Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

2 min read709 views and 2 shares Posted October 21, 2020

Six houses in Lebanon County of varying sizes, styles and price points will be included in the Building Industry Association of Lancaster Countys first Virtual Parade of Homes event, kicking off Oct. 24.

The Lancaster/Lebanon Parade will utilize 3D technology to offer a room-by-room, close-up view of each residence.

Eighteen single-family homes, townhouses and remodeling projects, starting at $251,990, will be on display. The event, sponsored byFulton BankandUGI Utilities, showcases more than $10 million in new home construction and remodeling.

Detailed information on all the entries will be available Oct. 24 at lancasterparadeofhomes.com. Parade of Homes guidebooks with that information were mailed to over 100,000 Lancaster and Lebanon County households this month.

Ephratas Garman Builders has five houses in the Parade, two of which are in Lebanon County.

Jordan Cassidy, director of marketing, said business is brisk right now. Its all positive at the moment.

Garman Builders also is increasing its presence in Lebanon County, she said.

One of its two Parade homes there is a $251,990 townhouse at 58 Beach Tree Court in South Annville Township, in the Mayapple Woods development.

The three-bedroom, 2.5-bedroom house comes with a one-car garage and features an owners suite with a walk-in closet in the bedroom and cultured marble double-bowl vanities in the bathroom.

That particular house, measuring 1,940 square feet, is sold, Cassidy said, but the floor plan is popular among first-time buyers and downsizers.

Garman Builders second Lebanon County Parade house is a 2,141-square-foot rancher with three bedrooms, two full baths and a two-car garage.

Still for sale, its listed at $427,990 and is at 1548 Cambridge Drive in South Lebanon Township. The home, in the Strathford Meadows development, includes a sunroom off the breakfast and family room area, quartz kitchen countertops and a stone surround fireplace.

Its a cute house, Cassidy said.

Manheim builder Wiegand Inc. is showcasing a spec house in the Parade thats already drawn some rave reviews, according to president and owner Fred Wiegand.

The homeon a 2.77-acre wooded lot at 253 Sheep Hill Road in Heidelberg Townshipis a modern mountain style that hes trying to introduce to Lancaster and Lebanon counties, he said.

This type of house is more common in the West and in Mountain States like Colorado, and Idaho, Wiegand said. A two-story listed at $838,500, its more than 2,900 square feet, with a first-floor master suite, 3.5 baths total and the potential for a fourth bedroom.

People have remarked on the exterior color combinations, including teak and HardiePlank, as well as the mahogany doors and black metal roof, he said.

Wiegand also pointed out the indoor/outdoor living space, with a bar area that opens out from the kitchen to the Brazilian teak deck.

With strings of lights, its really pretty at night, he said.

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Six Lebanon County houses to be included in Virtual Parade of Homes - LebTown

Photo (c) Davizro - Getty ImagesBoth Lowes and The Home Depot have enjoyed strong sales and remodeling contractors have been busy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With millions of Americans spending a lot more time at home, its not unreasonable to think that many would see things they want to change.

A new study from Sears Home Services largely confirms the trend, finding that a significant percentage of people have become less satisfied with their homes in recent months. The survey found that the size of the home influences the amount of dissatisfaction.

For example, 50 percent of people in one bedroom homes say theyre dissatisfied while only 37 percent of those living in a four-bedroom home feel that way.

Children are also a factor, with 47 percent of households with children express discontent with where they live compared to 37 percent in households without children.

Theres a sense of feeling trapped when its required to remain inside; were missing the venues we used to frequent and perhaps noticing additional flaws of the home while spending more time there, the authors write.

Its one of the reasons real estate professionals cite for a spike in home sales over the summer, with employees who can now work from anywhere moving to more affordable housing markets and seeking more room.

Those who arent moving are making improvements, everything from applying a fresh coat of paint to adding a room. The study found that since the pandemic began, the most common home improvement has been setting up a home gym, followed closely by turning a room into a home office.

Setting up a gaming space, a home theater, library or reading room, and expanding the kitchen have also been common home improvements.

With much of the world spending a highly unusual amount of time at home, were finding the things we want to improve but also benefiting more from those improvements, the authors conclude. We may want to consider that were in this new lifestyle for the long haul, and its time to make the most of it.

While a thoughtful home improvement can improve your lifestyle and add value to your home, its important to avoid mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes is trying to turn a project that requires a professional into a do-it-yourself (DIY) project.

