You’ve read the news, the housing market is in a decline. But is it really? We’ve researched national and local housing data and the results may surprise you! Wisconsin Data: Sales are down 19.2% year over year Median sale price rose 11.3% Inventory supply dropped to 3 months (6 months is healthy) …
Read article
When it comes to building or remodeling, a lot of clients tend to focus only on the interior of the home, which is understandable since these are rooms we live in and see every day. What we often forget is the unlimited options to design and remodel the exterior, for a fresh, new take on…
As realtors, we’ve watched the “seller’s market” trend continue to grow in 2022. With the opportunity to receive the maximum return on your property investment, the only downside to selling your home now is the often-stressful process. Belman Homes Makes Home Selling — And Buying! — Easy If the headache of the real estate market…
One of the wonderful things about attending the 2022 International Builders Show is learning all about the new products and upcoming interior design trends for new homes and remodeling. As a veteran of touring the show one of my stops is always with the paint companies like Sherwin Williams, Hallman Lindsey, PPG, Behr, and others…
Local home builder David Belman, president of Belman Homes was just awarded the “2021 Builder of the Year” Award from the Wisconsin Builders Association. It is the highest honor the association can bestow upon a member. “This is truly an honor and I am extremely humbled by this award,” said Belman, who has served…
2021 was a phenomenal year for housing for anyone selling, building, or transferring property. It wasn’t as easy if you were a home buyer as you likely faced stiff competition. Challenges like lack of new and existing inventory, rising values, and more demand than supply made it one of the strongest seller’s markets in history.…
The 2021 Housing market had an incredible year. The market was hot with record low interest rates, response from the global pandemic, and homeowners with increased savings from the government shut downs. We explore some of the key data from 2021 compared to previous years to show what changed in the home building industry. First,…
When building your dream home, you want the best. Not only do high quality, luxury finishes increase resale value, they really do raise the “WOW” factor. Trendy Materials, Lasting Beauty If you’re looking for luxury, these materials, finishes, and home design trends are a must see. White Marble If you’ve tuned into HGTV lately or…
Pssst. Don’t let the housing and developing industry fool you – you can have the look and performance of luxury finishes and materials without literally mortgaging your future. Quick Tips for Getting the Luxury Look on a Budget By making just a few calculated material swaps, you can upgrade your dream home’s longevity and aesthetic…
Pssst. Take it from the insiders: a seller’s sticker price doesn’t always include the real cost of a home. So how do you decide whether building or buying a house is the best investment for you if the numbers are fuzzy? Start by checking out our quick tips below to help clear things up. “Turnkey” Isn’t Always What It Seems …
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, people had to adjust to the new norm as they spend more time inside and working from home. Spending more time at home has made people realize that what used to work for them in their home no longer works. During the start of the pandemic, people have…
Waukesha County Housing Update The housing market is white hot currently. We recently studied the housing market in Waukesha County through data obtained from the Multiple Listing Service. Here are some interesting tidbits that we discovered. All data is for Waukesha County homes listed from $250,000 to $1,000,000 Existing Homes: The average sale…
Daniel Cappo, his wife Jamie, and their three sons, Hayden, Daniel Jr., and baby Carter received the keys to their new home on July 11th in Menomonee Falls. Daniel served nearly 9 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. While serving he was severely injured from an IED blast and also while repairing a HUMVEE during a…
The tragic events of September 11th changed how people lived, traveled, and entertained. It also changed how people built their next homes and how they lived life at home. The tragedy created a paradigm shift in the country and in Real Estate. After September 11th, people were afraid to travel and didn’t want to go…
For many, building a custom home represents a dream come true – the opportunity to design a dwelling that checks all of the boxes, is truly unique and built to their exact specifications. But beginning with a blank canvas can also be overwhelming, leaving the future homeowner puzzled as to where to start.
Summer is around the corner. Whether you have plans to travel for vacation or be more active locally, there is no reason you can’t take advantage of the season during your time at home as well. Here are five ways to renovate your outdoor living space to make the most of your summertime days and…
So, you’re building a new home and want to go green. Well, as green as reasonably possible. Here are seven considerations for choosing the right eco-friendly solutions for your home and for your lifestyle.
