Posts tagged: real estates

Introduction

With its thick walls of solid wood, a log home is one of the best-insulated buildings in which you could choose to live. But the nature of a log home’s construction also presents a unique challenge: the opportunity for air to pass through the gaps between the logs.

Fortunately, air infiltration is a challenge that’s easily met, thanks to caulking, the general term for the seals that are introduced between logs. With the right caulking method, or “caulk joint” as it is generally termed, a log home can achieve thermal efficiencies to rival those of any building method.

Two key elements are essential to effective caulking. First, the caulk used must form a “wet” seal, one that adheres to the wood surfaces rather than just filling the gaps between them. And second, it needs to be elastic (a quality sometimes referred to as “memory”), either stretching or compressing as the shapes of the logs themselves subtly move through natural expansion or contraction.

Another way of thinking about a caulk’s effectiveness is in terms of “adhesion” and “cohesion.” Good adhesion means that the caulk sticks to the log well. Good adhesion means that it holds together well under stress. Obviously, a balance of both properties is necessary for a caulk to work properly.

With those elements met, four principles govern the most efficient caulk joint design: caulk depth, points of adhesion, a caulk “well,” and the conditions under which the caulk is applied. Each principle is fairly simple to grasp, and understanding them all will help anyone buying, building, or restoring a log home make the right energy-efficient decisions.

Principle 1: Apply the Right Caulk Depth

In general, the depth of caulk in a joint is more important than the width of the caulk’s application. Why? Put as simply as possible, the most critical factor is that the caulk have enough mass at any given point to absorb any movement in the logs. As a rule, whatever its width, the depth of a caulk joint does not need to be any more than 1/2 inch or any less than 1/4 inch. Also, a deeper joint is preferable to one that is too thin.

Principle 2: Provide Two Caulk Adhesion Points

Caulk works best when it adheres only to two elements, namely the two logs between which it is applied, so that the seal will hold if and when any movement occurs in the logs. Adhesion to three or more points, by contrast, would cause the caulk to be pulled in multiple directions, thus increasing the likelihood that the seal will break away from one or more of the points of adhesion. Placing a backing rod inside the well With this principle in mind, any backing materials included in a caulk joint should provide a surface to which the caulk does not adhere. Doing so allows the caulk to remain at its most elastic.

Principle 3: Create a Caulk Well

Superior caulks have enough elasticity to absorb 25 to 50 percent of the total movement in the joint they fill. To allow for that movement, caulk joints require “wells,” spaces that allow the joint to absorb that movement. For a reliable seal, the caulk well should be two to four times larger than the movement that is anticipated for that joint, thus reflecting the 25 to 50 percent absorption properties of the caulk being used.  Obviously, the greater the movement expected in a particular joint, the larger its caulk well should be. Log homeowners can also take comfort from the fact that high-quality caulks currently being sold are capable of absorbing far greater movement than that for which they are rated.

Principle 4: Apply Caulk Under Optimum Conditions

Because logs expand or contract in response to temperature and humidity, the climate conditions at the time caulk joints are applied will affect the seal formed. On a very hot, humid day, for example, a joint will be at its smallest, since wood expands under such conditions; so caulk applied at such a time will later be subject to the maximum stretching. By contrast, a joint will be at its largest on the coldest, driest of days; so caulk applied then will later be subject to the maximum compression. With this principle in mind, it is wise to select a caulk with properties that best suit the range of local climate conditions, and to apply it at the most stable, least extreme point in the climate cycle. But smart log home builders will also apply caulk at optimum times; for example, sealing caulk joints on the cooler side of a home will work most effectively on a warmer day, while those on the side of a home that gets more direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight would best be sealed on a cooler day.

Conclusion

By aiming to apply all four principles described above, you’ll maximize the effectiveness of your caulk joint seal. That may require you and your builder or contractor to implement sealing techniques that go beyond the most obvious and simple solutions. Keep these guidelines in mind, and you’ll thus enjoy the maximum benefits of log homes’ superior insulation and energy-saving capabilities.

