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.

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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. 

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Building your dream home can turn into a nightmare where budgets and emotions are concerned.  Your new home is not simply a structure, but an extension of your personality and lifestyle.  Following a few simple guidelines can keep the budget and worry in check.

1. Make up your mind.  Before choosing a builder, picking out paint colors or mentally arranging your furniture, decide what you are looking for in a house.  Determine what features are “must-haves” and which are “nice to haves” and find a floor plan that most closely matches the way you like to live.  Change orders, which involve changing the floor plan during construction, are costly. 
2. Choose a reputable builder.  Going the cheap route while choosing a builder can cost you more money in the future.  Just as a chain is only as good as its weakest link, the builder is only as good as his subcontractors and materials.  Find a builder who is a member of the NAHB, and check references.  Do not be reticent about asking questions, driving past homes the builder has completed or is currently building, and asking clients if they are happy with the results.  Check the Better Business Bureau and Rip Off Report websites.
3. Location, location, location.  Find land that is good for your home.  Clearing rocks or trees and leveling land can quickly add to the cost of building your home.  Check into costs such as property taxes, building permits, HOA fees and consider them while making your budget.  If you have already bought your lot, make sure you include any charges to install meters.   These expenses can vary greatly from one area to the next.
4. Building Materials.  Ask your builder at which stage of construction materials must be purchased, and if unused materials can be returned for credit.  Decide what you want in a home as far as materials for cabinets, counter tops and flooring.  While it is acceptable to choose less expensive materials for some items that are easily replaced, such as light fixtures.  However, if you want higher-end materials for your kitchen, try to work it into your budget.  Tearing out tile floors, laminate countertops, or composite wood cabinets in the future can be more expensive than getting what you want from the start.
5. Think about being your own General Contractor.  Hiring yourself can save you around 15% of the costs, but this comes with a great deal of risk.  If you do not have a background in home construction, obtaining the funding, sub-contractors and materials can turn into a life-consuming job.  When you hire a builder, it is his job to stay on time and within budget.  Carefully consider the potential savings versus the time and stress involved.

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When you’re building that dream home, granite is one of the most beautiful and popular upgrades in kitchens and bathrooms.  Recent reports indicate that certain granite products used in homes can emit radon gas, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in humans.  Some experts have even recommended that lung cancer patients, pregnant women, and small children limit exposure to granite.

Studies indicate that the vast majority of granite is safe, with the most risk occurring in exotic, highly striated varieties from Namibia and Brazil.  Take into consideration your floorplan and how much granite would be used for your countertops.  Limited physical contact with granite and a well-ventilated home greatly reduce the dangers of exposure to radon.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are no regulations in place to test granite from any source, and there is no test that accurately measures the amount for radiation coming from granite in the home.  Checking radon levels in the entire home can easily be accomplished with a kit purchased from a home improvement store. 

Nonetheless, Granite remains a very popular and versatile product for families of all sizes and age.

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As more people get ready to retire, they are finding that downsizing their home does not mean downgrading.  Many small house plans offer the amenities retirees have become accustomed to.

The type of home you choose for your retirement will depend on your type of retirement.  Home plans with two master suites allow guests to visit and maintain a sense of privacy.  For the semi-retired, a home office will allow greater freedom to work around your schedule and telecommute.   House plans featuring Universal Design standards will ensure that your home remains accessible and convenient for years to come, possibly allowing you to remain in your home longer instead of residing in an assisted living community.

Retirees have never had more choices when it comes to where to live.  Retirement in urban areas is becoming more popular due to higher gas prices and a desire to be close to cultural attractions and medical care.  Choosing a small house plan affords the homeowner the opportunity to take advantage of a small or irregular lot that has been overlooked by a larger builder. 

A recent “Top Places for Retirees” survey listed such diverse cities as Houston, Phoenix, Washington DC, and Indianapolis.  Each city offers its own recreation options, cultural attractions, and climate to suit the way you want to spend your newfound freedom.