Hawkseye community in Lewes has been a hotbed of activity in the last several years despite the economic environment in other communities. That being said, there are still quite a few lots that have not been built on or sold yet. Hawkseye’s offers quick access to the local schools, Cape Henlopen State Park and the town of Lewes which makes it a very desirable location for young families.

Echelon will be introducing a Hawkseye series of homes plans that will be available to public in the summer of 2012. This  series will offer 5 home plans that range in size from 2,500 – 4,500 square feet. These homes have been custom designed specifically for Hawkseye lots based on our extensive knowledge of the community and upon our discussions with many of the current Hawkseye homeowners as well as prospective buyers.

These homes will feature:

• Welborne Cabinets with granite countertops
• Appliances from the GE Profile line
• Kohler plumbing fixtures
• Tankless water heaters
• Fiber Cement siding
• An extensive choice of structural options and upgrade

Renderings, floorplans and detailed information on Hawkseye New Home Series coming next. Stay tuned!

Echelon Custom Homes offers Holiday Incentives available to prospective new clients!

Sign a design contract with Echelon Custom Homes by Dec.31th, 2011 & sign your construction contract by Feb.28th, 2012 and you will  RECEIVE A $20,000 CREDIT TOWARDS FURNITURE PURCHASE for you new home at Echelon Interiors.

Many people are unsure of what to do with tile in their homes.  I am here to help.

There are many options when it comes to tile.  Ceramic tile works for use indoors, where temperatures are consistent and is usually available at a lower cost.  Porcelain tile is more durable than ceramic and can be used indoors or outs as it can withstand extreme temperature changes.  Pricing on this can vary from inexpensive too expensive. Glass tile has become very popular in recent years.  While some can be found for a good price, many tend to be more expensive.  The most expensive option is natural stone.  This can cost 2-10 times more than a man made tile but has a look that is difficult to replicate with man-made products.

Next you consider the edging of the tile. Rectified tile has a clean sharp edge and can be spaced closer together virtually eliminating any grout lines. Irregular tile requires a wider grout line and is most common in natural tile. Choosing a slip resistant tile for floors is a safer option leaving polished tiles for walls. I recommend when working on a tight budget in a bathroom to choose a less expensive tile for the walls and floors and add in an accent tile through the shower. You can spend a little more on this since it will be used sparingly. When doing a kitchen backsplash I often mix more than one tile using the same technique listed above. Choose an affordable tile then mix in a 3” or 4” strip of a more expensive tile and it will dress up the less expensive tile in a way you never imagined.  Manufacturers have come a long way in creating man made tiles that replicate a natural stone, so before opening up your wallet ask to see what they have available. The less times a tile company repeats a pattern in a tile collection the more it looks like the real thing. Don’t be afraid to get creative with patterns as this will give your space a more custom look.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Emil Ceramiche, Keystone tiles come in four different colors and only repeat their patterns every 60 + tiles…this creates a close match to a natural stone at less than a quarter the price.  This product is available through Architectural Ceramic Interiors in Rockville, MD.

• DalTile I like to use the Stone Radiance Collection.  These come in 12×12 mesh sheets and mix natural stone with glass.  Cutting these in half and hanging a 6” strip through a shower dresses the space up considerably while only using one box of a more expensive product.

•  DalTile, check out their line of San Michelle tiles.  Great look without a high price tag to match.   Dal is one of the largest manufacturers of tile in our country and can be found at most tile showrooms as well as the big box stores.

Be sure to create a timeless space that you can enjoy for many years to come by avoiding items that are too trendy. Happy tiling!

1. What is the builder’s financial situation? Many builders have been hurt by the housing downturn and are having trouble meeting their financial obligations. Financial stress has caused builders to cut back on their staff and operate their business with a skeleton crew, which means it will be difficult for these builders to build a quality home and provide adequate customer service. In addition, some of these builders are close to bankruptcy and may not be able to finish your home. To determine a builder’s financial situation, you can ask questions like: How much debt does your company have? How many unsold Spec homes do you have? Are you currently in any form of “workout” with any bank? Can I see a copy of your most recent company bank statement? Good financially sound builders will gladly answer these questions and provide you with any documentation you request.
2. Who specifically will be building my home? It is important that you meet the actual person or team of people that will be onsite as your home is being built. The quality of your home will be directly related to the skill and experience of the superintendent building your home. Many custom builders have owners who are experienced builders and good salesmen but these “owners” are usually not onsite as your home is being built. Make sure you interview the person who will actually be building your home before you contract with a builder.
3. Does your company have a dedicated customer service department with separate staff and equipment? Most custom home builders do not have a customer service department and thus will provide minimal customer support after delivery of the home. In our research, this was a major source of frustration for custom home buyers. With custom homes, it is inevitable that issues will arise that need to be addressed by the builder. Without a customer service department, it will be very difficult for a builder to provide sufficient customer support. Unfortunately, most custom builders do not have much interest in allocating resources to customers who have already paid them in full.

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