People sometimes need more money than they had anticipated while dealing in real estate and that is when hard money lenders are needed the most. Hard moneylenders are private moneylenders who lend money for short terms with low loan to values and strict repayment schedules.

This type of a loan is called hard money loan because of its strict terms, higher than market interest rates and they usually take between 3 to 10 points as upfront fees. Hard moneylenders give investors access to asset-based capital, where the loan is secured by adequate collateral. The interest rate varies between 14% to 18% interest only annually and the loan term is usually 6 to 12 months.

Criterion to Secure Hard Money Loans:

The lenders look at the collateral, they need proofs, such as, tax returns and bank statements, and they make appraisals and inspect the property before granting the loan. The hard money lenders will study the investment intent, the exit strategy adopted, the property information provided such as the kind of property commercial or residential, and check the credit profile of the borrower, his financial strengths etc. the fee they charge depends on the risk factor and the nature of the deal. They will also study how the investor plans to use the borrowed money, so the investor has to present them with a good business plan in order to convince them they are low risk investments.

The terms and conditions vary from lender to lender and it is essential for an investor to find and maintain good relationship with a reputed hard moneylender in his area. Hard money loans are useful while purchasing or procuring a property or if a buyer lacks finances but has a good sizeable fixed income, then the seller would like to recommend a hard moneylender of repute to finance the buyer.

Hard moneylenders can be choosy as to which area of real estate investing such as purchasing a house, rehabbing a house, lease purchase options etc. they will lend money to. Investors have to understand the importance of maintaining good relationship with the hard moneylenders, as hard money loans will be essential for investing in real estate. It would be too hard to lose a great deal because you lacked the finances, with hard moneylender’s support that can never happen to an earnest investor. Some hard moneylenders give a pre-qualification letter that will help close deals faster as your assuring the other party that you can finance the deal.

Investors go for hard money loans as they are approved faster, making it possible to close deals faster too, unlike a conventional bank loan. The investor has to make sure to see how strict the pre-payment penalties are.

There are firms that offer their services and products to run businesses efficiently and hassle free.

Some investors find investing in multi-family apartments rewarding as they yield more long-term returns. An average individual investor cannot invest in multi-family apartments by himself; they make use of specialized REIT’S to do it for them or form a partnership with an experienced associate as it takes up time and needs an experienced person to see to the due-diligence, to take control and manage the property wisely.

Tips on How to Invest In Multi-Family Apartments:

It is necessary to identify a stable, profitable multi-family apartment, have a good idea of the local market and the have the ability to estimate the land value as well as the building value properly.

It is essential to make a financial as well as marketing analysis of the property.

Present a well thought out irresistible offer to the seller once you have made sure the necessary finances are in order.

Proceed with the due diligence and not be satisfied until you have studied in detail every document relating to the building and the maintenance of its equipments etc. The title deeds, tax returns of last 3 years if possible, insurance policies, financial records, information of any existing liens, all leases and all contracts for equipment maintenance, parking lot contracts, all utility bills, fire systems, litigation history, tenant and associated problem records etc. will be appraised. Engineering inspection, environmental inspection etc. will be conducted on site.

Have an attorney study all the documents and explain them to you.

Once the due diligence matters have been cleared it is time to bargain for as low a price as possible and legally purchase the property if it suits your needs and seems a profitable venture.

Try, and get a triple net multi-family apartment, as it could be a hassle-free investment as the owner just has to receive monthly rental checks and does not have to worry about maintenance etc. as the tenants are in charge of that!

People like investing in multi-family apartments because of increased cash flow, competition is less, if indeed you are in charge of maintenance because of the big cash flow it will be easier to hire a manger to take care of the property and deal with its problems. Multi-family apartments are also in demand because the property appreciates better than a single-family property. Some creative real state investors make fortunes rehabbing run down condos and giving them a face-lift! Thus, multi-family apartments are ideal suited for those who have large sums of money on hand to buy and invest in high yielding properties. They should have the expertise to deal with tenants and collecting rents on time and know what action to take incase the tenant defaults on payments.

Using creative real estate investing strategies, even people with a bad credit record can invest and solve their fiscal problems. Investors who have been refused credit by crediting agencies, but who are determined to make a change have several options using creative investing strategies, such as, lease options, dealing in notes, purchasing tax certificates, etc.