A previous Sears Home Services survey found that among consumers experiencing a DIY mishap, the biggest reasons for their headaches were underestimating the time a project would take and not realizing they lacked the skills required to complete it.

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Home improvements have skyrocketed during the pandemic - ConsumerAffairs

After completing a major remodeling project, (left to right) Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association Director of Missions Scott Whitson, volunteer Boots Hubbard and Paluxy Baptist Association Director of Missions Glenn Ward visit in the newly renovated conference room at the associational office building in Cleburne. (Courtesy Photo)

Volunteer builders from Paluxy Baptist Association recently renovated the conference room at the offices of Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association. Glenn Ward, director of missions for Paluxy Baptist Association, talked with Scott Whitson, director of Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association, when they were attending a Latham Springs Baptist Encampment board meeting. Ward told Whitson the volunteer builders from his association had helped three small-membership churches renovate and upgrade their buildings. Whitson mentioned his associational offices conference room needed work, and the volunteer builders from the neighboring association responded. They removed a popcorn ceiling, installed new LED lighting, installed electrical outlets and computer ports in the conference room table, removed an old wall-mounted television and installed a new flat-screen TV, as well as hanging drywall and painting. It gives us such joy and blessing doing something to help others, Ward said.

Hill Country Baptist Association presented a $100,000 check to Alto Frio Baptist Encampment. The camp continued to operate this year at reduced capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that resulted in significant loss in anticipated revenue. When our finance committee began working our associational budget for 2021, the top issue we discussed and the question asked was, What can do we do to help Alto Frio? said Robert Wheat, associational director of missions. Several years ago, the association received money from the sale of church property, and those funds were placed in an investment account. After praying about the matter, the finance committee agreed to liquidate the account and donate $100,000 to Alto Frio, designating the gift for life transformation in Christ. Rusty Brandon is executive director at Alto Frio.

Howard Payne University will host a Micah 6:8 Conference sponsored by the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission on Oct. 26-27. In-person attendance will be limited to HPU students, faculty and staff, as well as residents of the Brownwood area. Social distancing and masks will be required, and attendees will be screened. Other registrants can view the event via a livestream link. The conference will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected social justice issues, including access to health care, heightened food insecurity, as well as examining ways critical needs can be met. Speakers include Katie Frug, director of hunger and care ministries for the CLC; Chaplain Mark Grace, chief of mission and ministry for Baylor Scott & White; Kathryn Freeman, a writer and advocate; Jeremy Everett, founder and executive director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty; and Michael A. Evans Jr., CLC director of public policy. The conference is offered at no cost to participants, but advance registration is required. Click here to register or to find additional conference information.

Gordon T. Smith, president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Canada,is the keynote speaker for the B.H. Carroll Theological Institutes Frank and Pauline Patterson Fall Colloquy. All of the sessions Nov. 9-10 will be conducted via Zoom videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith is the author of 16 books on the Holy Spirit, ministerial leadership, and Christian spirituality in a secular age, including the soon-to-be-released Come Holy Spirit Come: The Spirit in Creation, the Church and the Christian. The Times, They Are A-Changin is the colloquy theme. In the first session, Smith will address the secular age and the problems and opportunities presented to Christians. The second session will feature a presentation on sustaining the scholarly vocation in changing times. The third session will address the Christians necessary hopefulness in a time of change.Also at the fall colloquy, Margie Clayton, the latest Ph.D. graduate of B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, will present her doctoral dissertation. There is no cost for online participants. To register, click here.

Baylor University announced a $30 million gift commitment from Dan and Jenni Hord of Midland. Through the Hord Scholarship Challenge, they are encouraging the collective Baylor Family to match their giving to the university by supporting merit-based scholarships to help deserving students bridge the gap between merit- and need-based financial aid and unmet financial need. Currently, more than 90 percent of Baylor undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, whether from scholarship support, federal loans or private grants. Gifts to scholarships through such initiatives as the Hord Scholarship Challenge will empower the university to attract and retain students who have received merit awards from Baylor based on their success through high school rankings and standardized testing, yet still have unmet and inhibiting financial need.

J.W. Jack MacGorman, long-time professor of New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is donating his personal library to the seminary. The donation includes thousands of titles from MacGormans time as a student and faculty member, as well as many titles from his father, also a minister. Additionally, MacGorman is donating many of his files, notes and records from classes and sermons dating back to the 1940s. MacGorman, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in December, devoted his career to the teaching and training of students. Dr. MacGorman is an incredible treasure of Gospel faithfulness who gave more than five decades in service to Southwestern Seminary, President Adam W. Greenway said. That he would now honor this institution with his library, papers and other valuable items is even more evidence still of the blessing he has been to the seminary.