Fresh Ideas for 2020 Bathroom Designs With every year comes new trends and ideas. You might not think of bathrooms when you think of these hot trends, but like any other part of the house, they always have the potential to be updated. If you neglect to keep your bathroom updated, your home could lose…
For a homeowner, being comfortable in their home is important. This makes the heating and cooling system one of the most vital components of the house. Whether it’s a new home that’s just been built or an older home, it’s important to understand how HVAC systems work and how your particular heating and cooling system…
One of the biggest issues facing the construction industry is the lack of trained, skilled workers. This started during the 2008 recession when about half of the skilled labor force in the home building industry found themselves out of work because their company folded. Without steady work, these painters, carpenters, masons, tile experts, and others…
Lighting is one of the most important parts of a room that many people fail to properly consider. Lighting has come a long way since the days of simple fixtures and lamps. Thanks to LEDs and other innovations in the industry, today’s lighting can do much more and transform a room in ways that old…
Many real estate agents and home builders have noticed a major trend in recent years: the average age of their clients has increased. Young buyers simply haven’t been buying homes like they used to, especially Millennial buyers. Many people think of Millennials as young 20-somethings, but that’s not the case any longer. The “Millennial” period…
Home is a place where families are formed, and lives are built. It’s the place where one can go after a long day of work to unwind and enjoy the night. Home isn’t just a structure designed solely to give shelter – it is a part of you and a part of your family’s history.…
Selling your home is a lengthy process that almost always takes longer than anyone expects. If you are a first-time seller, you are likely in for a lot more than you expect. Home sales aren’t only about getting your house on the market, but about doing everything you can to make it the best house…
Belman Homes president and host of the Home Building Hero podcast, David Belman, shares some observations from the International Builders Show and keen insights into integrated home technology trends. There has not been a lot of technological advancement in this arena in the past year or two, Belman explains, but there has been substantial innovation…
David Belman, President of Belman Homes, shares his observations regarding home bathroom trends from the International Builders Show. In this blog, we take a close look at the future of bathroom vanities—how they are built, what materials are being used in 2019, and how technological advancements are influencing design.
Belman Homes president and host of the Home Building Hero podcast, David Belman, shares some observations from his trip to the International Builders Show. Accent Colors With mattes and warm, earthy tones, subtle elegance is woven through the most prominent 2019 color themes, from hardware accents to alternative appliance finishes to wall paint. In…
Army Sergeant Daniel Cappo arrived in Menomonee Falls thinking he was going to interview with a builder for an opportunity to receive a mortgage-free home. Instead he was surprised to find out from Molly Halliday, SVP of Marketing and Project Management for Operation Finally Home that he and his family had been selected and that…
If you’re preparing to build your own home, one of the most important factors to consider is how many rooms you’ll have, and what purpose they will serve. Modern homes often have space for a home office, a hangout area for kids, a space for hobbies, and a separate living area for an aging parent…
Fireplaces may seem like a fairly simple part of the home. There’s the hearth in front, the area where the fire actually burns, the mantel, and usually brick or stone surrounding the fireplace that goes up the wall. Over the years, the fireplace has gone from the only source of heating the room to a…
It wasn’t that long ago that people were talking about how millennials simply weren’t buying homes. At the time, that was true—the millennial generation, on the whole, wasn’t looking to buy homes while in their mid or even late twenties. However, while some people may still think of millennials as the young generation, the truth…
There are plenty of common misconceptions about the true cost of building vs buying. If you are still in the consideration phase of homeownership, take a look at our infographic below.
