a better building process

Managed Construction Services is our way for many customers to be very much involved with all the pricing, product selections, an open book relationship. We become your advocate and constant professional advisers helping you with straighten our all the twist and turns and that come with custom home building. In two generations of home building we have seen about all there is to see in building homes.

The process starts by establishing a design and proposed budget and work line item by line item to establish all the goals that you desired. Our fee is listed on a line item just like everything other cost that it takes to build a quality well designed home.

It is actually a great way to work together as a team to achieve the exact result that you had in mind at a price of your choosing. Our role is to provide a service that is massaged to fit your needs and provide you with awesome design, value and quality.

If you would like to learn more please call us (319-553-1457) and set up a time to visit about any of the services that we offer in new home construction and kitchen and bath remodeling. We practice universal design and high green building standards and are up to date on all the latest building methods and process'. 45 minutes of discussion could help you decide what your next step should be and save months of trying to learn to know what you don't know.

Next blog will be ontime and online customer service, job scheduling and selections. This is the best communication tool I have ever seen.

Craig Fairbanks

Custom Builder

a better building process

Our systematic approach to the Home Building Process includes cutting edge technology and tools to facilitate communication and limit confusion. You start by choosing the home building process that fits YOU best not what works for your builder, we feature 3.

We use the standard fixed priced contact, just as it sounds firm pricing, menu priced homes starts with a predetermined ba

se home price and add your options from our predetermined list, our newest format is our Managed Contract Services (MCS) .

This last one is for those who have a desire and need to be more involved in the process. Our role is to help you manage all the moving parts and secure the best quality, craftsmanship, pricing, and subcontractors. We will be working as a team allowing us to get started sooner. With open book pricing we do not need to have all the exact pricing in place. We build a budget for you and work toward those goals based on past projects and your detailed selected products.

No matter which path you choose the goals remain the same, producing the exact product requested and with the quality that our customers have come to expect.

We offer online document and project tracking online for you to always be in the loop and totatlly informed. Any time day or night 24/7. You can view the project schedule, current pricing, selections & opt

ions, approve your change orders and leave notes of concern and questions for our people to address first thing everyday.

There are a lot of moving parts in a home and to do our job right, we’ll be paying attention to every detail, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Our check list process makes sure we are the piece of the complex puzzle are all where they belong.

As you research your new home and interview potential Builders, you will probably encounter a similar sales presentations time and again. If everyone is saying the same thing, how do you differentiate and make the best decision for you and your family?

Do you solicit three bids and pick the lowest one? The middle one? What is the most important factor in choosing a Builder?

Meet with Craig Fairbanks Homes to experience something different. Let us demonstrate our PROCESS and show you the tools we use to define, manage, and deliver not only a great Home but an Outstanding Experience.

We look forward to meeting with you soon. Call us now to lock in your building project and pricing early this year as commitments are filling up. This could be your year to get that new home started that you have been thinking about for many years.

Call us now and get started this spring.

Craig's Cell 404-0412

Craig@CraigFairbanksHomes.com

Rising mortgage rates!!! Causes buying surge from first-time Home buyers

Here is another predictor that the housing bottom is occurring or has already happened. Rates are quickly pushing up to the 5% level and just a month ago they were at 3.75 for 30 year home loans. There is always a slight surge in buying and building new homes before the market turns for the better and prices begin to actually rise.

Just like waiting to buy a stock at the absolute bottom most of the time the investor waits until it too late and the profit upside has passed them by. We all tend to be a little greedy sometimes for our own good. The same thing will happen in the home market. Many of us will be back buying when we have to and not at the best time for a fair return on equity.

Warren Buffet is quoted as saying about his investment theory, "I buy when others are fearful and sell when others are too comfortable about the pricing." Its more than a theory, I think his investment strategy has proven itself to say the least.

This week the large national homebuilders stock price rose by 18-20%. This is no accident, some body knows something with that kind of move. As homes are not built the demand is still there just delayed and existing home prices will or have begun to raise. I have been around long enough to see 35 years of history you know the signs.

Have you thought about what you home plans and dreams are? Have you looked for the best time to buy? If so call us to set up your private no obligation consultation on how you might get started in building the home of your dreams at this very opportune time.

Merry Christmas

Craig
319-404-0412
Craig@CraigFairbanksHomes.com

Building Boom !!!! ?

One only needs to cruise the new neighborhoods and see all of the basements being started or homes under construction. Most are custom homes pre-sold to families that have decided now is the time to build, and how!!!

With banks pulled back and virtually not lending for speculative home construction it is hard for that new family coming into the area to find a new home to move into right away. After almost two years of these tight lending policies there seems to be no break or loosening of those policies.

We have begun the process of expanding our new single condo homes to a twin home style as well for a lower price point that we have not offered before. The starting price is at $189,000 for a large slab on grade home to the $230's for a fully featured home with a full basement. These homes are exactly like the singles we have been building except joined in a twin home style to economize the land costs of building.

We continue to expand on the Universal Design styling and include even more standard elements, not just in our custom condo's but in all of our building. These homes just live better for all families and age groups.