Lease Options:

Bad credit real estate investing is possible when investors use lease options to make huge profits by just investing $5000 on the property! A lease option is an agreement where you have an option to buy the property you lease, where the purchase price of the property is fixed at the time of the agreement and a portion of the rent is credited towards the purchase price.

The investor should have a clear idea of the local market, should be able to estimate the property’s value taking into consideration the neighborhood, etc. Let us say that you have a bad credit history, and so are unable to get your hands on a large sum of money to make a down payment. You could try lease option by searching your area for an appropriate piece of property; it may help you to get a better deal if you chose a property in needs of repair, as you may get it at a lower price than its market value. It could work to your advantage if you could work on the repairs needed yourself.

Let us say the property is worth $120,000 and needs repair work for $4000, you can try, and get the property for $100,000 to be paid at the end of the lease term, negotiate that the repair work you are undertaking is credited towards the purchase price. You have to pay the owner a predetermined sum monthly in which one part is credited towards the purchase price. As you have the option to buy the property, try and find a buyer once the repairs (costing about $2000) are done who is willing to buy at the current market value $120,000. After deducting the cost of repairs and the carrying and closing costs, you could end up making a large profit!

Bad credit real estate investing is therefore possible if the investor is creative and clever to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available. Buying a tax certificate can also be a very good investment as certificates are available at nominal, modest sums and as there are no credit checks. Notes and dealing in notes can be a profitable venture for an experienced investor. Having a firm commitment to stay debt free and determination to succeed will help investors with bad credit history to reach their goals.

Building or refurbishing a home can be fun but it can also be challenging because of the many things that has to be accounted for before starting the project.

Building a home is a big project no matter how little the home is and how meager the budget. In fact, a person can be more cost effective in building his home if he creates a home design plan before introducing changes in the home.

A homeowner should take note of the design of the house he is about to build and put the design into paper. This way, he can avoid committing design mistakes that can cost him money and precious time.

Being hasty when building a home can be detrimental to the home design and also to the budget. A home design plan can be created by the homeowner and builder himself provided he has some knowledge in drawing plans. However, if he does not have any idea about these things then it is best to get the services of a person who is knowledgeable in such matters.

Of course, asking another person to make a home design plan can add to the cost of building the home but it will be cost effective in the long term because it will ensure that the home is properly constructed technically and aesthetically.

Creating a home design plan can be a technical matter and requires research and preparation. The designer of a home plan will take all aspects of the home when preparing the plan including the lifestyle of the people who would be living in the home and the available space.

Leaving everything to the experts may be just the right thing for any homeowner. However, he should also take an active part in planning the design of his home. While he does not know the technicalities, he should be able to suggest what he wants and where things should be placed.

It is important that the specification of the home design plan is not totally left to the discretion of the designer. The home should be a reflection of the personality of the residents and the owner should thus have a say in the overall appearance of his home.

To avoid conflicts while the house design plan is being drawn, the family should already have a consensus as to what motif or design they want for the house. They can choose from the various designs available like a home that depicts country living or it can be minimalist or modern.

Allowing the family to plan ahead can mean a smoother construction process. Making material changes after the home design plan has already been drawn and while the home is being constructed can result to a poorly built home. Plus, it can add to the expenses of building a home.

Once the family has arrived at a consensus as to the general appearance of the home, they should appoint someone who will talk to the designer and who will coordinate all the design and construction process with the designer. Having everyone in the middle of the construction phase can be disadvantageous as it can result to delays in the project.

In a slower Miami housing market, buyers are not eager to take risks, and therefore are less willing to purchase houses with problems. The reason is that buyers are less disposed to repair damages, even minor ones, after they buy a house.

Whatever needs to get fixed has to be repaired before the house goes on the market. That implies that sooner is better than later because with a slowing Miami housing market, the first house on the block that is listed for sale has an upper hand in the competition.

Sellers usually miss many of the things that will capture the attention of the buyer when they do get a house ready for sale; especially the home inspector or other professional that a buyer employs to make a point that the house he or she is purchasing is worth the dollars being spent.

