Despite all the gloomy news about the economy coming from the White House, our house plan sales continue to increase. I spoke with a customer the other day, who had put off purchasing a house plan for over a year, because she was concerned with the cost to build. She contemplated selling her land and […]
Christine Cooney
Christine has over a decade of experience as a house plan and floor plan expert. Outside of providing her expertise to customers to help them find and build their dream homes, her passion and knowledge of the home building industry allows Christine to guide families and builders through all of the important steps from finding plans to building custom homes that meet the expectations of today’s new home owner. Christine’s years of knowledge of the diverse trends and needs of the modern homeowner has made her into an authoritative and trusted voice in the online house plan community.
Extended Family Finds Dream Plan
Finding house plans to meet all the needs of an extended family can be challenging, but I love the idea of finding the perfect house plan for all my new clients. This particular family needed an in-law suite with a home theatre and game room area for their two children. They were also looking for […]
Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Windows
The federal income tax credit for energy-efficient replacement glass windows is now 30 percent of product cost up to $1,500 per household, an increase from $500 two years ago. Unlike tax credits for energy-efficient windows and doors in prior years, the criteria is stricter than the government´s ENERGY STAR rating program. Look for the manufacturer´s […]
A New Beginning for Mom and Daughter
Yesterday, I spoke with a lovely woman, who was buying a home plan for her 21-year-old daughter. It was a very emotional conversation, because the woman had just lost her husband and they were starting a new chapter in their lives. She was calling to order The Surfside House Plan for her daughter from our […]
Delightful Waterfront House Plan
A customer called last week looking for a vacation house plan for a waterfront lot. The rear of the home needed to encompass the full view of the lake, and they did not want a huge house to maintain. The Cabernet house plan came to mind! With its lovely European design and square footage right […]
Exclusive Collection of Green House Plans
The House Designers and ENERGY STAR® have partnered to offer consumers an exclusive collection of Green House Plans, which have all been awarded the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR®†credentials to promote green home building. All ENERGY STAR® house plans include energy-efficient details and specifications for features such as tight construction and duct systems […]
Beautiful home for ski resort
I had a great conversation with a client this week that is planning on building a home on a ski resort in Utah. It was the first time I had pulled up our Hot Springs Cottage House Plan from one our newest collections. There was something about this home design with its beautiful stone façade […]
First-Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit
Here are answers to some of the common questions homeowners have about the First-Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit. You can find most answers by going to the IRS Update on Recovery Tax Provisions for Individuals and Businesses section. You can also download Form 5405 (First-Time Homebuyer Credit Form) and find details within the instructions for filing […]
Green Roofing Options
When designing and building your new roof, the two key elements you should think about are the material and the color. A high performance roofing material coupled with a well insulated attic will help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Your roofing material is the final layer of […]
New window & door tax credits
The recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes tax credits for qualifying energy-saving home improvements. Immediately replacing the previous Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 tax credit for ENERGY STAR® windows and doors, the new stimulus bill significantly raises performance requirements for windows and doors qualifying for credits. • Qualifications for exterior windows, doors, […]