Get your part of American Dream

A home is more than just a structure where people take up residency. Owning a home means freedom, financial independence and security. For many, owning a home brings a feeling of success, knowledge that they’ve obtained their own bit in the American dream. And of course, a home — according to Dorothy as well as millions of home owners — well, there’s no place quite like it.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has designated April as New Homes Month. In addition to all the benefits of being a homeowner, new homes offer safety, amenities, energy efficiency and lifestyle like never before.

Safety to Forefront

Technological advances mean that today’s homes are safer, because new homes take advantage of breakthroughs in building science. For example, hard-wired and interconnected smoke alarms bring a new level of fire safety to new homes. If one alarm goes off in the garage, they will all go off, giving your family ample time to get to safety. New fire-resistant construction materials, such as better electrical wiring, mean less chance of a dangerous electrical fire. Tempered glass, now found in many patio doors and windows, means less chance of an injury should one break.

More Energy Efficient

It is easier than ever for home shoppers looking at a new home to get access to energy-efficient construction. Builders nationwide are embracing new green building techniques designed to help protect our environment while saving you money. They also have an ever-expanding array of products and materials to choose from to enable them to make a house more resource-efficient and water-thrifty.

Many participate in programs like ENERGY STAR®, promoting energy-efficient appliances, and WaterSense, promoting water efficiency. ENERGY STAR®-rated windows keep heat in during the winter and out during hot summer months, saving you money on heating and cooling costs, and high-tech insulation ensures even temperatures throughout a new home while using less energy.

As more and more consumers demand a “leaner” home, builders are responding by returning to age-old practices, like siting a home to take the best advantage of sunlight and shade. Recent innovations like solar shingles (not just solar roof panels), light-conserving windows, and insulation made from recycled materials are also changing the market.

Choice of Lifestyles

Today’s new homes offer more of what buyers want. Because of increased demands for larger socializing spaces in the home, larger kitchens are becoming more common. New homes also feature more bathrooms and more storage space.

Consumers are seeking greater ceiling heights, walk-in showers with multiple heads, three-car garages and outdoor entertainment spaces with fireplaces and grills. And builders are responding with new homes that provide these features.

So why do Americans like new homes? The answer lies in choice. People want to be able to personalize their home with their own tile, flooring and appliance choices. In a new home, the consumer can select virtually everything down to the knobs on their kitchen cabinets. It’s all part of the American Dream.

For information on why now is a great time to buy, visit www.nahb.org/timetobuy or contact the Spokane Home Builders Association at (509) 532-4990.

If you are more interested in renovating your current home, you will have the opportunity to come talk to nearly 200 industry professionals at the Premier Home Improvement Show, presented by Direct Buy, April 20-22 at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. Participating vendors from the local building industry will showcase exciting products and services available to assist you in both your interior and exterior home improvement projects.

Go to www.spokanespremiershow.com for show hours and other event details.

Note: Information provided in this article is courtesy of the National Association of Home Builders.