tag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:/blog/feedBuild Omaha Blog2017-04-27T15:36:14-05:00tag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/212017-04-27T15:34:03-05:002017-04-27T15:36:14-05:00Signs You're Ready to Build a New Home <img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1493325333641-new+home.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right"><h1><b>7 Signs You're Ready to Build a New Home</b></h1><b><br></b><h2><b>1. You Don't like Surprises </b></h2>Although older homes may come with a certain charm, unfortunately there are not a lot of guarantees. All those extra pop up expenses on maintenance are avoided when building a new home and you know exactly what you are getting into. <br><br><h2>2. You've Done Your Financial Homework</h2>If you have been looking at houes you have probably done the math to figure out what you can afford. When you realize that the cost of building a new home is pretty comparable to buying an existing home and can be less expensive then renting the choice becomes a lot easier.<br><br><h2>3. You Prefer Shiny & New</h2>If you understand the value of being the first owner and getting what you want from day one it might be hard to be satisfied with a previously owned home. You appreciate a place with no history that allows you to make the first impressions.<br><br><h2>4. You Love the Idea of a New Neighborhood</h2>By choosing a new, developing neighborhood from the start you get to create your own sense of a community with the other new homeowners. <br><br><h2>5. You know What you Want</h2>You've been called picky or a perfectionist. You can't find the right home for you because all those homes were built for someone else with different needs and desires. If you want something that is uniquely yours and has the space you need, you're going to want to design and build it. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>2017-04-27T15:36:14ZMary Jayne Throenertag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/202017-04-18T10:35:32-05:002017-04-18T10:46:11-05:00How to Make the Building Process Run Smooth <blockquote><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1492530215454-Home+buuildl.jpg"><br><br><br>Deciding to build a home is not a small decision by any means but with proper planning and realistic expectations you can smooth out the building process nicely! Below are some tips to help making the building process go a lot easier! </blockquote><br><b><img alt="" src="http://"><img alt="" src="http://"><img alt="" src="http://">Tip #1 - Set a realistic budget: </b>Make a list of all of the costs involved in the building project; this includes the construction, materials, building fees, property tax, purchase of land, design and engineering fees, interior design, home warranty insurance and landscaping.You will get a more accurate idea of the total cost involved once you’ve received quotes from several design professionals and builders. Always have good communication with the builder of your choosing to make sure you are on the same page as far as the budget thru the building process. <img alt="" src="http://"><img alt="" src="http://"><br><br><b>Tip #2 - Where are you looking to live</b>. There are a lot of factors in deciding where to build your new home, whether its your commute to work, schools or entertainment around the area! Build Omaha provides a great way to start your search for different neighborhoods in the Omaha area. You are able to search the price range of homes in the area along with the different lot sizes! <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/build/explore">https://buildomaha.org/build/explore<img alt="" src="http://"></a><br><p><b>Tip #3 - Research home builders</b><strong>. </strong>There is an overwhelming amount of builders in the Omaha area so how can you choose the right one for you? To get started take a look at Build Omaha's Find a Builder page with over 50 builders to choose from! <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/build/builders">https://buildomaha.org/build/builders</a> Once you have reached the page you are able to narrow down the list of builders through price range and how many years of experience. From there you are able to read a little bit about each builder. If you have found a couple builders in the area that interest you, click select and send them a message about what you are looking for! </p><p><b>Tip #4 - Understanding the process.</b> When you have selected your builder, it’s their job to explain the custom home building process to you. It may not seem that crucial to understand the process, but it really is. Every home builder does things a little differently, so it helps to know what’s going to happen before it happens. During this conversation, the builder should walk you through operations, costs, and timelines. It’s up to you to ask any questions you may have about the process.