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Questions to Ask and Things to Look for When Visiting a Dealer’s Model Log Cabin or Log Home

Preparation for the visit:

Of course there is nothing wrong with visiting a model log cabin “cold turkey” or as the first step in your search for your dream log cabin. However, a log cabin is a major investment. One should not make such a decision without appropriate “due diligence.” Any log kit purchased on the spur of the moment to qualify for a “special sale” could very well be the wrong decision.

● If you are serious about log cabins, you should research log cabins on the Internet, subscribe to one or more log cabin magazines and purchase log cabin literature from at least two log home companies.

● Prior to visiting a model, it would be helpful to visit log cabins owned by friends. Ask them questions; seek their advice.

● Bring this document and a 16’ – 20’ steel tape with you.

● Bring any photographs and/or magazines with photographs of features you would like to see in your log cabin.

● Bring any log cabin literature with features you would like to see in your log cabin. The literature need not be published by the company that owns the model you will be visiting.

● By now you should have decided whether you prefer contemporary log cabin designs (lots of glass, open floor plans, high ceilings) or traditional designs (separate rooms, 8’ ceilings, wrap around porches). Of course a blend of the two designs is also an option.

● If you have found a log cabin floor plan this fits your life style or is close to what you are looking for, bring that along.

The visit: You can keep notes in the blank spaces below.

● Note those features, including the décor, in the home that you would like in your home and those features that do not appeal to you.

● Ask the dealer if his homes are designed to accommodate shrinkage of the log walls. If so, how is this accomplished? If not, why is this not necessary?

● What species of wood is used in the exposed beams and log walls, and why?

● What exactly is included in the dealer’s log kit?

● It may take a little “nerve” but open several windows to see if they operate easily; or, do they stick and require some strength to open and close?

● Is the customer free to select the windows & exterior doors of his/her choice or must the customer purchase the brand offered by the dealer?

● If you have a floor plan (or a marked up floor plan) that interests you, ask the dealer to give you an estimate on the kit cost. The dealer should ask a few questions to clarify some points but he/she should be willing to do so. It may take a few days to get back to you with the estimate.

● Is the roof system (especially the cathedral ceiling) vented to allow for cooling of the shingles?

● Now the steel tape. Everyone has difficulty visualizing room dimension. Is a 14’ x 16’ master bedroom adequate? How about a great room that is 25’ x 15’ or a kitchen 12’ x 10’? Pull out the steel tape and take a few measurements. A model home is the perfect place to take measurements because the rooms will be furnished. Based on these measurements, you may well decide to change room dimensions in your dream log home.

● Note any hand rail systems. There are many options on the market. Perhaps you prefer something other than what you see in the model.

● How does the dealer’s manufacturer recommend wiring switches & receptacles in the log walls.

● Note the “checks” (perhaps best identified as “cracks”) in the logs and solid timbers. These are natural characteristics of solid wood and do not degrade the logs or timbers.

● Ask the dealer about exterior and interior finishes. What does he/she recommend and how often is it necessary to refinish.

● Ask the dealer about the threat of and treatment options for insects (for example, power post beetles, termites and Carpenter Bees.).

● Ask the dealer for references, i.e., homeowners that have purchased from him/her in the past. At least call several references; ideally, visit one or more references.

● If the home will not be constructed by a company builder, ask for the names of experienced local builders. When talking to local log builders, ask for references.

● Ask the dealer if there are homes under construction that you can visit. Most log cabin owners are fiercely proud of their home and eager to show it.

● Ask for contact information on insurance companies that offer homeowner policies to log cabin owners.

● Ask for contact information on lending institutions that finance log homes. When talking to lenders ask for references. Shop for financing just as you would shop for any major purchase – go for the best deal. Visit Lenders that Offer Log Home Loans &

Mortgages [http://www.log-home-loans.htm]. This is perhaps the largest such directory on the Internet.

