Whether they know it or not, today’s home buyers have an array of options when it comes to mortgages. Despite the doom-and-gloom news surrounding the lending industry, Baby Boomers looking to build log homes where they will retire in the future still have choices, says Greg Ebersole, a loan officer with Graystone Mortgage in Mountville, Pennsylvania. “The media tends to play up the fact that it’s difficult to get a mortgage, but in reality it’s no harder th…
A 2009 survey (Housing for the 55+ Market—Trends and Insights on boomers and Beyond) by the NAHB and the MetLife Mature Market Institute confirmed assumptions that buyers age 55 and over are seeking smaller homes with a more efficient use of space. This a quite a contradiction to trends of the past decade, which saw a sharp increase in the desire for very large homes now dubbed “McMansions.” The study also showed that buyers in the Boomer market (ages 45-6…
Artistic architectural elements, a spectacular view, or even classic décor elements can combine to create a home of unspeakable beauty and functionality. But one element knits it all together: the floorplan. Whether the floorplan is selected from a design book or created as a one-of-a-kind design by a homeowner and architect team, it tells a story about a family and how they live in a home. “The way your home is laid out is very important. All the little details can make a huge impact on your home, so t…
When you plan a home—whether it is a vacation getaway or your primary home—there is a long list of important criteria to consider. Location often tops the list, followed closely by lifestyle. Nestled in a valley on more than 400 acres of rolling, forested hills in southwestern Wisconsin, this stunning timber-style home meets all the criteria for homeowners Mary and Jonathan. It’s within easy driving distance of their primary residence in Iowa, is set on plenty of acreage, and is spacious enough for ente…
After building and living in several different types of home, a Montana couple decided to combine logs and timber in a very innovative way. By mixing timber and stone on the outside and adding a decidedly contemporary look to the interior, they constructed a home that oozes good taste and pride of ownership. Located in Bozeman, Montana, and owned by a pair of young professionals, the two-story, 3,800-square-foot abode was built by Dovetail Construction of Bozeman. Tim Rote, Dovetail’s owner, says his co…
There may still be snow on the mountain peaks in some parts of North America, but there are many signs of the coming spring. The sun is warmer and the trees are sprouting new green foliage. The crocuses are blooming and the daffodils, lilies, and irises are showing signs of life. Indigenous animals are coming out of hibernation and reclaiming their territory (note the deer at the tree line in this photograph). Being a natural material, the wood of log & timber homes never looks b…
The Northwest has a variety of climate areas, from the Pacific Coast to the valley and, once over the mountains, a desert region—all within a few hours drive of each other. There are spectacular mountains, clear lakes and rivers, and wide open spaces as far as the eye can see. You’ll see everything from contemporary timber frames to log homes patterned after the National Park lodges of the early 20th century. You’ll surely find your personal heaven in such a diverse region…
The different types of construction and terms used to describe log and timber homes can be confusing to home buyers, especially when it comes to timber frame and post-and-beam homes. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between the two types of construction, and key questions to ask when you are planning your own home. “There are some basic similarities to post-and-beam construction and authentic timber framing,” says Stephanie Jo…
The environment and the family are certainly two causes that are linked together and worth nurturing. This fact is what prompted Hershey and Renée Gillman to build their magnificent Laurentian, Quebec, lakeside retreat. Certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which evaluates the environmental performance of a building, the house meets the highest international rating standards in construction related to health and the environment. This state-of-the art home uses less energy, wate…
The most beautiful log homes in the world all share a common bond: they started with excellent producers and builders who not only knew what they were doing, but who went the extra mile to make sure the homes exceeded their owners’ expectations. To make sure your log home falls into this category, there are a few easy steps you can take during the planning stages. For starters, you’ll want to put the time and effort into finding a producer and builder who understand your vision, wants, and needs a…
A typical Sunday afternoon at Larry and Sandi Lott’s log home feels like something out of a classic movie that’s set in the South. Sipping sweet tea and enjoying a beautiful, 360-degree view of Cyprus Black Bayou Lake, the Lotts, along with their friends and family, relax and unwind on a one-acre peninsula where the couple built their log cabin home in 2009. The Lotts, who are both retired and the owners of several homes, built their three-bedroom Benton, Louisiana, log home with the intention of r…
Christmas is the time for traditions—for honoring old ones and creating new. It’s a time for decking the halls, welcoming friends, and creating memories. Last year Honest Abe Log Homes engaged stylist Lexie Nale, owner of At My Front Door in Charleston, South Carolina, to create a home for the holidays at its model in Crossville, Tennessee. We talked with Nale to get her insight and advice about decorating a log home for Christmas. “Decorating a log home offers both challenges and opportunities,” N…