</p><p><b>Tip #5 - Have realistic expectations. </b>Try to be realistic about the building process. There are a lot of trades and suppliers involved in the program of the build, and from time to time things won’t go to plan. It might be that the required trades have been delayed at another project or that the required materials have not been delivered.Changing the orders for your custom home builder during construction can cost you both time and money that you don’t want to lose – planning out the details of your new home before construction begins will save you a lot of frustration!Smaller details, such as finishes, can be changed without too much trouble, but the major decisions of your custom home build should be nailed down and made clear to your building team from the start. A strong relationship with your builder is important so you can comfortably voice your concerns or opinions. Don’t assume that everything is going to plan. Check in from time to time to see how construction is going.</p><p>Once you've narrowed down your list of builders, style and price range take some time to tour builder models and actual customer homes from that builder. A tour will give you a better understanding of your likes and dislikes for certain features and design styles of your future home. Another option is to visit a local Parade of Homes. Build Omaha's Spring Parade of Homes almost here with 3 weekends to choose from April 21st - May 7th!<br></p>2017-04-18T10:46:11ZMary Jayne Throenertag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/192017-03-22T12:06:35-05:002017-03-22T12:29:11-05:00How to get the most out of the Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes 2017 <img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1490203263926-17022233_982582538540402_50665197435541598_n.jpg"><br>The Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes showcases the latest in home design but that's certainly not all. The Parade of Homes is a great source to find the top trends in color, interior finishes, home technologies and architectural design. In addition, the Parade of homes<span> showcases the work of top interior designers, landscapers, kitchen and bath designers and manufacturers and suppliers of building products and services.<br><br></span>Why attend the Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes? You will personally get to see what cutting edge designs and craftsmanship the builders have put in their homes to stand out. In addition to the craftsmanship, the t<span>rending contemporary styles will make you appreciate what is new and fresh in the industry. Although the contemporary style is not for everyone, the Parade of Homes has a great blend of transitional styles and even the authenticity in historic styles will also shine through. <br></span><br>When your at the Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes don't forget to start your tour on the exterior of the home. The landscape design of a home can boost the curb appeal tremendously. Landscape designers know how to lay out plant varieties, textures and colors to maximize the look of the home. <br><br><b>How to prepare for attending the Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes:</b><br><br><b>1) PLAN IT OUT.</b><br>Is there a certain area of town that appeals to you the most?<br>If there is, take time to plan your Parade route accordingly using the map. <br><br><b>2) KNOW THE PARADE DATES & TIMES.</b><br><span> You don’t have to see all the homes in one day or weekend. The Spring 2017 Parade of Homes is 3 weekends. April 21st thru May 7th! Friday from 4-7pm, Saturday & Sunday from 12-6 <br></span><br><b>3) IS THERE A FEATURE YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT?</b><br>Need a certain size home, number of bedrooms or bathrooms? Review the floor plans and descriptions of the homes and put those at the top of your list when planning the Parade visits. However, plan to visit all homes. The Parade offers a wide variety of housing styles and living choices.<br><br><b>4) IS BUDGET A PRIMARY CONCERN?</b><br>Don’t pass up a chance to visit a home that may be on the higher end of your price range. Not only can you get ideas, you may find that with the current low interest rates you can afford more house than you thought.<br><br><b>5) PHOTOS.</b><br>Most builders will have literature available which includes photos, features, information, floor plan, etc. Please ask the builder or their representative if taking pictures are allowed in their home.<br><span><br><b>6) TAKE NOTES.</b><br>Parade homes have the latest in new home products and technology so make sure to take note of your favorites!<br><br></span>The Parade is a perfect way for prospective home buyers but also a fun experience for those who aren't in the market for a new home! We hope to see you all at the Build Omaha Spring Parade of Homes 2017!<br><span><br><br><br><br><br><br></span><br>2017-03-22T12:29:11ZMary Jayne Throenertag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/182014-12-23T15:11:12-06:002015-01-02T14:38:24-06:00Insulation: The Unsung Hero of Your Energy Efficient Home<span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium">
</span><p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><img width="548" height="492" alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1419369684531-CHPH.jpg"><img alt=""><strong> </strong><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><img alt=""></span><span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>Insulation is arguably the most important of all components used to construct your home, but it is also the most overlooked since it is mostly hidden from view.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>If your home was a football team, the insulation would be its offensive line, blocking the defense (the outside hot/cold air) from penetrating the backfield (conditioned space) and sacking the quarterback (the homeowner) and making sure you are comfortable “in the pocket”.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span></span></span></p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>