Buying your first home is the most exciting and pleasing experience but this happiness turns into disaster if you fail to deal matters properly. The whole process may complicate for the first timer or people who don’t understand these matters. Better to hire a well reputable real estate agent who has deep knowledge about your concern area. If you spent more amount than your estimated cost you might get into trouble. Finding the perfect home that totally fits in your budget is the most important thing in home buying process.

Start your research about what kind of home you want and what is your budget limit and most important find out which communities are offering such homes. New Jersey is the 4th largest state of US and on of the most demanding place to live in. the state has more opportunities for every age group. People wants to live here and desire to start a family in their new home. Large numbers of home communities are in service of people offering different home designs and styles at different prices. But everyone loves to build their dream home at dream location with all the modern facilities of life. For our customers’ convenience and ease we narrow down your list by introducing you best home communities in NJ with affordable home prices, fits right in your budget.

Choose best home that fits in your budget in finest communities of NJ. Our recommended communities are located at premium locations with thoughtful design and excellent building. One of our favorite communities in Burlington County, NJ is situated at peaceful Chesterfield, which is also voted as number one Best Place to Live in Burlington County. Traditions at Chesterfield, a beautiful and well develop community has everything that is in wish list of home buyers. This community is designed by professionals with number of exquisite homes, ranging from Single Family Homes to Luxury Garden Homes and Carriage Collection of Townhomes.

Due to its immense popularity in short period of time all the townhomes at this community is already sold out! The most important reason behind this popularity is reasonable prices as compared to the market. Traditions at Chesterfield build worth watching homes at county’s most demanding location, near to the New York and Philadelphia City. The community has easy access to all the major highways.
Residents can enjoy The Shoppes at Old York Village within walking distance of your new home. The community is planned as Smart Growth and make sure there will be guarantee preservation of land.

Traditions at Chesterfield offer variety of home designs to choose from according to your family requirements and needs. Either chooses from our single family classics or from our luxury garden homes. Choice is unlimited! We bestow nine splendid single family homes and three beautiful garden homes. Let’s have a look at our single family homes first and choose that fits in your budget.

The HAMPTON is available on priced from $400,990. This floor plan offers 2,013 square ft. Of living space with an open living layout. The wonderful home offers three bedrooms, two and a half bath, a full 9′ basement and two car garages. The Hampton home design features spacious kitchen with breakfast nook that flows beautifully into a family room and dining room. Other protuberant features include a full size laundry room and an option of bath in the basement.

THE RICHMOND is priced from $464,990. This floor plan offers 2,601 square ft. of living space with four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Two car garages, full size laundry room, gigantic kitchen with breakfast nook, full size 9′ basement and spectacular two story foyer are highlights of The Richmond home design.

THE ARLINGTON is a home design offers abundant 2,600 square ft. of living space. It has four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two car garages. It is priced from $457,990. Arlington also features full 9’basement, an expensive laundry room, a gas fireplace and master suite with separate his and her vanities.

THE ROANOKE is an impressive home design featuring 2,998 square ft. of living space with four bedrooms with loft, two and a half bathrooms. Other highlights include splendid two story family room with gas fireplace, an oversized two car garage, custom master suite, impressive two story foyer and kitchen with breakfast nook.

THE SHENANDOAH home design is priced from $492,990. It features 3,205 square ft. of luxurious living space with four bedrooms, two and a half baths and two car garages. Other eminent features include first floor den, custom master bath with his and her vanities and dramatic oversized family room where you can spend quality time with your family and love ones.

THE WILLIAMSBURG is spectacular home priced from $502,990. The Williamsburg offer four bedrooms, two and a half baths and two car garages built on 3,549 square ft. of an abundant living space. Other highlighted features of this home design include den, first floor laundry room, full 9′ basement, lovely porch and exquisite master suite with sitting area.

THE FREDERICKSBURG is most demanding home design with 3,654 square ft. of luxury living space. The beautiful home offers four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and two car garages. The home begins with the lovely porch and long foyer connects to the entire first floor. A full size 9′ basement and large laundry room is part of this home. Other highlights include first floor den, loft, sitting room with master bedroom and huge walk-in closets. You can get this amazing home from $543,990.

THE ALEXANDRIA is priced from $472,990. A perfect home design features 2,982 square ft. of spacious living space with four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two car garages. a full nine-foot basement, large family room with gas fireplace, full size laundry room, oversized kitchen and corner soaking tub in master bath are highlights of The Alexandria home design.

