Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Reprinted with permission from Cecilia Paredes

Even new homes will have a feature or two you may not like and will want to change.

If you've ever toured homes for sale, or watched hard-to-please homebuyers on HGTV's "House Hunters," you know there are always kitchen cabinets that are outdated, pink walls to be repainted or bathroom wallpaper that looks like it is 100 years old.

After shopping around for the lowestmortgage rates, you don't want to walk away from a house you like because it needs a few minor repairs, real estate experts say. The repair's price should be factored into what you're paying for the home, and mortgage lenders can help you pull money out of a home sale. For example, sellers may contribute to the repair bills, and some mortgages, like anFHA 203(k) loan, factor repair costs into the overall loan amount.

Sep Niakan, a real estate broker in Miami, says he's had clients walk away from homes because they can't see past minor flaws.

"Many buyers want to see an end product. They don't have a vision for what it could be with just a couple of tweaks," Niakan says.

So before you decide to cross a house off your list, here eight minor home flaws that shouldn't deter you from buying a home:

No. 1: Unappealing paint.This is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes, especially if you do it yourself. Don't let someone's poor taste in paint colors convince you not to buy. Most buyers who Niakan has worked with would rather pay a premium for a house that doesn't need fixes than take the time and money to do the repairs themselves. That's true even when the changes will cost less than a "perfect" house, he says. Even buyers of premium homes that don't need many changes still alter the home after they move in, Niakan says, and painting is often the first change.

"It's very, very rare for a buyer to buy a house and not personalize it in some way," he says.

Read:Go green when renovating: Choose deconstruction over demolition

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8 Common Flaws Homebuyers Shouldn't Worry About

BOSTON, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --GRAPHISOFT announced today the integration between e-SPECS and ArchiCAD. Both GRAPHISOFT and InterSpec, Inc. are committed to offering the best software solutions in their respective fields; linking the technologies will enhance the work of architects and facilitate construction management projects.

The e-SPECS Specification Management product suite serves to automate the preparation of construction specifications and selection of products and materials that are incorporated into construction projects. With e-SPECS for ArchiCAD, users have truly integrated and coordinated construction documents.

"This integration is something our users have looked forward to exploiting in their daily practice," said Steve Benford, GRAPHISOFT North America, Managing Director. "ArchiCAD users always keep a keen eye out for chances to create their designs in such a way that workflow is fully optimized and productivity is enhanced."

Architects, engineers and construction professionals use InterSpec's e-SPECS products on thousands of projects annually to maintain synchronization between construction models, drawings, and project specifications. ArchiCAD integration with e-SPECS provides overall cost management during the process of developing project construction documents.

"We welcome ArchiCAD to the family of BIM applications we support," said Michael Brennan, President of InterSpec. "We're happy to be able to deliver something ArchiCAD customers have been seeking a way to take advantage of our specification automation and coordination systems. Our e-SPECS Application Program Interface (API) provides automation, coordination, and access to the specifications and other project data."

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server, the world's first real-time BIM collaboration environment, and the GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner, the world's first, fully integrated building energy modeling application. GRAPHISOFT's innovative solutions have fundamentally changed the way architects around the world design and collaborate. GRAPHISOFT has been part of the Nemetschek Group, since its acquisition in 2007.

About InterSpec

InterSpec provides construction document management solutions and services built on its patented e-SPECS specification management technology. e-SPECS software automates the specification process by extracting the product and material requirements directly from the project's BIM models and drawings. e-SPECS integrates directly with Autodesk and GRAPHISOFT BIM applications and supports all specification master libraries of MasterSpec, US Dept of Veterans Affairs, Canadian Master Specifications (CMS), National Master Specifications (NMS), as well as the ability to integrate custom office masters. For architects and engineers who spend many hours on every project preparing construction specifications, e-SPECS software saves time and money while ensuring that the construction drawings are coordinated with the specifications. For more information visit http://www.e-SPECS.com or contact sales at +1-207-772-6135 or email to sales@e-SPECS.com.

Press Informationwww.graphisoft.com press@graphisoft.com http://twitter.com/ArchiCAD

Originally posted here:
GRAPHISOFT and InterSpec, Inc. Announce ArchiCAD e-SPECS Integration

SANTA CRUZ -- While 45 Rocky Road's well-lit interior and high ceilings are striking, some may argue the split-level floor plan snaking through the yard steals the show.

"Santa Cruz has an incredibly benign environment that can promote beautiful architecture," said the home's lead architect, Bret Hancock. "There are a lot of buildings that are hugely transparent and undulate around courtyards, promoting a lot of interior and exterior usage."

According to Hancock, this design can lead to decreased energy usage, an important element he addressed when planning the home. Wanting to keep the property as environmentally friendly as possible, he also incorporated a solar-assisted water heater, a rainwater reclamation system and a sustainable metal roof.

"I think that good design and sustainability are completely compatible," said Hancock, who has been designing since the late 1970s. "I don't subscribe to the notion that to make something environmentally friendly, you have to sacrifice aesthetics."

