the kitchen from living and dining rooms. In the bathroom, spaces for the tub and shower are being separated. Transitional spaces such as hallways are sheltering home work stations, laundry alcoves and hobby nooks.

Green materials. Green products are flourishing in today's new homes. Synthetic/engineered materials (for countertops, flooring, siding, exterior trim and decking) all are increasing in popularity. Traditional exteriors are popular, while the materials used to create them are increasingly eco-friendly.

Energy efficiency. Home buyers appreciate options for energy efficiency, sustainability features and low maintenance products. Alternative home insulation such as structural foam insulation panels or sprayed foam insulation, extra insulation in the attic, double and triple glazed windows, human scale ceiling heights of nine feet are all signs of the new energy-efficient home.

Accessibility. Improving accessibility in the home is a rising trend. First-floor master bedrooms suites, ramps and elevators, multi-level counters, as well as easy-to-use handles and faucets are favorites of aging-in-place advocates. In Newport Cove's LIFEhouse, a home designed for all of your life, an inobtrusive brick ramp, pictured at right, leads to the front door.

Outdoor Spaces. Natural landscaping sensitive to the site is an appealing alternative to time-consuming, chemcially treated, manicured lawns. Wildflowers and native grasses are favored. Recreation elements such as a lake, walking trails and bicycle paths add to the livability of a setting.

Newport Cove, a waterfront community located on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL., is staying ahead of the new housing trends offering the most popular features in custom home design. We want our buyers to love their homes and the environment around them.

On the Side of Concrete Fiber Siding

2010-04-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

The “Cottages” at Newport Cove, the neighborhood of maintenance-free-exterior homes that is part of the Newport Cove waterfront development on the Chain O’ Lakes, come standard with fiber cement siding. It’s a product builder New American Homes has been using for several years and highly recommends.

Although fiber cement siding has the look of traditional wood siding, it is more durable than wood, vinyl or aluminum siding. It doesn’t warp, buckle or fade and has a Class 1-A fire rating. It withstands ultraviolet rays and does not rot. Birds and insects do not penetrate it (much to the dismay of the local woodpeckers and carpenter ants). Hail does not dent it, unlike aluminum siding. And, unlike vinyl siding, concrete fiber siding does not become brittle in cold weather or melt when near a barbeque grill. Moreover, it is a renewable, sustainable “green” product.

The product comes in a variety of textures, profiles and colors. Typically it carries a multi-decade warranty and its factory-applied paint lasts 15 years or more.

At Newport Cove we use the fiber concrete lap siding, board-and batten siding and shingles to create our coastal-style look. It’s one more way we build homes that are easy to live in, easy to maintain and give owners more time to enjoy their waterfront lifestyle.

Find Pleasure in Buying a New Home

2010-04-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

When searching for a new home some people fall in love fast. For others anticipation builds. Avoid these potential trouble spots to keep your pleasure high throughout the buying process.

Financing. Get your mortgage pre-approved. Talk with a professional loan officer and get a firm loan commitment. This can hasten the closing process, getting you into your new home sooner rather than later.
The search. Find a trusted advisor. Work with a real estate agent you trust and who understands the market. Home buying is manageable on your own, but a realtor can give you insight and reassurance.
Tax credits. Learn about what's being offered. Currently, tax credits are being offered to new home buyers and existing home owners. These credits can take thousands of dollars off your federal tax bill. For answers to frequently asked questions: http://ow.ly/1uOx3
Price. Evaluate what you're really buying. You may not need a room for a home office or formal dining, so consider the efficient use of space. Also, short sales offered by banks on foreclosed properties may seem like a good deal at first, but buying a short sale is a long, involved process that delivers an as-is product often requiring major repairs and renovation.
Decisions. Understand what you appreciate and what you can do without. Make a list of your priorities. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Don't buy the wrong house for the wrong reasons.

Mix your joy in buying a new home with sound judgment and you're bound to live there happily ever after.

Housing Stats Predict Spring Market

2010-04-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

The national Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) offered the real estate market a breath of spring last week.