East Texas Baptist University received a $20,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Marshall to apply toward the renovation of the 8th floor of the historic Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall. ETBU has begun renovating the 8th floor into the Grand Hall, an open ballroom-type facility that can accommodate up to 280 guests in banquet-style seating or 400 theater-style seats. After Marshall Grand was given to the university in 2013, ETBU raised more $4 million to renovate the historic building with significant contributions from the Andersen Foundation, Moody Foundation, Meadows Foundation, and J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The School of Nursing Campaign also garnered support from foundations across the state, including the Rosa May Griffin Foundation, the T. J. and LaVerne Plunkett Foundation, and the Wece and Martha Johnson Foundation. While donor support provided the means to complete the academic spaces, three floors of the Marshall Grand remain unfinished, as the university continues to raise funds and make decisions on how to utilize the additional spaces.

Oza Jones Jr. has been named director of African American ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Jones served most recently as African American evangelism and church revitalization specialist on Texas Baptists Great Commission Team.He previously served churches in Grand Prairie and Arlington.

The Baptist History & Heritage Society honored church historian Karen Bullock of the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute with a Festschrift for her contributions to research and teaching in Baptist studies and for her service to Baptist causes globally. A Festschrift, German for celebration writing, has been a tradition in scholarly circles more than 120 years. Members of the academic community are invited to provide an article in an area of interest to the honoree. The articles then are compiled in a single issue of a scholarly journal. The Spring 2020 issue of Baptist History & Heritage features articles written by Bullocks former students, colleagues and friends. Prior to joining the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, Bullock taught at Dallas Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has served as chair of the heritage, identity and religious freedom commissions of the Baptist World Alliance.

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Howard Payne University recently hosted alumni, students, personnel, board members and friends at the HPU Fall Family Reunion on Saturday, Oct. 10. The reunion featured Cobbler on the Campus and music from Taylor Castleberry, a 2013 HPU graduate. The festivities also included inter-squad scrimmages hosted by HPUs softball and baseball teams. The HPU Spring Family Reunion is scheduled Feb. 20, 2021. The spring event will feature a tailgate celebration with music by Austin Upchurch and his band prior to the HPU football game against McMurry University at Gordon Wood Stadium.

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Around the State: Associations help each other and camp - Baptist Standard

A Unique Program...For Do-It-Yourselfers!

Here at Hannabery, we understand that in today's world, many of us are becoming do-it-yourselfer's. Not only do we understand it but we can appreciate it. That is why we developed a program specially designed for do-it yourselfer's.

We can set you up with all the equipment, material, and supplies needed to install your own heating and air conditioning system, including your own ductwork. And we can provide detailed instructions, advice and technical support. You can pick up everything you need here or have us deliver it for you.

Once completed, a service technician is available to come out and do a thorough start-up the equipment and check for proper installation, electrical connections, and operation of the equipment. He will also "fine-tune" the system; checking for proper air-flow, temperature split, refrigerant charge, and so on.

So if you are interested in doing your own work or even part of the work, contact our Sales Department for more information. We will be happy to help you any way we can. All original company and equipment warranties still apply.

Call us at 1-800-544-4328

or click below to receive your...

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Do-it-Yourself Program - Your local Heating & Cooling Company

As colder weather arrives, make sure your home is ready! There are several simple things that you can do to maximize your home for efficiency and avoid any surprising breakdowns or repairs!

Renee Lucas, LCS Heating & Cooling shares a few tips:

Fall Schedule furnace maintenance Have humidifier serviced and pad changed Install new batteries in thermostat Schedule water heater flush and service Remove (or cover) window air conditioners Install new batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Test and dust all detectors Check _re extinguishers Clean kitchen exhaust hood and filter Insulate exposed pipes as needed Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned Remove screens and install storm windows Turn off outdoor water supply and store hoses Inspect roof for damage Clean gutters Inspect caulk around windows and doors; re-caulk as needed Trim trees and shrubs away from house Inspect deck for any nails or screws that may be popping up Cover and store outdoor furnitureFA

To learn more, visit:

https://lcsheatingandcooling.com/

http://www.facebook.com/LCSHVAC/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP_00FMh4a-HWGK8EaAl0Q

Download the Home Checklist PDF HERE! https://lcsheatingandcooling.com/hvac-services/indoor-air-quality

SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY LCS HEATING AND COOLING

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Preparing your home for the winter months ahead with LCS Heating & Cooling - WISHTV.com

Smart thermostats do more than manage your home's heating and cooling. These app-enabled smart home devicesmake it possible to adjust your thermostat from your phone whether you're on the couch, at the grocery store or on vacation -- anywhere your phone or mobile device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Many smart thermostats also work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri now too, giving you yet another way to adjust your settings with remote access to your smart home systems.

