Don’t settle for an old home

Television shows like “Flip this House” or “Love it or List it” are fun to watch, and many believe they possess the true passion and expertise to renovate old homes. But in reality, it’s a much riskier game than some would lead you to think. Oftentimes with old homes, flooring jobs become structural nightmares, and creating more space in an old bathroom can mean thousands in unexpected plumbing fees.

Simply put, old homes are unpredictable, and can lead a homeowner down a never-ending path of constant work and dwindling funds.

Generally speaking, the oldest homes in America are found in the Northeast, according to a recent report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Interestingly, the report also revealed that New York State has the oldest median age of homes at 57 years. Houses that were built in the 50’s have their advantages (beautiful wood floors, for example), but more homeowners must invest in heavy upgrades to keep their older homes energy efficient and modern. There were less stringent structural requirements, including wiring and insulation, both of which can make a big difference not only in energy efficiency, but safety as well.

Across America, the median age home is 23 years--so why has New York fallen so far behind? Thankfully for those looking to move to Rochester from out of state or in state, Faber Homes can be a saving grace.

New York is a beautiful place to live, and Faber makes it easy to build the home of your dreams. Visit our website today to learn about our growing communities and modern floorplans: www.faberhomes.com.

Making the Most of Your Claridge Decorating Centre Trip

It can all seem a little overwhelming: cabinet colors, cabinet height and arrangement, countertop options, flooring, hardware… The options are endless! So how can you make the most of your trip to the Claridge Decorating Centre? Faber Homes is here to help.

When working with Faber Homes to create your dream home, keep in mind that you must pick each and every odd and end in your home. Before heading to Claridge, know where your furniture will be placed and where your outlets are, so when you plan your kitchen and bathrooms, you know where you’ll need to plug everything in.

Here are few quick and easy steps to take before heading to your meeting:

Know what Claridge offers. Once you enter the Claridge Decorating Centre, you’ll notice a plethora of choices right off the bat, and the room seems to never end. It’s likely we’ve got it all, but if you’d like to come in and see our selection – please schedule a time with your sales representative.

Have a “top three” of the following:

·         Kitchen cabinets (color and style)

·         Kitchen countertops

·         Flooring (you’ll pick for your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and all carpeted areas)

You’ll be presented with fabulous builder’s standard options, sure to fit any family’s needs, and a wide range of upgrade. Know your upgrade budget, and which items would constitute as an upgrade to your base floor plan such as:

·         Adding another bathroom sink

·         Raising the height of your countertops

·         Adding six inches to the height of your cabinets, or adding crown molding

·         Laminate or hardwood flooring

Always remember – you are building your home for your family’s needs. Certain types of flooring and cabinets might not be the best fit if you have kids or pets, so talk to your sales representative or anyone at Claridge about your wants and needs. They’ll help you find a balance.

Do a little research. Remember, Faber Homes’ floor plans are created to be open, so while you may have different themes for each room, make sure to have an idea of how the designs will transition. Websites like Houzz, HGTV, and DIY can help you get inspired and build your perfect rooms. Bring in photos and printouts of what you you’re dreaming up, and even some photos of your furniture to help tie it all together.

Most importantly – have fun! This is the most creative part of your home building process – so enjoy it! 

Winter Wonderland Design Ideas

We may not particularly like the cold temperatures, shoveling snow, and bundling up (okay, so maybe “hate” is a better word) – but you have to admit, wintertime can be so beautiful. If you’re a fan of cozying up from November to April, here are some design ideas for your home to make the most of the season.

DIY Sweater Pillows. They may sound silly, but in the right room, they’re perfect. Check out these chic, preppy pillows from HGTV. All you need are unused sweaters or flannel shirts, an old pillow, and a needle and thread. Super easy.

Metallic Paint. Metallic is one of this year’s most popular color schemes, and happens to replicate ice quite well. Some are even taking it to the extreme with metallic accent walls. If that’s a little too bold for your taste, we’d recommend picking up metallic silver curtains, perhaps metallic lampshades or even metallic wall decorations. The hints silver will remind you of the season while still remaining appropriate for all seasons.

Fluffy Stuff. Who doesn’t love a fluffy accent pillow or cozy throw blanket? Choose colors like light grey, white, and light blue to bring the colors of winter inside. We wouldn’t blame you if you felt obligated to sit by the fire with some hot chocolate.

Crystal. Need we say more? Grab some faux crystal candle sticks or shelf accents and watch them reflect the sunlight, just like those beautiful icicles do. Pair them with white, silver, or blue candles and you’re good to go.

Distressed Furniture. If you’re a fan of thrift stores and antique stores, this will be a fun project for you. Grab a coffee table, side table, or even a smaller dresser and turn it into a distressed piece that will bring your entire winter-inspired room together. Keep it light blue or off white, and it will remind you of that first beautiful dusting of snow.