The home building process can be fascinating and these days there are so many new products and inventions that it is a whole new world. As a part of my job here at Stillwaters I assist home buyers who want to build a home here. Though it has been a steep learning curve for me with all the forms and processes to learn and understand, it has been exciting to add this knowledge to my “toolbox”.
My last experience with home building was nine years ago when we built our home here in Stillwaters. One of the bonuses for me now is to see all the new products available as options to home buyers. Now there are more choices, more options and even new floor plans. I thought it might be fun to share some of the new products I have seen appearing in our new built homes over the last several months.
Now Appearing:
1. Heating elements under tile floors- to stay warm and cozy on cooler days.
2. Hot Water Circulating pumps or under counter hot water heaters – so that hot water reaches you sooner in the far end of the house and wastes less water.
3. Whole Household Water Filtering systems -more than the usual refrigerator filter – this filters water throughout the house.
4. Waterproof Wood floors – More “living” proof.
5. Microwave drawer – below counter and truly amazing to see.
6. More tiled/walk in showers. More elaborate and stylish tiles are being used.
Trends we’ve seen in home building here:
1. “Great room” focused floor plans
2. Vaulted Ceilings
3. Porches and wrap around decks
3. Hardwood floors (versus carpet)
4. Quartz and other hard surface counters
Always popular are the regular home features that make aging in place easier. Wider hallways, wider doors, no steps, door handles rather than door knobs, shower grab bars and rocker style light switches. We have just opened up 27 new lots for sale in our Phase Five so there will be lots of opportunity for more “newness” as we expand the neighborhood.
Quote of the Week:
Nothing happens unless first we dream. – Carl Sandburg
Happenings this Week:
Saturday, May 7th: Historic Fox Theatre presents “An American Tail, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. This is an animated story of a young Russian mouse who is emigrating to the United States and gets separated from his family.
Tuesday, May 10th: The Lewis County Historical Museum will be hosting a Historical Trivia Night from 7-9pm at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in Centralia. Come enjoy dinner and drinks while you test your knowledge of everything Lewis County. The event is free to attend and compete, but O’Blarney’s will donate a portion of all sales for the night to the Lewis County Historical Museum’s digitization programs. For more information, call the museum at 360-748-0831.
Thursday, May 12th: Movie night at Stillwaters Estates. This month’s movie is “Kisses for my President”, in honor of the Presidential Primary’s being held this month. This classic 1964 movie stars Fred MacMurry and Polly Bergen. Join the group for a very comical movie. Ice cream is served at 5:45 and the movie starts at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, May 14th: The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. It’s simple, fill up a grocery bag with nonperishable food items and then leave that bag or bags for your letter carrier to pickup. Items that are needed include; cereal, peanut better, rice and canned goods, like soup, vegetables, and pasta. Food collected will stay in our community. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Weather: Enjoy the sunny weather in the days ahead. The forecast is for sunny or partly sunny for the whole next week. The gardens and gardeners will love this next week.