One of the eight buildings on the 17th annual Open Architecture Tour, 45 Rocky Road isn't the only home to exemplify an architect's ability to cohesively integrate green architecture into design. Showcasing some of the top locally designed buildings in the county, the May 19 event is sponsored by the Architects Association of Santa Cruz County and benefits Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing homes to lower-income families.

"Every year the opportunity to visit these inspirational homes helps us reconnect with the power of architecture and of the continuing importance of the concept of home," said David Foster, executive director of Habitat for Humanity. "Habitat is grateful for the generosity of the Architects Association of Santa Cruz County for providing needed funds to support our mission to see the end of substandard housing."

The Architects Association of Santa Cruz County started the Open Architecture tour as a way to showcase the work of local architects, shedding light on Santa Cruz's diverse designs.

"Our association wants people to understand that architects bring value to the design and construction process," said the association's vice president, Hugh Carter. "We think that people very deeply understand the difference between a place that's not comfortable to be in and a true space, one that is enjoyable and one that properly functions with some elements of grace."

While the tour doesn't necessarily focus on eco-friendly structures, this year's selection features a variety of sustainable designs including a low-impact barn and a hilltop villa specifically positioned for optimal natural lighting.

Environmentally friendly design may seem like the now trend, but green architecture has long been at the forefront of functional design. Natural sunlight, proper insulation and high-quality windows can all contribute to more efficient housing, potentially leading to smaller energy bills and more comfortable accommodations.

More here:
Local architects get limelight: Open Architecture Tour promotes the work of Santa Cruz County home designers

Anthony Hudson, architect who designed the Open youth venue. Photo: Simon Finlay.

David Freezer Monday, May 14, 2012 6:30 AM

There has been further good news for Open after the architects who designed the 12m transformation of the grand former Barclays bank building won an award.

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Hudson Architects, based in Redwell Street, Norwich, has claimed the Project of the Year award at the 2012 RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) East of England Awards.

The transformation also won the Community Benefit award at the ceremeony at Chilford Hall, near Cambridge, on Thursday night.

Anthony Hudson, pictured above at Open, of Hudson Architects, said: We are elated to win the Project of the Year Award.

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Architects behind £12m transformation of Norwich’s Open youth venue claim prestigious award

UNION CITY, Ind., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Acme Floor Company has won the "Best Commercial Wood Flooring" award for its installation of the flooring in Helzberg Hall, the 1,600-seat concert venue at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and the current home of the renowned Kansas City Symphony. Supplied by Frank Miller Lumber, the flooring in Helzberg Hall was constructed and installed from more than 20,000 square feet of 3" red oak and features a stunning floor-to-ceiling aesthetic showcasing a variety of North American hardwoods.

The 2012 National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Expo, held April 2012 at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., is the only convention and trade show in the world dedicated solely to wood flooring. Experts in wood flooring and hardwood from around the world gathered to network, share experiences with their peers, and honor the achievements of some of the premier flooring companies in the industry.

"Acme is honored to receive this award from the National Wood Flooring Association," said Bob Kenney II, president and owner, Acme Floor Company. "We are proud to do our part to create such an exceptional building for the Kansas City community."

Helzberg Hall was designed by internationally renowned architecture firm Safdie Architects, who collaborated with Acme Floor Co. to create a space that showcases the delicate acoustics of solo concerts, chamber music and even full orchestras. The architects wanted to use quartersawn hardwood to complement their world-class design, and Acme turned to the premier quartersawn hardwood experts at Frank Miller.

"We feel privileged that Frank Miller was chosen by Acme Floor Co. to supply the hardwood used in the architecturally significant Kauffman Center," said Dan Hackett, president and CEO, Frank Miller.

About Acme Floor Co., Inc. (www.acmefloorco.com)

A family owned and operated business specializing in laying, refinishing, and resurfacing hardwood floors for residential and commercial customers, Acme has more than 86 years of experience serving Kansas residents as a wood flooring specialist and also offers professional gym floors, custom staining and refinishing services.

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)

Frank Miller helps architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plain sawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller's quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe where there is a significant architectural/design element to the project's cabinets, millwork and flooring.

Link:
Acme Floor Company Wins "Best Commercial Wood Flooring" Award From the National Wood Flooring Association

NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Dimension Data, the $5.8 billion global specialist IT solutions and servicesprovider, announced today that its Americas division is the recipient of eight Cisco Partner Summit awards. Cisco unveiled the winners April 17 at its annual channel partner conference in San Diego, Calif. Dimension Data received the following Cisco Partner Summit awards in the Americas:

U.S. and Canada:

Latin America:

"Cisco is proud to partner with so many well-respected and industry-leading organizations, and it is an honor to recognize Dimension Data Americas as a Cisco Partner Summit award winner," said Jim Sherriff, senior vice president, Americas Partner Organization at Cisco. "The awards presented to Dimension Data Americas recognize its performance and expertise as a Cisco channel partner in the Americas in 2011."

"Receiving this recognition from Cisco is a significant honor and reinforces the strength of Dimension Data's ability to partner with Cisco for more than 21 years," said Jere Brown, CEO of Dimension Data Americas. "We're very proud of our teams for earning these awards, which are a testament to their unrelenting efforts in working with each client to help them plan, build and support the right solution for their unique and changing needs."