Whether you’re building a brand new home or simply need to replace your refrigerator, knowing your options and what appliances are available today is important. You want to be certain you’re getting the appliances you need at a good price. Appliances today may look similar to those you’ve used all your life, but there have…
Many people who decide to build a house find themselves balancing budget against size. They want a home that is large enough to not only meet their current needs, but also meet future space needs. On the other hand, the larger a house is, the more costly it is to build simply because it requires…
Love to cook? Many people do, and many of them look for houses that have large kitchens to give them the space they need to make large meals. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or if you’re building the house of your dreams, you have the chance to upgrade that space to include the latest in…
Cabinets have the power to transform your kitchen space! There’s a lot that you can do with your cabinets, and changing them up can give your kitchen an entirely need look and feel. If you’re keeping up with some of the newest in kitchen cabinet trends, you can even create a kitchen that will have…
The home building industry continues to move along at a brisk pace. New houses are always needed, and even during the recent recession people were still building. Unfortunately, they were building at much lower rates, which put some small companies out of business. Other skilled workers had to seek other, more stable work because their…
The journey to home-ownership is incredibly exciting, but does come with certain roadblocks. Even when you feel like it’s time to push full steam ahead, take a step back and make sure you’re taking care of the small details. Here are a few of our tips on actions to AVOID when buying a home.
When most people think of hardware, they either think of computers or they think of nuts and bolts. When you’re building a house, though, hardware includes everything from the kitchen drawer pulls to light fixtures. There are a lot of different things that fall under the hardware category, and when you’re building a house, you…
When it comes to building a new home, there are many different design choices you will have to make. In fact, it may seem like you’re facing a never-ending list of decisions! Some of those decisions revolve around lighting, and they’re more important than they may seem at first. Good lighting is almost invisible—it does…
Are you ready to build the house of your dreams? If so, you may be tempted to jump straight to the really fun parts like picking out colors and looking at fun light fixtures. But before you get too far ahead of yourself, you need to make certain that you’ve considered a number of factors…
Building your first home is a major undertaking. There’s a lot you have to learn, and there are many places where you can make mistakes. Unfortunately, some of these mistakes can be very costly. The last thing you want to do is to go horribly over-budget because you forgot something or made one small error.…
Buying a home is an exciting opportunity. However, with so many moving parts it may be difficult and intimidating to remember every detail. If you are dreading the task of finding a realtor, we’ve compiled a list of questions to guide you through the process.
If you’re preparing to build a home, you may be very excited about the finished product. You’re going to have a house you custom-designed from the ground up! But before you start looking at the carpet and cabinets, you have to put your efforts towards what is perhaps the biggest design project: the floor plan.…
If you are building or buying a home, one of the first things you need to consider is what kind of environment you want to live in, and what your family can comfortably afford. There are many advantages to living in a town or living in a city, depending on how and where your money…
What goes great with your dream house? Your dream yard! Whether you’ve lived in your dream home for years or are just beginning its construction, summer is the perfect time to begin designing the perfect yard. There are a few things you want to keep in mind when preparing to landscape your yard. Take time…
If you work from home, or if you run a business from your home, you know how important it is to have a space dedicated to work. Not only is it much easier to keep your job organized if you have, a home office also helps you separate work life from home life. Working from…
Many people see the kitchen as the heart of the home. The kitchen is where people gather in the morning to start off the day and where they return to in the evening. But it’s hard to have a welcoming kitchen if it’s not a functional space. You should have no trouble working in your…
The toilet: everyone has at least one in their home. You may not really pay much attention to this home product, but it is one of the most important products you use day-to-day. In its essential function, today’s modern toilets work in very similar ways to the very first toilet. However, in other ways, the…
When considering adding space to your home, it’s easy to think of enclosing a porch, transforming a sunroom, or converting an attic or basement into a livable space. A great, often unthought of addition is a loft. A loft can give you that open concept you want while also adding extra space you can utilize…
Everything is becoming “smart” these days; from smart TVs and refrigerators to washers and thermostats, many different appliances and other devices can now connect to the internet or be controlled from your phone.
Electricity costs are one of the easiest costs you can reduce in your home but are often the most neglected in terms of people taking the initiative to trim their usage. In this infographic, we will show you 7 easy ways you can save money without any extra effort.
