Getting Started with a Tract Home

Enter the neighborhood of nearly identical houses in rows as far as the eyes can see. All are painted in similar colors; the yards are so similar as to be identical, and the lack of personality is evident. These are tract homes, so named because the builder bought a tract of land, subdivided it, and built homes.

Because the builder is constructing so many homes, they order building supplies in the hundreds or thousands, and this allows them to sell the house a bit cheaper. Inside the homes are all the same doorknobs and faucets, the same
light fixtures, and the same color carpet, and there are few to no upgrades or alterations for the buyer to choose from.

These properties make great starter homes, and many people buy them as their first home. That alone makes tract homes a good purchase because they generally have good resale value — there are always new families looking for
their first home, especially in Colorado.

A Spec Home with More Personality

You’ve probably guessed what a spec home is: a home built before it has a buyer. It’s a home built on speculation. The builder is speculating, or gambling you might say, that someone will buy this house.

A builder buys a small amount of land and subdivides it. The builder bears the cost of bringing in water, electrical, and gas lines and constructs the spec home, which is a step above a tract home. The builder might use a different floor plan for each home and add a few custom touches such as an upgrade on countertops, carpet, or crown molding.

Once the home is finished, it is listed for sale. Until it sells, the builder is responsible for making the loan payments, and since they only build a few homes at a time (maybe 10-12), it’s more manageable financially than a large tract of identical homes.

Custom Homes are the Ultimate Luxury

A custom home, built specifically to your needs, wants, and style, is the winner! Built entirely to the customer’s wishes, this is their dream home. If the owner/customer wants two bedrooms and three bathrooms, that’s what they get. Two dishwashers in the kitchen? No problem.

The customer usually already has the land purchased. They contact a builder and start the process, hiring an architect to draw up the plans according to their wishes and a designer to guide them. There is no stock plan here like there would be in building a tract home. The customer picks out the cabinets, the finishes, and every detail that goes into making that house their home, such as colors, wood choices, built-ins, and specialties like an indoor hot tub!

In a custom home, the sky really is the limit. Whatever the customer can pay for, they can have.

If you’re interested in learning more about the custom home building process, contact us at Colarelli Custom Homes.

Ready or not, the colder months have arrived. While excitement surrounds the beauty of a winter wonderland, unless you are Frosty the Snow Man, the inside of our homes are not the place we prefer to experience those chilling temperatures.  With a concern for both energy efficiency and home safety, here are a few tips as those snowflakes fall.

Safety First:

When it comes to a little extra heat on those colder days, a space heater can do just the trick. There are, however, several things to keep in mind when using one.

There are some Do’s:

• Keep your heater at least 3 feet away from any flammable materials such as beds, sofas, curtains, documents, clothes, etc.
• Be sure to check the cords on your heater to ensure there is no damages, frays, or exposed wires.
• Check the plug to make sure it is snug. Loose outlets or cords could cause a fire so be sure they are secured and not in jeopardy of falling out.
• Ensure your heater is not at risk for being knocked over – keep it upright and stable in a location where the risk of tipping over is minimal.
• Unless you are awake and directly using your space heater, turn it off. Do not leave it on overnight or while you are in another room.
• Communicate with other residents in your home on how to properly operate the heater. Hold each other accountable for proper use.
• Follow the manufacturers’ directions and instructions.

And some Dont’s:

• Do not place your hater in a crowded room with anything flammable around the front, side or rear of the unit.
• Do not use an extension cord or power strip to power your heater.
• Do not use your heater if the power cord or wall heater feels hot to the touch. Instead, unplug it and call an electrician to inspect.
• Do not use your heater around water as there is a risk of electrocution.
• Do not place your heater cords under rugs, carpets or furniture.
• Do not allow children to operate the heater without proper training or supervision.

Save a few:

• Fuzzy socks and extra blankets can help combat the cold to some degree, but when it comes down to it, tis the season for racking up that heating bill. Here are a couple things to keep in mind that can help you save and stay warm.
• Your fireplace can be a secret weapon to fight the cold, however if it is not properly maintained or the flue is left open, you could be losing 14% of your heat as it rushes up the chimney.
• While a more popular choice in the warmer months, fans can help recirculate the warmer air that rises to the top of the ceiling. By turning your fans to run clockwise, that heated but escaping air gets pushed back down to the floor.
• Let the sun do the work. Allow for the sunlight to naturally heat your home on those days it breaks through the clouds.
• Keep those filters clean! Replacing or cleaning the filters for your heating units will save you 5-10 percent of your heating costs by allowing the warm air to be pushed out with less effort
• Keep ventilation fan use to a minimum. While it can remove smoke from the kitchen or less desirable smells from the bathroom, slowly but surely the nice warm air you paid for will escape out with it.

There are many other tips and tricks to keeping your cost down and safety up during bouts of colder weather. The important thing is that you and your family stay safe and warm and have the ability to admire the frosty air and falling snowflakes from inside.