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Posted by Log Man - May 1, 2012 at 6:18 am

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Luxury Log Home Community – Nature Meets Resort Style Amenities

Luxury log homes give residents the chance to live in an attractive environment that uses nature’s resources to create unique housing opportunities. Log homes collaborate with nature to create a home atmosphere for each resident. The popularity of log homes has caused residential developers to develop luxury log home communities. These communities contain residents with similar interests and similar commitments to the environment. Log home residents know that log homes are luxury homes that can be customized to the resident’s specifications. Log home communities offer visitors unique views of exotic housing in the hills and mountains of the United States.

Log home communities are often found in secluded areas that give residents the chance to enjoy nature without the disturbance of a metropolitan lifestyle. These communities are committed to protecting the natural state of the forests and hills where these homes are located. Residents ensure that they will be able to enjoy their surrounding environment by maintaining the area and protecting the terrain.

The Blue Ridge Parkway area is home to many residents who live in luxury log home communities. This area is popular because of the relaxing atmosphere that the area offers to visitors. Communities within this area embrace the soothing views and overlooks that are scattered around the area. Log home communities give residents the chance to be surrounded by people with similar wants and expectations. The design and layouts of these communities encourages residents to get out and enjoy the natural environment that surrounds the area. Log homes within these communities are separated by the forests, and offer residents the privacy and seclusion around their homes.

Luxury log homes are strategically built to supplement the terrain that surrounds the property. Log home communities are designed to encompass the luxury design of the builder with the natural elegance of the area’s environment creating a peaceful atmosphere. The master planned communities offer residents with amenities like low noise level, scenic views, and complete privacy. Location is the most important factor when building a log home community. Building log homes within hills and forests allows the homes to embrace the wilderness of the area. Log home communities are not popular in cities and suburbs because the environment in these areas does not add to the experience that comes with owning a log home and living in a log home community.

Traditional master planned communities offer residents amenities like golf courses, spas, retail stores. Luxury log home communities give residents the chance to enjoy natural amenities like streams and animal life. Both communities have amenity expectations that enhance the lifestyles of residents within the communities.

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Posted by Log Man - May 1, 2012 at 2:38 am

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Log Home Basics and Country Landscaping Ideas

For many homeowners, the last thing you think about when building your dream home is the outward appearance and the natural surroundings. The number of bedrooms and baths, the kitchen layout, and the amount of storage are certainly the first things on your mind. After that comes décor strategizing, which is not surprising considering how much time one spends inside their home. Siding, roofing, and other exterior nuances are put off to the last moment. Therefore it may be surprising to hear that rustic log home house plans are finding a new place in home building.

Once considered a simple look, log and country homes are so much more than a basic box-shaped rustic home touched by nature. Today’s log and country styles are warm, inviting, and just as varied as any other home plan. Both country and log homes can be simply rustic or ornately expansive. And you can choose between small log home plans or larger ones. Technological advances and modern day conveniences are certainly not out of place in these current styles.

Beyond aesthetics, why choose a log or country home over anything else? It all boils down to the details. Logs are the only self-renewing building resource found in nature. The harvesting of logs leaves a smaller footprint than processing procedures of other resources. Not only do log home resources take less energy to produce, they save energy for the homeowner. Logs have a thermal mass that absorbs heat and slowly releases it over time. This ability to manage heat provides log homes with a better R-value than traditional insulation. The weather stays outside where it belongs and the HVAC bills remain within budget for the homeowner.

Additionally, logs are relatively easy for experienced builders to utilize. They are exceptionally strong; the frame of a log or timber frame home can often bear the entire weight of the structure. With proper treatment, logs are durable against all threats of weather and damage. Since logs “breathe”, moisture never builds up considerably, keeping away mold and insect damage. The sheer mass of the logs used in construction makes the home strong enough to withstand most severe weather. The nearly impervious structure of these homes is growing more attractive to financial and insurance institutions making it easier than ever for homeowners to get the proper financing and insurance for their desired dream home.

