Unique Custom Homes | Check Out the Catio!

Custom Homes | Anyone interested in feline enrichment knows how much cats love the outdoors. They also know how risky it is for cats to be free-roaming — they can be hit by cars, trapped in garages and just plain lost. Then there are the birds they kill (although windows also do major damage to bird populations).

Some of the world’s most forward-thinking cat owners have devised a solution: the catio.

It’s the animal-lover’s answer to the man cave, a space set aside to keep our feline companions safe and happy.

Home Builder | All You Need to Know About Hurricane Insurance

Home Builder | This year’s Atlantic hurricane season started slowly enough, with no named storms for the East Coast during June. But that slow start doesn’t mean the threat is gone. The season stretches through the end of November, so there is still plenty of time for trouble.

Peak hurricane season runs from mid-August to late October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The organization predicts storms for the East Coast this year, and there’s a 70-percent chance that up to six could become full-fledged hurricanes — with sustained winds of 75 mph or higher. As a homeowner or renter, you may wonder, “Do I have enough insurance protection to withstand a potential hurricane?” Unfortunately, you might not want to hear the answer.

Moving Tips: Kids Edition (Pt. 2)

During the Move 

Moving Tips | The actual moving process involving a cranky, crying or angsty child is another thought that could add stress to the big move, but you can cut it out easily with a little conversation or activity.

“Keep talking. If your kids seem stressed, try to get to the root of the issue,” Sullivan says. “My son was very anxious and, after much talking, we learned he was stressed about not having enough long-sleeve T-shirts since his new school didn’t have uniforms. … Little things that you may never think of could be causing them anxiety.”

She also has advice for the unpacking process: “If your kids are left underfoot without a task while you’re unpacking, it can become an exercise in frustration. Start delegating jobs to them and you will be surprised at the amount of work they will take on if asked. They are … more willing and able to help more than you might have expected.”

Moving Tips: Kids Edition (Pt. 1)

Moving Tips | While exciting, moving into a new home can also be a little overwhelming.

When you throw kids into the mix, moving can be stressful for the whole family. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

We asked moving professionals what tips they had for those who are moving with kids. Here’s what they suggested to make the move as stress free as possible for the whole family:

Home Building Trends | The Highest Rated Doors

Home Building Trends | An entry door is your home’s opening statement — and a big contributor to the curb appeal of your house.

It’s the first thing your guests see when they visit and the last thing they notice as it hits them on the way out.

It says a lot about your style. Entry doors are also a significant element in the fight to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

There are hundreds of entrance door products and styles available. Not to mention the nearly unlimited variety of panel designs; rectangular, radius or geometric transoms and companion sidelite configurations; grille patterns and decorative, clear or privacy glass selections.

New House Builder | A Guide to Going Green

Which Green Home Certification Program is Right for You?

New House Builder | Lessie Miller knew she wanted to build a green home. She just didn't know there could be so many shades of green.

"There are so many angles. Do you want it to be a 'healthy' home? There's the energy aspect and the recycled products. Do you just want to support (homebuilding) products that are locally produced?" explained the San Jose, Calif., resident about the many green considerations she pondered when planning her custom-built home, which was completed in March, 2012.

"You have to ask a lot of questions," she said. "We really had to edit it down to a core of: What does green mean for us?"

Not to torture the Kermit the Frog song title, but fortunately for anyone who's considering building a home, it's getting easier to be green.

Custom Homes | A Wood Lovers Dream

Custom Homes | Log homes, timberframe and post-and-beam homes represent a tradition of craftsmanship that goes back thousands of years.

They’re still winning the hearts of people who have a strong affinity for the look and feel of wood.

Today, there are a multitude of choices as far as size, floor plan, architectural style and finish. Even though most manufacturers prefabricate the shells of the homes in a factory, the finished product is almost always one of a kind.

What’s the Difference?

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Log and Timber Homes Council, the fundamental difference between log and timberframe construction is in how the solid wood components are used. In a log home, the logs are typically stacked horizontally and are the primary building material that comprises the load-bearing walls.