Monday, March 24, 2008

Log Concept For The Dream Homes

Most everyone has a concept of their dream home. You don’t have to drive very far to notice log home masterpieces, not simply a log cabin of over a century ago. Television documentaries showcase multi-million dollar log homes like one built originally for Barbara Mandrell and her family. With the increase in numbers of log homes, it only stands to reason that more people realize it is possible to have their dream home to be a log home. People know they can be very spacious. People know they can get any luxuries they want in their log home. This old form of architecture can do it all.

Most of these log homes didn’t just get built. They were designed by an architect, just like every other dream home. The questions are, where do you start and what do you need to know to design and build a log home? That is where log home design may be a bit more complex than more typical home architecture.

First, you will need to have an image of what you want your dream log home to be. Try to imagine all of the details. Try to actually see the floor plan. Is it all on one floor? Then imagine the details. See the refrigerator, whirlpool, bathtub, closets and closet doors. Picture the size, style and amount of furniture you will want in it. A couple of suggestions on how to help yourself with your image are to visit model log homes and take your camera. Visit log homes for sale and take your camera. Be sure to ask first if it is OK to take pictures. You can also get brochures and magazines and cut out pictures of log homes and their detail. Make sure you take pictures and cut out pictures of things you don’t like or want, not just what you do want. Separate the pictures into what you like and what you are not interested in including in your dream log home. Making sketches and taking notes is also pretty important.

After you think you know exactly what you want, contact an architect or home designer who can help you put it all together in a fashion that will be needed to guide whomever you select to actually build your dream log home. When deciding on an architect, keep in mind that often architects specialize in certain styles of log home architecture. It may be worth your effort to get a feel for how any individual architect fits with your style preference.

Your second step will be to decide what method of building you want your dream log home to be. There are a variety of styles. An important decision separate from, but coupled with your style choice is the type of wood you want your home to be made from. Most commonly used are cypress, western red cedar and Douglas fir, but you do have other options. Each type or “species” of wood does have unique character, like the grain.

As with any construction project, you will need to contact your local building authorities for licensing and permissions. Different areas have different building permit procedures, different construction requirements and in certain areas you may need special engineering functions when it comes to log homes.

If your dream home includes log home architecture, you should be able to make that dream home come true. Remember, the steps are simple, but may take a lot of time. Get a very clear mental image of your dream log home. Take pictures and cut out pictures of the good and the bad. Decide on the style of log home architecture you desire. Shop for a good architect and research the local requirements. Decide on the type or species of wood you want used in your and you are done! Enjoy.

Finding The Right Dream Home

Finding your dream home starts with you. That’s a statement that you will have to remember throughout your search for your dream home. The reason is because throughout your journey of finding your dream home, you will find yourself being derailed one time too many. Everyone will want to give you advice on where is the best location, who’s the better realtor, who is better contractor, etc. so, remember, it’s YOUR dream home. When in doubt, refer to yourself. Better yet, browse through magazines and newspapers and cut out pictures of homes that you like, areas that you fancy and paste it into a special ‘My dream home project’ book. This way, you can’t go wrong.

The first thing to do is to determine the area where you want to get a house in. Your dream home should not be too far away from your work place, schools, family members, etc…unless you want it to be, of course. Get a real estate agent to help you buy the house off the original owner. Some websites actually allow you to key in an area code and they will give you a whole list of houses on sale in that area. If your dream house is listed, you’re in luck. They will assign a realtor to work with you on buying your dream home.

The next step towards buying your dream home is, of course, financing. If you have the cash, you can buy your dream home instantly. Nobody rejects cash! Well, unless the original owner wishes to keep the home because of sentimental reasons. If you’re like the rest of us, you may not have enough money to buy your dream home in cash. So, start researching on an affordable and most viable home loan.

The process between signing the agreement to getting the loan to having the keys to your dream home is a long way. This is a good time for you to find a contractor to design and construct your dream home for you. The best way to find a suitable contractor to design your dream home is to ask around – there’s nothing quite like referrals. Referrals mean they are satisfied with the services that have been provided by the contractor.

Designing and constructing your dream home is both a painful and pleasurable experience! I mean, you’re literally designing a home that you hope to live in for a couple of years, maybe even for a lifetime! It’s exciting as you watch every single inch of the house transform from an empty hollow shell into the home of your dreams! The artistic input from the designer, your own personal preferences all combine together – and viola! You have a dream home to live in.

This is also the time to discuss the inside of your home – would you like it to be cozy or clean and organized? Is there any particular style preference you think you should tell your designer/contractor? Your dream home should be consistent in all areas of the home – but they can have different characteristics. For example, exotic Asian look for the bedroom, French home look in the kitchen and the fun, jovial and cheery look for the kids’ bedrooms.

The most important thing to consider is the comfort level and practicality of your dream home.