Spring Cleaning and New Beginning. Remodel or Build New? - featured image

It is something we can’t avoid, that itch to start fresh each Spring! For some, it involves cleaning, changing decorations based on the holidays, recycling furniture, and replacing linens with items lighter and more seasonal. That said, sometimes the Spring resurfaces that desire for MAJOR change…Remodel to create more space, redesign existing space, add a seasonal room, OR build new to accomplish your desired changes.

With home prices depressed and the resale market slow in the last several years, many homeowners with life changes or structural needs have chosen to remodel their existing homes to freshen up and redesign their living space. Home equity loan rates have been desirable, offering homeowners significant equity assurance when borrowing a home they intended to remain in for many years. Sometimes, the option to refinance for remodeling purposes has allowed homeowners to reduce their interest rate while keeping their payment the same, even following remodeling costs. Further, studies have shown over time that investments in kitchens, bathrooms and even outdoor living spaces in northern Michigan add value that will remain for many years and through resale.

As the housing market begins to rebound, deciding to remodel or build new becomes more challenging. However, as housing prices creep upward, gaining on the pre-2008 values, some homeowners may be hopeful that a “For Sale” sign will result in their ability to start fresh, recouping their investment and walking away with funds for a new beginning.

So, how do you decide whether to remodel or build? Factors to consider include:

1. Where are you in your family life? Just beginning to have children, in the middle of the teen years, empty nester, new grandparents, assisting aging parents in a different community?

If you are beginning family life, assessing “room to grow” and flexible spaces will be pivotal to your decision to remodel or rebuild. A walk-out lower level in your home could be divided into two bedrooms as your family grows. Large, unfinished spaces are fabulous gathering places for healthy teen activities in your home. Further, they could even be made into efficiency apartments for aging parents who may need seasonal or occasional assistance from family members.

2. Where does employment factor into the location of your home? For example, do you work from home, commute on public transit, or drive your car alone at night?

If you work from home, having a dedicated space that separates work from personal life can help create a healthy balance in your family. Redesigning a bedroom, den, or large closet can offer a small office-like environment with minimal cost. If you commute a long distance to your place of work, remodeling may not be appropriate if you anticipate a career position with your company. You may be better served economically and logistically by building closer to your employment.

3. Does your current neighborhood, village, city, or state offer the climate of social, cultural, and weather conditions that satisfy you?

Are you happy with the lifestyle your current community allows you to lead in your current residence? Do you escape from urban settings every weekend to find the woods, or do you visit the town twice each weekend just for nightlife? If so, remodeling may not create the sanctuary you desire if you always have to leave it to enrich your life with activities you are passionate about. That said, if you love living away from it all and currently reside in a remote area, remodeling offers you a chance to create the “nest” you’ve always craved.

4. Physical practicalities. Are you able to navigate your current floor plan, have any health issues, or are there structural items that need significant attention before you can invest in the design and decorating? How tolerant are you of disorder should you decide to remodel, OR do you have somewhere you could move temporarily until remodeling is complete?

Does your current floor plan and condition of your house lend itself readily to remodeling, or are there infrastructure or accommodations that need to be made that might cause expenses to exceed return even before you get to the fun stuff of new paint, furniture, and decorations? If you need a new roof, cracks in the foundation repaired or rewiring before you can begin to redesign the space for pleasure, perhaps leaving the heavy lifting to a new owner who loves the current layout would be your best option to achieve the next dream home you have in mind. Assessing your tolerance for disorder, contractors in and out, as well as noise and some disruption in your family routine, will also be a pivotal factor in determining if you are a candidate to live in/with remodeling or if building new would be best for you.

No matter where you are in the process of considering refreshing your living space, Lakeshore Custom Homes is here to provide advice, support, and resources, and the professional standard of building you’ve always heard is our reputation. So give us a call, review our portfolio and let us help you realize that new beginning you’re dreaming of this Spring.

Please view our portfolio to see examples of some of the finest homes in Northern Michigan.

Are you ready to make your dream home a reality?
Contact us today
to make an appointment to discuss your home-building plans. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you to the perfect home.

From Concept to Print; from Print to Construction - featured image

(Updated 2/12/2023)

The idea of custom construction can be overwhelming. From inception to creation, many steps are taken to ensure the vision becomes a reality. Your residential project is the same.