THE HOPEWELL home features 2,400 square ft. of ideal living space with 3 bedrooms with loft, 2.5 bathrooms and 2 car garages. A full size basement is also part of this floor plan. You can get this spectacular home at price starting from $440,990.

From these amazing homes you can choose that fits in your budget and meet your family demands and needs. For further details you can contact us at any convenient hour. We are open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Roofs are some of the most important elements of homes, because they keep the elements out, as well as keeping your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summertime. And there are few elements of a property that help raise the value and equity like a brand new roof! Because roofing repairs can be such an extensive project that requires more than one worker and plenty of materials, however, it can also be an expensive undertaking if you go with the wrong company.

If you have a roof that is badly in need of repairs (missing shingles, damaged gutters and etcetera), then the first step is to find a roofing contractor in your area that gives free estimates on repair work. Luckily, most companies will provide you with a free inspection and give you a quote before any work begins. You should never go with any contractor that asks for a fee to give you a quote for services.

Since roofers are fairly common in metropolitan areas, it might be in your best interests to get several quotes on work before you actually settle on a contractor and sign any contracts. You might be surprised to learn that the cost for the same project can actually vary widely from one company to the next, and you might end up saving hundreds of dollars by getting more than one quote.

Also, be sure that you ask the companies how ling they have been in business, and how many satisfied customers they have services. If they are a reputable company, then they certainly have examples of past roof repairs that they have done in your city, and it might be a good idea to take a quick trip somewhere for a look at their work. Additionally, ask if they have any roofing repair clients who would be willing to give them a recommendation.

By researching local roofing contractor options before signing any contracts, you will save yourself plenty of money, add equity to your home and make sure that your property is kept up properly.

Stone houses are environment friendly structures that display an aesthetic sense of its owner. Easily available, stone can be considered as one of the most durable construction materials with a wide range of texture options.

In ancient times, various civilizations made use of stone to build their houses. This was because stone was probably the only available building material excluding mud and trees. Even in the modern era, eco-friendly houses have gained immense popularity because of their magnificent properties. Houses constructed with the help of stones are capable enough to resist fire, wind, water as well as various insects including termites.

Some stone houses provide a natural, unique appearance that reminds one of the European castles.

To avail the maximum benefits of these artistic constructions, it is suggested to use durable stones such as granite and avoid stones the wear down over time, such as limestone. Furthermore, purchasing of previously chopped stone is a wiser alternate to escape from the time consuming and laborious phase of stone cutting. However, the top suited stone for home construction is one, which is available in the respective local area so that transportation does not become an issue.

Sustainability and durability adds an extra spark to the elegance of these stone homes without costing much for maintenance and care. There are many historical examples to speak about sustainability of simple yet graceful stone houses where they have witnessed many centuries.

Pyramids, made up of stone, attributed to be a one of the beautiful creators, across the world, are best examples to display stone’s strength. Various historical stone buildings, especially constructed following the European-style stone houses have been around for thousand years and will probably remain the same for centuries.

Beside environmentally friendly abilities, stone homes also deserve a round of applause for their natural beauty that does not demand any painting or siding. In addition, the stone homes are comfortable nests and if constructed with passive solar design, they have ability to store heat within its walls. The absorbed heat is likely to radiate throughout the house, all night, creating a cozy and warm environment for the users. Above all stone homes are easy to clean and can be washed with simple water.

Proper planning as well as availability of a construction expert plays an important role to maximize stone home benefits. Furthermore, it is crucial to choose a quality stone along with proper technique to assemble them. It can be seriously harmful to choose an inferior quality stone that is not strong enough to support the required weight.

In spite of an array of benefits, the stone home owner also faces some difficulties with them. Customization is one such issue. For older homes, replacement of stones may present a particular challenge.

Some expensive stones, commonly used for flooring, including tiles may be cold and very hard under foot. It’s not recommended to use softer stones because they are prone to strains, moisture and scratches.

All in all, however, the owners of stone homes are generally happy with the strength, durability, security, energy savings, environmental soundness and natural beauty of these structures.