If you’re considering building a new home, you may have heard about green construction. Building green, as it’s often referred to as, simply means building your need home with different eco-friendly features and options. There are a number of different ways that you can build green, and you don’t have to necessarily use green features…
Building a green home doesn’t have to mean giving up anything luxurious. If you’ve always dreamed of a luxury bathroom, you can still easily have it and also reduce your overall water consumption. The same is true of comfort—a green HVAC system won’t leave you feeling chilly or too hot at any time of the…
Building green homes has become one of the biggest trends of the time and for a good reason. Building a green home has a number of benefits to your health, your finances, and your overall impact on the world around you. If you’re interested in green building, you may have already looked at some of…
Spring is here and it is time to venture outside and spend a few minutes inspecting your home to fix any issues that have occurred over the winter. This is a great time to catch potential problems before they happen. All you need is a little time, a few simple household tools, and a ladder…
Today, more homeowners who are building houses are building green than ever before. They have looked over the differences between building green and using conventional materials and processes, and they’ve seen the many different reasons why green building is beneficial.
Are you ready to buy a new house? Before you jump right in and start visiting potential homes with a real estate agent, you need to make sure you have done everything needed to make an offer on your dream home.
Home sellers do everything they can to make a house look picture perfect for a home showing. What you are seeing is the “Instagram perfect” version of the home where none of the downsides will be visible.
Are you planning on buying a new home soon? Buying a house is one of, if not the, largest item you’ll ever buy. You’ll pay on your mortgage for up to 30 years, but if you refinance at any point, you may pay on your home for even longer.
Buying your very first home is exciting, but it can also be frustrating and full of stress. That’s because the process is fairly complex, especially since you’ve never gone through it before.
If you’ve decided to build a new home instead of buying an existing one, you’re likely very excited about the opportunity to create a dream house that has everything you want while also meeting your budget.
Are you a first time home buyer? If so, you may be worried and a little stressed about the entire process. After all, buying a house is a major expense, and the amount of paperwork you have to do to get a mortgage can be overwhelming.
How the Chinese Tariffs are affecting Home Building A 25% tariff on Chinese goods was proposed in Fall of 2018 and began to have a major impact on the new construction and remodeling industry. Shortly before Christmas President Trump agreed with China to reduce the tariff to 10% for the next 90 days to…
10 Reasons why you should use a REALTOR® When Buying or Selling Your Home Manage Details-A REALTOR® will manage the details of your transaction to make sure things are not missed. They understand most of the situations and scenarios you encounter when buying a home and how to navigate it properly. Vested Interest-They…
If you’re working with a builder on a custom built home, you may see expenses everywhere. It might seem like every small upgrade or change can increase the amount you’re spending by a significant amount, but fortunately, there are some things you can do to save money.
Having a great Mudd Room in your new home is one of the most requested parts of a new home. Keeping organized, clutter, free, and housing your kids apparel is will help keep you stress free. In order to have a great mudd room you need to make sure you have a decent amount…
Building a new home can be an exciting time and there is certainly a lot to think about. One area that tends to get looked over is the garage. If you are a car guy, collector, or do it yourselfer you are sure to appreciate having the ultimate garage. We complied ideas for our…
2018 is about to close and it was a strong year for buying, selling, and building homes in Wisconsin. Here is a brief look back on housing in 2018. November home sales are up from the previous year in Wisconsin and the median price increased 7.7% from the previous year. This is due to…
It’s not always easy to build a house. In fact, it can be downright stressful at times, especially as costs rise, your budget shrinks, and suddenly the weather takes a turn and makes it impossible to do anything for several weeks. While there will almost always be something unexpected in the project that leads to…
While many Millennials did remain living at home or in apartments longer than other generations, it’s not true that they don’t buy houses. In fact, today, Millennials make up the largest number of first-time homebuyers. However, Millennials do have unique tastes, and many are very cautious about how much debt they take on.
Do you have the perfect floor plan for your custom built home in mind? If you do, you’ve already overcome one of the more difficult challenges a custom built home presents. If you don’t, though, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a fantastic house.
While many people believe that Millennials aren’t buying homes, that’s hardly the case. The truth is that those who are in their mid-thirties (yes, Millennials are now in their thirties) simply have different interests and circumstances that have changed how they approach buying houses.
Smart home features are becoming more and more popular, especially as technology improves. Today, many people can control many different features of their homes through their smartphones. As this technology continues to grow, it’s sure to be integrated into more homes. Here are ten of the top smart home features that you may want to…
If you have children or are planning on having children soon, one factor that will play into determining where you’ll build your new home is the school zone it’s in. Sending your children to the right school can be very important, as can the commute to and from school.