Beyond the construction materials, luxury log home plans offer landscaping opportunities that look better than with other style of homes. When it comes to landscaping country and log homes, it is best to create a look that flows with the natural aesthetics of the architecture. You need plant life that appeals to the natural look without upstaging the visual appeal of the home itself.

First, take into consideration your climate and soil types. For many homeowners, the lower maintenance the plant, the better it is. The perfect option is using native plants in your landscaping areas; however, this does not mean wild plants! While a perfectly orderly garden does not entirely match the exterior or a rustic log home, an informal garden does not have to be out of control. Hardscaping such as trellises, stone pathways, fences and retaining walls manage the plant life and add an extra layer of visual interest.

Before purchasing plants, take the time to look around and plan the space appropriately. Certain plant life cannot exist harmoniously together in one garden space. Some plants may require more care than you are willing to provide. Be realistic about the space you have available. It is important to plan and install all hardscape before you select plants and flowers. Plants can grow around fences and paths. Trying to install hardscape after planting can damage much of your plant life.

If your space is limited, container gardening may be just the thing for your home. Teapots, watering cans, and even large jugs can house a great variety of plants. Be careful of keeping containers too close, as plants can blossom and strangle one another’s growth. Container gardening is also ideal for creating a warm front porch atmosphere. Remember that porches greatly impact curb appeal, so you want to keep the look inviting rather than overwhelming.

With rustic homes gaining popularity, it may be a good idea to examine exterior options before you settle on a home plan. Log and country home plans offer a fun opportunity to build a dream home that dares to step out of the box. Anyone can have a cookie cutter home, but a one-of-a-kind look is truly a dream.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 11:26 pm

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Log Home Builders – It’s Easier to Go With Kits

Log home builders can do excellent work, if you have the money and the time set aside. There’s nothing wrong with hiring a log cabin building company to construct a beautiful log home for you, as long as you are prepared for the expenses and are prepared to wait the needed time to move into your completed rustic home. But there are better, less expensive and more expedient ways to go about this, and without sacrificing quality… in fact, a better quality home can be had by doing things a bit differently, in truth, the way most log homes are being built today. Let’s look a little further into another option…

First, when hiring log home builders to do their stuff for you, this can take a lot of time. Logs are measured on site, cut to shape, notched according to the contours of the previously laid down logs in the structure as it goes up one at a time, which is very time consuming. From start to finish, this can take most of a year or more – and depending on the size of the finished home, perhaps much longer. With the need to take so much time comes the multiple opportunities for delays to arise. Miss-measuring pieces, some logs settling and changing shape while the rest of the home waits to be built, accidents may happen, the need to order more supplies to conform to design changes that may be necessary, bad weather conditions, all of these are just a few reasons for more and more delays along the building process.

Instead of hiring log home builders, what about log homes kits? These can be built to conform to an endless array of designs and plans – all logs are uniformly pre-milled to shape, kiln seasoned to pre-settle, and assembled in the factory to assure perfect fit. As they are disassembled again, they are numbered in order of construction and the whole package is shipped to the construction site, so that most of the work has been completed. All that is needed is to piece the logs together in numerical order, and you can move into the finished log cabin within a few short weeks. Having all of the logs pre-milled and pre-shaped in a factory setting makes for a superbly low per-log cost, making this method of acquiring your own log cabin the most inexpensive way to go about it. Most log homes built today are done in this way – whether for a family home, a commercial office building, a place of business like a camping supply shop for instance, or even a guest house. Having everything pre-milled and numbered in order of construction just makes everything fit together smoother, tighter, and constant log maintenance is a thing of the past.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 8:18 pm

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Log Home Restoration – Defining Proper Stripping Techniques

If you have owned a log home for any length of time, I think it would be safe to say that you could conclude, log homes are fairly high maintenance. If you are thinking of buying a log home or just purchased one, you may be in for a surprise. Not necessarily a bad surprise, maybe more like an awakening.

