3D Home Plans

I work for a custom home builder and am currently working on new floor plan ideas. When purchasing a new home what are some features that make / break a home for you? Is there anything specific you look for when you tour potential homes? Please keep in mind that these homes are priced mid-higher end for our region. What are the average number of bedrooms and baths you look for? Is there a specific kitchen cabinet finish or granite finish you look for? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as we build mainly spec homes that go on the market and then need to appeal to the mass of home buyers.

when looking at homes, there was always one room that sold the home. make one room so special. i think where the whole family gathers, a kitchen, den, playroom and make it as outstanding as you can something unique in there that you just don’t see in every home….always 2 1/2 bath. not too big, not too small just right….

The first thing you must know is what you want so go to a book store a browse the Home Plans magazines and don’t be afraid to take the pieces from one home that you like and add it to another. By looking at a lot of the plans you can narrow down what you like.

It’s important to know the dimensions you are looking for so get a tape measure out to give yourself a rough idea of what room sizes you need. Remember the human frame needs approximately 2 feet to pass through an opening to feel comfortable. High ceilings add space (not too high, just 9-10 feet) without adding a tremendous amount of money. Most of the money is in the footprint of the house so up is generally cheaper than sprawling.

Also to consider is how to decorate the finished home. Many people build their dream home and find that there is no comfortable way to decorate the space because this was not taken into account before the construction. There are interior design books available at bookstores now that include tips on designing a room that has removeable and placeabel furniture inserts in them to play around with furniture placement. Remember you live on the inside of your house and if you like the inside the exterior will take care of itself.

Don’t be afraid to sketch-out some ideas on graph paper and remember that typically when building a home depending upon where you build there is a set price for $/sqft. — some neighborhoods are $300/sqft with others that are much less. Research your budget first, then the location that you need / want and can afford.

However, the most important step is to do some research on what your needs are, what you or or family’s lifestyle is (where do you spend most of your time, what would help your family work/function better — have more peace, etc.). Finding something that accomodates your desire is easier after you know exactly what it is. After you have the basics down, how many bedrooms, bathrooms (and sizes); consider the size and lay-out of your kitchen and common areas as these will be the most used areas of the house in most cases but not always. The rest will be easy to recognize in a home plan book.

These plans come pre-drawn and at reasonable prices; if modifications are necessary an architech can make them if they have a rough idea of what you need/want. You don’t want to go to an architect until you are pretty sure of what you need and what you can afford. Often times what you need and can afford are very similar it’s the "wants" that cost so much extra.

Good luck and congratulations on such an exciting adventure.

I want to loose 20-30 lbs. this summer but I don’t really know how to make a home exercise plan. I know that you are supposed to do a differt muscle/body part each day, but I don’t know how to make it work. I also would like a diet or something to stick to. How long should I workout each day? If you have an opinion PLZ tell me. Thanks

your workout plans should consists of weight training 5 days a week and cardio 3-4 day off-season and 6-7 days pre-contest. When training, you will find your body responds better to heavy weight training. Every 3-4 weeks you should also add eccentric training. However, when your a month out from a competition then you should incorporate light weights with supersets and drop sets. train 2 days on, one day off and then repeat. This helps you from getting burned out and gives you plenty of rest. On your days off from lifting, do 45 mins. to an hour of cardio, with abs, calves, and stretching. you will also find that plyometric training really helps to lean out your legs and is also a great challenge!

typically workout 5 days a week. Here is a great workout program:

Monday: (am) 45 min. cardio – (pm) Chest / Biceps / Abs
Tuesday: (am) 45 min. cardio – (pm) Back, 45 min. cardio
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: (am) 45 min. cardio – (pm) Legs, 10 min cool down on bike
Friday: (am) 45 min. cardio – (pm) Shoulders / Triceps, 45 min. cardio
Saturday: (am) plyometric training – Abs/ Calves
Sunday: OFF
you should increase or decrease cardio as needed according to your physique eat clean ALL year. In the off season eat one cheat meal a week, but during the contest season, it’s game time! In the off season it is hard not be afraid of carbs. But, the end result will be an increase in lean muscle.

get your carbs from oats, cream of wheat, brown rice, and plain rice cakes, and taper out your carbs by the evening.

protein sources come from chicken, lean turkey, lean hamburger, cod, salmon, tuna, egg whites and whey protein.

Meal 1: 3 Tbsp. cream of wheat or 1/3 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop Premium Whey Protein (chocolate or vanilla) & glutamine

Meal 2: 4 oz. chicken, 1 1/2 cups broccoli or green beans

Meal 3: Tuna or cod, 1 1/2 cups salad

Meal 4: 4 oz. chicken, "Greens First" drink and glutamine

Meal 5: 6 egg whites, 1-2 plain rice cakes with sugar free jelly (post training)

Meal 6: 1 1/2 scoops Premium Whey Protein, glutamine and broccoli.

* add almonds and Udo’s oil to some meals accordingly.

Diet, Diet, Diet! It really is the key to getting and staying lean. If you want a set of abs, then you have to be strict with what you eat. You cannot afford to eat heavy carbs and sweet stuff as it will only cause fat gains. Eat clean and stick to lean sources of protein and clean carbs.