Building a custom home means you have a completely blank slate to work with. You can decide on the flooring, paint colors, light fixtures… you can transform the space into anything you want. For some people, this amount of freedom is just what they want. For others, it can feel a little overwhelming.
Building a home doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, with careful budgeting, comparison shopping, and a willingness to keep things simple, it can be very affordable. However, mistakes made during the building process can quickly put you over-budget.
Many potential homebuyers immediately dismiss the idea of building a home because they believe it’s completely out of their budget. The idea of building a house from scratch seems very costly, and most people assume they can’t afford it. However, with some careful planning, it’s not only affordable, it can actually be less expensive than…
Depending on where and how you live, you could have a very different lifestyle. Different people like to live in different places, but living in a condo is becoming even more common. Like moving to any new place, it’s important to know the benefits and risks.
Condominium living is growing popular with a wide variety of people. Most people think the average condo owner as someone who is retired. Contrary to this belief, there are actually numerous types of people who prefer living in condos.
Choosing a place to live is one of the most significant decisions that anyone can make. In general, most people have to choose between owning and buying a home. This is not an easy decision because the amount of money and credit required to own varies drastically from person to person.
You may have wondered, “What it would be like to live in a condominium?” Of course, choosing your next home should take some thought and consideration of how it will fit your lifestyle. One option to keep in mind is moving into a condo because of everything that comes with the home.
Buying a new condo can be intimidating if you have little experience with that type of ownership. It can be very different from purchasing a new home or renting.
Not building green? Some people buy into the misconception that high-performance buildings cost more money to construct. Others misunderstand the disconnect between capital costs and operating costs. However, by understanding “value,” and making smart judgments, the cost difference between conventional buildings and green buildings can be nominal; even cost next to nothing to implement.
Want a new look for your living room? Instead of jumping headfirst into redesigning or remodeling, consider the room’s layout.
Lately, it seems like everyone is ready to “go green.” But what does going green really entail? How are builders making the most of the latest green initiatives to preserve our earth’s natural resources and provide cost- and environmentally-efficient materials and components in design and construction?
Just like the noted architect, Jean Nouvel said, “Space is not automatically doing architecture.” There’s plenty of room to create a masterpiece within space, but there’s also room to create a disaster. In this article, we will discuss floor planning, explore different types of house plans, and address key considerations and terminology that prospective homeowners…
Future homeowners have a common objective: to keep construction material and labor costs down. This is not necessarily because they undervalue the home building process. Instead, rising costs and shrinking budgets, along with a desire for more simple living and sustainability, are leading homeowners in the direction of a new trend. The solution? Small home…
Green building isn’t a passing fad. In fact, green building is a megatrend that’s quickly becoming a mainstay of building construction and design globally. With that said, why exactly are so many builders and owners looking to incorporate green design ideas and measures into your buildings and facilities?
The housing market in Wisconsin is booming with less than 4.2 months of inventory on the market. A typically healthy market has 6 months of inventory. Low supply has fueled a 6% increase in the median sale price. Reports of multiple offers on the first day of listings, with accelerator clauses and personal letters selling…
Today, it seems that everyone is talking about “going green” when it comes to home construction, but not everyone knows what it means to be truly eco-friendly. Often seen as a costly, complicated home building solution, the current advantages of green building design are at an all-time high.
It seems that you can’t turn on a home improvement TV show or open a home design magazine today without seeing the words “open concept” repeated over and over. And it’s for a good reason:
The geothermal trend is upsurging homeowner’s reliance on traditional heating and cooling systems; in this infographic, we will highlight why.
While “going green” may be trending lately, it’s more than just a buzzword. Green building initiatives that encourage builders to be eco-friendly and energy efficient are cropping up everywhere, and home buyers are eager to cash in on the cost savings that a green home can provide.
Green building has become mainstream in the last decade, expanding beyond the environmental community and becoming the hot topic among both commercial and residential builders. One major point of contention lies with the costs associated with green building regarding establishing the benefits of going green for both builders and owners alike.
