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Nov 1. 2022
Kitchen and bath trends for 2023 focuses on creating multifunctional spaces that looks cool but yet practical.
Designs that minimize clutter but maximize storageMaterial that are chic and timeless but easy to maintain such as quartz and quartziteWalk in Pantry with countertops to hide appliances
White will be primary color in interior design mixed with muted tonessmart home features are a must
April 4th, 2022
What are some benefits of buying a new home?
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Maintenance
Maintenance is the first thing that comes to mind when purchasing a new home. New home has new roof, pipes, HVAC units, water heaters, and appliances; therefore they are lot less likely to break down. Also new homes come with limited warranty which plays a major roll in keeping your maintenance cost low.
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Efficiency
Efficiency is another major player when it comes to purchasing a new home. Insulation and windows are lot more efficient these days and it is lot less expensive to heat and cool your new house. Better insulation keeps the cold or hot air inside and does not allow for air flow. Also having the option of adding humidifier helps with lots of respiratory issues.
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Amenities
Lastly are neighborhood amenities. A new home is most likely built in a new community with various amenities such as pool, fitness room, clubhouse, and much more. Remember, after all you are purchasing a lifestyle and lots of different factors play a major role in that.
March 8th, 2022
WHY MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES ARE A MUST THESE DAYS?
Since 2020 pandemic, there has been a great shift on how we design and build our homes. This transformation is due to the fact that homeowners are using their houses differently. Considering parents and kids working and learning remotely, focusing and creating spaces that are flexible and multifunctional is critical.
Turning bedroom to an office, garage into a fitness room or pets grooming area, dining room to a classroom, and patios to study are most common we have seen.
Color schemes that are being used in multifunctional spaces are lot more neutral in order to create calm and relaxing atmosphere.
After all, we want your house to just feel right!
December 17th, 2021
3 TIPS ON HOLIDAY DECOR
Don’t stop at entry!
Take your holiday decoration throughout your house. Place small figurines, blanket, wreaths, & lanterns in different room to create more of a festive look. Small touches will make a huge difference in your holiday décor.
Add dimmers!
Dimmers are inexpensive & can be added to all light fixtures. Dimming your light at night time allows for cozier ambiance.
Get everyone involved!
Personalize your decoration by involving all your family members. Make memories by taking pictures and videos so you can look back in future! Most importantly let your kids be creative and decorate their room.
June 18, 2021
What are some features that are essential to you?
Walk-in Pantry and double kitchen sink are a MUST!!!
We asked our buyers that what is essential in your kitchen! Almost all wanted Walk-in Pantry and double kitchen sink! Walk-in pantries or recently called “Room off the kitchen” provides extra storage, storing all your appliances in order to keep kitchen countertops clear, and extra food prep area! Double sink are great for washing dishes, hiding the drying racks, and reduces cross contaminations while prepping poultry &ect!
Central kitchen island and recessed lights were also requested!
In a past decade, We have edited most of our kitchen floorplans so that we could incorporate kitchen islands. Kitchen islands have become the center of the house and everyone loves them for entertaining. Our clients also liked recessed lights instead of using multiple light fixtures. They preferred having only one or two statement light fixtures and recessed lights throughout the house!
May 19, 2021
What is trending in 2021!
Studies shows with people spending more time at home, natural colors and relaxed designs are having a come back! They reduce stress and create more calm atmosphere at the house!
Finally!
Earth tones are replacing cool grey! Use Ocean blue is master bedroom as an accent wall or furniture piece! Personalize it with calming shades in this palette.
Floral accent pieces!
Floral natural patterns are trending in 2021. Incorporating them are peaceful and calming!
Textured wallpaper!
They are back! With all 3D and geometric designs, you can add depth to your room and express your personality !
April 24, 2021
Mistakes that are made during designing your kitchen!
Grand Backsplash
Grand proportional Backsplashes make a huge difference as a focal point in your kitchen Vs. having undersized and unproportionable backsplash!
Open shelving
Using open shelving is a big NO NO for majority of interior designers. They are not practical and there are not so many pretty things to be shown in the kitchen and they will reduce storage options!
Finishes
Try to stay with one finish throughout your kitchen. Mixing black, brass, chrome, ect will look messy and inconsistent.
March 15, 2021
2021 Trends and Designs
Why new homes?
New home sales has increased significantly in late 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic. People not willing to tour other’s houses and much rather to buy a new home with low interest rates. New homes are more likely located in newer communities that offer various amenities, and better school district! Studies shows demand for suburb areas has increased since many workers will not be returning to offices and they prefer more quite neighborhoods with lot less traffic.
What is preferred!
Average size home is 2486 sqft and 4 or more bedroom- 3 or more bathroom is preferred. Laundry room, front and back covered patio, designated study, large kitchen with useable island are some features that buyers are asking for right away. Also buyers love large windows to make their space bigger and brighter.
January 20, 2021
Have you thought about how COVID-19 will effect housing designs in upcoming years?
Home buyers priorities has changed! Here are some facts that we will keep in mind when designing Westpoint Homes houses!
