Studies have shown that twice as many home-buyers prefer new construction to existing construction. Read on to find out why!

That “new home” smell

Nothing can replace the fresh, clean feeling of being the first to walk on the carpet, cook on the stove, visit the … er … “facilities!” The paint is fresh, the scratches and dings are absent, and nothing has been mucked or messed up yet. To some homebuyers, it’s not truly new unless it’s never been lived in!

No more money pit

Even the most well-constructed home was built within the limits of its time and technology. In addition, everything that’s built to last will one day need to be repaired or replaced. Nothing is forever, and certainly not the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems of a home. Even homes built 10 or 20 years ago did not have access to the superior methods used today – and are more likely to need expensive upgrades in the future.

You have your weekends back

Everybody knows that summer weekends are for having fun – not for sweating through home projects! Get your weekends back instead of spending them on home repair tasks, or running back and forth from the local home improvement store!

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Let’s face it: Moving is a pain. You never hear the words, “Remember when we moved into our new house? Wasn’t that fun?” Okay, so having a great time moving isn’t in the cards. But it doesn’t have to be like passing a kidney stone, either. Here, we show you a few tricks of the trade from Cedar Ridge Homes to make sure you have a “smooth move”!

Hire a professional

Unless it’s a small move (a dozen boxes, for instance), you’re better off hiring professionals rather than attempting to move by yourself or with a few friends. You’re likely to get the job done quicker and with less hassle. If you and your buddies don’t lift heavy things regularly, you run the risk of injury. And if someone is hurt on your property, you could be held liable. Reputable movers, on the other hand, will likely be insured.

Label, label, label

Label everything – every box, every bag. Never assume you will remember what you put in a container you can’t easily open. Yes, if you promise yourself you will remember, you won’t. The stress and last-minute details of the move will get to you, killing off any brain cells you had reserved solely for your short-term memory.

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Are you an “uno” who’s about to become a “duo?” Maybe you’re moving into your custom home from Cedar Ridge as a young newlywed. Or perhaps you’re someone who found love late in life. Whatever the case, you’re now in the position of combining possessions. Don’t let cohabitation turn into a battle of wills. Here’s how to move in together – without duking it out.

Become one

You’re about to live under one roof with the one you love. That means you only need “one” of most things – a large saucepan, a family-sized couch, et cetera. Looking for a rule to make “which one is the one” easy? Here it is: Unless it clashes horribly with the rest of the décor, the one in better condition stays, period.

Customize

Simply put, the best way to make sure you have room for all the things you absolutely can’t get rid of is to build a custom home. With clever storage solutions crafted just for the two of you, you may be able to keep more than you thought. Plus, you can both get the house you’ve been dreaming of. Now that’s a match made in heaven!

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Ever wonder why it’s so hard to get rid of stuff when you change homes, even when you know you won’t use most of it? Read on to find out!

Insurance

Do you tend to keep old items around because one day you’ll “need” them? The 10 extra folding seats for annual parties, the outdated encyclopedias, et cetera? Okay, so you may not star on an episode of “Hoarders” anytime soon. But you know this habit is unhealthy – and impossible to maintain while downsizing.

Sentiment

Things with sentimental value, like old vases or family portraits, are often hardest to get rid of because they’re close to our hearts. The solution? Give them to family members, where you might still be able to see them when visiting their homes. You can also take pictures of the items and put them in photo albums or digital media (which take up considerably less space).

Fear

Common among newlyweds, you fear reprisal from Aunt Ida or Uncle Joe when they come over and see that the wedding gift they gave you — the one-of-a-kind velvet painting of dogs playing poker – isn’t prominently on display. Solution? Er, you’re on your own with this one!

The post Why you have trouble letting go appeared first on Cedar Ridge Homes.

Certain things in life are almost guaranteed to drive you crazy. Waiting in line at the post office, for instance. Raising teenagers. And sometimes, moving to a new house – especially to a smaller one. But it doesn’t have to be that way, at least where that last one is concerned. Here are several stress-free ways to downsize your home.

Fire!

Go ahead – set a fire. Not literally. Just in your mind. Pretend your house is burning down. Quick — what would you take? Pretend the kids, grandkids, animals and everyone living is safe. Same with crucial documents and electronics like birth certificate, phones, laptops, et cetera. We’re just talking stuff here. Although you’re obviously not going to light up your house just to move (one hopes!) it’s a fast way to make your priorities crystal clear.

Make a list

A second stress-free approach to moving takes a bit longer than the first way but can be just as enlightening. Make an inventory of everything you own. Yes, everything. This includes any duplicates as well as clothes and furniture you haven’t used in years. Sometimes, seeing everything in black and white makes you realize just how much you can live without.

The post Moving without the madness appeared first on Cedar Ridge Homes.