Interior design is the most interesting concept that is subject of much enjoyment for home owners and home builders. If you like playing with floors, ceilings, kitchen area, wash area, furniture and spaces, interior design is for you. Today, it has greatly revolutionized and home owners with builders are designing innovative and creative interiors through marble. They are continuously using marble products for more efficiency and beauty.

The great thing about marble interiors design is that you don’t necessarily have a deep knowledge about it. Home builders give exceptional ideas to change your interiors and apply marble in it. It certainly gives genuinely modern look to the houses and adds more value to it. Modern home builders also help you choose the best place to apply marble stone.

Today, one of the best ways of interior designing is using marble products. Marble interiors look stunning and redefine its value. One can have nearly limitless designs through marble stones. It simply offers a wide variety of opportunity of creating new interior designs. More number of homes is utilizing soft marble stone to their houses for balustrades, statues, staircases and medallions. Being beautiful in looks, it is modestly used in countertops, vanity tops and statues.

Nowadays, interior designers and builders are widely using marble stone to richly facelift traditional or old homes. They conclude their interior designing projects with marble flooring. In fact, it is the most unique feature of modern homes. They also use wide variety of marble products for stunning looks and aesthetic appeal.

Kitchen and Bathroom Interiors Ideas

Kitchen and bathroom interiors are the major part of any facelift project. These are the main areas of a home that needs to be addressed first. Both granite and marble can add extra appeal to kitchen and bath space. One of the most vital uses of marble is as countertops that can be installed in both kitchen and bathroom. It provides exceptional beauty along with a magical durability. Marble sinks and flooring are additional components adding uncompromising beauty to kitchen and bathroom interiors.

Today, marble interiors are becoming very popular amongst modern home builders, homeowners and architects. In fact, manufacturers are also offering superior marble products for homeowners’ use. To serve the daily rising requirement of interior designs, interior experts and architects are now including magnificent marble products in their design strategies. Manufacturers also offer different types of products for both commercial and residential applications.

When you hear the word “lamp” what image do you think of? You probably imagine that table lamp on your bed’s nightstand, which sheds some light on your bedtime reading. Or maybe you think about the lamp sitting on the console table in the hallway, which greets you just before you enter or exit the house. Or perhaps you remember the end table in your recreational room, where you set the glass of your favorite beverage as you catch a game or movie on TV.

While table lamps are typically the most common light fixtures in our homes, we should not forget floor lamps as well. Though taller than their table lamp or desk lamp counterparts, floor lamps can provide a variety of benefits that can enhance the decor of any room:

1. Sturdiness
Today’s floor lamps, such as Tiffany stained glass floor lamps, are much sturdier than floor lamps of the past. For example, in the past, floor lamps were notorious for tipping over easily, thus creating a fire hazard. However, today’s floor lamps must meet something called the UL “tipability standard,” requiring their bases to be heavy enough.

2. Full spectrum lighting
This allows the lamp’s user to enjoy the full spectrum of light, including light that the naked human eye cannot detect, such as infrared light. In particular, this feature provides artists who use a variety of media, with a type of artificial sunlight to help reveal how certain hues will appear in sunlight.

3. Attractive styles for any size or decor of a room
You probably do not want to match up paisley lampshades with checkered wallpaper. Fortunately, floor lamps, such as contemporary floor lamps, and mission style floor lamps are available in a variety of styles, which complement the decor.

Today, themes have become the “in thing” when creating decor for a particular room. Fortunately, floor lamps range from traditional styles and colors, to more contemporary ones. And with retro models, the old is new again!

4. Perfect as both a reading or a task lamp
Table lamps can only provide a small range of illumination, and oftentimes they barely create enough light for reading, which increases your eyestrain. However, a floor lamp provides a wider range of illumination. So whether you are watching TV, working on a puzzle, or reading the newspaper, a floor lamp can provide the right amount of light, thus lowering your energy bills. 

5. Adjustable brightness.
While the brightness of many table lamps is limited to “off” and “on,” floor lamps tend to provide a wider range of brightness. Whether you need minimum lighting for reading or more lighting for your kids’ board game, a floor lamp usually provides a variety of brightness settings.