Office
Zoom and other video communication platforms are the new way to show up at your work place. So having a designated area as your office is a MUST. With many of us continuing working from home, our designers are mindful and creative! So we got you!
Kitchen
In 2020 everyone’s kitchen became the most important space in the house. With Restaurants and schools shutting down along with working from home, making food everyday, 3 times a day became part of our everyday tasks. Therefore having a spacious and practical kitchen is essential.
Aging
Families are leaning more towards taking care of aging family members at home instead of sending them to assistance living or nursing homes. So guess what? including accessible features are going to be part of future lifestyle.
December 10, 2020
Tips For Winterizing Your Home!
Stock up!
Keep extra water, Candles and can foods for ice storms, just in case! Winter will be here before you know it!
Buy a snow shovel!
Before severe winter weather hits will be a best time to buy s shovel for those upcoming snowy days!
Clean up!
Make sure you clean gutters and down spouts and install leaf guard to keep falling leaves our of gutter.
December 1, 2020
“Honey I’m Home”!
Winter Bourbon Cocktail with Honey Sage Syrup!
Ingredients: COCKTAIL:
HONEY SAGE SYRUP 2 ounces of bourbon
1 cup of water 1 orange peel
1/2 cup of honey 1 Fresh sage leaf
10-12 fresh sage leaves 3 tbsp of honey sage syrup
Instructions:
Bring the water, honey & sage to boil in a pot over medium high heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 3 mins. Turn off heat and let syrup cool down!
Fill glasses with ice. Pour bourbon and cooled syrup over ice. Twist orange peal directly over glass until you see oil release then add it in. Garnish with fresh sage leaf.
Feel free to add more honey for sweeter taste!
November 2, 2020
Why Fall Is A Good Time To Buy A House?
Slow Season
Fall is the slow season for real estate agents so they will be hungry for you. So most likely they will go that extra mile to find your dream home & there will be more quality time between agents and home buyers!
Neighborhood Traffic
During summer time, majority of neighbors are traveling causing the neighborhood to be a bit quite. In Fall, schools and routine working life will be live again which allows for better view of the community!
Less Buyers
Most importantly is that fewer buyers are out there so competition is low which allows to have more time to think and find a perfect home for your family and what is better than spending holidays at a new house!
October 19, 2020
Make It Unique!
Faucets play a major role these-days that once was overlooked!
Unique faucet finishes such as chrome, brass (which is getting a lot of attention these days), brushed nickel, & matte black allow us to customize our home in our own unique ways and style!
Think about it: For something that you touch & use multiple times a day, why not pick the finish you love!?!
August 25, 2020
Three great snack ideas for fall festivities that your guests will sure to love!
Pumpkin Tex Mex Cheeseball:
16oz cream cheese softened
2 cups finely shredded Cheddar cheese
3 tbsp red enchilada sauce
1 1/4 tsp taco seasoning
2 cups original cheez it crackers
1 stem of a green pepper
Orange Pumpkin:
Nicely peeled oranges
Celery sticks
Fall snack mix:
16oz candy corn candy
6 oz yogurt covered raisins
10 oz of m&m candy
10 oz of white recees minis
3 cups of bagels
July 27, 2020
Here are few great tips to help organize your child’s bedroom or playroom!
Personalize it!
Storage pins are perfect for hiding toys and clutter but still keeping your room looking clean and ready for company. They are great to personalize by choosing favorite colors & patterns.
Make it accessible and visible!
The clear plastic bins make it simple for your little ones to find exactly what they’re looking for without having to tear things apart. These are perfect to store all of your art supplies, legos or unfinished puzzle pieces!
July 14, 2020
How To Design The Perfect Front Door!
Make it stand out!
First, you want to select a color that is complimentary to the exterior of your home, welcoming and will catch your guests eye!
Dress it up!
Pots & Door Wreaths are a great way to add color, personalize, or dress up your front door for holidays & events. Change out your wreaths seasonally is a perfect way to quick new look!
Planting seasonal flowers are another great cost effective way to dress up your front door and entry!
July 6, 2020
Tips on How to Design Your Backyard
Locate Utilities
Before digging anything, locate all the utility pipelines. Destroying those hidden pipelines wouldn’t be pretty!
Blooming Trees
Plant tree that they bloom beside just staying green! Fruit trees always bloom in spring and they add a great touch to your backyard. Just have to find the right fruit tree that grows in your area and climate.
Relaxing Area
Creating a relaxing area in your backyard is a MUST. It allows for some of that me time after long work day, enjoying fresh air while soaking in what you have created, and it will be fun and exciting to entertain your guest.
GET GARDENING! THE BEST PLANTS FOR MARCH
If you’re like us, we’re so relieved that spring is just around the corner. As temperatures begin to warm up and we start to put our coats and gloves away, thoughts of fresh vegetables and herbs start stirring in our heads.
