Archive for Atlanta
Front-Loaded Garages VS Rear-Loaded Garages
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Moving garages to the back of the homes at Dupont Commons makes them more attractive and inviting.
Beautiful and functional pre sale plans starting from $274,900!
The Secrets to Finding the Right Remodeler
Posted by: | CommentsHiring a professional and experienced remodeler is an important first step in making changes to your home – but how do you find one? Here are a few tips from the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) on what you should look for in a remodeler.
Home improvement contractors often advertise in newspapers, the Yellow Pages, and on the radio and TV. However, don’t consider an ad an indication of the quality of a contractor’s work. Your best bet is a reality check from those in the know: friends, neighbors, or co-workers who have had improvement work done. Get written estimates from several firms. Ask for explanations for price variations. Don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder.
Don’t Get Nailed
Not all contractors operate within the law. Here are some tip-offs to potential rip-offs. A less than reputable contractor:
- solicits door-to-door;
- just happens to have materials left over from a previous job;
- only accepts cash payments;
- asks you to get the required building permits;
- pressures you for an immediate decision;
- offers exceptionally long guarantees;
- asks you to pay for the entire job up-front.
Hiring a Contractor
Interview each contractor you’re considering. Here are some questions to ask.
- How long have you been in business? Look for a well-established company and check it out with consumer protection officials.
- Are you licensed and registered with the state? While most states license electrical and plumbing contractors, only 36 states have some type of licensing and registration statutes affecting contractors, remodelers, and/or specialty contractors. The licensing can range from simple registration to a detailed qualification process.
- How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year? Ask for a list. This will help you determine how familiar the contractor is with your type of project.
- Will my project require a permit? Most states and localities require permits for building projects, even for simple jobs like decks. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project.
- May I have a list of references? The contractor should be able to give you the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three clients who have projects similar to yours.
- Will you be using subcontractors on this project? If yes, ask to meet them, and make sure they have current insurance coverage and licenses, if required. Also ask them if they were paid on time by this contractor.
- What types of insurance do you carry? Contractors should have personal liability, worker’s compensation, and property damage coverage. Ask for copies of insurance certificates, and make sure they’re current.
While most people know Brock Built as a new homebuilder, the company is also a professional remodeler that is licensed/insured, well known, guarantees its work and can get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. For pricing information contact Adam: 404.557.2523 or Craig: 404.472.4407
Here are a few of the types of remodeling projects Brock Built can do for you:
Make your home more “Green”
Finish Basements
Custom Wine Cellar
Custom Bar
Home Theatre
Sauna
New Kitchen Cabinets and Counter Tops
Bathroom Improvements
Build/ Enclose Decks
Porches
Garages
Re-Roofing
Fencing
Interior and Exterior Painting
Patio Upgrades with Fire Pits or Fire Places
Wooden Arbors
Exterior Pavers and Colored Concrete
Certified Green Homes Sell Faster and for More of the Asking Price
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Certified green homes represented 12.3% of the total new construction market in Atlanta according to the 2nd Quarter 2010 Atlanta Green Home Sales Report. The report’s author, Carson Matthews, says it’s the highest percent of market share for green homes in Atlanta since he began the report in 2008. Green homes sold for 97.1% of asking price in 99 days compared to 92% of asking price for conventional new construction in 110 days on the market. This study looks at detached single family homes that were built 2007 or later and sold as “new construction”. The Green Home Sales Report looks at homes listed between $250,000 and $2,000,000 in Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Gwinnett Counties. The green homes have all been certified by a third party Green Building Certification including LEED for Homes, NAHB Green Building Standard, Energy Star and EarthCraft House.
Steve Brock, founder and president of Brock Built Homes, was selected as the 2009 EarthCraft Home Builder of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface Energy Institute. Established in 1984, Brock Built Homes has built most of its new homes to EarthCraft standards since April 2007. EarthCraft, created as a collaboration between the GAHBA and Southface, now trains builders and certifies homes in five Southeastern states besides Georgia, including Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. Since its inception in 1999, EarthCraft Home has certified more than 7,000 sustainably built, energy-efficient homes in metro Atlanta.
Well Water Keeps Dupont Commons Green and Clean
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Dupont Commons by Brock Built features an irrigation system that uses well water in its sprinkler systems and has an extra hookup for homeowners to use for things such as washing their cars. Having a community well puts less stress on the city’s municipal water system, and saves residents money on their water and sewage bills. Home owners also have the flexibility to use water for activities such as power washing or cleaning their cars when needed while other communities are limited to an odd/even watering schedule under the new Georgia Water Stewardship Act that went into effect statewide last month.
Anatomy of a Front Porch OR Why Size Really Matters
Posted by: | Comments“Nobody thought much about the front porch when most Americans had them and used them. The great American front porch was just there, open and sociable, an unassigned part of the house that belonged to everyone and no one, a place for family and friends to pass the time.”