6. Reduced eyestrain and glare.
Many homes still use fluorescent lighting throughout their various rooms. Your eyes subconsciously pick up the flickering of such lights, increasing eyestrain and glare. While the light of a table lamp illuminates outwards, the light of a floor lamp illuminates downwards. This provides a broader area of light that is helpful for whatever activity you are doing.

There are different types of wall art that you can use to decorate various parts of your house. There are artworks painted on canvas and some that are printed on paper or fabric. Some are framed while others are not. Depending on your home design some may be more suitable than others.

Metal Art – Metal art can consist of antique pieces or new artworks made of metal. This kind of art can be suitable for various types of homes, from traditional houses to modern minimalist urban condos. Metal art can look like a typical squarish piece of art work on canvas or look more like wrought iron designs. These are a bit heavy and will need more sturdy support to hold them up on a wall. They can have a southern Texan flair or look ultra modern depending on the design.

Wall Decals – Kids will like colorful wall decals made of stickers in their bedroom or playroom. These are practical if your kids are young since you can easily remove the stickers and replace them with other designs. Some wall decals look sophisticated enough for the living room or master’s bedroom. If you rent an apartment, these sticker art are ideal because you won’t have to bore holes on the wall and can easily remove them when it’s time to move out.

Paintings – Paintings are classic art pieces. They can be abstract in form or look traditional. There are many different types of paintings you can choose from to find an ideal subject, size and medium that will go with your home design and furniture style. Some canvas wall art can be framed or hung unframed if mounted on gallery wrapped canvas.

Tapestries – Tapestries are painted or printed on fabric from Africa or Asia. Tapestries add an old world flair to a home. This type of wall decoration is often forgotten as an art form but seems to be benefiting from a comeback. There are reproductions or commercial types of tapestries and original hand painted tapestries made by indigenous people from various countries. They can also be made by modern abstract artists to go with modern home designs.

Mirrors – Mirrors don’t just make a room look much larger but can also be considered artistic if mounted on a decorative frame. The frames can be made of elaborate wooden carvings or modern metals. Some frames are made of wood and made to look like metal like silver, gold or bronze. These kinds of wall art look good in living rooms, dining rooms and at the end of a hallway. Use this type of wall decor if you want to make your rooms look larger.

Art Prints – Art prints are photographs printed on canvas. Large-scales pieces are very attractive and contemporary looking. You can get these ready-made from art stores in any size you want. The photos are taken by professional photographers who take pictures from various locations around the world. The images can show landscapes, seascapes, or portray culture and food. Some photos depict animals and city skylines.

No matter what kind of wall art you choose to hang in your home. Be sure to get one that you enjoy looking at. Before purchasing wall decor, make sure that that the size is ideal for your wall space. Take note of colors around the room and get artwork that contains some of those colors. Avoid hanging artwork with the same color as your wall to make the artwork stand out.

Chakras are vortexes of energies in the subtle body.The etheric body is the very first layer in our aura and is closest to the energy system of our body. Healthy chakras keep our mind, body and spirit living in harmony. A closed chakra caused by energy blockage, be it emotional or spiritual will create disharmony, causing the chakras to go into excess or lack there-off. This induces a state of lethargy and disorientation and eventually leads to physical illnesses.

Let’s Chakra balance and design our home!!

We connect with the universe through our astral body and the chakras that energize us in a reciprocity that envelops us as a whole. Our home is an extension of our energy so a happy house is a happy you!! Lets integrate the chakras in our home in a way that we understand and connect.

The Root or Base Chakra is associated with stability and survival and governs the Kitchen, Toilet. The kitchen is where we sustain ourselves so a clean, bright and cheerful atmosphere keeps the chakra happy. An antique Indian sideboard or manjoosh carved in old wood works splendidly as an island where family gives you company while cooking their favorite meals. Grounding woods and earthy colors of vintage carved barn doors for the pantry, the tree of life nourishes us. Decorate with fresh fruits and flowers, sustaining the source.This chakra is also where any energy is eliminated from our body, so the toilet should not have any leaks or issues as that drains energy. The old door console made from antique doors and studded with iron and brass converted into a bathroom cabinet gives the earthing element. Decorate with broad leaf plants and distressed wood planters.