Some smart thermostat systems also use smart features like a motion sensor to determine if you're home or away and automatically change the temperature -- both heating and cooling -- for you, without you having to fiddle with your HVAC system. Others rely on a geofencing radius: Once you get a certain distance from your home, they automatically switch to away mode and then back to home mode when you return. Then there are features like remote sensors, a power extender kit, thermostats that work with existing infrastructures (in other words, that are compatible with Apple HomeKit) and, of course, thermostats that measure your energy usage so that your home can be more energy efficient. Truly, a smart home thermostat is an energy-saving smart device that's good for both the environment and your wallet.

Subscribe to the Smart Home newsletter, receive notifications and see related stories on CNET.

Even better, these options offer way more than a programmable thermostat -- you want a learning thermostat that gets better at regulating the temperature to suit your preferences.

To accompany these modern features, many connected heating and cooling systems boast innovative designs. From a rounded shape to a responsive touchscreen, smart thermostats look a lot different than your traditional thermostat. They can also send you smart alerts, sync with the rest of your smart home devices and some even respond to voice commands.

Let's explore the available options model by model. We'll highlight what makes each model stand out from the rest and ultimately pick an overall winner of the best smart thermostat from the pack. Here's a list of smart thermostats we've tested recently:

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat is my favorite pick for best smart thermostat available today. Yes, it's expensive at $249, but it has the performance and features to back it up -- especially if you want to talk to Alexawithouthaving to buy an Amazon Echo. If you don't want or need an Amazon Alexa speaker, the $169 Ecobee3 Lite Wi-Fi thermostat is also a great option. Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

Now playing: Watch this: Ecobee's new thermostat is part Alexa speaker

1:21

The Honeywell Lyric T5 costs less than$150, making it our choice for the best smart thermostat pick for those on a budget. I know that isn't exactlyaffordable. But it's a solid price tag for a Wi-Fi thermostat. Many models, including the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Ecobee4, cost $249. This makes the T5 a great "budget" option that works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri (via Apple's HomeKit). Read our Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat review.

The Honeywell Home T9 is a $200 smart thermostat from Resideo. The T9 works with Alexa and Google Assistant and offers reliable performance and a solid app. The device also comes with remote humidity, proximity and temperature sensors, making it the smartest sensor accessory around. Nest's sensor only provides ambient temperature readings, while Ecobee's sensor only has temperature and proximity detection capabilities. Read our Resideo Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat review.

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat comes with Amazon's Alexa built in. Ask the speaker for the temperature, current weather forecast, to tell you a joke -- and to adjust the air conditioning of your smart thermostat, all without needing a separate Alexa speaker. This Wi-Fi programmable thermostat also offers mobile app integration with Google Assistant and Siri, so if you have a Google-Assistant-enabled smart speaker or a HomePod, you can control it with Google Assistant and Siri commands. Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

The Ecobee mobile app setup is straightforward and easy to install and navigate. That sounds simple enough, but so many apps make it tough to find the specific setting or feature you're looking for. Not so with Ecobee's smartphone app. And that's important because the mobile app is one of the main ways to interact with your Wi-Fi thermostat when you aren't standing directly in front of it (aside from using a voice command). Read our Ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control review.

Let's talk about testing. Smart thermostats start with the installation. Installations can vary widely from thermostat to thermostat and between HVAC systems, but there are some basic steps required for installing these devices. As always, consult a professional installer if you have any questions about the setup process. Here are the general steps:

Was the thermostat setup especially difficult to install? If so, why? Certain models require a C-wire, for example, which can complicate the installation if you don't have one. Not sure what a C-wire is? Start here.

From there, I move on to the app. Every smart thermostat has one. I download the app and create an account if I don't already have one. Then I configure the thermostat following the steps in the app. This usually means connecting to the local Wi-Fi network, giving your thermostat a name like "Hallway" or "Bedroom" and then you can start using your thermostat.