According to the association’s Market Composite Index, more people applied for home loans during the week ending March 26 than for any other similar period in the last six months.

The weekly survey of mortgage applications is one of the earliest measures of the health of the housing market. Not only do mortgage applications estimate sales that could potentially close in the future, but the data comes out well before similar surveys tracking the pace of housing sales are released. The latest MBA survey provides one of the only market indicators currently available on housing activity occurring in late March.

At Newport Cove, New American Homes’ waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, sales have been picking up. So far this year the Newport Cove sales team has written three contracts (and closed on one) – well ahead of the sales pace of 2009.

The Rhino Challenge

2010-04-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

How long would your carpet last in a rhinoceros cage?

If you like light-colored carpet, you may want to check into something new (and remarkable) in the carpet world: Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer. This stain-resistant carpet was used in a rhinoceros cage at the Birmingham Zoo for two weeks and – guess what – it survived!! As a custom home builder with decades of construction experience, we are quite skeptical when it comes to the many stain-resistant claims surrounding today’s carpets, but the Rhino Challenge convinced us.

At Newport Cove, our boating and watersport centered community on the Chain O’ Lakes, we are constantly on the lookout for easy-living products for our cottages and waterfront homes – products that will make your indoor/outdoor lifestyle more enjoyable. Who wants to come off your boat with a group of friends, go into your house and be anxious about – of all things – someone ruining the carpet?

So, red wine, sodas, barbeque sauce and all the other banes of white carpet beware: There now is a carpet that even a rhinoceros didn’t ruin. . . (And, incidentally, it is a “green” product, too.)

Chain O' Lakes State Park

2010-03-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting "take" on Chain O' Lakes State Park, just a boat ride away from Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Bluff Lake:

Design For Our "Techy" Life

2010-03-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hallway space, foyer space, walkway space – much of this space is often somewhat wasted. At Newport Cove, our waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, we have learned to tuck what we call “tech centers” into these areas of our new homes. By adding a couple feet to the width of a hallway, there’s room for a desk, cabinets, mail slots, file drawers, etc.

Buyers seem to love the tech areas; they rank among the most popular features in our homes. And why not? How many of us waste an entire spare bedroom for an office space that is ill-designed and so out of the way we rarely enter it. Instead, our laundry or kitchen counters – or bedside tables – become mail centers and offices.

Another advantage of the tech center is that, although the computer is in a semi-private location, it is enough in the open so that parents can keep an eye on their little ones’ surfing habits.

We design these centers so that printers, fax machines, surge protectors, computer towers (and all the accompanying cords) are hidden inside the cabinets. It makes for a neater look.

Flexibility in space and designing space to get the most out of it: These are hallmarks of today’s new homes. The tech center is an excellent example of this sort of thinking.

And, if you are one who does not need a tech space, it can be converted into a cabinet storage area or even a wet bar. . .

Uncle Sam Can Help You Buy Your Waterfront Home

2010-03-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

The clock is ticking down on the federal government’s home buyer tax credit: $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for eligible existing home owners. To take advantage of this “gift” from Uncle Sam, you must sign your sales contract by April 30 and close on your home by June 30.

Newport Cove, the award-winning waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes, has four homes available for immediate occupancy: three of its maintenance-free Cottage models (the Highmeadow, the Moonriver and, pictured at left, the Stillwater) and the 6,200-square-foot waterfront Boardwalk custom home. Prices for the upgraded Cottage homes start in the high $300,000s. The Boardwalk is $1.1 million. The homes - and our sales center - are open noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The government defines a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home for three years. Existing home owners can claim the $6,500 credit if they have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

To claim the full credit amounts, the buyer’s annual income must be under $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

All residents of Newport Cove have access to the property’s private marina and manicured 1,800 feet of Bluff Lake waterfront.

Interested in learning more about this buyer incentive program and Newport Cove? Call 847.726.2727.

Insulation Can Save Energy Costs and Reduce Risks

2010-03-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

With cold weather ending, home insulation may not be at the top of your to-do list. Still, it’s important to consider. Good insulation not only keeps your house warm in the winter, it helps keep it air conditioned in the summer, too.