A possible way that one might get around such trouble is obtaining a pre-inspection before listing a house for sale on the Miami housing market. This would ensure that all the minor details a buyer may notice will be covered, especially for the reason that homeowners usually overlook these details by forgetting to see their homes through a buyer’s lens. What this entails is taking a professional home inspector into service in order to come up with a list of stuff that the buyer's inspector might hit upon after the house is on the Miami housing market. Taking an action of knowing these beforehand might render the chance to correct them in advance, thus causing the transaction to proceed much more smoothly. Furthermore, you would be virtually ensured that your asking price won't be cut down because of roof replacements or a new heating and cooling system, for instance.

Nevertheless, depending upon where they are coming from, two inspectors could view your house in completely differently ways, and their lists could have just a few similarities as a consequence. For example, one home inspector that a first home-buyer may notice mold behind a wall in the second-floor bathroom and the condition of a roof that calls for replacement, while another home inspector hired by a second buyer may notice the mold as well but sees the roof to be in pretty good shape. This is a very typical example, and one that admonishes the seller of the different opinions that could arise from different home inspectors. Therefore, even if hiring a home inspector your own home inspector to check up your own house, it does not necessarily follow that he sees the same faults as another inspector that a prospective buyer might employ does. Two different sets of eyes don't necessarily see the same thing. Although hiring one for yourself can give you a worthy guide to start working on the aspects of your home that obviously does need some fixing.

Real estate agents are generally polarized with regards to their opinions about pre-inspections. Some agents do not encourage this idea, but other do because it means that sellers can get a head start on the problem and get the house quickly sold on the Miami housing market, which is becoming a buyer’s market as of the latter part of the third quarter of 2006.

One man’s problem could be another man’s prosperity. For instance, the current housing market is witnessing an increase in the number of distressed homes for sale, opening up vast opportunities to the savvy buyer who takes full advantage of market conditions. A distressed property could be the best value for home buyers such as you while helping pressured owners become freed from a heavy burden. Let’s take a look at what distressed properties are and what the benefits of buying such a home could be for you.

Home foreclosure rates are on the rise and not expected to drop anytime soon. Higher mortgage payments, increased fuel expenditures and other factors are pushing a larger number of homeowners into the distressed seller category. These other factors can include:

Divorce
Death
Poor Health
Job Loss
A Myriad of Other Reasons
Together, once dutiful home owners are finding it difficult if not impossible to keep up with their mortgage payments. Therefore, within a three to four months timeframe a homeowner could see their home foreclosed.

One way that distressed property owners can avoid foreclosure is to attempt to sell their home before things totally spiral out of their control. In a soft real estate market, a distressed homeowner could find themselves selling a home for a price well below its value. However, this could still be an attractive option for the seller as the responsibility for paying for the house would be removed from their hands. For the buyer, a distressed home means paying less than market value and gaining a home that they possibly could not have been able to afford under normal market conditions.

In most cases distressed property isn’t the same as a fixer-upper but it could be. Likely, the current owner had been keeping up with maintenance, but recently fell upon hard times that have triggered the “sell now, before foreclosure later” action on their part. If the home has been neglected all along, a distressed property may not be the value you think that it could be especially if much needed repairs must be done. If that should be the case, your so-called “deal” could end up being no deal at all.

A distressed property seller may be more receptive to allowing you to pay a reduced price for their home if you negotiate the deal apart from a realtor. Usually, this type of seller is featuring their home on a For Sale By Owner {FSBO} site in the hopes of saving themselves the cost of realtor fees.

When dealing with a distressed property seller, sympathy and understanding on your part can go a long way toward clinching the deal. Chances are the current owner is embarrassed about their financial plight and doesn’t want to be too forthcoming about what lead up to their current troubles. Be prepared to close on the deal as soon as possible, therefore a pre-approval letter from a respected mortgage lender is essential to helping you secure the distressed property.

If you ever wanted to enjoy living in a log cabin this is for you!

Hi, Pat Ritrosky here to share my story of my little log cabin.

I always wanted to build a log house, but for one reason or the other the need to live and my desire could not come together.

Then one day I had an idea, why not put an addition on and make it out of stone and logs!

This would be my own little log cabin that I always wanted. I needed an extra bed room so why not?

I began building the house in 1983 and added on in 1993 and 2003 (2003 log addition)

Finally my dream was going to come true. After some research and numerous in curries about logs from manufactures, I decided to go back in time and do it the way they use to in “the Olden Days”. After all I self taught my self to hand cut sand stone with a Hammer and Mason chisels, why not do the logs my self!

