Chatham County Open House Event!

Saturday Sept 11th - "Muddy Boots" Meet the Builder - LIVE Spray Foam Demonstrations

Join Stanton Homes for a special "Muddy Boots Meet the Builder" open house in Chatham County, just off 15/501!

LIVE Spray Foam Demonstrations - 1 pm, Saturday Sept 11th

Stanton Homes will be offering a LIVE Demonstration with Spray Foam Insulation!

Spray foam insulation is sprayed directly on to the walls and roofline of the home.

It expands and sets in a matter of minutes, offering superior insulation, humidity control, and cleaner indoor air.

Foam insulation is 3-4 times more energy efficient than conventional insulation.

Watch exactly how it works in this live demonstration open house!

Meet the Builder Open House 12 pm to 3 pm, Saturday Sept 11th

Stanton Homes will present a "Meet the Builder" event at a new custom home under construction in Horizon.

This main floor master suite home includes the Energy Wise written guarantee.

See the WRITTEN GUARANTEE that this home will not exceed $81/month in heating and cooling costs.

Horizon offers beautiful wooded acreage lots just one mile from 15/501 off Hamlets Chapel Road. New homes start in the low $300s, conveniently close to both Apex and Chapel Hill.

Learn more about Energy Wise, and how Energy Wise can save 50-70% on your heating and cooling costs.

Walk through the Azalea Park, a beautiful main floor master suite design.  The Azalea Park will be complete and ready for move in this Fall!

Click here for more about Horizon, including directions to this special Open House event!

Popular questions at recent Stanton Homes "Meet the Builder" events have included:

• Floor plans - is "design/build" best, or can a "ready-made" floor plan be modified?

• How to find the perfect location, and what Stanton Homes can do to help.

• Cutting costs while building value - what to watch out for before signing a contract.

• Going green and saving green - what makes sense.

• Mother in law suites, accessibility, and other special needs.

• Build on Your Lot, how to get started and what to ask your builder.

Building Your New Custom Home

Let us know what you have in mind, and we'll prepare a free home building cost estimate for your favorite floor plans. Not sure where to start? Check with us for suggestions for great online catalogs, or a selection of floor plans specifically chosen to meet your needs. Want some changes?  We are custom home builders!  If your floor plan needs some adaption we'll tell you how we can help, and what moves will save the most.

Raleigh New Homes| Wrap Around Front Porches

Homes with Wrap Around Front Porches in the Raleigh Area

How Much Do Front Porches Cost?  What Types of Front Porches are Available?

 

Looking to add a touch of elegance to your Raleigh new home? A wrap around porch could be the in-feature you are looking for.

Raleigh new home builders are seeing increased popularity for wrap around front porches and the reasons why are easy to understand.

More social and entertainment space at a lower cost per square foot.

Additional living space.

A sunrise view in the morning or a sunset view at night.

All day comfort, in your choice of sun or shade.

 

Outdoor furniture, hammocks, rocking chairs or swings, provide added relaxation

New Homes in Raleigh | Types of Wrap Around Porches 

There are many different types of wrap around porches.

Wrap-around porches can be two, three, or four sided to wrap partially or wholly around the house.

Wrap-around porches can also be broken into multiple sections by adding several access points from alcoves in the home.

 

 

Two story porches, attached walkways, attached gazebos, and outdoor staircases leading from ground level to the porch or from different porch levels are also options.

 

New Homes in Raleigh | Planning Your Front Porch 

Before choosing a floor plan with extensive porch space, take into consideration the amount of space around your new home, which can determine how large the porch can be.  

Will trees be in the way and need to be removed?

Is there enough space to accommodate the extra width of a large porch without encroaching required setbacks? 

New Homes in Raleigh | Porch Styles

Porch style can also vary widely, depending on the style of home. You should always choose a floor plan before adding a wrap around porch.

Do you want the porch to have rounded corners or traditional 90 degree angles?

What type of flooring and hand railing materials are appropriate?

What types of columns, balusters, or posts are appropriate, given the style of the home?

Do you want running trim or molding?

 

 

New Homes in Raleigh | How Much Does a Porch Cost? 

Wrap around porch build cost varies depending on:

 - Type of support pillars (Hand built Craftsman stone columns are the most expensive, basic 4x4 support post are least expensive, with a wide range of options between)

 - Type of roof (standing seam metal, rounded, copper, dimensional shingles)

 - Total square footage of porch space

 - Type of porch surface (can be concrete, wood, brick, slate, tile, or other flooring surface)

 - Type of railings

 - Height from the ground

Wrap around porches are usually found in Raleigh custom home neighborhoods, rather than production built subdivisions. 