We are able to locate your home in almost any neighborhood in the Cedar Valley area as location remains one of the top elements in the success and financial future of a new home.

Call today and lets start planning while prices are stable and choice lots are available.

Call Craig

www.CraigFairbanksHomes.com

www.CraigtheBuilder.com

Cell: 319-404-0412

Off: 319-553-1457

Procrastination and the additional Costs

This article used with permission of Inman News

Universal design hitting home

Rising long-term care costs fuel demand for aging-in-place mods

By Tom Kelly, Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Inman News

Builders are doing an admirable job of incorporating universal design features in new homes, but baby boomers continue to be slow in accepting the need for them.

Perhaps you know the type ... people who do not want to accept the fact that they will eventually get old.

"I think universal design features can be likened to the first cell phones," said John Migliaccio, director of research at MetLife's Mature Market Institute. "At first, very few people used them. Now, they are ubiquitous. In fact, every kid has one. Consumers haven't really gotten the message on universal design, but we feel they will."

The slow acceptance is not unlike the responses to environmentally friendly homes. For example, only 12 percent of respondents to a Metlife survey said they would pay more for a "green" home.

The same folks are willing to pay an average one-time amount of $6,732 if it would save $1,000 annually in utility costs. While another 23 percent of respondents said they are concerned about the environment, it does not drive their decision to purchase.

The educational push by builders, architects and designers is to remove the "old" association from universal design, also known as UD. Universal design advocates that all built environments not only be accessible to people regardless of age, size or physical ability, but also that the features of these environments be compelling and appear seamless to the design of the home. These amenities and alternations can serve all ages, hence its name.

Builders are striving to create universal design applications that make it easier for someone to carry out daily activities such as preparing meals, climbing stairs and bathing, as well as changing the physical structure of a home to improve its overall safety and condition. These attractive amenities no longer sing out "An old person lives here!" -- and they can also enhance the resale value of the home.

The tools needed for homeowners to stay in their homes longer -- or "age in place" -- were brought to the forefront of the building community as a result of a cost survey of nursing homes, assisted-living communities, home care agencies, and adult day services in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., that included national figures and data from 87 individual markets across the country.

For nursing homes, private-pay rates for long-term (custodial) nursing care were obtained for both private and semi-private rooms throughout the U.S.

The Met Life study, produced by LifePlans Inc., was conducted by telephone between July and October 2009. Here are the key elements of the survey: .News

• National average rates for a private room in a nursing home increased by 3.3 percent from $212 daily (or $77,380 annually) in 2008 to $219 daily (or $79,935 annually) in 2009. National average rates for a semi-private room in a nursing home increased by 3.7 percent from $191 daily (or $69,715 annually) in 2008 to $198 daily (or $72,270 annually) in 2009.

• National average assisted-living base rates increased by 3.3 percent, from $3,031 monthly (or $36,372 annually) in 2008 to $3,131 monthly (or $37,572 annually) in 2009.

• The 2009 national average hourly rate for home health aides increased by 5 percent, from $20 in 2008 to $21 in 2009. The national average hourly rate for homemaker/companions increased by 5.6 percent from $18 in 2008 to $19 in 2009.

• Adult day services national average daily rates increased by 4.7 percent from $64 in 2008 to $67 in 2009.

At assisted-living communities, costs were obtained for room and board (at least two meals per day, housekeeping and personal care) in one-bedroom apartments or private rooms with private baths.

Home care rates were based on hourly rates for home health aides at licensed agencies and agency-provided homemaker/companion services. Adult day-service costs reflect daily rates at licensed facilities for the majority, though licensing requirements vary by state.

The bottom line is that there are not enough nursing homes to accommodate baby boomers' future needs ... even if they could afford the care. It's about cost and space. So, a good look at incorporating universal design applications may be just what the doctor ordered.

Helping at Home: Basic Home Modifications

Basic need	Common modification
Bathroom	* Install grab bars, shower seats or transfer benches * Place non-skid strips or decals in the tub or shower
Turning faucets or doorknobs	* Install faucet or doorknob adapters
Doors and hallways	* Install permanent or portable ramps * Widen doorways or install swing-clear hinges
Climbing stairs	* Install handrails on both sides for support * Install a stair glide * Increase lighting at the top and bottom of stairway

Source: National Resource Center for Supportive Housing and Home Modification

Topyright 2010 Tom Kelly

All rights reserved. This article may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.

AS you can see the costs of not being able to stay in your home for the long terms could eat you out of house and home. Call us to help make the move to one of our "FOREVER HOMES" today, we have your solutions at your budget.

Craig Fairbanks

319-404-0412

email: Craig@CraigtheBuilder.com

Families Merging living space

As Predicted, Multiple Generations Sharing Homes on the Rise

By Lani Rosales on February 22, 2010 | 5 Responses

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Multi-generational housing

Over the last 12 months, 37% of Coldwell Banker Real Estate real estate sales professionals noted an increase in buyers looking to purchase homes to suite more than one generation of their family, according to a recent Coldwell Banker survey of its network of professionals.