If you’re living in a house built more than five years ago, chances are it is under-insulated, according to a Harvard University study. The right insulation, correctly installed, will lower your energy bill and reduce the risk of electrocution or fire. Ask these questions when researching insulation options:

1. Does the insulation meet current building standards? Check with the building code department of your municipality for code regulations.

2. Are you getting maximum energy efficiency? One way to find out is to check the R value. Find local R value recommendations for each area of a house. The lower the value, the faster the heat loss. So, look for a high R value. When building a new home, you may want to ask your builder to up the R value; increasing insulation during the construction process costs just a few hundred dollars - and those are well-spent dollars.

3. Is the insulation non-combustible? Fiberglass insulation is naturally non-combustible. It’s made from sand. Other forms of insulation may require fire-retardant chemical treatments.

4. Is the installer reputable? Check references and ask questions.

Look for special offers and rebates available through the U.S. Government’s Energy Star program. They can help further defer the cost of improving your home's insulation.

Majority Wants to Live on Water

2010-03-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

We now have the results of Newport Cove's latest poll: Would You Like to Live By Water? 73 percent of the respondents gave an unequivocal yes; four percent said maybe; and four percent said they already do.

Newport Cove is a waterfront community on 42 acres on the Chain O' Lakes. Sixty-seven new homes with lakefront views or lake access will be built in this planned community, which has 1,800 feet of shoreline on Bluff Lake, one of the deepest lakes on the Chain. A private marina with ample boatslips for all Newport Cove residents has been built at the property.

A Bead on Beadboard

2010-03-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

Beadboard is a staple of cottage style, evoking a breezy charm, the easy-going lifestyle of yesteryear. Bright white beadboard can lighten a dark space and create a nostalgic aura. In the Cottages at Newport Cove, our waterfront property on Bluff Lake, we use beadboard in a number of ways and applications.

At left, an extra-tall tongue-in-groove beadboard wainscoting brings coastal style to a small powder room.

At right, beadboard faces the front of a whirlpool soaking tub, creating not only a great look, but also a simple-to-remove access panel.

Below, beadboard is installed on the ceiling of a front porch, and then on the walls of a sunporch.

At Newport Cove, award-winning homebuilder New American Homes has installed beadboard behind book shelves, at the back of glass-doored cabinets, around kitchen islands. The product is an inexpensive and charming trim that fits with a waterfront lifestyle. (Painted with a semi-gloss paint, it is easy to clean and maintain.)

Newport Cove, a planned 42-acre community on the Chain O' Lakes, is zoned for 67 single-family homes. Its exacting architectural standards require coastal architecture, with signature white trim and cottage-style detailing.

Choosing an Efficient House Plan

2010-03-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

At New American Homes, we know that good house design starts with good architectural drawings. That shouldn’t surprise you.

But, what you might not know is that efficient house design starts with a home’s shape. (Even if you hate math, bear with us on this!)

The most expensive parts of a house typically are the foundation, the exterior walls and the roof.

So, let’s suppose you have a 1,600-square-foot house that is a square ranch. It’s 40 feet x 40 feet; that’s 1,600 square feet. In this house you have four exterior walls, each 40 feet long. So, 40 + 40 + 40 + 40 = 160 feet. That’s 160 lineal feet of foundation walls, and 160 feet of exterior walls.

Next, let’s suppose your 1,600-square-foot ranch house is a rectangle. It’s 80 feet x 20 feet. In this house you have four exterior walls, two 20 feet long, two 80 feet long. 80 + 20 + 80 + 20 = 200 feet. That’s 200 lineal feet of foundation walls, 200 feet of exterior walls.

Then, let’s suppose your 1,600-square-foot house is a two-story building. Let’s say it has 900 square feet on the first floor and 700 on the second floor. The foundation is 30 feet x 30 feet. 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 = 120 feet. This house has just 120 lineal feet of foundation walls. And, its roof is about half the size of the roof on the two ranch examples.