</b></span><p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><br></span></p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>
</b></span><p><span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>When you watch a football game, you only notice the
offensive line when they are not working together, the same can be said about
insulation.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>If your insulation is not
installed correctly, your home will be considerably less comfortable than it
could be.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>A poorly insulated wall cavity
is like an offensive lineman taking a misstep and allowing that big defensive
end of cold air to burst through sacking the temperatures of your home.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>It doesn’t matter how amazing that granite
bar top looks if it’s too cold in your basement to have buddies over to watch
the big game.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>A well-insulated home will
keep those outside forces at bay and allows your “skill players” (heating and
air equipment, wood floors, etc.) to shine!</b></span></span></p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>
</b></span><p><span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>You may ask how could I know if my future home’s insulation
will be up for the challenge?</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>When you
build a Certified High Performance Home you can rest easier knowing that your
home’s insulation was inspected by a certified Home Energy Rater and graded
appropriately.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>Each HERS rated home has
an insulation and air sealing inspection to make sure your thermal barrier is
aligned and ready to block out the elements.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>
</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>If the insulation is not up to par, the HERS rater will inform the
builder of where the can improve and close the gaps in the line.</b></span></span></p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>
</b></span><p><span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>Insulation is graded at three different levels, Grade I, Grade
II, and Grade III.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>The grade is given
depending if there are noticeable gaps in the installation, it is noticeably
compressed, or the cavity is not completely filled.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>Gaps in the insulation allow cold air to flow
around the barrier.</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>Compressed
insulation does not allow the insulation to perform to its R-value (or
resistance to air flow, the higher the R-value the longer it takes for air to
flow through).</b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b> </b></span><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium"><b>If insulation is compressed
it will not operate to its full capabilities to resist outside air and will
allow it to penetrate the home at a much faster rate.</b></span></span></p><span class="wysiwyg-font-size-medium">
</span>2015-01-02T14:38:24ZJesse Krivolavektag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/162014-09-24T19:35:40-05:002014-09-24T19:43:04-05:00Is Using an Interior Designer Right For You?<div>When a builder and interior designer work together from the beginning, you get a home that is worth looking at, and that is just what happened at our Lee Douglas Interior’s homes for the Inspiration Tour 2014. </div><div><span><br>Using an interior Designer at the start of a home building process used to be considered a </span>luxury, but now for our builder partners we are “part of the package”. Designers can look at the plan when it is on paper, and work with the home owner to determine how the house is going to live. They can make critical alterations before they become expensive changes. In addition, good builders build and execute and hire designers to choose the materials and permanent features with the homeowner. Wouldn’t you rather have your builder on site and managing the project vs shopping with you at a tile or window store? </div><div><br></div><div>Designers can alert you to trends and the possibilities of good design, but what is good design? Good design is what works for the homeowner and every project should be different. There are so many good trends to talk about, but we’re starting out with two that we get a ton of questions about. These may seem disjointed but hang in there with me.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Kitchens <img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1411605758380-Lee+Douglas+Nathan+Homes+Kitchen.