Laying up 3-6 feet of hand hewn foundation stone I began to lay up the logs only on 3 sides. The reason for this is I used pine logs that were dead for a few years yet were not rotten or bug infested. I needed to keep them out of the weather as much as possible, with over hangs and prevailing weather patterns, keep the logs dry at all times. The back wall is all stone so the rain, snow, and sun can reek havoc on that all it wants!

This was a very labor intense build by hand and little help, but the out come was so satisfying and rewarding! The look is very 1800s with a touch of 21st century Tec knowledge, vinyl windows and poly filler for joints made it warm and cozy.

The cost was very affordable because all the material was free except shingles, windows rafters, and sheeting.

Estimated 100 + tons of stone and 75 logs that were all hand cut, and laid with love and compassion. Inside the fire place is10’ wide by 14’ high and 14’’ thick out of sand stone that was harvested in the area of my travels in western Pennsylvania.

The entire house is heated with a wood fired boiler in the basement that my dad and I built out of junk that was lying around. The water is pumped through pipe into the old cast iron registers that someone was throwing away! All but the log addition has piping in the tile floor and the fire place. We keep it about 75-80 degrees in mid winter with no extra heating cost.

There are many reasons that the informed purchaser would choose a metal building package for their new home. Quality, aesthetics, health, and environmental impact head up that list.

Quality Homes fabricated from light gauge metal stud framing offer purchasers one of the best strength to weight ratios of all construction methods. What this means to the home buyer is that a metal framed building is stronger and lighter than conventionally framed structures.

Metal framing does not warp, twist, split, crack, or shrink like wood framing. The purchaser of a metal framed home will therefore have fewer problems with nail popping and the subsequent repairs and redecorating required to fix the damage.

A panelized metal framed home has the added advantage of being prefabricated in a controlled factory-like environment. The panels are sent to your building site and erected in place speeding up the site erection time required.

Aesthetics This item is the second largest concern for most home buyers – What will my new home look like? A metal stud framed home can be finished just like any wood framed home, and with fewer problems caused by the problems with wood framing identified in the previous section. Walls that are installed straight, square and true remain that way.

Health Metal framed buildings are recommended by the Healthy House Institute for good indoor air quality. Steel framing resists mould spores that can lead to chronic illness. Pesticides and toxins are not required to protect the metal framing from termites and other vermin as may be the case in wood structures.

The Environment Metal framing offers home buyers an environmentally-friendly alternative to wood framing. There is little waste in a metal framed building when compared toa wood framed structure. What little there may be is totally recyclable. An average wood framed home has about 50 cubic feet of landfill waste while a steel framed home has about 1.5 cubic feet of RECYCLABLE waste. It would take about 25 old-growth trees to build a 2,500 square foot home. The same home framed in metal would take about 7 recycled automobiles.

You would of course have to do your homework to find the manufacturer and builder that suits your needs and desires. As always, it’s ‘Buyer Beware’. However, the advantages of steel framing will certainly make your decision easier.

Phoenix growth is exploding, thanks to its great winter weather and good job client. If you are considering relocating to Phoenix, building your home is a possibility here. But for most of us, it won’t be a custom home. Instead, you’ll have a choice of floor plans and a few variations in the outside of the home. If you are considering having your home built in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, consider these 5 tips:

1 If you don’t read anything else, read the subdivision report! Home builders are required to submit a subdivision report, which contains information about the subdivision and what is nearby. The report will spell out whether any of the subdivision is in a flood zone, where the water will be coming from, the nature of the soil, and other important things you should know before you buy.

2. The big builders’ homes look boxy because boxy is more cost effective. Subdivision homes look the same because they are easier to build that way. Home builders work to keep costs down and one of those ways they keep costs down is to make the architecture of the home simple to build. Unless you have over $1.1 million to build custom, settle for some nice stone work in front, call in a designer for the interior and concentrate on making your back yard really cool. After all, Phoenix is all about outdoor living.

3. Check for Incentives. Though builders don’t normally drop the base price, they do throw in incentives. Get your own real estate agent and have your agent shop those incentives for you if you have more than one builder to choose from. You don’t get a better deal when you come in the builder’s sales office without an Agent, you just don’t get represented. If you are relocating to Phoenix, get an agent! There are many details about homes here that may be different than where you live now.