To summarize: A two-story house should cost less to build than a ranch, and a square house cost less than a rectangular one.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is just one of the many reasons why builders shrug their shoulders when you ask them this question: How much does a house cost per square foot?

LOVE This Kitchen Sink

2010-02-28T20:13:00.000-08:00

Now and then we find a product that is simply outstanding. Hats off to Kohler’s “Stages” kitchen sink. It is installed in the kitchen at the LIFEhouse, a concept house featuring universal design which will be opening soon at our Newport Cove waterfront community near Antioch, IL.

The house is a collaboration between builder New American Homes Inc. and the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) at the University of Buffalo – State University of New York.

This sink comes with a host of accessories: a utensil tray, “flip” tray and wooden cutting board (all fit into the sink’s contour and slide across it), plus six prep dishes that nest into the trays. The sink itself is extra deep; adjacent is a wet work surface perfect for draining and drying. The whole setup is a cook’s dream.

At Newport Cove we team up the 33-inch “Stages” sink with Kohler’s Hi-Rise stainless deck-mount bridge faucet.

This sink allows chopping, rinsing, holding and cleanup all within a single space. With a “Stages” in your kitchen, who needs a sous chef?

New Custom Homes Save Energy

2010-02-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Energy savings in a typical American home target three main consumption areas: appliances, heating and cooling systems, and the building envelope (floors, windows, doors, walls and roof). Energy-efficient new homes offer the comfort of clean indoor air, good lighting and controlled temperatures that eliminate drafts and cold spots. Such homes are protecting the outdoor environment as well by reducing emissions.

Refrigerators and water heaters alone account for about 20 percent of a home’s energy use. As much as half of your energy bill goes towards heating and cooling. Good building practices save energy costs throughout the lifetime of a home.

Appliances
Today’s appliances are several times more energy and resource efficient than earlier products. Find out how much money you save by using the ENERGY STAR Savings Calculator. New home buyers should look for the Energy Star label. Estimated savings: at least 20 percent annually.

Heating & cooling
Programmable thermostats allow you to turn the unit off and on automatically to provide heat when you need it and reduce the temperature settings when you are not home or when the family is sleeping. Savings estimate: $180 per year.

Well-sealed and insulated ducts efficiently move air from a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Instantaneous water heaters heat the water only when you need it, offering a cost and energy saving solution. A solar attic fan can prevent heat from building up in the attic.

Building practices
U.S. Department of Energy studies show that homeowners living in a home built using energy-efficient building practices save on energy costs. This may include high-performance windows, increased insulation, and durable low-maintenance fiber cement siding and trim. Ask your home builder about these energy-efficiency solutions. Estimated savings: up to 30 percent annually.

Currently, there are strong economic incentives for choosing energy-efficient products and methods. Custom home builder New American Homes’ Newport Cove lakefront community near Antioch, IL offers Energy Star home packages that allow buyers to receive an additional $2,000 tax credit. Energy-efficient Pella windows, Whirlpool appliances, Carrier furnaces and HardiePlank concrete fiber siding are standard in Newport Cove homes.

Protect the environment
According to energy experts, nearly 70 percent of U.S. electricity is generated with coal and natural gas, which release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Efficient homes use less energy and help reduce their impact on the environment.

Details - Part II

2010-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

At New American Homes we love details. One of our favorites is niches. If installed during construction, they cost only a few extra dollars, but they make a space more interesting, and they're practical, too. Here are examples from our own custom homes:

At left is a kitchen area with two niches - one for the mixer and another behind the stove for cooking condiments and oils.

In the photo at right is a shower wall with three stacked niches - perfect for sponges, shampoos, soaps, shower gels, even a rolled bath towel or two.

The bottom photo shows a front hallway niche - a decorative feature that adds a welcoming touch to a home.

At Newport Cove, our waterfront property on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL, we build niches into all our new home models, inexpensive touches that make a house feel custom and thought-filled, built especially for its residents.