If you’re like us, we’re so relieved that spring is just around the corner. As temperatures begin to warm up and we start to put our coats and gloves away, thoughts of fresh vegetables and herbs start stirring in our heads. If you’ve got a green thumb, you’ll be happy to hear that you can already begin your spring planting! Here is a list of plants that are ideally suited to be planted in March:
Beets
Sow beets now for a fast, early summer treat.
Broccoli
If you live in a warmer climate and can find a quick growing Broccoli variety you can harvest until it bolts in the hot summer sun!
Cabbage
Cabbage is one of the easier plants to grow in the garden. Select a variety that is right for your location (size and maturity length). Be sure to fertilize and water when cabbage head begins to form.
Carrots
Planting carrots by mid-July yields a fall crop that will keep in the garden until used.
Corn
One of the most rewarding and fast growing crops to grow. Corn is delicious when cooked only minutes after being pulled off the stalk. Try a small plot of corn, working your way to a large field of several varieties.
Cucumbers
Fast growing vine or bush cucumber plants can produce an abundance of cucumber fruits. Be careful to pick a variety for the space you have in your garden. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
Herbs
Plant heat-loving herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and sage.
Lettuce
Start a crop of salad mix greens that gets bright sun but not all day. Great for late summer and early fall crops.
Melons
Melons are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. Great for hot, long summers. A staple for summer picnics and family fun.
Onions
Get those onion seeds growing. Be careful to select an onion variety appropriate for your garden zone. Northern areas should plant long day onions. Southern regions should plant short day onions.
Peas
Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in July and will produce a moderate fall harvest.
Peppers
Fresh, crisp peppers are a garden favorite. Peppers take up little space and can produce high yields when planted close together. Plant as many different varieties as possible. They come small, big, hot, mild, and an array of different colors.
Spinach
Spinach is more of a cool weather vegetable and will produce until hot weather of summer. Planting in early March will ensure you have plenty of harvest before bolting.
Summer Squash
Yum! Summer squash sowing in June will lead to fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
Tomatoes
The most popular garden vegetable. Growing tomatoes is not only fun but treats you to some of the best-tasting fruits in the world. Tomatoes come in many colors, shapes, taste, and sizes. Grow a few varieties every year to find your favorites!
Learn more from Urban Farmer (https://www.ufseeds.com/learning/what-to-plant-now/)
WINTER IS HERE!
It’s hard not to notice that the temperatures have dropped substantially lately, signaling to everyone that winter has officially begun. Highs are supposed to stay somewhat mild during the next week or so, but we’re certain that the coldest parts of winter are still to come.
It’s hard not to notice that the temperatures have dropped substantially lately, signaling to everyone that winter has officially begun. Highs are supposed to stay somewhat mild during the next week or so, but we’re certain that the coldest parts of winter are still to come. If you’re a new homeowner, here are some tips to get your home winter-ready in the face of freezing temperatures and precipitation.
Be Prepared
- Buy a snow shovel now so you’ll have it before the severe winter weather hits.
- Keep extra water and canned food in your pantry, just in case.
Gutters and Downspouts
- Ideally, we recommend that you clean gutters and downspouts in mid-fall and double-check them before winter, but if you’re a little late in the game, that’s okay! Clean them out now, before the temperatures drop again.
- Install leaf guards to keep falling leaves and other debris out of cleared gutters.
Doors and Windows
- Examine doors and windows for gaps where warm air can escape.
- Caulk or apply weatherstripping around problem draft areas.
- Install double-paned windows to increase energy efficiency.
Heating System
- Replace the filter in your furnace.
- Hire a heating/cooling expert to check your furnace’s efficiency.
Roofing, Chimneys, and Decks
- Have a contractor look for damages roof shingles and loose gutters.
- Make sure your chimney is clean and the flue is open if you have a working fireplace.
- Give your deck a fresh coat of sealer to protect it from the winter elements.
THE SMARTEST WAY TO SAVE DURING WINTER
We introduced our newest energy-saving initiative, Blue Rated by Westpoint Homes, this time last year. Our Blue Rated index shows you our homes’ exact rating on the HERS Index, the industry standard by which a home’s energy…
We introduced our newest energy-saving initiative, Blue Rated by Westpoint Homes, this time last year. Our Blue Rated index shows you our homes’ exact rating on the HERS Index, the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured and the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.
Each of our homes is assessed by a certified RESNET Home Energy Rater. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home. Most existing homes built without energy-saving features range from 100-150 index value, but all of our homes have a rating of 65 or lower!
The variables included in an energy rating are:
- all exterior walls
- floors over unconditioned spaces (garage)
- ceilings and roofs
- attics, foundations, and crawlspaces
- windows and doors, vents and ductwork
- HVAC system, water heating system, and thermostat
- air leakage of the home
- leakage in the heating and cooling distribution system
So, all of this means that winter and summer, the most expensive seasons for most people, will actually bring you savings in your new Blue Rated home.
To find the Blue Rating of any of our new homes, view our available homes on our website. If the home has been Blue Rated, you’ll see this scale:
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact our Community Manager for Deer Creek Park and Deer Creek Village: Jim Burkett, 405-361-5799