Hope you’re having a good one today.. One of the most-requested items that we receive are related to if we have additional photos of a particular home, after its been built.

In all cases, we have added these photos to HomeDesignCentral.com on the individual plan detail pages… However, we were fortunate enough to recently be able to take a walk-through video tour of one of our most-popular designs - HDC-1800B-1: The Pecan Orchard.

This video will give you a very good idea of the layout, sizing, and flow of the home, and hopefully, this will be helpful for you.

One additional item to keep in mind as you watch the video, is that this home has been reversed and slightly modified from the standard house plans you see on the site, to fit the needs of the owners. Modifications are available for any of our plans, and we’d be glad to provide you with a no-obligation, free quote on any changes that you might want. Just give us a call at 1-800-734-0829, and we’ll be glad to help!

CLICK HERE to View Additional Details on House Plan HDC-1800B-1

Hope this is valuable, and please let us know if we can be of any further assistance..

Thank you and have a blessed day,

Jill

Outdoor kitchens are one of the hottest trends today, and there is no better time to add one than during the building of your new home.  Working with your builder, you can conveniently add to your entertaining area while incorporating the design elements of your home.

When designing your outdoor kitchen, a few things to consider will be your entertaining style, climate, appliances, and budget. 

Think of your outdoor kitchen as an outdoor room.  Guests can flow from your house to the patio and back.   Keep in mind that crowds tend to gather where the food is being cooked, so keep counter space and seating in mind when looking at your patio floor plan.  Adding outdoor speakers will add to the festive feel of the area.

The materials used in your kitchen need to stand up to the harshest elements of your climate.  Sealed natural stone, granite, and solid surface countertops are the most widely used materials, and work well outdoors.  Take into consideration how much sun your kitchen will be getting and how hot the counters will get.  High-quality stainless steel sinks resist staining and rusting.  A shelter will allow the cook to grill during inclement weather.  A patio heater can extend your kitchen through the colder months. 

Your appliances will be influenced by your cooking style.  There are a wide range of gas and charcoal grills, under the counter refrigerators and wine coolers, and trash compactors available.  Wood-burning ovens are yet another cooking option available.

There are outdoor kitchen options for virtually every budget.  Remember when budgeting and designing that your kitchen will add value to your new home and quality to your life.

Find your perfect home here!

Best wishes in the building of your new home!

Choosing a lot for your new dream home is as important as your home itself.  Your lot will determine your home’s size and shape as well as impact your overall budget, so it makes sense to find your lot and then choose a house plan that will conform to it.

The local real estate advertisements will have listings of lots for sale, but the easiest and quickest way to find a lot in your preferred location is to hire a realtor.  When you have a list of potential lots, walk the lot and the neighborhood.  Consider the price of the lot and the proximity to work, places of worship, and schools. 

Most urban lots will have utilities in place.  For suburban and rural lots, inquire about utilities and the cost of having them installed, including permits.  Ask about easements and restrictions on architectural style or sizes of homes.

Get soil and flood plain reports on the land.  The sellers will most likely already have this information.  Listen to the noise level of the lot.  Being close to a major road or under an airport’s flight pattern can make it unpleasant to enjoy your yard or patio.

Finally, make an offer on your lot using comparable values and your budget as a guide. 

HomeDesignCentral.com offers limited-time download of popular “New to House Plans?” special report. In the report, readers will learn how to save thousands on their new house plans…

August 27, 2008 — Due to popular demand for simple and easy-to-follow steps on how to find affordable and easy-to-build house floor plans, the “New to House Plans?” Special Report was released today by Home Design Central.com.

“We are very fortunate to be able to talk with many different individuals and families, on a weekly basis, about what they’re looking for in their new house plans. One concern that seems to be a constant, is that they are confused about how the house plans process works, and aren’t really sure how to proceed”, noted Jill Phillips of HomeDesignCentral.com.

“We know that the process can be confusing, and that’s why we developed the “New to House Plans?” special report. Its ONLY purpose is to educate new house plan shoppers about the entire process and what affordable options are available to them.”

In this special report, consumers can learn everything about how the “house plans shopping” process works, including:

• What are the different house plan options I have, and what are the advantages / disadvantages of each?
• What are the differences between “Stock” Home Plans vs “Custom” House Plans?
• What do I need to know about my house plans when going to local building officials to obtain permits?
• What are the most-popular house plan features being included in new homes?
• What are the different types of home foundations, what are the characteristics of each, and which one is right for you?
• What if I need changes to the house plans? How does the floorplan modification process work and how much does it cost?
• What are the different types of plan packages that are available and which one is right for your specific needs?
• And finally, “What to do Next”? An easy-to-follow roadmap to getting the exact house plan you want, at a fraction of the price of a custom set of house plans…

“Hopefully, this comprehensive report will help people who are beginning the house plan search process to better understand what options they have, from the outset. Additionally, if anyone should have additional questions about stock house plans, thats not covered in the report, our team at HomeDesignCentral.com is always happy to answer those, noted Jill Phillips.

You can access the Limited-Time, Free Special Report at:
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http://www.HomeDesignCentral.com/freereport

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For additional information on the house plans available on Home Design Central.com website, contact Jill Phillips or visit www.HomeDesignCentral.com.

About HomeDesignCentral.com:
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Home Design Central.com is the premier stock house plans broker on the Internet, offering a searchable database of thousands of the most-popular house floor plans, home plans, dream houses, and blueprints from the nation’s leading building designers and architects.

To learn more, visit www.HomeDesignCentral.com today, and join our “House Plan News” mailing list to receive a special subscriber-only offers and money-saving tips on building your new home…

Press Contact:
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Jill Phillips
Home Design Central.com
phone: 1-800-734-0829
email: info@HomeDesignCentral.com
web:  http://www.HomeDesignCentral.com

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Trying to decide between buying an older home in an established neighborhood or building a modern, new home?  You might not have to. 

Read our new article about teardown houses:

http://www.homedesigncentral.com/blog/building-a-new-home-in-an-older-neighborhood-the-teardown/

Whether it starts as a bonus room, study, or guest room, many house plans have an area that can easily be turned into a home office for a telecommuter, home-based business owner, or work at home mom.

Your office space will depend on your desired work environment, floor plan, and business needs.   Some people need peace and quiet, and choose a room away from the kitchen and living rooms, while a work at home mom might want to be able to supervise children from her desk.  A garage apartment or an in-law suite with a separate entrance may work best for a business owner. 

Designing your home office is as important as choosing the right space in your new home.  Consider what kind of lighting works best for you.   Your furniture is another consideration.  Will you have a traditional office with a desk, or would you rather have an armoire that allows you to close up your workspace in a guest room?  Paint colors or wallpaper can also set the tone for your work environment.

Working from home can allow you to spend more time with your family and less time in traffic.  There could be tax benefits as well.  Talk to your CPA about regulations regarding deducting part of your house payment and utilities. 

Start the search for your new dream home now!

Best wishes in the building of your new home!