It almost goes without saying that choosing the right floor plan for your home is important. It’s the blueprint for how you will move through and live in your home, and the size, shape, and location of rooms on your floor plan will give a first glance of how you will operate within your home.
The typically slow winter months for real estate did not exist in 2018 with over 13,471 homes sold in Wisconsin, which is the largest amount since home sales were tracked back in 2005 per WRA. Home sales rose in February 2018 over 5.8% and the median sale price jumped 7.4% since last year. The pace…
Negotiation knowledge is the most powerful tool when making an offer on a property. Often, real estate developers and property sellers are among the best negotiators. Why? The more information you have about a prospective property, its initial price, how long the seller has owned it, the better offer you can make.
Round 2! We’re going to dig even more deeply into potential site development costs and budgeting techniques. It’s essential for developers to get price estimates for site improvements, which are dependent upon careful evaluation of the site prior to development.
When searching for a lot, or piece of land, you make initially find the ideal spot: remote area, scenic vibes, close to nature and a community. What many site-developers don’t anticipate, however, are the unexpected, sometimes unpleasant costs associated with land improvement after closing a deal. Even developers who purchase large land tracts with the…
Here, we will address the top 10 things a buyer should consider when investing in a vacant property, and ultimately help optimize your home building journey.
When it comes to purchasing land, the sum of the parts can genuinely add up to something greater than the whole. Whether you own a parcel of land or are considering investing in a vacant property, a multitude of benefits can spawn from successfully subdividing your land into residential lots, including providing a landowner both…
In the onset of building a custom home, purchasing vacant land in Waukesha, WI and starting construction from scratch can be a tempting opportunity. A vacant lot is like a blank canvass; you have the freedom to design and personalized control of building operations. However, before jumping into this endeavor, one must understand the costs,…
Whether you’re building a custom home, an elaborate dream house, or an addition to your current residence, you’ve likely researched a multitude of local construction companies. Finding the best-fit contractor is vital to your ultimate home satisfaction. If you don’t work with someone who is experienced, professional, and communicative, your home building experience might be…
Appliance Trends 2018 The 2018 International Builders Show is a great place for builders to catch up on the latest products. There is so much to see at the show from basements to rooftops. This year the appliances really stole the show. Here are some of our takeaways and appliance trends for 2018. …
2018 New Home Color Trends Recently David Belman, Milwaukee’s top home builder scouted out the International Builders show for the latest new home color trends in the industry. Each year this show highlights some of the newest products, colors and building techniques for new homes. David toured nearly one million square feet of exhibits…
6 New Home Trends You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2018 After touring the largest new home show in the world, the International Builders Show I came away with some new home trends for 2018 that will greatly impact our industry in the coming year. If you are excited about the latest designs and industry trends, then…
2018 Housing Forecast Positives: Low existing inventory Low interest rates Employment is low Impending tax cuts will put $$ into pockets 12% less inventory than a year ago per Zillow 6.9% annual home price increase in 2017 for Wi, 5.91% for North Central US, 4% predicted in 2018 Stats: From ‘16 to ‘17 listings down…
When considering relocation, many homebuyers focus on demographics, property conditions, market prices, and personal requirements. However, before addressing these topics, there’s a straightforward question one must answer: to buy or build a home? There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to each of these options, here, we will discuss them all.