4. Get an inspection. Call in an independent inspector to check the home, at least before your warranty expires. When you sell your home, the buyer will have an inspector look at the home, so why not find those defects while the builder will still fix them for free.

5. Builder extras equate to mega-dollars. Builders generally overcharge for extras. Consider your extras carefully. Some homeowners have saved over $10,000 by putting in their own upgraded tile after they bought the home. Expect a mess though. Your pristine new home will have to be re-cleaned once the tile is installed

The South Shore of Puerto Vallarta is known for both luxurious real estate and resorts and for untouched and tranquil Mexican jungle and seaside. There is less development to the south of Puerto Vallarta, in fact some of the villages and seaside communities are only accessible via boat or water taxi. If you are in the market for real estate, the south shore of Costa Vallarta will offer you a variety from which to choose including high rise or small complex condominiums, single family homes, luxury residences and build-able lots.

As we move south from Conchas Chinas, towards the famous Mismaloya, you find yourself in what most call the South Shore of Puerto Vallarta. This is an area where the jungles of the Sierra Madre Mountains truly creep down to meet the water of Banderas Bay and because of its proximity to Puerto Vallarta; there are a number of high rise condominiums and luxury homes dotting the landscape. Many have ocean access or ocean views and there are several residential developments available as well. In fact, Sierra Del Mar, located on the South Shore was one of the first gated residential communities in this area and remains to this day, luxurious and full of lovely homes. Phase II is also in development and newer, larger luxury homes are starting to crop up in the Puerto Vallarta real estate listings. In this area you’ll find all options available including build-able lots, condominiums and houses anywhere from $200,000.00 up to $12 million.

Mismaloya comes next along the south highway, arguably the most famous village in the Puerto Vallarta area and home of the on location filming of the classic film, Night of the Iguana. The tiny village is so named because this is where the Mismaloya creek meets the waters of Banderas Bay. The love affair that was sparked between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while filming the John Huston classic has made this a favored location for tourist and expatriates alike. The filming location was turned into a restaurant and while the beach is popular, many are drawn into the jungle and cove areas which are wonderful to explore on horseback. Additionally, the Los Arcos National Marine Park is close by offering snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, and nature watching for all. This town also offers a variety of Puerto Vallarta real estate opportunities including build-able lots, condominiums and homes from $66,000 up to $4 million.

South of Mismaloya lie several secluded beach communities which don’t offer the variety of Puerto Vallarta real estate you find in the northern part of Costa Vallarta. Most of these beach communities are only accessible via water and they include Boca De Tomatlan, Los Animos, Quimixto and Majahuitas. The first of these quaint small seaside villages is Boca De Tomatlan which sits at the mouth of the Tomatlan River where it meets Banderes Bay. This is a bustling fishing village and home to many locals in the fishing industry as well as port of call to a number of water taxis to the other tiny, remote beaches like Las Animas which is only accessible by water. In Las Animas you’ll find several rustic restaurants that serve visitors who work up appetites snorkeling in the calm waters. Quimixto is another of these secluded, water accessible villages with traditional palapas offering simple Mexican fare and a gorgeous waterfall. South of Las Animas and Quimixto is Majahuitas the home of a secluded, remote and luxurious resort that is popular among those who seek elegance and seclusion in the unspoiled beauty of Banderas Bay.

Finally, again by water only, you come to Yelapa, the largest of the southern villages on Costa Vallarta. This town only recently incorporated water and electricity into its infrastructure and is home to nature enthusiasts and a thriving artist community. There are dozens of small hotels and restaurants and although real estate is scarce, the wonderful South Seas feel of this community is attracting buyers as well as tourists. There is a yacht club and also a thriving educational community offering courses on everything from meditation, to drumming to Spanish language.

As you can see, the South Short offers many unique Puerto Vallarta real estate opportunities. No matter what you are seeking in Mexican real estate, Puerto Vallarta truly offers something up for everyone. City living, rustic retreat or luxury residence; they are all available at reasonable prices in the beautiful Costa Vallarta.

Home trends are the-David who turns into Goliath-of the construction industry. More than whimsical “fads”, trends can and do take entire markets for a tailspin. Taking a look into the not-so-distant past we can see homes built without air-conditioning, homes with one bathroom, single car garage, no microwave, and little to no insulation.