Brown continued, "We are particularly pleased to have received recognition in key, growing markets like Canada and Latin America, which underscores our commitment to and success in these regions. These awards mean a great deal to our Americas organization and are a significant accomplishment for Dimension Data."

Cisco Partner Summit awards are presented at three levels: global, geo and theater. Cisco Partner Summit U.S. and Canada theater awards reflect a partner's performance in a given geographic region of the United States or Canada.

About Dimension Data

Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group. http://www.dimensiondata.com

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

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Dimension Data Americas Wins Eight Awards at Cisco Partner Summit 2012

DesignHub Inc., a creative services and marketing firm based in Saline, has developed the new website for Process Results Inc., an engineering services firm also located in Saline.

The new site describes Process Results' services across a range of industries - commercial, industrial, municipal, educational, and more.

The company provides consulting engineering and technical know-how to clients in chemical processing, pharmaceutical, green technology, automation and controls, energy management, facilities/industrial, commercial/architectural, forensic engineering and other application areas.

Visitors to the new site can learn about Process Results' work on high-profile projects through case studies that show how the company has helped clients meet engineering challenges and solve business problems.

The site outlines Process Results' eight-stage approach to engineering projects, and the company's professional credentials and affiliations are detailed. Other site highlights include a brief history of the company and profiles of the company's principals.

News from Process Results appears on the homepage and is archived within the site. There are also answers to frequently-asked questions about the company and its services.

"The DesignHub team was a pleasure to work with and responsive to our requests," said Cindy Dames, marketing manager for Process Results, in a news release.

"They provided a clean, professional facelift to our site."

DesignHub built the site upon its own content management system, called ContentHub, based on open-source software tools. ContentHub lets authorized site administrators at Process Results make day-to-day changes to the site's variable content themselves.

Process Results was founded in 1991. The company today employs 25 consulting engineers and other professionals. Continued...

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SALINE: DesignHub develops new website for Process Results

VINCENT, Alabama -- Realtor Judy Naugle mostly is interested in selling houses to the living, but for the past year, she has been focused on restoring the final home of one Vincent-area community's dead.

She and friend Anne Gibbons started last June on a project to clean up the cemetery that holds the remains of an important family in the area as well as the remains of slaves and freedmen, and those of early American Indian settlers.

Their efforts were rewarded most recently in late April when a historic marker was dedicated for what has been named the Bailey Cemetery. Last August, the site received a listing on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

The cemetery is on Shelby County 62 and is part of what is being called the Arkwright Heritage Area. "We believe there are one thousand graves in here," Naugle said. "This is a truly significant historical site."

The cemetery got its name from William Bailey, one of the first landowners in the area as well as a slave holder. His family -- including his three wives -- are buried in the cemetery.

One of Bailey's sons was friends with a slave boy about his age who lived on the Bailey property. While the local historians do not know at what point the young slave was freed, they do know that the son gave his friend several acres of land.

The freedman was successful to the point that he donated land for Evangel Temple Church.

"He lived the American dream," Naugle said.

The Alabama Society of Daughters of the American Colonists provided the marker for the dedication, which was attended by about 60 people.

Naugle and Gibbons formed the Vincent Historical and Environmental Society last June. "I needed a service project," she said.

Continued here:
Historic Shelby graveyard restoration uncovers plots of settlers, slaves, Indians

CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. -

It has been four years since a tornado nearly destroyed the historic Wynnewood home in northern Sumner County.

The 19th century log structure took a direct hit in February 2008.

Thanks to a multi-million dollar reconstruction effort, the landmark is now gearing up for its grand reopening.

History buff Rick Hendrix oversaw the restoration. He got the job by showing up after the storm.

"All of the chimneys were knocked down. The whole entire roof structure was gone and the house had been shifted roughly five inches off of its foundation," Hendrix recalled of the damage.

"We had to do it in stages," he continued. "We first of all had to do the emergency stabilization of the house, get it back on its foundation [and] get it in the dry."

The damage wasn't contained to the exterior.

Hendrix said, "This door here blew open. That wall was gone. That chimney that's right behind here, like I said, it had collapsed and was out in the yard. A lot of the furniture was pulled out [and] sucked out in the storm."

Countless artifacts and furniture were scattered about. Workers salvaged, rebuilt and replaced lost items.

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Restoration of tornado-ravaged Wynnewood nears completion

Objectors gather at the site for new homes at Happisburgh. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Lucy Clapham Sunday, May 13, 2012 6:29 PM

Angry residents have launched a campaign against the planned site for nine new homes that will replace Happisburghs threatened clifftop properties.

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The Beach Road homes are being demolished before they fall victim to the North Sea and as demolition work continues, proposals have now been lodged to reinstate the string of properties further inland.

But a group of residents are objecting to the replacement site off North Walsham Road, behind the village primary school, as they say the mix of three- and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes would be a blight to the picturesque entrance to Happisburgh.

They have also said the development will stifle any opportunity for the school to expand and cause traffic and parking problems.

Originally posted here:
Residents split over site for Happisburgh’s replacement Beach Road homes