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right"></b><img alt="" class="wysiwyg-float-right"><br>The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you want them there or not your family and friends are going to hang out while you cook and prepare. Isn’t it time we stopped the madness and made the kitchen an adequate space where you can cook and be with your friends as they sip their wine? Designing a kitchen by creating boundaries, no cross zones, and divisions that are invisible to your guests keeps everyone happy. Yes you can entertain while cooking and it can be one of the best looking rooms in the house by mixing woods, metals, lighting, ceiling treatments etc. More kitchens are also including a door to a hidden space that looks just like another cabinet. This definitely keeps them out of your business! What’s behind there is what works for you. Just think of the possibilities, a pantry, a prep kitchen, appliance storage, wine storage, a coffee bar, a desk for meal planning, let your imagination go- it’s no longer just what the plan says, it’s what you want it to be. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Floor transitions </b><br>You know why streets have lines painted on them? Because people generally like to go by the rules, and stay within the lines. Think of that analogy when planning your flooring breaks. So many floors to fall in love with- great woods, tiles, concrete etc. but sorry folks you need to pick just a few and plan effectively. A good designer will make sure when you walk into a home, the flooring invites you, and you see beyond the entry. If you walk into a house and there is a tiny entry that is tiled with an abrupt break to carpet, people will linger in that entry as if they are jailed. Make the flooring tell the story of how the house flows-</div><div>keep lines open and visual breaks smooth and transitional. Think of it this way... Follow the yellow brick road to an amazing kitchen, you’ll thank us.</div>2014-09-24T19:43:04ZLorele Lesoing, Lee Douglas Interiorstag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/152014-09-14T15:01:54-05:002014-09-14T15:02:17-05:00How do I purchase a lot?<div><span>We had a great question come in to us recently and we received permission to share it with you all. Matt emailed with a question:<br><br><b>Matt:</b> My wife and I would like to build a new home. We've found several lots and several developments that we're interested in, but don't know how to go about buying a lot. Would I need to first find a builder that we like, then find out which lots they have available? Or would I need to buy a lot myself, then choose a builder? Any help would be appreciated. </span>Do you know if there is a map of lots for sale in the Omaha area?<br><br><b>Build Omaha:</b> Great question! Each development is different. Some sell every lot to a home builder before the roads even go in. These are called builder-attached lots. Other developments have lots open for anyone to purchase, which they may advertise as having lots NOT builder-attached. The best option would be for you to choose a builder and then ask them what lots they have available in that development. If you find a lot you would really like, but it is owned by a builder other than the builder you would like to go with, then your builder can sometimes trade lots with them to still get you that lot. So, yes, find lots you prefer, but first look around for builders and see who you would like to build with and they can usually help you get a lot you are satisfied with. </div><div><br></div><div>As far as a map of available lots, the closest thing to that is on our website. It does not have everything available listed, but it is the best out there. The most up to date list of lots available can sometimes be found on a developers website, if you are able to track down who developed the neighborhood. Usually it is posted on signs at the entrances to the development.<br><br><br>Thanks, Matt, for your question! If YOU have questions about the building industry and new homes in Omaha, please <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/about/contact">contact us</a>.<br><br></div>2014-09-14T15:02:17ZBuildOmaha Stafftag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/142014-06-16T13:35:24-05:002014-06-16T13:46:01-05:00Build Omaha Builds Two Homes for Habitat for HumanityOnce again this year, Build Omaha had the privilege of building two homes for the Omaha Habitat for Humanity in their 2014 Builder's Blitz. Part of our initiative in "Building a Better Omaha" means taking the skills we have and using them to better the lives of families in need that are in in the community. Check out the photos below from our two Blitz homes.<br><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1402944178145-10173642_10152250379674613_6771738916084153982_n.jpg"><br><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1402944314592-10394026_10152250377639613_2482717716667191237_n.jpg"><br><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1402944327042-10445463_10152250377934613_7606903641171250752_n.jpg"><br><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1402944341786-10402021_10152263711219613_5460142590503753097_n.jpg"><br><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1402944355853-10467056_10152265380789613_5171877339218497443_o.jpg"><br><br><br><img alt="" src="http://"><br>2014-06-16T13:46:01ZBuildOmaha Stafftag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/132014-04-20T19:43:12-05:002014-04-21T05:55:00-05:00Upgrades to Consider When Building a New Home<p>As I mentioned in <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/blog/picking-the-perfect-paint-color-and-my-top-five-neutral-paint-color-picks">my last post</a>, when building a new home, the decisions seem endless. Many times it can be difficult to determine how to best spend your upgrade dollars and where to invest a little extra versus scale back to fit your budget.