Home Builders Report Favorable Conditions

2010-02-16T19:12:00.000-08:00

This afternoon brought some encouraging news for those in the new homes market. The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index rose to 17 in February, up from 15 in January. This was the first gain in five months. One year ago the index was 9; it hit a low of 8 in January 2009. (The index assesses builders' perceptions of current new homes sales, sales expectations for the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers.)

Custom home builder Susanne Tauke, president of New American Homes and owner of Newport Cove, a waterfront community on the Chain O' Lakes near Antioch, IL, agrees with the report. "Since the first of the year," she said, "we definitely have seen an upswing in activity. Interest rates are low, prices are competitive and there is pent-up demand. Because of the recent economic conditions, people have postponed new home purchases. It now seems as if that trend is changing. People are simply tired of bad news and want to move past it."

Tauke recalls similar situations at the beginning of the 1980s and 1990s. "Then, too, the economy was in the doldrums. No one was buying custom homes. Suddenly, sales picked up and Americans started moving again. The new homes market can change quickly. Those who act ahead of the trend often get the best deals in selection and incentives."

5 Reasons to Buy a New Home

2010-02-14T03:19:00.000-08:00

To buy a new home or a used one? Today that’s often the question.

New American Homes, the owner of the Newport Cove waterfront community on the Chain O’ Lakes near Antioch, IL. has been both building and remodeling Chicagoland homes for a quarter century. The company cautions buyers to study the complete cost before making a purchase.

Here are some things to consider:

1. A new custom home, like a new automobile, is less expensive to operate. Repair costs are minimal.

2. Most new homes are under warranty.

3. The products that go into today’s homes – windows, insulation, heating/cooling systems and appliances, for example – are significantly more energy-efficient than their counterparts of even a few years ago. That translates into lower energy costs.

4. There’s the advantage of being able to design the spaces you want (more or fewer bedrooms, perhaps a spa or home office). This allows you to more efficiently use the space you own and not pay for rooms you never step foot in.

5. Finally, in new homes, you can pick your own finishes, be it cabinets, gourmet appliances, flooring or trim, so your home has the amenities and style you desire.

Buying a used home – or, in today’s market, a foreclosed home – is usually less expensive – initially. However, many foreclosed homes have not been well-cared-for and do not include today’s energy-efficient products, so expect maintenance and utility costs to be considerably higher.

The cost to remodel is often (and this surprises many homeowners) more expensive than building new, not to mention the time and mess involved. If you expect to make “a few changes” to the used home you plan to buy, be sure to understand the cost of these changes before you sign on the dotted line.

Great Time To Buy??

2010-02-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

Now is an excellent time to buy a new home – perhaps the best in years. Why? Three reasons: 1) Because of the economic downturn, homes are competitively priced. 2) Interest rates are at 40-year lows and NOT expected to remain at these levels. 3) Uncle Sam is offering excellent tax credits (until the end of April).

First-time homebuyers contracting to buy a new home by April 30, 2010, and closing on that home by June 30, 2010, can receive an $8,000 tax credit. (A first-time buyer is someone who has not owned a home for three years.)

Existing homeowners contracting to buy a new principal residence by April 30, 2010, and closing before June 30, 2010, may be eligible for a $6,500 tax credit. Existing home owners can claim this credit if they have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

The income eligibility limits to claim the full credit amounts are $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

Newport Cove has three homes available for immediate occupancy. For further information, call us at 847.726.2727.

Swans on Bluff Lake

2010-02-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

For the third February running, the swans are back at Bluff Lake, swimming in the open waters around the piers at Newport Cove's marina. (They seem to "hang" at the marina - they must like the fishing!) A dozen or so of these elegant birds, reportedly of the "tundra" swan species, stay for a couple weeks in the late winter and again in the fall, a short respite in their travels north to southeast, from the central Arctic region in northern Canada to the Chesapeake Bay area. The flyways for many migrating waterfowl follow the Fox River.