Building a home is a dream that people from all walks of life have at some point in time. Perhaps beginning as a detailed sketch tucked away in the back of a spiral notebook, or a wish list that features the detail and decor of every room, home aspirations are all personal and unique. More…
Wisconsin’s leading home builder David Belman attended the 2018 International Builders show in Orlando and is bringing back his favorite products from the show. After looking at over 550,000 sq. ft. of new home products, appliances, finishes and more here is what we think the 5 hottest home products for 2018 are. Trex Horizontal Rails-So…
Tired of pulling into your driveway, or looking out your window to see a barren and unattractive yard? If you want to transform your home’s exterior landscape into an aesthetically appealing, impressive display — you need focus foremost on appearance and functional design. Poor yard design, planning, and spacing can force you into more work,…
All of us need a space where we can get work done, even in the home. If you use your home office as a designated space for running a business, or just as a place where you can sit quietly and go through your bills or organize your schedule, you deserve more than a hole…
To maximize the profits and potential offers when selling your home, strategically staging it can play a tremendous role. Home staging involves organizing and designing both the interior and exterior of an on-the-market property so that it looks inviting, desirable, and functional. If a home is perfectly staged, the majority of potential buyers will walk…
Home building is one of the most exciting life decisions you can make. That’s not to say that the processes of house design and home building are immune to failure or error. In fact, there is an assortment of challenges people face throughout the building process, and failure to acknowledge them beforehand can ultimately taint…
Technology Trends from the International Builders Show This is the third installment of our 2016 new product innovations for the home blog straight from the International Builders Show (IBS). This year there was a large outpouring of more technology that integrates your phone with your home. Clearly that is a major point of emphasis in the coming years.…
This is the fifth installment of our 2016 new product innovations for the home blog straight from the International Builders Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Show KBIS. These shows are the largest in the world and there are tons of great plumbing fixtures on display. Waukesha homebuilder, David Belman of Belman Homes, highlights some of the newest…
Hottest Plumbing Trends for 2017 Industry leader, David Belman, attended the International Builders Show and Kitchen & Bath Show and is excited to share his observations on what is up and coming for new home building in Wisconsin: Finishes: Plumbing fixtures are always at the forefront of product innovations with a host of new fixture styles…
This is the second installment of our 2016 new product innovations for the home blog straight from the International Builders Show (IBS). Waukesha homebuilder David Belman, of Belman Homes, attended the show and is highlighting some of the latest color trends that you will be seeing in the industry in the upcoming year. There is such diversity…
Lighting Trends (International Builders Show 2017) The International Builders Show and the KBIS Show are a great opportunities to see the latest and greatest new products for new homes. There are tons of great new products! In this article Wisconsin’s leading real estate agent, David Belman, focuses on the latest lighting trends to hit the industry. Bulbs: Edison bulbs were a…
You wouldn’t flush money down the toilet would you? Yet, I suspect many of you reading this article probably are, and don’t even realize it. Are you renting right now? If you are, that is precisely what you are doing. There is good news however; you can buy a brand new home. In fact, you…
What to Know Before Meeting a Builder Nothing can be more frustrating when buying a new home for both a home buyer and a builder than having an unproductive meeting. To make the most of your visit, make sure you either know or have the following: Meet with a lender and get pre-approved so you know…
So you want a new home? One of the early steps is purchasing a lot. Here are some tips to make purchasing a lot a smooth process: Before purchasing a lot, make sure you know the following: Have a survey or copy of the plat. If it is a rural lot make sure you have…
What is a Smart Home? Smart Homes are a relatively new development in home building. Smart Homes are homes that can be connected to mobile devices or accessed on a computer via the Internet to allow you to interface with certain components in the home. These homes typically will use either a wireless network or Bluetooth…
Things to Do in Waukesha So you are thinking of moving to Waukesha, or as some of the local lifers call it, “the sha”. We kid you not, “the sha” is a real term and is even defined in the Urban Dictionary as a reference to Waukesha. (Don’t believe me? Check it out!) You are probably wondering what kind of things there…
Building a New Home in Spring One of the most common comments we get from new home buyers is that they would like to build their home in Spring. Unfortunately, many clients first approach us in Spring and by then it is too late for a spring start. The general rule of thumb is that it…
Choosing a Lot: Buying a lot is the first big step when you build a new home. Milwaukee Home Builder, Belman Homes, has come up with valuable information to assist new home buyers shopping for a new lot. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a lot. Below are some of the factors we have…
Laying out a design and picking the amenities for your new home is thrilling but requires careful consideration. Use this infographic as a guide to see what you should be asking throughout the building process to create the perfect home for YOU!