The Sacral Chakra is connected to the center of creativity, and could be your extra room where you paint or write blogs. Orange, burnt reds, russet beaded sari tapestry hanging from an old carved distressed wood mantle give the aura of creative energy. Accent with sheer sari curtains and toss pillows and feel the creative juices flow.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is our personal will, social connections and governs our emotions and discipline. The family room and laundry room are connected to this chakra. Do you feel happy and connected sitting in your family room or isolated? A stunning vintage ochre yellow intricately carved cabinet or a distressed wood yellow coffee table will bring in new energy. My friend decorated her laundry room beautifully with an antique Indian armoire using it to store the laundry and cleaning supplies, a practical and beautiful statement!

The Heart Chakra represents love and compassion and I immediately connect it to green plants that are scattered all over my house. The bedroom is the zone for the heart chakra and the seat of divine love. A beautiful antique door makes a magnificent headboard, the door panels hung on either side giving the eclectic touch. Beautiful carved consoles make unique nightstands and the bedding is soft and lovely pashmina woven coverlets giving the plush and luxurious feel.

A clear hallway keeps the energy flowing from each room to the other and the Throat Chakra governs communication. Clean hallways and your work station or computer areas connect to this chakra. We connect to the world via the internet, yet the electromagnetic charge around us is disturbing to our energy field. Earthing old door study tables take away this charge and balance us so we may vocalize in a happy and concise medium. Blue carved hall tables and vintage armoires in turquoise also energize this chakra.

The Ajna or Third Eye Chakra is the master chakra that balances all the other chakras yet is open only when all the others are balanced. Wisdom and intuition and connected to the source the Ajna chakra is your sacred space or your meditation room where you connect with your inner self. Abundance in all aspects of life is governed by this chakra and violet is the colors that resonates with it. Yantras and divine sculptures of Shiva, Ganesha and Durga raise the vibrations of this space.

The crown chakra is our link to the universe, the thousand petalled lotus that surrounds us with its love. The entry door in the ancient times would be carved with beautiful motifs of lotus and divine symbols attracting the cosmic energies towards our home and welcoming all that is good.

Designing with furniture and architectural elements of ancient times gives meaning to our collections and energizes us with its beautiful vibrations.

We analyze several housing market indicators in order to present an in-depth breakdown of Glendale Homes Market comparing February 2009 to February 2010.

Summary of Key Points

Key Statistics, Glendale, CA: Median Sales Price (113.16%), Median Days on Market (140.29%), and Number of Units Sold (-31.37%), Sales Price to List Price Ratio (Feb 09 95% – Feb 10 98%)

The City of Glendale has shown a very impressive recovery with the Median Sales Price shooting through the roof. Median days on market and number of units sold categories have suffered.Units sold normally are based on inventory available. Lack of inventory reduces the units sold. Median days on market increases since a lot of short sales are involved and getting approvals from the lenders adds to the median days on the market.

Glendale Homes

The city of Glendale experienced a 113.16% increase in median sales price from last year going up from $335,863 (Feb. 09) to $715,922 (Feb. 2010). Median days on market data for Glendale show that houses are selling slower than Feb 09. It took 29 days in Feb 09 for a house to sell and for Feb 10 that number has gone up to 69 days (an 140.29% deterioration). Another important factor to consider is total number of units sold. In the month of Feb 09, 51 units were sold compared to 35 for Feb 10 (-31.37% change). Lastly we are going to take a look at the Sales Price to List Price Ratio for Glendale. SP/LP ratio for Feb 09 was 95% compared to 98% for Feb 10.

Let’s take a brief look at neighbors Burbank and West Hollywood. Burbank homes featured a 24.69% increase in median sales price ($476,991 Feb 09 – $594,740 Feb 10) and West Hollywood ca homes for sale saw a -2.11% decrease ($870,000 Feb 09 – $851,667 Feb 10). Are houses in Burbank and West Hollywood selling faster or slower this year? Well, Burbank experienced a -12.58% decrease (58 to 51 days) in median days on market and West Hollywood saw a -59.17% decrease (80 to 33 days). In the units sold category, Burbank sold 8 units less (-24.24%) in Feb 2010 than 09 and West Hollywood sold 1 unit more (50.00%) in Feb 2010 than Feb 09.