How well does the app work? Is it easy to navigate to the thermostat settings you need? Is it simple to create a schedule or enable geofencing? This factors into the thermostat's usability score, along with how simple the thermostat hardware itself is to control manually.

I also test smart home integration, especially voice-enabled systems you can access through voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Most connected thermostats have compatibility with at least one voice assistant and some, like the Ecobee3 Lite and Ecobee Smart Thermostat, work with all three. Do the voice commands flow naturally, like they would in an actual conversation? Did the thermostat actually adjust the temperature -- heating and cooling -- according to your commands?

All of these things determine a smart thermostat's overall score and how likely I am to recommend it.

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The best smart thermostat of the year - CNET

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Darrels Steak and Seafood closed in August due to the economic impact of COVID-19.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

Darrels Steak and Seafood, which closed in Kimball Township in August, is relocating to Lake Orion.

In a Facebook announcementlast week,Kruse andMuer Restaurants announced Kruse & Muer Roadhouse in Lake Orion would be closing Oct. 30 and former team member DarrelSanropewould be buying the property.

TheSanropeswill be relocating their Port Huron restaurant to (801) S. Lapeer Road with a grand re-opening in late November or early December of this year, according to the announcement. We thank Lake Orion for many great years and leave you in good hands knowing that Darrels Steak & Seafood will be a great fit for this community.

Darrel and Kathy Sanrope opened Darrel's Steak and Seafood in Kimball Township in 2017. The couple closed the restaurant this August due to the coronavirus pandemic economic impact, they said.(Photo: NICOLE HAYDEN/TIMES HERALD)

DarrelSanropeand wife KathySanropeopened Darrels Steak andSeafood in Kimball Township in 2017.The coupleinstalled new kitchen equipment, updated the bar area, painted and installed new carpetand more.

The restaurant creditedthe economic impact of COVID-19 for its Augustclosure,butin a past interviewKathySanropesaid the couple hoped to reopen therestaurantin the future.

Multiple attempts to reach theSanropesfor comment wereunsuccessful.

Kelly Lupu, director of marketing for Kruse andMuer Restaurants, said in a phone interview Fridaythe private propertysale had not been finalized, but expected it to happen in the next week or so.

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The roadhouse was profitable, but it had benefited from its proximity to the Palace of Auburn Hills.With the Palace's closure, sales had not been the same.

Theroadhouse willclose Oct. 30 andbe out of the buildingon Nov. 1.Then Darrel Sanropewill betaking over.He is buying some oftheroadhouse'sequipment and should be able to open quickly, Lupu said.

There'smost definitely going to be changes, she said.

Contact Bryce Airgoodat (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

Read or Share this story: https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/10/19/darrels-steak-and-seafood-relocating-lake-orion/3680664001/

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Darrel's Steak and Seafood relocating to former Kruse & Muer Roadhouse in Lake Orion - The Times Herald

Flume was already one of the best smart water monitoring systems around, but Flume 2 is set to bring that feature set to the next level. Flume 2 features the same easy installation as the original Flume, as it attaches right to your main water meter without the need to cut pipes or call in a plumber. It can also monitor for water usage both inside and outside your home, as it's smart enough to be able to tell where the water is going and help detect leaks when they happen.

Flume 2's upgrades include the ability to read water usage faster and more accurately, as well as the ability to better identify and separate indoor and outdoor water usage and leaks. But that's not just good for finding a once-in-a-blue-moon type of leak Flume can more effectively monitor your water usage and actually help you save money along with saving water. The Flume app easily breaks down exactly how much water you've used and gives you tips to help lower your water usage, breaking usage down by indoor and outdoor components.

Flume says that in early 2021 it expects to update Flume 2 with the ability to actually detect individual appliance water usage, which will significantly enhance Flume 2's ability to not only detect leaks more accurately but also to help you pinpoint which of your appliances is using too much water. Flume cites that 37% of Flume buyers were able to find a leak within one week of installing the original Flume and that over 70% of total Flume users were able to use the product to find a leak in their water system at some point during the ownership period.

In addition, most customers are said to have reduced water usage by at least 10% year-over-year after installing Flume. Flume was originally designed after the significant water shortages in California over the past several years and was created to help its customers go green in a palpable way. Flume 2 is available right now at major retailers.

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Flume 2 helps conserve water and prevent home flooding from burst pipes - Android Central

Donna Thompson|Times Telegram

The Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer will add a handicapped accessible restroom with the help of a nearly $73,000 state grant, Assemblyman Robert Smullen announced.