Speak to a prospective home-owner today and not only are these things “must haves” but you best include amenities like a dishwasher, garbage disposal, two car garage with remote opening doors, first floor master-bedroom (with a walk-in closet), an entertaining space such as a deck or patio, and please ensure that the laundry room is on the main floor.

These home trends have crept into the building industry and have changed the shape of the modern home. According to the Home Builders Association, “The features that average home buyers want today used to be considered optional and were standard only in upscale luxury homes”. The average person decades ago has likewise up-scaled their own lives and is thus looking for these “luxuries” today.

These people are the “Baby Boomers” and they will drive the industry trends for the next 10 years. In 2003 there were 3.5 million baby boomers who turned 55. In 2010 there will be a total of 30.5 million baby boomers who are 55 or older. What does this mean? That the size of the home will get smaller, as retirees opt for less maintenance, and the quality of the homes will increase as they ask for more amenities and luxuries.

Couple this with trends towards greener and healthier homes and you have a market about ready to explode. Builders can study these trends now and prepare and profit from the trends ahead of time. This is the career launching pad for the future builder, the “innovative builder”, who is looking for a niche, a competitive edge and increased profits.

The builder of the future will have addressed future trends in his homes, now; plotting along trends lines, nailing down profits all along. Trends are simply an inquiry into the buying customer’s mind. This information is readily available to the inquisitive and news-attentive builder.

Homes tomorrow will be more client-centered, or trend-ready. These homes will address concerns of today: flu epidemics, water pollution, environmental pollution, energy conservation, and energy harnessing via solar passiveness and collection, and aging populations who need medical responsiveness, all of which will be addressed by the home builder of the future–or now.

When a builder can accurately foresee trends and position the business to capitalize on them by forming venture partnerships with those providing solutions, then there is synergy. There is innovation. There are problems solved. There are customers served and there is money, waiting on the table.

In the market for a new home? Why not consider a log home? Here are a few reasons why a log home just might be right for you:

Beauty

Needless to say, the natural, rugged beauty of a log home is striking against a forested backdrop. A log home has a rustic, primitive beauty missing from traditional homes.

Uniqueness

Do you want your home to stand out from the rest? A log home will definitely stand out. The look of a log home is so unique and rustic, especially in an area where there are traditionally built homes. Are you someone who doesn't like to conform to what the rest of the crowd is doing? A log home may be the way to go.

Comfort

Any home can be comfortable, but a log home can offer a cozy, warm feeling that a traditional home simply cannot duplicate. Just imagine sitting by the fire sipping a cup of hot cocoa. Imagine waking up in a room where the logs walls are exposed and feeling like your in an old western movie. Imagine celebrating Christmas in a log home, with a huge Christmas tree, stockings hanging over the rustic fireplace and the children snuggled safely in their beds to awaken to presents from Santa the next morning. The ambience of a log home is like no other.

History

Maybe your ancestors came to the U.S. long ago and lived in a log cabin. You can get a feel for how they lived then, while still enjoying today's modern conveniences. A log home offers a certain connection with history and a pioneer spirit that is missing in traditionally built homes.

Environmental

Nowadays, log homes can be built from reclaimed and salvaged timber, so you aren't cutting down forest to build your home. Not only that, but a log home is actually biodegradable, after many years, it will simply begin to rot away and the logs will become part of the forest from which it came. Log home construction also tends to use less toxic materials so the environmental footprint is much less. You can also use solar panels, Energy Star compliant appliances and accessories and your log home becomes one of the most environmentally sound choices for the home owner concerned about environmental issues.

Cost

Modern log homes, especially those built from kits or packages can actually be cost saving, sometimes less than traditionally built homes. With the average cost of homes built in the US about $115 per square foot, log homes usually have a cost of $90 - $110 per square foot. Plus, since log homes can be weather proofed like never before, this adds up to long term cost savings in heating and cooling costs. Log homes are also generally more strongly built than traditional homes, so a log home can last many years and stand up to the test of time and weather while also keeping its value.

So when thinking about your next home, why not consider a log home? The advantages are many and the modern advances in construction of log homes makes it a viable, even savvy option for your main home or just a vacation home. Don't rule out the beauty and spirit that only a log home can offer.