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_WzjZJGKaU/U1RpFblz0vI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/FhrDm_e6eWk/s1600/Upgrades+to+Consider+When+Building+a+New+Home.jpg"><img width="400" alt="" src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-I_WzjZJGKaU%2FU1RpFblz0vI%2FAAAAAAAAG8Q%2FFhrDm_e6eWk%2Fs1600%2FUpgrades%2Bto%2BConsider%2BWhen%2BBuilding%2Ba%2BNew%2BHome.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" height="367"></a><br></p><p>When making selections and choosing your upgrades, focus on items that are more "permanent" in your home. I use permanent in a loose sense, but the following items are areas you may want to consider investing a little extra in because they will be much more difficult or costly to upgrade in the future. While I always recommend exercising good judgment and staying within your budget, it may be valuable to spend money in these areas to get it right the first time around, particularly in today's low interest rate environment: <br></p><ul><li><b>Kitchens and bathrooms</b> - Kitchen and bathroom remodels can be some of the most expensive updates you can make in a home. I would recommend picking something style-wise that will stand the test of time - both functionally and visually. This goes for cabinetry, countertops, hardware and fixtures.</li><li><b>Structural elements</b> - Think floor plan, windows, beams to eliminate poles, architectural interest, additional outlets, etc. Things that are the core structure of your home that may require more extensive construction down the road in order to change/add.</li><li><b>Flooring selection</b> - These may be something you feel you can easily change, but down the road, you will do everything to avoid it. Don't skimp on these items, particularly if they add to the functionality of your home.</li><li><b>Trim and moldings</b> - If you have the option to upgrade your trim and/or moldings, it will be to your advantage to do so in the home building stage.</li><li><b>Lot location</b> - You could build the most perfect-to-you home, but if it's not in a location where you want to live or where you spend most of your time, you likely won't be happy in the long-run. Consider your lifestyle, job location, school district, etc. before picking the right lot to build your new home.</li></ul><div><p>Remember, you don't have make all your upgrades immediately - especially if you plan to live in your new home for the long term. Therefore, if you need to scale back on some decisions, choose those items that will be easier and more cost-effective to upgrade on your own down the road {light fixtures, wall color, closet organizers, etc.}. </p></div><div><p>Lastly, be sure to make upgrades that will make YOU happy. Remember, you're the one living in your new home!<br></p></div>2014-04-21T05:55:00ZSarah Stewarttag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/122014-04-14T08:35:32-05:002014-04-14T08:38:26-05:00What is a Heat Pump?<span><p>Ground Source Heat Pumps, or more commonly referred to as geothermal heat pumps are one of the most talked about heating and cooling systems in the consumer market today. Consumers are excited about the incredible energy savings that can be had by installing one of the most efficient heat pumps on the market. The problem you ask? Most contractors and homeowners don’t understand this “new technology” and the benefits they can get by installing geothermal. I will give you some history of the technology and some tips for selecting the right contractor for the job. </p><p><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1397482608148-heat_transfer.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right">Ground source heat pumps have existed for well over 60 years. There is a myth of it being a new technology, the truth is, it is just misunderstood and some HVAC contractors just choose to not install them for fear of how they actually work, or don’t have the knowledge to design it. These systems can achieve energy efficiency ratios (EER) of 41, and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 5.3. The higher the numbers the less money you spend running it, similar to the gas MPG of your vehicles. Air source heat pumps cannot reach 50% of that efficiency and don’t perform well when the temps drop in the single digits. The rate of return on most ground source heat pumps is 3-10 years or sooner with the benefit of tax incentives or power company rebates. These rebates change yearly so be sure to research these costs as they can save you thousands off the initial investment. </p><p>The key to selecting the right contractor for your ground source heat pump is to make sure they are designing the system properly. Otherwise, the expected energy savings may not be attained. Make sure installing contractor does the at a minimum calculations called: Manual J and Manual D. Manual J is a calculation which determines the heating and cooling loads on your home based off your homes orientation, outdoor design temperatures, R-Values of the building shell, interior loads, and window performance. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor for a copy of this Manual J load calculation report. If your contractor doesn’t ask questions about those design values, he may not be sizing it correctly. Manual D takes the design a step further, and designs the ductwork for optimum velocities and pressures needed for correct air delivery. This calculated by using design parameters from the equipment’s blower performance charts and pressure drops on the duct system. Don’t be afraid to ask your contractor for a copy of the Manual D calculation report. The final crucial step for a high performing geothermal system is to ensure the water loop field is designed correctly. Your contractor designing the well systems must research and understand soil types and the ability of the soil to transfer energy. Rock and clay type soils hold more energy therefore the loops may be shorter. Sandy soils absorb less energy therefore your loop field will need to be deeper or more loops may be added. </p><p><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1397482628436-Vertical-Loop.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right">If done right on new construction, geothermal systems can reduce the HERS score by up to 25 points. With current tax incentives and rebates, they typically cost $4000-$6000 more than a high performing standard system can pay for themselves in less than 5 years.</p><br></span>2014-04-14T08:38:26ZJesse Krivolavektag:www.buildomaha.org,2005:Blog::PostDecorator/112014-03-31T09:08:26-05:002014-03-31T10:24:28-05:00Their Story - The Crawford Family<i>This interview is the second in our series, Their Story. For the first blog post in the series, see <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/blog/category/their-story">here</a>. Today's story is from the Crawfords, who recently built a new home in Omaha.</i><div><table><tbody><tr><td><div><br><b><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1396275216348-Crawford+1.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right">Why did you decide to build a new home as opposed to existing?<br></b>We found the west Omaha area fit our lifestyle very well. Once that was determined there is so much building going on that the selection of price, quality, style and location of new is quite wide. While new can cost more per square foot there is no extra cost of remodeling or repair that is needed.<b><br></b></div><div><div><div><br><b>How did you choose your home builder?</b></div></div></div><div><div><div>We had the opportunity to take a great deal of time shopping the area. I can't even begin to guess how many houses we saw so we felt we knew the market quite well. We settled on <a target="_blank" href="https://buildomaha.org/about/members/builder/royal-development-inc">Royal Homes</a> for a number of reasons. Quality of materials and workmanship were high on the list. The people who built the house all seemed proud of and conscientious about their work. Most were frequently employed by Royal. The overall designs were practical and user friendly. The houses were tastefully designed with quality details everywhere. Of the many houses we saw around the area there were many that were very eye-catching and impressive on the first visit but the closer we looked little flaws became evident. With Royal it was the opposite, the closer we looked the better it looked. That was the difference maker. Finally it is worth mentioning that after we bought the house the accessibility and prompt followup on any question or issue that arose was and is outstanding.<br></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><br><b><img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1396275112496-Crawford+3.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-left">What did you enjoy about the process? Why?</b><br></div></div><div>We enjoyed sorting through the wide variety of styles, locations and costs to determine exactly what we wanted.<br></div></div><div><div><div><br><b>What was a challenge you encountered and how did you work through it?</b><br></div></div><div>Jane and I first had to make sure we were both looking for exactly the same thing before we got serious. We couldn't find the right place unless we knew what it should look like. Keeping the emotion out of the process to make sure we didn't stray from our objective was also a challenge. To help with this we had a firm list of must haves and a secondary list of likes.<br></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><b><br>What advice would you give to someone considering building a new home in Omaha?<img alt="" src="https://buildomaha-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1396275016725-Crawford+2.jpg" class="wysiwyg-float-right"></b><br></div></div><div>Start the process by looking at areas, designs, builders etc. on your own before contacting a realtor. I think that best assures knowing the whole landscape of what is available before getting specific. Then find a realtor that is knowledgeable and represents a quality firm to zero in on the right place.<br></div></div><div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>2014-03-31T10:24:28ZBuildOmaha Staff