Cottage Details - Part I

2010-02-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

At New American Homes, Inc., we love details - little touches that make a home special, make it belong to YOU. In our new homes at Newport Cove, our waterfront community (and marina) on the Chain O' Lakes, the details have a cottage flair. Here are two examples that do not cost much, but help give a home a custom look:

New knobs can completely change a room. In our Stillwater model, themed knobs add a "smile" factor to the laundry. Besides the knobs, the laundry room's white cabinets have bead-board inserts in the doors, while the wallpaper features old-fashioned beach photos. Similar knobs can be purchased online or in specialty hardware stores.

In a another cottage home, high wainscotting (made by simply applying strips of lath and chairrail over drywall, then painting), gives a normally utilitarian powder room a coastal feel. A tilt-type mirror plus a "period-style" toilet and pedestal sink from Kohler add to the overall summer home ambiance.

The Great American Lotus

2010-02-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of the American Lotus? One small colony of these giant aquatic flowers was spotted last summer inside the little bay on the north end of Newport Cove, our waterfront community on Bluff Lake.

In the late 1890s and early 1900s, many of the lakes on the Chain O’ Lakes were literally covered with American Lotus flowers. They were so prevalent that boating companies gave tours during the blooming season. Chicagoland visitors - especially those who could take the new Milwaukee Road train from the City – vied for seats on the "Egyptian Lotus" tour boats. Grass Lake, because it was shallow, often was covered with lotus blossoms from shore to shore.

The American Lotus is a larger cousin of the water lily. The plant's simple, round, bluish-green leaves grow up to two feet in diameter. Its pale yellow flowers are large (up to 10 inches across).

Next July or August, while cruising on the Chain, keep an eye out for one of the beds of American Lotus still decorating the lakes and backwaters. Picture the Victorian women in their white summer dresses, the gentlemen with their straw hats. Picture them floating - on a lazy summer afternoon - through the beds of these grandiose blooms.

Mornings at Newport Cove

2010-01-31T05:36:00.000-08:00

On cold gray winter days, it's good to remember that ice will thaw and summer will reappear. The photo, right, was shot one morning last June from the Newport Cove marina. Here the sun rises over Bluff Lake.

Another snapshot, taken another morning some six months later (just a few weeks ago), shows our youngest resident, puppy in tow, sledding on the Newport Cove “bluff.”

The Chain O' Lakes Unchained

2010-01-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

Interesting factoid: On a per-acre basis, the Chain O'Lakes – home to our Newport Cove waterfront community – is the busiest inland recreational waterway in the entire United States. With some 7,100 acres of water, 15 lakes and 45 miles of river, this "Key West of the Midwest" accommodates activities for every water-lover: boating, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, fishing, even hunting. Chicagoland's playground for more than a century (it is about an hour's drive from the big city), the Chain boasts two State Parks as well as many great boat-in (or drive-to) restaurants and “hot spots”. Newport Cove’s marina is a stone’s “skip” from several.

Newport Cove sits on the western shore of Bluff Lake, one of the lesser-known lakes in the Chain and just south of the larger (and more familiar) Lake Marie. But, despite the Chain's lively reputation, it has its quiet times, too. In the spring and fall, or on summer weekdays, fishing boats idle near the shorelines and waterfowl serenely float on tranquil waters.

Oldport to Newport

2010-01-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

Newport Cove may well be the best new home address on the Chain O' Lakes. This 42-acre waterfront property stretches along the bluffs overlooking aptly-named Bluff Lake, near the charming town of Antioch in Chicago's northwest suburbs.

Years ago Al Capone had his summer home on this property; legend says he ran bootlegged booze up and down the Fox River and through the lakes of the Chain. Next came a marina called Oldport, then a camper trailer park with a marina named Newport Cove. For a time there was a restaurant called Nolan's, and a bar with Paradise in its title and flamingos on its sign.

The property is still called Newport Cove, but it has been transformed into a planned community with sites for 67 upscale single-family homes. It boasts a private marina with more than 100 slips, a private eight-acre waterfront park anchored by a gazebo with cooking and restroom facilities, walking paths and wildflowers, coastal-style homes and happy fishermen, ski boats and pontoon boats, toddlers and senior citizens, Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers.

Those living at Newport Cove have chosen not just a house. They've bought a lifestyle, too, a lifestyle centered on the water.