So you've taken the plunge and bought your dream log home. Congratulations! Whether it was purchased as your main home or as a vacation home, there are many reasons why the log home lifestyle is different from living in a traditional home. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the true log home lifestyle.

Proper Decor

First and foremost, your decor should be a good match to the rugged, rustic beauty of the log interior and exterior walls. The logs should be the backdrop to decor that reflects your own personal style without clashing with the primitive uniqueness of the logs. Whether you choose furniture made from logs and twigs, traditional wood antiques, ranch style decor, an old western motif or just a comfy cabin style with a modern edge, there are many styles that will go well with a log home interior. If practicality, usability and cost is your main goal, then even simple wood furniture from places like IKEA would be a good fit. However, if you really want to stay true to the tradition of log home interiors, then consider spending more on some antiques and handcrafted wood furniture. Extremely modern furniture with straight edges and bright colors may not match well with your log home's interior but you can always mix and match to find that perfect eclectic feel that best reflects your personality. A type of furniture that would go perfect in any log home is log furniture. You'll find there are talented craftsmen who create beautiful chairs, beds, tables and benches completely from logs.

Nature

One of the reasons people buy a log home is to be closer to nature. Whether they buy a log cabin deep in the woods as a vacation getaway or ski lodge, or whether they choose a larger log home in a forested but sparsely populated area, you can bet the setting will more than likely be somewhere where nature and wildlife is bountiful. You can better enjoy nature by having a patio, deck or balcony where you can have meals outside. Also, don't obstruct the view from your windows with furniture, lamps or curtains that can't be opened completely. You want to be able to see the beauty outside your windows during every season. You may also want to bring nature into your home to help decorate it. You can make gorgeous decorations for holidays and year round by using pinecones, fallen leaves, twigs and branches. Pinecones can even make a beautiful centerpiece for your hall table or dinner table. You can also decorate your art and picture frames with found twigs and branches.

Warmth

I'm not just talking about heat here, it's obvious you should keep your log home at a warm yet comfortable temperature. I'm talking about adding a warm and cozy feeling to your log home so you and your visitors will feel comfortable and at ease. Increase the warmth of your log home by having lots of throw blankets available, hang them over your couch or sofa. Add lots of pillows. Have candles around to light when the mood strikes or when guests visit. Lighting also plays a huge part in the sense of warmth of your home. You'll find many types of lighting that works well with the interior of your log home. If you're going for the rustic look, a chandelier made from a wagon wheel or antlers would work great. For a slightly more modern look, consider metal lighting such as lamps with punched tin lampshades or lighting fixtures made of wrought iron. Lighting placement is also important, but even more important for a log home since a log home's interior tends to be darker than a traditional home's interior. Typically, you'll want to have a couple lamps in each room, but you may also want either a hanging lamp to give light to the whole room or a third lamp. Test your lighting schemes to see what works best for your particular interior environment as some log home interiors may have a lighter finish or even a finished and painted interior. Whatever lighting you choose, it should enhance the nightime ambience of your home while remaining practical.

Peace

If your log home is a true vacation getaway home, then you may not want to have distracting things like a huge TV, video game consoles, massive stereos and computers. Instead, have things available that will truly enhance the peace and calmness in your home like books, puzzles and board games. Also, have plenty of tea, coffee and/or hot cocoa handy. Just sitting by the fire drinking hot cocoa and reading a book, or sitting by a window with some herbal tea watching the snow fall, these are some of the true joys of log home living.

No, it doesn’t! It saves Dollars! Modular Home sales continue to grow at a greater pace than their counterpart, the site-built home. They would grow at an even faster pace but for two issues;

• First and foremost, because people associate them with Trailers, Low Income and Poor Quality and workmanship.

• Secondly – Consumer education. While the modular home builder’s do an excellent job of educating the consumer with web sites and literature, they only get to tell their story to those that are interested!

The fact is there is nothing further from the truth! The terms modular home and quality are synonymous. They are ‘Manufactured’ indoors, in an environmentally controlled factory. They are computer designed, making all of the components fit perfectly, and at a greatly reduced cost, because the modular home builder can take advantage of ‘bulk’ buying.

They are much stronger than the majority of site built homes as well. Let’s ponder this thought for a moment. When a modular home is completed at the factory, it is crane lifted onto a trailer, then transported to your home site, then crane lifted again, and set into place. Can you imagine what would happen to a site built home if you tried to lift any part of it with a crane?