–Rochlin, The Front Porch, in Home, Sweet Home
No other feature on a house creates a sense of community like the front porch. Shifting the garage to the back and moving the house closer to the curb with a covered porch out front encourages interaction, creating a safer and friendlier neighborhood (there are statistics to back this up). But not all front porches are created equal, especially in the South where wider porches have been historically built to provide shade from the sun and fit more family and friends on it. Brock Built constructs usable porches on many of its homes that are 6 feet or more (decorative porches generally are 5 feet or less). Check out what it’s like to live in a neighborhood that feels like home by calling 404.472.5707.
The front porches looking out onto the park at Dupont Commons
Happy Birthday America!
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As your family celebrates the 4th of July, use caution if you’re lighting your own fireworks. There’s a 1 in 19,556 chance you could hurt yourself. You’re actually four times more likely to injure yourself shaving or using a chain saw. And you have a one in 3,623 chance of injury mowing your lawn.
So play it safe today and skip the yard work, shaving and let the professionals put on the firework displays. Here’s a list of where you can find them in Metro Atlanta (http://tinyurl.com/34vqyxr).
Speaking of playing it safe, as a special thank you to the people who protect our neighborhoods, Brock Built is offering a $5000 buyer bonus for police officers and firefighters on all our communities. Call 404.472.5707 for more information.
Huge Price Reductions in Smyrna…
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If you missed out on the $8,000 tax credit you don’t want to miss this. Homes in The Smyrna Collection by Brock Built have been reduced up to $170,000 off the original price! Cobb County’s Smyrna Collection is Brock Built’s first major development project outside of the perimeter. A collection of fine homes in Atlanta’s fastest growing western suburb. The Smyrna Collection includes Rosalyn Commons, North Whitefield and Belmont Chase. Belmont Chase is currently building brand new homes as well as offering presales starting at $269,900 with a large variety of plan options featuring up to 6 bedrooms, lofts, media rooms, or even tech rooms. This is the perfect time to customize your dream home with our design center. Each neighborhood in the Smyrna Collection offers elegant interior and exterior features. These intimate neighborhoods provide easy access to I-285 and the Smyrna Market Village. Read More→
Come Home to Dupont Commons
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Dupont Commons by Brock Built is an award winning in-town new home community located in the heart of Atlanta’s Westside Midtown. Minutes from Atlantic Station and Downtown this master planned community features Craftsman style three and four bedroom single family homes with open floor plans, designer kitchens and rocking chair front porches. It offers city living with suburb charm featuring an award winning clubhouse, workout facility, swimming pool, expansive green space, parks and picnic areas, sidewalks and walking trails and outdoor social gathering places with fire pits and fireplaces. Read More→
Only 7 Days Left…
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Time is winding down for the 2009-2010 Home Buyer Federal Tax Credit. New Home sales are up and inventory is shrinking. Builders are offering huge incentives in addition if you purchase a home in downtown Atlanta you may qualify for the City of Atlanta down payment assistance. Brock Built has several communities with home that will meet the tax credit timelines. The Commons @ Historic Westside features 3 BR/3.5 BA townhomes with a two-car rear entry garage conveniently located near the GA Dome. Habershal @ West Highlands features 3 and 4 Bedroom craftsman style homes easy access to the highway with plenty of green space for walks in the summer. Both of these communities qualify for the City of Atlanta down payment assistance programs in addition to the tax credit.
Brock Built also has other great communities that qualify for the tax credit such as Dupont Commons which features craftsman style homes, outside fire pits, pool and fitness room located in the award winning clubhouse. The Smyrna Collection it two intimate communities located in the heart of Smyrna near the Market Village. Read More→
The Commons at Historic Westside
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The Commons at Historic Westside has the perfect opportunity if you are looking to move intown. These three level masterfully designed townhomes feature two car rear entry garages. Open floorplans with kitchens that overlook the family room great for entertaining. Oversized deck perfect for a family cook out. Interior features include maple cabinetry, large kitchen pantries, hardwood flooring, custom trim and granite counters on select units. Some homes offer Juliet balconies and stained concrete for a contemporary feel.
The Commons at Historic Westside is conveniently located just 2 minutes from the GA Dome, the heart of Downtown Atlanta, and within walking distance to the Atlanta University Center and MARTA. The Commons is part of downtown Atlanta’s revitalization efforts and participates in the down payment assistance program for qualifying buyers with up to $65,000 towards a new home. Amenities at The Commons include a clubroom, pool and fitness center.
Historic Westside also has big plans for the $30,000 sf retail space. The center will target neighborhood commercial uses such as restaurants and clothing boutiques. The buildings will have a brick façade with glass store fronts that will fit aesthetically with the existing retail.
