Energy-Efficient Options Remain High as Homeowners Downsize

Julie LaTerra Homes is excited to make available to you some key findings from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the 2nd quarter 2009.

Reflecting homeowner preferences, this survey focused on home design trends that are gaining popularity in the areas of home function, systems and products. Almost five hundred residential architects, covering all facets of the residential design profession, were surveyed on emerging design preferences of homeowners.

The study found with homes downsizing and prices shrinking, homeowners continue to choose energy-efficient options and low maintenance products while scaling back on special function rooms such as media rooms/ home theaters, exercise rooms, guest or kid wings, and three-car garages. Yet Julie LaTerra Homes’ buyers are still using their homes as passionately as ever. For instance, home offices, still the most popular ‘special function’ room, may be used to limit commuting to work, or as the principle office for a growing numbers of home-based self-employed workers and small businesses.

Energy-efficiency is tops on the list of homeowner’s requests. Double and triple glazed windows, low-maintenance materials, extra attic insulation and alternative home insulation (such as spray foam, structural foam panels or our favorite – healthy cellulose) continues to increase in popularity at Julie LaTerra Homes. Other popular home features such as first-floor master bedroom suites, elevators and ramps, and easy-to-use features such as door handles and faucets all improve accessibility within your home.

The survey found popular systems in homes focused on energy efficiency such as geothermal heating and cooling heat pumps are also increasing in popularity. Systems for energy management, water reclamation/graywater collection, and air purification were also high on homeowner’s popularity lists.

Water saving and conserving products, “green” flooring, and synthetic-based products (such as countertops, siding, trim and decking) are other products gaining popularity by a majority of homeowners and can all be found at Julie LaTerra Homes.

After-Hours Consulting ... Free!!

Don't forget about tomorrow night's After-Hours consulting session! We're utilizing social media in a whole new way - by using it to offer free consulting! Join us HERE every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 for free after-hours consulting with Julie. You've asked - now you shall receive! Pitch discussion topics and questions by contacting us at www.JulieLaTerraHomes.com!

Julie LaTerra Homes Designs Center on Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers looking for a different approach to custom homebuilding in Charlotte, NC have a unique opportunity to own a new home designed around their lifestyle needs. The Julie LaTerra Homes Design Center, conveniently located near I-77 in Huntersville, NC, offers a variety of home plans and features that are specifically tailored to Baby Boomers.
Julie LaTerra Homes offers a unique custom homebuilding method based on the concepts of livability and aging in place, which allows aging homeowners to continue living in their home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level. With 72% of the population 45 and older wanting to remain in their own home as they grow older, Julie LaTerra Homes has developed the Built for Baby Boomers collection of home plans offering selections and options that allow the home to grow with the homeowner.
The Built for Baby Boomers collection of floor plans is designed to provide this generation of homeowners the ability to "right size" instead of downsize. Many Empty Nesters and Baby Boomers look forward to the day when the children have left the nest and their homes become totally catered to their needs. It's an exciting time offering these buyers groups' endless possibilities to customize their world.
The key to being able to design the perfect home for this type of buyer is to identify the changing needs of the individual or couple and to maximize the design for the possibilities of aging in place. At Julie LaTerra Homes we have the expertise to guide our clients with identifying their changing needs and to help them 'right size' instead of downsize using our unique floor plans and options. All plans include additional storage space, relaxation areas, formal and casual entertainment space and flexible rooms that can change along with a homewoner's particular need during any stage of life.
Julie LaTerra Homes has created the Design Center to showcase a variety of custom home options to accomodate the needs and lifestyle of today's Baby Boomers. Homebuyers interested in building a custom home are invited to visit the Julie LaTerra Homes Design Center for a free consultation to explore the opportunities to own a new home from the Baby Boomers collection.
Personal design consultants are available to help homebuyers choose from hundreds of design ideas or thousands of decorator solutions to customize a home that will fit their lifestyle and personality for many years to come. The designers at Julie LaTerra Homes cinsider all of the features and components important to Baby Boomers while informing buyers about the finish and feature options. Homebuyers can choose from the Built for Baby Boomer home plans or work with a design consultant to develop a personalized home plan.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Charlotte's Growth Is Moving North and So Have We

Home builder Julie LaTerra Homes, expands business north to Huntersville

Known for our woman-focused fresh approach to custom home building, Julie LaTerra Homes opened its Lake Norman New Home Design Center to better align ourselves with Charlotte’s growth.

“Charlotte's growth is moving north and so have we! We see our move to Huntersville as being beneficial to our company as a whole,” said Julie LaTerra. “Our biggest new home markets are located near metro areas where there is an abundance of readily affordable land and the Lake Norman/Statesville area will provide significant growth for our company in the years to come.”

As Charlotte’s premier custom home builder, Julie LaTerra Homes currently builds on your lot and in communities as well.

“The new Julie LaTerra Homes Lake Norman Design Center allows for easy access from I-77, only 14 miles from downtown Charlotte, and 29 miles from Statesville, and remains a key strategy in our company’s plans for future growth,” Julie said.

The move comes on the heels of our successful 2007 launch in the Charlotte market. We've seen the Charlotte real estate market embrace our Made from Scratch™ philosophy of providing custom homes affordably. In June, Julie LaTerra Homes will unveil our newest small home designs, Julie’s Jewel Box Collection; along with The Recipe Builder, an interactive custom home design experience.

“Our move north positions us in an area of growth that aligns with the demographics of our buyers. We are already starting to see the fruit of that effort.”

Julie LaTerra Homes offers exceptional personalized service and a streamlined building process that enables our buyers to build their dream home in 100 days or less. Julie LaTerra Homes Made from Scratch™ approach to custom homebuilding has gained great popularity with buyers and Realtors in the Carolinas.

Julie LaTerra, CEO, Wife, Mother, Designer and experienced Homebuilder, is a Connecticut native with over twenty-five years of homebuilding experience. As a woman-focused custom homebuilder, our inspired creative designs will grow with any life stage. Julie LaTerra Homes, as a woman owned business, has a “Build On Your Lot” program letting you decide where you want to live.

Directions: From I-77 North, take Exit 23 Gilead Rd. At the end of the exit, turn left onto Gilead Rd. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Reese Boulevard. Follow 3/10th of a mile and bear right. Take an immediate left in The Park’s ‘Kemp Building’, Suite 110, on the first floor for your convenience.

Julie LaTerra Homes Design Center Hours
Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Sundays by appointment

For more information, visit http://www.julielaterrahomes.com/ or call 704.875.3980