The bottom line is that you can get a better quality home for less money! That would seem to be a ‘No-Brainer’ wouldn’t it? But it’s not! Because people still have the stigma of ‘Cheap’!

You owe it to yourself and your pocketbook to research modular homes. You can truly get the home of your dreams that will last you a lifetime, for less money than a site built home.

Do your research and it will pay off in huge savings and reward you with great satisfaction.

1. Research the manufacturer’s reputation. Find out if they are new to the business or been around for a while. Compare apples to apples when comparing products. Visit the factory if possible. Look at their product on line, then visit their model homes.

2. Research the builder. You will need a local builder, working with the manufacturer, to handle all the on-site work such as excavating and pouring the basement, preparing and completing work on the lot (grading, walkways, driveway), surveying and selecting the placement of the house on the lot, and finishing whatever wasn’t done at the factory (some trim, painting, etc.). Get references from your builder from their customers and suppliers, and check them out. You need to know whether a builder provides quality workmanship, is financially stabile and reliable.

3. Be thorough in the planning stage. Take your time to learn everything you need to about windows, doors, counter tops, etc. Visit building centers, kitchen designers, and so on, so that you can make an informed decision about each item that you choose, as you design your new home. Go over the floor plan carefully, to make sure the sizes and locations of the rooms, placement of windows, height of ceilings, etc., are exactly what you want.

Build a home. This is by far the most repeated advise in human history.

Adults are quick to recommend this option. In fact, it's the most common advise on the lips of many mature people.

However, many youngsters think differently. Building a new home is not a priority for them. They just want to hang out and have fun. They want to buy the latest gadgets and feel cool.

It's okay to flow with the times and enjoy the best technology can offer. Heck, that’s one of the big advantage of being alive in the 21st century.

Yes, enjoy life’s little pleasures but don't forsake the golden advise to build a home.

THE 7 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUILD A HOME

1. Building a new home helps you save money.

Most people find it difficult to save. They simply spend their money as it comes. But when you build a home, you save all that money. A home is a huge investment in capital. This means you also make a huge savings for the future.

2. A home appreciates in value over time

Property values increase with time. In developing countries like Nigeria, prices are always on the rise never down.

For example, in mega cities like Lagos Nigeria real estate owners are making a killing. Lagos Nigeria landlords are in the habit of raising rent arbitrarily. For instance, at the beginning of 2006, my Lagos Nigeria landlord wrote me through his real estate agent to inform me that my rent has doubled starting 2007.

I was so pissed off that I bought a land and started building.

I have long known the value of real estate. I had enough money to build a home. But I kept procrastinating. It took a sudden sharp increase in my rent to jolt me to action and start me on the path of building a new home. As I write, my home is on the verge of completion.

If you're like me, it's time to wake up.

Real estate appreciates in value over time. Any home you build now will pay for your retirement when it's time.

3. There is pride and fulfillment in owning a home.

Here's a typical example.

My landlord's daughter once had a dispute with one of the tenants. After much quarreling, she yelled in anger. "This is my father's house! Anyone who doesn't like my rules should go live in his father's house".

Some pride, right?

You don't need to be arrogant like my landlord's daughter because your dad or you own a home. But your sense of achievement and accomplishment after building a new home is simply out of this world.

Don't believe it? Experience it.

4. Your home can serve as collateral when you need a loan to execute another project. Your car can't. Even your most expensive electronics gadgets can't. See the value of owning a home?

5. Building a new home elicits an overwhelming excitement in you.

The truth is . . . building a home goes beyond just owning a home. Build a home is a wonderful advice because it elicits in you excitement that is beyond explaining. The feelings of worth and success just overwhelms you.

I know that from experience.

Try this. Build a home. And get the experience of a lifetime.

6. A house his a concrete asset. It stays with you generation after generation. And with passing generations comes attachment and emotions. Nothing else in this vast universe gives as much satisfaction as building a new home.

7. Pass a legacy to your children. Give them something to inherit.

A home is a concrete asset you can pass to your kids. It is an asset that they cannot easily forget.

What to be remembered?

Build a home. Leave it as a legacy for your kids. Generations after you will remember.

Building a new home is just incredibly exciting. Don't miss out on the fun.

Take my advice. Build a home.