Amenities Key as Homebuilding Begins Slow Recovery

For the first time in nearly four years, new home construction is showing signs of a belated, albeit slow recovery in many communities around the country, with new home sales rising 19 percent in May compared with the same month a year ago and permits for future residential construction rising by 25 percent from May 2011.

Photo Courtesy of Classic Homes

Mark Fuerstenberger, purchasing manager for Classic Homes, Colorado Springs, Colo., senses a change in consumer attitude with the uptick that started around the first of the year.

“I think a switch triggered in everybody’s mind. All of a sudden there was a lot less negativity,” Fuerstenberger says.

Classic Homes sold 167 homes during the first half of 2012, well over one-half of the company’s goal of 250 sales for the entire year.

“With interest rates as low as they have been for home buying and costs at the moment being down and knowing there’s only one direction they could possibly go, a lot of buyers think now is the time to buy,” he notes. “We’ve had a stellar start to the year. “

He said that consumers remain very cost-conscious when shopping for a new home. However, they are increasingly interested in adding high-end finishes and other amenities to the home. Builders are working to accomplish both.

“We bumped a few things down a little bit without compromising the quality of the home, but we put that money back into the home in finishes and the things that buyers would want to touch and feel,” Fuerstenberger adds.

Central vacuum systems are among the “touch and feel” preferences for many buyers because of their contributions to indoor air quality. Classic Homes works with BEAM Central Vacuum Systems by Electrolux. The two companies are exploring ways to pre-pipe Classic’s homes so buyers can either complete the installation of a system now, or adding a central vac later with minimal installation.

“People are looking at a new home as a longer-term investment than they did in the past. Protecting the investment and maintaining a healthier living environment are a high priority,” notes Jay Rollie, National Business Development Manager for BEAM. “As a result buyers are choosing products that are durable. They want more built-ins. And they want products that are convenient and easy to use.

“Central vacuum systems pass each test,” Rollie says.

BEAM Cited as Innovative Addition to Vision House

Editors of Green Builder magazine have selected the BEAM Serenity QS Central Vacuum System as one of the 25 top innovations included in Vision House LA. The system improves the indoor air quality of the home by capturing more dirt and allergens and completely removing them from the living space.

Read the cover story in the May-June issue.

BEAM Recognized as Ecofriendly

The summer issue of Ecohome Designs has named the BEAM Serenity IQS Central Vacuum System as one of "20 Ecofriendly Products We Love."

BEAM Featured in VISION House LA

LOS ANGELES -- A construction site in fashionable Pacific Palisades will become much more than an example of southern California luxury living. The home also will serve as an education and demonstration site for sustainable building and healthy living.

The VISION House Los Angeles incorporates California’s new mandatory green building standards, CalGreen, that emphasize performance, durability, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, efficient systems, and sustainable materials. The project is a joint effort of Green Builder Media and Structure Home, a Los Angeles-based builder. The project team will host a wide variety of educational, promotional, and community-focused events during and after completion.

The BEAM Serenity QS Central Vacuum System chosen for the project delivers up to five times the deep cleaning power of a conventional vacuum. It removes 100 percent of contacted dirt and allergens from the living area without stirring up dust inside the home. The system has been clinically proven to relieve allergies. The BEAM system also qualifies for green building certification points in both the National Association of Homebuilders and LEED green building standards.

Remodling Season is Here

The return of warm weather throughout the country also marks the return of the home improvement season. Odds are you'll be among the millions of homeowners who will spend an estimated $113 billion on home remodling projects this year.

Certainly, most projects will add value to your home, but not necessarily as much as they will cost. Installing a BEAM Central Vacuum System comes very close, typically adding $1,200 or more to the value of the home. Plus, it will improve the air quality of the home.

Remodeling magazine has put together an excellent online tool to compare the cost and the value of a number of major improvements. And it breaks down the cost and benefits by region and by scale.

Mama Loves Her BEAM

It's fairly common for people to move into an existing home that is equipped with an old central vacuum. That was the case for Brett Martin, her husband three young children and white Labrador moved into a 1970s era home in Ohio. The old central vacuum power unit wasn't doing the job and the hose was worn out. So she relied on uprights to clean the house.

Brett, who founded the popular blog, Mamalovesherbargains, decided to give a central vacuum another try. She learned how a BEAM Central Vacuum System can relieve allergies -- an important consideration since one of her sons has allergies. She chose the BEAM Serenity QS Central Vacuum System with the BEAM Q PowerTeam. 

"We were wowed," she wrote.

Read her full product review.

BEAM Featured in Builder Concept Homes

One of the highlights of the International Builders Show is the unveiling of new homes that showcase the latest products and design. Centerline homes has built three near Orlando that are featured as Builder magazine's Builder Concept Homes for 2012.

Each of the homes is designed for a different generation in a community that seeks an broad mix of homes and homeowners. There's a Gen B home for Baby Boomers, a Gen X home and a Gen Y home.

BEAM Serenity IQS Central Vacuum Systems were installed in the Gen B and Gen X homes to assure healthy indoor air quality.