The $72,647 grant was among those Smullen, R-Meco, announced Monday for libraries in New York's 118th Assembly District as approved by the state Education Department and the New York State Library Association. The fundsare available through a $34 million capital fund appropriation in the state budget.

Basloe Library Director Christine Fleischer said the library'stwo existing restrooms will be reconfigured. Athird restroom, one compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,will be added.

While the present restrooms are spacious and fitted with grab bars, they are not accessible to all persons in wheelchairs, she said.

She does not expect the work to begin until next year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the timetable. The library applied last fall for the funding.

Weve applied for another grant and planned on combining the two projects, she said.

The library is also seeking $185,746 to construct a new childrens room.

At the moment, the children's room is in the rear of the library's main area out of sight for any parents working on the computers, Fleischer said.One of the windowsinstalled on the building'sNorth Main Street side will be part of the reconfigured area, which will be walled off with large windows to provide easy visibility.

Plans call for the current childrens room area to be used for quiet study, storage space andhousing the genealogy room.

The state funding requires a local match, said Fleischer, who added that she does not expect the library to receive the full amount requested. She said the available state funds for library construction projects dropped from the $34 million inthe current round to $14 million for the next. An anonymous $30,000 donation will provide the local share of the restroom project.

The library would haveto raise any portion of the funding for the next phase of the project that is not covered by grant money.

The first phase of the librarys renovation project, completed last year, included new windows, security improvements, electrical upgrades, anew circulation desk, new staff work spacesand new carpeting and paint.

I want the library to be a comfortable, welcoming place where people can make themselves at home, she said.

Construction awards announced in the 118th Assembly district include:

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Basloe Library in Herkimer awarded $73,000 state grant for improvements - The Times Telegram

Last week, the internet collectively raised an eyebrow when rapper Offset shared a picture of an $8,000 Rolls Royce car seat that his daughter, Kulture Kiari, will be riding around in.

"8 thousand dollar car seat and i bet it has peanut butter and jelly on it in 1 week," he captioned the photo.

Car seats tend to cost between $70 to $600, with many options costing between $250 and $350. So some people were understandably shocked, especially given the fact that Kulture's seat didn't look much different from car seats that have price tags that are a fraction of the price.

"That's a Graco with a leather cover," one Instagram commenter wrote.

The Rolls Royce car seat isn't the first time that Kulture has been spoiled with super-expensive gifts and baby gear. When she turned two, Kulture was gifted a Birkin Bag, worth roughly $9,000.

In an Instagram Story that she also shared on Twitter, Cardi B clapped back at people who say kids only care about toys and candy.

"Yeah, kids only care about toys and candy, but the thing is that kids also go outside. You know what I'm saying? Kids go to restaurants, kids go to fancy places, celebrity kids, they go do red carpets," she said. "And if I'm fly and Daddy's fly, then so is the kid. If I'm wearing Cha-nay-nay, my kid's having the same same."

Ultimately, the brand name accessories and car seats aren't about Kulture, but about the family's image.

"It's not up to what the kids like. If it was the kids, they would be outside in diapers," Cardi said. "No. 'Cause if I was looking like a bad bi--h, expensive bi--h, and I have my kid looking like a bum bum, then y'all would be talking s--t. So I'm not mad that Daddy bought baby a Birkin. She gonna match Mommy."

No matter how much parents spend on a car seat, the key to safety is making sure the car seat is installed correctly.

"A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use," according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Children can be safe in the car no matter how expensive their car seat is.What's most important is to have a car seat that fits well with the vehicle and can be installed tightly, according to the AAP.

Since Cardi drives a custom Rolls Royce, the Rolls car seat might be the best fit for the car. But it's unlikely that it offers significantly more protection than Kulture would have in a mainstream car seat.

Price isn't necessarily indicative of a good car seat, but you want to find a seat that is easy to install. Especially if you'll be moving your child's seat between vehicles, it's good to have a car seat that you can quickly and safely install each time. But no matter what your budget, the rules of choosing a safe car seat are the same:

While having an easy-to-wipe down leather car seat might be nice, there's no need to worry if your car seat budget is much lower than Offset and Cardi B's. Like Offset said, the seat is just going to get covered in PB&J anyway.

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Cardi B and Offset have an $8,000 Rolls Royce car seat for their daughter - Insider - INSIDER