Custom Builders vs. Production Builder: What Should You Choose? Building your dream home is one of the most exciting and rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s also one of the most challenging, time-consuming, expensive, and potentially nerve-wracking things you’ll ever do. But, let’s start with the basics. One of the most important decisions you’ll have…
How to Personalize Your Home: 7 Things You Must Not Neglect You did it! You’ve purchased a home. Now, it’s time to customize it and make it your own. Because we know that this part can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming, we’ve put together a list of essential home features custom homes need.…
When you walk into a home for the first time, whether you know it or not, you are paying attention to the floor. Flooring plays a major role in the look, feel, and ambiance of a room so poorly-maintained flooring can become an eyesore. When it comes to floor choices, it depends on your lifestyle,…
For those of us fortunate enough to have a basement, remodeling or upgrading one can feel like it is always out of reach. The question is, “is remodeling the basement really worth the time and money?” The answer is: Yes!
When it comes time to upgrade your kitchen, you might want to consider putting in some work on your backsplash. It may seem like a simple enough task, but choosing the right kind of tile for your backsplash can be a complicated affair. There are a number of factors one should consider that will ultimately…
When driving by, or visiting a custom home, have you ever stopped to marvel at the innovation, beauty, and precision of its design? You might ponder the time and effort required to build and fill its entirety; as is true of most great achievements, the best custom homes aren’t built without hours and hours of…
Modifying one’s living space can be a scary prospect, mostly due to the fear that it will cost a lot more money than you care to spend. This isn’t an unusual position to be in, but we are here to tell you that spending a lot of money isn’t always necessary. Here are some wallet-friendly…
Intro: Think Before You Build Take your visions and questions to a slew of design experts. The architects, designers, and contractors you make connections with can help preplan details and estimate costs.
As the saying goes, “Winter is coming, ” and you need to prepare your home to ensure you and your family stay safe and warm. There are numerous things everyone can do around their house to keep their home well-insulated and in top shape for whatever winter brings your way. We have compiled a few…
With new trends in the housing market, it is now cheaper to buy than rent in many cases. Along with being better on your pocketbook, here are 7 reasons why you should buy instead of renting your home. Clearly, the cost savings with buying your own home are reason enough. However, owning your home allows…
Your home is the investment of a lifetime, and this is true for reasons that go well beyond the price you pay. Home is the place where memories are made, where children are raised, and where friendships are formed. That’s why it’s so important to consider all of your options and make a choice that…
Deck lounging, afternoon barbecues, and nighttime cocktails – isn’t that what summer is all about? It can be if you put a little imagination and planning into your new home purchase.
After being stuck inside all winter, summer is not only a time for swimming, hot dogs, baseball games, and warmer weather, but it is also time to spend outdoors with family and friends. Summer calendars are often inundated with barbeques and pool parties, leaving people mostly outside to socialize.
Whether you are building a new home or personalizing a beautiful, newly built green home, there is no need to think big and expensive. In fact, sometimes the smallest of touches can the greatest WOW factor!
It’s interesting that such a small area of a home can be so very important, but it’s true. Designing the choicest of bathrooms is clearly an art. Part of the challenge rests in the sheer number of options available in terms of materials, colors, and accessories.
In part one of this article, we covered the first four tips on choosing the right builder. Let’s take a look at the next four reasons why choosing the right builder is imperative to achieving your dream home. Before you choose to go the route of a custom or production builder, you should decide what…
If you’re entertaining the idea of building a new home, you need to read this. It could save you a lot of headaches and buyer’s remorse.
When it comes time to sell your home, there is a laundry list of preparations: cleaning, repairs, staging, and, of course, applying a new coat of paint. You want the potential buyer to love the idea of making your house their home. Studies show that the color you pick for this fresh coat has more…
Building a new home is an exciting process, and it’s also often the investment of a lifetime. With a little planning, you can trim your home building expenses and use your savings to add special touches to your new home.
So, you’re ready to start down the trail of building a new house. You probably have the perfect vision of your dream home, and you’re ready to move in. Stop there! Dreams rarely come true without some upfront work, and building a home is certainly no different.
The 2017 Housing Market continues to show strong growth with low inventory levels, a median sales price increase of 5.2%, and a quarterly increase in new homes sales of 3.2% over Q1 in 2016, according to data provided by the Wisconsin Realtor’s Association.