Depending on the style and features, a wrap around front porch can add $5-15K or more to the cost of your new home.   Talk to your Raleigh custom home builder about what it will take to bring home your new wrap around porch.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter for more great tips on new home trends and ideas, with a special focus on the Raleigh NC area.

If you'd like more information on new front porch homes in the Raleigh area, Contact us or call 919-278-8070.

Here are some top requested Green Home Building topics you may be interested in:

Building a Green Home - Top Requested Features

Energy Wise - Find Out How to Save 50 to 70% on Heating and Cooling Costs! 

WaterSense Toilets - How Much Water Do They Save, and How do They Work?

Energy Star Homes - What is Energy Star?

Tankless Water Heaters

Solar Water Heaters - How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

*Photos represent a variety of new home front porch trends.  Not all homes are constructed by Stanton Homes. 

Raleigh Relocation Information

Carrboro New Homes Getting More Expensive

Impact Fees Increasing in Orange County in 2011

There are a multitude of different permits and fees required to build any new home.  Orange County and Chapel Hill have long had some of the highest fees in the Triangle.

And they're going up.

These fee increases were approved in December 2008, with new increases taking affect each January.

Carrboro New Homes - Orange County School District Changes

School district impact fees in Orange County have been $3,000 per single family home since 2001.

On January 1, 2010, school district impact fees increased to $3749 per home.

On January 1 2011, these fees will be increasing again, as part of a yearly increase for each of three years.

Orange County Schools District impact fees will increase from $3749 to $4686 at the end of 2010, with an even more significant increase in 2012.  This is an increase of 56% in the cost of this impact fee over two years time, for new single family homes, and again, these fees are separate from all other building permits and fees.

What does this fee increase mean?  The exact same new home in Chapel Hill NC will cost $937 more if impact fees are paid in 2011 (at the start of construction), than in 2010 - an increase of 25%.  There's still time to build in 2010 in Chapel Hill - talk to your builder.

Chapel Hill and Orange County continues to be one of the most sought after areas of the Triangle - and it's going to be a little more expensive to build a new home there now.

Carrboro New Homes - Building in the Chapel Hill or Carrboro City School Districts?

Before January 1, 2009, the Chapel Hill School District Impact Fees were $4407 per home.  On January 1, 2009, these impact fees increased by 38%, or $1685 per home.

On January 1, 2010, the Chapel Hill School District Impact Fees increased again, to $7616 per home, another 25% increase.  These impact fees are in addition to the building permit fees, water fees, and sewer fees required to build a new home in Chapel Hill.

On January 1, 2011, Chapel Hill School District fees will increase NEARLY $2000 per home, to $9520 per home. 

Looking to build a new home in Carrboro soon?  Apply for permits as soon as possible - as long as all permits are approved and paid before the end of the year, you can still build at 2010 costs.

Otherwise, your new home will cost $1904 more after January 1st, 2011.

You may also be interested in:

Link to Orange County Fee Page

How to Build a Custom Home in Four Easy Steps

Other Available Land and Lots in Communities

Septic System Costs for Raleigh New Homes

How to Find Out The Cost of Your Septic System

One of the biggest variables in cost for building on your lot can be the cost of the septic system.  How much will your septic system cost for your new Raleigh custom home?

It depends.  If you're getting a home construction bid, make sure your septic system allowance will be sufficient for the unique requirements of your lot and floor plan. 

Triangle Area Septic System Costs Vary By Lot 

Septic system costs vary widely, depending on soil conditions, size of system, type of system, county requirements, and more.  

A typical septic system in the Raleigh/Triangle area can be anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, with most conventional or pump systems falling in the middle range. 

What Does "No Perk" Mean for a Raleigh Area Lot?

A special system can run many tens of thousands more - particularly if your lot is rated the dreaded "No Perk", which means the ground is truly not suitable for a septic and many special measures will have to be taken to support one. 

If your lot had a soils test years ago, it may need to be retested.  North Carolina septic and soils requirements have become much more stringent.  Some lots that were approved many years ago may no longer meet the requirements for a standard conventional septic system.  On the bright side, because of these stringent standards you can be confident that your septic system will do its job for many, many years! 

