by Paul on January 2, 2012
Here we are ~ the old year is behind us; the holiday season is over, and it’s time to forge ahead into the new year. I’m giving my predictions for the hot “must have” amenities that Schumacher Homes buyers will be demanding, based on trends that we noticed during 2011.
- Bonus Rooms: finished rooms built over the garages; these can be used as fit rooms as well as apartment-type living quarters for Y-gen-ers fresh out of college who need space of their own;
- Screened-In Porches: adding outdoor kitchens to the porch creates a casual, open-air atmosphere perfect for entertaining;
- In-Law Suites: very popular with baby boomers whose parents still want independence, the in-law suite gives assurance that the family is right there should the need arise;
- Dual Owner’s Retreat: perfect for multi-generational families;
- Hearth Rooms: cozy, semi-formal gathering areas;
- Wall of Windows: bring in the natural light!
- Customized Exteriors: design your exterior to suit your taste;
- Angled Garages: modifying the angle of the garage to utilize constraints of the lot;
- Sitting Rooms: adding a casual area adjacent to the owner’s suite provides a touch of luxury;
- Home Theaters: enjoy your favorite old movie or have a Super Bowl party in your own home!
Read more on what other leaders in the home building industry have to say about the future of custom home construction. Then, stop by our nearest Design Center and see how you can incorporate these trends into your own brand-new home!
by Paul on December 30, 2011
For several years, there has been widespread speculation about the coming year ~ 2012 ~ being the end of Time. Those who are fueling these doomsday discussions base their theory on predictions written by Michel de Nostredame, more widely known by the name of Nostradamus, in his book Les Propheties (The Prophecies). Still others cite the Mayan calendar, which ominously ends on December 21, 2012.
Frankly, this topic is interesting but can be frightening ~ much like the gloomy forecasts which many of today’s economists continually announce. I don’t need to add a link to back up this fact; all of you have heard and read this for some time. However, even as Mayan experts are negating the premise that December 21, 2012 is “the end of it all” ~ their studies say that the end of the calendar is simply marking the transition from one period of Time to another ~ so, too, there are signs that the economy is beginning to improve.
The hard truth is that the current economic situation did not happen overnight, and we will not rapidly emerge from the slump; the turnaround will be gradual. As the old adage says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” On a positive note: the past two years Schumacher Homes has enjoyed the largest volume of sales since our inception in 1992!
I prefer to look on the bright side of not only the economic forecast, but also the dawning of a new year. Let’s put negative thoughts to rest and focus on the future with hope and anticipation. The earth is frozen in northeast Ohio, the site of our corporate office, but the promise of Spring is there beneath the ground. Flowers will revive as the seasons change, and so will the economy.
Welcome, 2012! A very Happy New Year to all!
