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Wausau Homes Blog
Get homebuilding advice, hear about current trends, and learn company news.
BUILDING VS. BUYING: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
When you find yourself in the market for a new house, one of the first choices you need to make is whether to buy an existing house or build new. There are pros and cons to both, and ultimately, your decision will be decided largely by your family’s circumstances and your budget. But even when you have a neat pro and con list written out, building a custom home versus buying an existing home can be a tough decision. We’re here to help! Keep reading for details that will help you make a decision you feel good about.
GUIDE TO BUYING A VACANT LOT
For many people, the vision of building a custom home is very romantic. You can probably imagine yourself decorating a space you designed specifically for yourself and your family—adding little personal touches here and there, welcoming friends and family for warm, intimate dinners and outdoor parties. And all of that is well within your reach, but there are a few important steps to tackle. First, you have to find the perfect piece of property. Unless you have a specific neighborhood or housing development already in mind, buying a vacant lot to build a house on can be easier said than done. But we’re experts at everything custom home here at Wausau Homes, so we have some useful tips to make the process of finding your perfect lot easier and more fun. Check out our tried-and-true tips!
3 BENEFITS OF SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY
Smart home technology is all about the automation and management of your daily life. Many tasks that once required human interaction have been made easier thanks to new automated technology. Perhaps the most important benefit to home automation is that it lets you customize your home to fit your family’s unique needs and lifestyle.
HOW TO SECURE FINANCING FOR YOUR NEW HOME
It’s one thing to decide you’re ready to purchase a new home—paying for that new home is an entirely different animal. And if you’re building a house instead of purchasing an existing home, there’s a whole world of options available to you. If you’re already feeling a little overwhelmed, take a deep breath! At Wausau Homes, we live and breathe new-home financing and we are here to help! Keep reading to learn more!
AUGUST HOME BUILDER SPOTLIGHT: SEAN VOGLER & JOHNA GARDNER
Meet our August Builders of the Month, Sean Vogler & Johna Gardner of Wausau Homes Moline. Sean and Johna understand that homebuilding is a complex process and everyone’s needs are different. Sean and Johna's team don’t build one-size-fits-all homes—their first priority is working with you to create the perfect design that fits your family. Whether you need a place to raise your children, a weekend getaway, or flexible space for an office, or visiting grandparents, there is a perfect design for you. Keep reading to get to know Johna on a more personal level with our Q&A.
HOW TO CHOOSE A COLOR SCHEME FOR YOUR NEW HOME
Whether you’re a committed minimalist or gravitate more toward opulence, color can be a game-changer when it comes to making your house a home. But just as furniture and finishes are subject to trends, so are color schemes. The wrong color choice can date your home immediately or turn your formerly light-filled living room into a virtual black hole. Fortunately, arming yourself with some key tips and basic knowledge about color schemes goes a long way in helping you settle on the right colors for your new home. Keep reading!
3 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE PERFECT FLOOR PLAN
Buying a house is a big commitment, but starting from scratch and selecting every detail is an even bigger commitment. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your new home is exactly what you need—and what you want. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, you aren’t alone. After all, no one wants to move into their brand-new, custom designed home and realize that the pantry is way too small. There’s a lot of pressure to make all the right choices in your custom home! When you work with an experienced custom home builder, however, you’re already ahead of the game. The best builders have years of experience under their belts, and they are fantastic resources when it comes to customizing your dream home. But to get the most out of your experience and make doubly sure that your new home is exactly what you need and want, follow our three tips for choosing the perfect floor plan.
JULY HOME BUILDER SPOTLIGHT: JEFF SIMMS
Meet our July Builder of the Month, Jeff Simms of Wausau Homes Marshalltown. Jeff understands that homebuilding is a complex process and everyone’s needs are different. Jeff and his team don’t build one-size-fits-all homes—their first priority is working with you to create the perfect design that fits your family. Whether you need a place to raise your children, a weekend getaway, or flexible space for an office, or visiting grandparents, there is a perfect design for you. Keep reading to get to know Jeff on a more personal level with our Q&A.
YOUR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING MUST-DOS
Lazy summer days are perfect for entertaining friends and family outdoors—there’s not much better than al fresco dinner parties on long, sunlit evenings. Or if your family includes children who need to get out some energy before bedtime, summer days are the perfect opportunity to coat the kids in sunscreen, hand them popsicles and plenty of water, and send ‘em outside. The caveat here is that outdoor entertaining is really fun only if you’re prepared with the right stuff to make sure everyone has a ball while staying cool, comfortable, and bug bite-free. Ready to learn more about the must-dos for entertaining in the great outdoors? Check out our list below!
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The lighting you choose for inside your home makes a huge difference in the feel of each room. And although outdoor lighting is equally important, it often gets overlooked. If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to your home’s outdoor lighting until the sun goes down. The reality, however, is that outdoor lighting is important both to the look of your house and the safety of your guests and family members—and in most cases, it needs to go beyond a simple porch light and a motion-activated flood light at each corner of your house. Not sure where to start? Keep reading!
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT - CERTAINTEED
Meet our June Vendor Spotlight, CertainTeed, a leading North American brand of exterior and interior building products!
5 BEST WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME FOR SUMMER
If rising temperatures haven’t yet made their way to your area, they’re probably just around the corner. Summer heat can be a welcome change from months of winter, but only if your A/C can keep up! Preparing your home in advance ensures that you’re ready when the thermometer spikes into the 80s. Not sure how to get your home ready for the summer months? Keep reading for our five best tips!
JUNE HOME BUILDER SPOTLIGHT: JOSH OSMER
Meet our June Builder of the Month, Josh Osmer of Wausau Homes North Aurora. Josh worked for a homebuilding company in his younger years, and he eventually branched out to start his own construction company. Now, Josh is an expert at navigating the homebuilding process and is ready to help make every buyer’s custom home building experience an enjoyable one from start to finish. Keep reading to get to know Josh on a more personal level with our Q&A.
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT - WOODPORT
Meet our May Vendor Spotlight, Woodport, making doors in Shawano, Wisconsin, the heart of the Midwest.