An experienced home builder can look at your septic permit and plot map and give you at least a good idea of what the system is going to cost. 

Questions a Build On Your Lot Builder Should Ask Before Building a New Home

 1.  How large is the septic field? 

The length of pipe required will help determine total cost.

2.   How far from the home is the septic field? 

If more than 100 ft, a backflow preventer will have to be added.

3.  What is the topography of the land? 

A flat, level lot will most likely have lower cost than a lot on a hill.

4.  Is the septic field cleared or densely overgrown? 

The septic field will need to be cleared of brush and of most trees in order for the pipes to be installed.

5.  What depth of soil does your septic permit allow? 

If the nitrification lines cannot be buried deep enough due to soil quality, enough approved soils will have to imported to cover the septic lines.  Add the cost of the soil, plus transportation, and labor for spreading the soil above the septic system field.

6.  Is the system gravity fed or pump fed? 

A pump system will add to the cost.

7.  What type of system has been approved or required?

Has the County approved a standard septic system, or have they required a special system like a panel block system?

8.  Has a basement been requested? 

In this area, most likely an additional pump system will be required, adding at least $3,000 to the building cost. 

Septic systems requirements can vary greatly, even on two adjacent lots.  

But an experienced builder or septic system installer will be able to identify most issues and give a ballpark cost estimate based on seeing the approved septic permit and the plot map of your lot. 

You'll probably want to bring a copy of a floor plan you're considering as well - a basement or a large number of bedrooms can also require changes in the system.    

Writing an Offer for a Raleigh Lot | Build On Your Lot Tips

Remember, you can make an offer contingent on soil suitability.  Talk to your builder about getting a soils test and obtaining information about the type of system required. 

Stanton Homes will help guide you in the right direction, including help obtaining a free septic cost quote from a reputable local installer.

Septic systems may sound a little intimidating, but they are VERY common in the Raleigh area. Asking the right questions can help ensure you'll be very pleased with your new lot!

You may also be interested in these other Raleigh new home articles - top tips straight from Raleigh's most exceptional new home builder, Stanton Homes.

What is a Craftsman Style Home?

Top 10 Dos and Donts for Kitchen Cabinets

Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips

Top 5 Ways to Save Money - Family Room

Built in Bookcases - Ideas and Trends

Kitchen Tile Backsplash - Today's Top 5 Designs

Formal Dining Rooms - Disappearing, or Here to Stay?

Today's Ceilings Make Statements - Information Every Buyer Should Know

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

One of the greatest benefits of owning a green built home in the Raleigh area can be significant savings on energy costs.

But not every "Green Certified" home offers the same benefits and savings. 

Stanton Homes is one of just a few new home builders in the Raleigh area offering the EnergyWise guaranteed energy savings system.  The Energy Wise system offers 50-70% SAVINGS on heating and cooling. 

Find out more about how Energy Wise can offer this written guarantee:

Stanton Homes - Energy Wise from Khanquest Films on Vimeo.

- How does the written guarantee work?

- What is Energy Wise, and how is it different from ENERGY STAR?

- What are the three parts of the Energy Wise system?

- How much does Energy Wise cost, and how much will it save?

Interested in Green Home Building?  Check our Event Calendar for the next live presentation!

Stanton Homes Events

Find out more about building a Green Home here:

Building a Green Home - Top Requested Features

Energy Wise - Find Out How to Save 50 to 70% on Heating and Cooling Costs! 

WaterSense Toilets - How Much Water Do They Save, and How do They Work?

Energy Star Homes - What is Energy Star?

Tankless Water Heaters

Solar Water Heaters - How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

 

Red Oak Acres - Lot for Sale in a Country Community

New Custom Homes in Alamance County 

 

 

We've discovered a great Alamance county new home community you might enjoy.  Looking to build a custom home in the country? Check out this available lot in Red Oak Acres.

 

Stanton Homes helps make it easy to find the right place to build your new home, by putting together information on great new home communities, lots and land throughout the Triangle area.  All information per MLS, and current as of posting date, courtesy Coldwell Banker Advantage.

 

  

 

Red Oak Acres is a small community located in Alamance county about half way between Burlington and Chapel Hill.

 

There is one partially wooded lot for sale in Red Oak Acres, and several brick homes are already built in the community.

 

There is no time limit to build in Red Oak Acres, and you can bring your own builder to help you design your own custom home, down to the last detail.