Southern New Hampshire Realtor, Monika McGillicuddy said, “I am seeing the same thing. My adult son lives in an in law apartment attached to my house and my brother in law lives with my mom in law. I think it’s a sign of the times and brings back stories I was told by my parents when they were young and the family all lived together. My grandfather, Uncle & family and Aunt & her family all shared a three family home. Combining resources, helping to baby sit and sharing in the day to day activates. My sister built her home with an in-law in mind.”

The report shows taht 70% of the surveyed agents believe that this trend will continue this year as demand for multi-generational homes rise with financial drivers as the primary reason for families sharing a home. Interestingly, only 29% of agents surveyed said they believe the driving factor to be health care issues.

McGillicuddy also noted, “I’m not sure it will impact vacancy rates here [locally,] as I work in a country setting where apartments are not easy to find. I do think it is getting back to when life was simpler and about saving money more than anything else.”

“While saving money is certainly an incentive for buying a home that accommodates multiple generations, the benefits go beyond just financial reasons,” said Diann Patton, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Consumer Specialist. “With two or three generations living under one roof, families often experience more flexible schedules, quality time with one another and can better juggle childcare and eldercare.”

Do you have a need for multi- generational housing? We have answers and solution!!

We have many twin or custom multi living opportunities for families who would rather care for family at their home.

Call Craig 319-404-0412

Craig@CraigtheBuilder.com

50% Less Energy with Geo + a big Check

Energy Saving Upgrades
Almost Free!!

When talking about how energy efficient homes are today my thoughts often have me asking the question, “How can we get new homes any tighter and more efficient than they are today?” The answer is we can, but at what cost and how long is the payback which every new home buyer wants to know. For the huge increase in equipment costs and doubling the cost of superior proven insulation methods, is it just a diminishing return?

Surprisingly the answer is yes. The additional cost over time, and energy prices not going down any time soon, you will easily recover those costs. Ten years in the life of a home is a relatively short time to recover those initial costs when you think of a homes useful life or over 100 years. Even if you don’t get to take full advantage in the short term, buyers will gladly pay a higher price for a superior efficient home.

Now for some really great news for those who choose to go this route when building a new home. You can get a tax credit, not a deduction, of 30% the initial cost of those improvements for a new Geothermal System. With those incentives you can get a home with a geothermal heating system unit for as little as $3,000 in additional cost, making the payback well under 5 years!

Whether or not you like the government incentive programs, someone is going to take those funds and improve their home. Let’s take an example of a home built in Cedar Falls: Total cost of the geothermal system, $30,000 for a home of around 2000 square feet). Now lets deduct the dollar for dollar tax credit of 30% ($10,000 in this case) now the geo heating and cooling system is costing you about $5,000 above a standard super high energy efficient heating system which is approximately $15,000. You must comply also with the Energy Star Program however the good news is most builders in our area comply with this regulation anyway.

“This credit for geothermal, heat pumps, and other innovative energy savings system products does not have to be for your principal residence like the other energy credits ; so, rental units, second homes, etc... are all eligible. Go to www.EnergyStar.Gov to find all about what credits and energy efficiency products are available for you. These credits for geo systems expire on 12.31.2016. You do have some time to plan but like all tax credits, subject to change, like cash for clunkers when the allocated funds run out. So I would act now. There are also many tax credits for existing homes and most of those expire at the end of 2010.

Sounds really good so far right? Well it gets better, Cedar Falls Utilities will rebate you another $600 dollars for each ton of a system required for heating and cooling a home, in this case the home would take about 5 Tons of unit size. $600.00 X 5 is a rebate of $3000.00. Your net cost is $2,000.00 and a heating and cooling system that is 50% more efficient to run than a traditional forced air heated and cooled home. The payback now is almost immediate. In Waterloo, and other areas of the Cedar Valley that Mid American Energy is serving, they give a flat rebate of $2,000.00 per installed unit.

At Fairbanks Builders we have made a commitment to geothermal by offering the system, in all of our Villa Condo Single Family Homes in Cedar Falls. We will pick up the balance of the cost between the adjusted tax cost of the geo system and the cost of a traditional high energy efficient system up to $3,000.

Stable building costs, some severely reduced costs, available local home Builders that need to fill a schedule, interest rates at 4.5% for a fixed 30 year loan most days, low home inventory if you need to get your current home sold (Market time of 97 Days according to the WCF Board of Realtors) First time homebuyer credit of $8,000 and a $6,500 tax credit for anyone buying a home.

I have never seen a better time to invest in building or improving a home in 35 years of building. When the housing market improves the credits will disappear.

“Invest when others are fearful and sell when others are confident. Warren Buffet 2009.

If you have questions about any of these programs feel free to contact Craig

Craig Fairbanks
Owner
Fairbanks Builders / Realtors
www.FairbanksBuilders.com
319-404-0412

Craig is immediate past president of the Northeast Iowa Association of Home Builders
Also a Certified aging in place specialist. (CAPS) NAHB