You are unique; your needs and desires stem from every aspect of your personality. Your family is unique. Your identity together sets the tone for your family’s legacy. Your home is unique. From location and layout to brick and wood, your home is the extension of who you are and your family.

You are going to build a home that meets who you are. Lakeshore Custom Homes helps bring the reality of your and your family’s identity by making your vision a reality. One crucial step in that process is structure and design.

The design of your home touches you personally on every level. Your project may require the help of experienced engineers and architects. Here is a list of a few local firms that could help. All are reputable and could be an asset in planning your dream home.

Cornwell Architects, “Cornwell Architects is a second-generation, practice-led business of architects focused on the goals of our clients and the growth of our community.” Over the past sixty-five years, the firm has earned a reputation as a comprehensive, multi-disciplined firm with successful projects throughout Northern Michigan.

We provide every service your project needs – from planning, architecture, engineering, and program management, to construction assistance and environmental design.”
http://www.cornwell-architects.com/

Cornerstone Architects, “Cornerstone Architects was established in 1989 by Tom Nemitz to provide creative design and full-service architecture. With offices in Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Traverse City, Michigan, Cornerstone has established a reputation of exceptional client service, design excellence, and results that work.”
http://www.cornerstone-arch.com

N. J. White Associates, Architects – Our Mission

N.J. White & Associates, “Nicholas White has been providing high-quality residential and resort architectural services since 1979. Our project scope ranges from small residential additions to large estate residences, commercial buildings, and institutional projects.”
http://www.nickwhite.com/

John Dziurman Architect Ltd., “John Dziurman Architects Ltd. Is comprised of skilled professionals trained and experienced in the art and science of architecture. Our knowledge, experience and vision will guide you through the entire planning, design and construction process—from helping you define what you need to do, exceeding your expectations with the products we provide, and ensuring that you receive value for your planning, design and construction costs.”
http://www.dziurmanarchitects.com/

These teams solidify the vision of your project on paper, extending your personality and needs into the project itself.

Lakeshore Custom Homes will build your vision and bring it to life!

Please view our portfolio to see examples of some of the finest homes in Northern Michigan.

Are you ready to make your dream home a reality?
Contact us today
to make an appointment to discuss your home-building plans. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you to the perfect home.

When Honey Do’s Become Honey Don’ts - featured image

Do you have “the list”? You know, the “honey do” list. This is the list of things that need to be done around your house, but you never seem to get to any of them. You may be able to handle some of the smaller projects – paint touch-up or changing a door knob – but what about the bigger projects that you know will create a mess? Or the projects that you fear, you know, the ones that involve moving plumbing, or wiring, taking down walls, or putting up walls.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you start any home improvement project. How much time will it take? Do I have the right equipment? How much will it cost? Do I have to turn off the main water supply? Is this a load-bearing wall?

What appears to be a job you can handle can soon turn into a job that is out of control. Hiring a licensed professional contractor to handle your project can be the difference between “honey do” and “honey don’t touch me!” Professional licensed contractors know the building codes. In addition, they have experienced craftsmen to ensure all aspects of the job are correctly completed. At Lakeshore Custom Homes, we pride ourselves on finishing a job on time and on budget.

If you’re looking for a reliable and well-tested contractor in the Grand Traverse, Benzie, or Leelanau county area, give us a try. There is no job too big or too small. But, then, we leave you to spend time with your family and keep “Honey” smiling.

Call me at (231) 642-0724.

Sincerely, Chris Mason

Please view our portfolio to see examples of some of the finest homes in Northern Michigan.

Are you ready to make your dream home a reality?
Contact us today
to make an appointment to discuss your home-building plans. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you to the perfect home.

This Week at Lakeshore Custom Homes - featured image

Our New Website has arrived! Welcome, and please let us know what you think. You can leave us a comment at the bottom of this post; we would greatly appreciate it.

Change can be good. We hope to use this website as a tool, not just a splashy brochure. Each of our clients is important to us. We want to continue educating you and sharing information that can help with your home projects and maintenance. Look for a weekly update from us covering all home construction and upkeep areas. We will also look at current projects that Lakeshore Custom Homes Inc is currently working on. We thank you for coming to our website and hope you can use it as a resource in the coming months.

Sincerely, Chris Mason
Please view our portfolio to see examples of some of the finest homes in Northern Michigan.

Are you ready to make your dream home a reality?
Contact us today
to make an appointment to discuss your home-building plans. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you to the perfect home.