 

 

 

 

Lot Information:

4028 MacKenzie Drive
Haw River, NC 27258

MLS: 1711923

Price: $34,000

Acreage: 0.72

 

Listing information courtesy Coldwell Banker Advantage.

Contact us or call 919-278-8070 for more information on how to build your new home in Alamance County.

 

 

 

Directions to Red Oak Acres:

From I-85/I-40, Hwy 54 towards Chapel Hill, Left on MacKenzie (just past Brucewood Rd), Lot is on the left

Currently assigned schools are:

Elementary: Garrett
Junior:        Hawfields
Senior:        Southern High

School assignments are subject to change, so check with city and county for most recent information.

 

 

 

 

Need help deciding on a lot or neighborhood in Alamance County, or anywhere in the Triangle area?  

 

Stanton Homes offers a free lot inspection to help you find the fit that works well for your budget - and provides a full cost analysis of site work, permits, fees, and sewer and water costs.  Contact us today to find out more.

 

 

  

You may also be interested in:

How to Build a Custom Home in Four Easy Steps

How to Find a Lot - Top 12 Questions to Ask

Other Available Land and Lots in Communities

Subscribe to this blog!

 

DISCLAIMER: The above data is furnished for informational purposes only. Neither Stanton Homes Inc nor its agents warranty the completeness or accuracy of this data. Prospective buyers should verify all data that is pertinent to their particular needs, or at least provide for such verification as a condition of their offer to purchase. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. In addition Stanton Homes makes no claim to ownership of either the information provided or the properties contained therein.  Data provided by the Triangle MLS as of 8/11/2010.

Craftsman Style Homes in Raleigh NC

Building a New Craftsman Home - What is a Craftsman Home?

"Craftsman" - just the name of this type of architecture evokes feelings of permanence, of time-honored traditions, of surprises and old-world workmanship.

But a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is even better, so here's just one example of what a Craftsman style home in the Raleigh area can look like.  The Brogan was custom designed by Stanton Homes. 

(click photo or here for video tour)

A Raleigh Craftsman style home can include:

- Simple lines inside and out, with no compromises on quality.

- Stone accents, in particular front porches with stone base and tapered columns.

- Built in bookshelves, cabinets, or niches.

- Staircases with square/detailed balusters and newell posts instead of more typical round or wrought iron styles.

- Numerous windows, with square or horizontally rectangular windows more common than in typical architecture.

- Limited hallways, space is as open as possible.

- Interior trim that is more rustic, including 1x4, 1x6, and 1x8 treatments in place of the commonly seen types of crown moulding and baseboard.

Craftsman style home builders in the Raleigh area can incorporate many different features and architectural styles, depending on how much historical accuracy is desired, what the overall budget for the home is, and what design elements best suit the homeowners' personal tastes and desires.

If you'd like more information on new Craftsman style homes in the Raleigh area, Contact us or call 919-278-8070. 

Ever wonder how basement homes are built in the Raleigh area?

Here's how a Superior Wall system for a daylight basement home is actually installed!  It's an amazing process, and the walls go up in just a couple of short hours.

Why are Superior Wall systems a great part of green home construction?

-  Quick installation (usually only a few hours) helps minimize the time that soil is exposed to erosion. 

-  Superior Walls have built-in insulation bonded directly to the precast concrete, creating a thermal and air sealing envelope around the living space.

-  Walls are sealed with a specially formulated low VOC sealant.

-  Superior Walls are prefabricated precast assemblies, formed with 5000+ psi reinforced precast concrete studs.  Superior Walls use up to 70% less concrete than traditional built on site foundation walls, while maintaining strength.

- Raw materials come from locally available indigenous sources, usually within 300 miles of the job site. 

*Information courtesy Superior Walls.

If you'd like more information on new basement homes in the Raleigh area with Superior Wall systems, Contact us or call 919-278-8070.

Here are some other top requested Green Home Building topics you may be interested in:

Building a Green Home - Top Requested Features

Energy Wise - Find Out How to Save 50 to 70% on Heating and Cooling Costs! 

WaterSense Toilets - How Much Water Do They Save, and How do They Work?

Energy Star Homes - What is Energy Star?

Tankless Water Heaters

Solar Water Heaters - How Do They Work, and How Much Do They Cost?

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

 

 

First Floor Master Bedroom New Homes

Horizon Offers Custom Homes on Acreage in Chatham County

Stanton Homes is excited to announce that construction has started on another new home in Horizon, just seven minutes from Chapel Hill in gorgeous Chatham County.