You were all excited about your new construction build from Cedar Ridge Homes, but now that feeling has given way to despair. How do you inject life into what seems like cold and empty rooms? Don’t worry – constructing the new home was the hard part. Now comes the fun!

Paint

Nothing changes the look of a room like a fresh coat of color. So the creamy neutrals the builder put up aren’t your taste? Swap them out for sunny yellow, Caribbean green or whatever else your heart desires!

Positively you

Personalize your space by making sure there is plenty of you in there, portrayed in the most positive light. Put art you’ve made on the walls, awards you’ve won on the shelves. Announce to all who enter that this house is yours!

Picture perfect

What do you never see in staged homes? That’s right: family photographs. Oh sure, there may be paintings of sunsets and fruit bowls, or occasionally, the photogenic models that came with the picture frame. But actual images of living, breathing people screams to potential buyers, “Someone already lives here!” Get the same lived-in feeling in your new home by adding relatives to the wall, pronto!

The post How to make a house feel like home appeared first on Cedar Ridge Homes.

Are you ready to design a custom kitchen with Cedar Ridge Homes? If so, you’ll want only the best for your new cooking space. See what’s getting homeowners fired up this year in the kitchen!

Modern all the way

Gone are the ornate, traditional styles of the aughts and early teens. Sleek and streamlined are the new buzzwords of contemporary kitchen design. Get used to hearing the words “clean lines” and “white cabinets” a lot. The less embellishment on cupboards, lighting, and faucets, the better!

Take it outside

It’s possible that the biggest change to 2017 is not their design but their location. More and more, you’ll see homeowners taking their cooking spaces outside. And these days, it’s more than just a family barbecue. Gourmet ovens, extra sinks and even refrigerators all extend your ability to enjoy meals al fresco in nearly every season!

Green with envy

Green is back, baby! Or, perhaps more accurately, it never really left! Cedar Ridges Homes is happy to announce the trend towards environmentally friendly design is as strong as ever. That’s part of why all homes designed by this company are energy-star rated!

The post What’s cookin’ in 2017 appeared first on Cedar Ridge Homes.

Any feelings you have when watching your children drive off to college are completely normal. Perhaps you’re a bit down because they’re leaving. Perhaps you’re elated to get on with this next chapter in your life. Regardless, the time has come to answer the all-important question: Now that the kids have flown the coop, do you remain in your old home, or downsize?

Homecoming

No, “homecoming” doesn’t refer to the dance where, it seems like just yesterday, you were chauffeuring your teenagers to! Children returning to the place they grew up isn’t uncommon in the early adult years. If you think this may be the case with your son or daughter, and you can’t imagine hosting holiday gatherings anywhere else, you may want to stay where you are.

Flex time

On the other hand, holidays aren’t the only important events on the calendar. Now is your time. You’ve done the hard work of raising the kids. Maybe you want to enjoy yourself in a location closer to amenities you enjoy without the hassle of home upkeep.

Money

There can be no denying it: downsizing can mean significant savings in home upkeep and taxes. If you’re not keeping the house so the kids can return there every December, consider investing the savings in their future. Did someone say “graduate school?”

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If you’re one of the many seniors who’s looking to build a new, smaller home, you may be wondering how you’re going to pay for it. Read on to find out about your options!

Sell your old home

You probably already know that a good chunk of your new home funds – if not all of them – can come from the sale of the larger home you’re moving from. But what you may not know is that you’ll be in a better position to buy your new home if you sell your old one first. Designing a new build when you don’t know the final purchase price of your former house can be financially risky.

Get a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage is a practical choice for those who don’t plan to use all the funds from the sale of their old house to buy their new one. Some of these mortgages state that you must be 62 or older, and may require your down payment to be fifty percent as opposed to the more common twenty percent.

Dig into your accounts

Other ways to fund the construction of your new home include home-equity lines of credit, or borrowing money from your 401(k) or IRA. However, bear in mind that these loans may have strict deadlines within which to pay them back.

The post Financing your new home in retirement appeared first on Cedar Ridge Homes.

Some things are just better made from scratch. A freshly baked apple pie, a homemade quilt … oh, yes – and your entire house. Read on to see some of the benefits of building a home from scratch.

Newer house, fewer problems

Older houses may come with structural issues that can cost time, money and hair (when you pull on it). New construction, on the other hand, lets you move in and enjoy your home right away, without worrying what problems may be lurking below the surface. You’re not inheriting someone else’s house issues, and even if things do break, they may still be under the builder’s warranty.

You can get exactly what you want

It can be wonderful to finally move into your new home but that euphoria is often dampened when you realize all you have to fix or change to enjoy it. With new construction, you can get the lights, flooring, cabinets, paint colors and everything else just the way you always wanted it!

You can choose where you live

Not only do you get to choose the house style and all the fixtures, but where else can you also pick out the lot and neighborhood where you’ll be living? New construction, all the way, baby!

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