The "Azalea Park" offers nearly 2200 square feet, and includes an island kitchen, mudroom, and finished bonus room.

But the best part is the energy efficiency!

This home has a WRITTEN GUARANTEE through the Energy Wise program - energy costs 50-70% lower than standard for heating and cooling!

 

 

 

Just a few of the features of this home include:

- Island Kitchen

- Granite Countertops

- Maple Cabinetry

- Stanton Homes Signature Archway Entrances

- Stanton Homes Signature Rounded Corners

- Mudroom Lockers

- Extended Size Laundry Room

- Custom Tile Master Bath, Full Tile Treatment

- Huge Covered Front Porch

- Rear Covered Deck

 

First Floor Master Home Now Available in Horizon

The "Azalea Park" by Stanton Homes offers the best of today's energy efficient options available, at an incredible price.

- ENERGY STAR Certified Home, additional 5% Progress Energy discount

- Energy Wise Written Guarantee 50-70% lower Heating and Cooling Costs

- WaterSense Plumbing Fixtures

All in the absolutely gorgeous Horizon community, just seven miles from Chapel Hill.

This 1.4 wooded acre lot offers a beautiful front yard and is surrounded by tall hardwoods and pines.

The Azalea Park is the ONLY main floor master suite home on acreage in all of Chatham County currently under construction, with more than 2000 sq ft, for under $350K!

Contact us or call 919-278-8070 for more information about the Azalea Park, currently under construction in Horizon, completion Fall 2010.

 

*Plans copyright Frank Betz and Associates.  Actual home will vary slightly from pictured, and offers front entry garage to accomodate lot layout.  Ask Stanton Homes for most recent information and full specification package.

  

New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Choices for Vanities and Countertops

As part of the 50+ Housing Council in Raleigh, one of the things we look forward to is sharing really cool ideas from new home builders and interior design experts who are willing to share some of their secrets and most popular features.

Our most requested universal design ideas make your bathroom safe, user-friendly, functional, and beautiful - through built-in convenience that costs a lot less when you plan ahead.

Countertop Height - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

How high should a bathroom countertop be for maximum efficiency and functionality?  

Standard vanity cabinets are about 32" high.  At Stanton Homes, we use 36" high vanities, which are optimum height for standing in front of the countertop.

But the most functional countertop height may actually be a combination of heights.  Think about including a standard or dropped height "seating" section at the vanity if at all possible.  A comfortable chair specifically for the bathroom can be perfect for applying make up or completing other tasks. 

The seating area should have leg room of 27 to 29 inches, and be 32 to 36 inches wide. 

If the seating area is at a sink, the piping should be set as far to the rear as possible and covered with a protective panel.

Countertop Choices - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Rounded edges are user friendly.  Think about traditional Formica tops with their sharp right angles.  Today's options include cultured marble, solid surface, and granite, all of which can offer nicely rounded edges.

Consider your color selections.  Countertops should contrast with cabinetry and wall colors, very helpful for anyone with limited vision.

How easy are your countertops to clean?  Any countertop with an integral sink (like cultured marble) eliminates seams and makes cleaning easier.  

Granite is beautiful, but keep in mind that it is porous and will need to be sealed.

Vanity Space and Storage - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Do you have room for the curling iron, electric razor, and other items?  Make sure there's enough countertop space (and outlets) to safely keep often-used personal items on the countertop, but out of the way. 

For a large vanity, you might even consider a stack of upper cabinetry, or an appliance garage. 

Include an outlet inside the cabinet or garage, and it's easy to charge electric razors when not in use, but out of sight. 

Consider the amount of storage space, especially if one section of countertop is accessible for seated users.  It might make sense to include a set of drawers instead of a large cabinet, for ease of use.

Vanity Door Hardware - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Choose cabinet and drawer hardware that's easy to grasp and pull.

Large "C" or "D" shaped handles work great, and can add interest and contrast to your vanity cabinets.

 

You might also be interested in these related Raleigh new home trend articles:

Accessible Homes - Design and Features

What is Universal Design?  Easy Living Homes

Specially Adapted Housing - Grants for Veterans

Building a Home with the VA's Specially Adapted Housing Program

Mother In Law Suite Homes - Floor Plans and Ideas

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

"Stanton Homes for Heroes" Military Discounts