Restoring a log home generally includes cleaning or stripping, repairing damaged wood, caulking and chinking and applying a new finish. At some point, because of stain failure or wanting to change the color of your log home, it will have to be stripped. Of all the maintenance procedures, stripping the old stain or paint off of your home is undoubtedly the most aggressive, labor intensive and expensive step. With that being said, it is absolutely the most important, but oftentimes the most neglected step in the process.

The typical stripping procedure begins with an inspection of the logs and the existing coating. Once an assessment has been made, it will be determined which stripping application will be used. There are two methods generally used; chemical stripping and media blasting using crushed corn cob, glass or soda.

If it is determined that a latex paint or stain or certain types of “film forming” oil based stains have to be removed, media blasting is our preferred method. If it is determined that penetrating oil stains or sealers are present, chemical stripping is used.

Media blasting is similar to sand blasting, but is non-abrasive. Compressed air mixed with blasting media (usually corn cob) is pushed through a hose at high velocity and directed at the log surface. When used properly, paint can be removed from glass without damaging the glass. In log home restoration, it is an effective means of removing the finish without damaging the substrate. Used improperly, you can quickly damage anything it may come in contact with.

When removing a finish, safety is of the utmost importance. Proper ear, face and body protection is necessary as well as proper staging to work from. The discharge hose is quite large and heavy so scaffolding works much better than ladders. At higher elevations, safety ropes and body harnesses are also needed.

Before the cob blasting begins certain precautions are taken. Because every log home leaks to some degree, (never worked on one that didn’t) plastic is used to contain dust on the inside of the home. On the outside, vents, receptacles, heat & A/C units and other areas are covered. Also, porch and deck furniture will either be covered or removed to protect from dust infiltration. At this point the coating removal can begin.

Once the operator is in position, a ground man will load the machine with the media and engage the air compressor. The operator will begin stripping using a wide sweeping then lifting motion so as not to gouge the wood on the return pass. Starting at the top, one section at a time will be completely stripped before moving to the next section. When one side of the home if finished, staging will be moved and the process will start again until all coatings have been removed. Depending on the homeowner’s preference and the final overall look, it may be necessary to sand the logs to reduce the profile to obtain the desired finish. Once sanding is completed, the media blasting (stripping) process is finished and the next step in the log home restoration can begin.

The other method used, chemical stripping, involves applying a liquid stripping agent to the logs. Care must be taken on the interior of the home because of the possibility of water infiltration. Plastic tarps are placed around the inside perimeter of the home and cloth towels laid on top of the tarps. Furniture and wall hangings are removed and safely stored out of the work space area. Outside of the home all plants, shrubs, deck furniture, and other items are covered and protected from overspray. Porch lamps, ceiling fans, vents, receptacles and other items are covered or removed and stored in a safe location.

At this point the stripping process can begin. After determining a proper mix ratio, the chemical is applied spraying an even coat on the logs starting at the bottom and working up to prevent streaking. A predetermined dwell time is allotted to allow sufficient time to loosen and dissolve the coating. Once the coating has softened a pressure washer is used to dislodge and remove it from the surface. Starting at the top and working down, the pressure washer operator, just as in cob blasting, uses a long sweeping motion while raising the nozzle away from the wood at the end of each sweep. This prevents leaving stop marks and gouges on the logs. With each pass, the operator will slightly overlap the previous sweep assuring an efficient and clean strip. Special care is used around windows, doors, soffit vents and other sensitive spots so as not to push water in unwanted areas. While the stripping is taking place on the outside, my wife is monitoring the inside for water leaks. If any are detected, they are wiped up immediately and tagged with a piece of tape. Later in the log home restoration, during the caulking or chinking process, the tagged leaking areas are identified and repaired as needed.

After all woodwork has been stripped, the house is rinsed to remove any remaining stain and wood fibers. Decks, porches, windows and doors, driveways and patios, foundations as well as plants and shrubs are washed and glass is dried streak free using squeegees. Tarps, plastic and towels are removed, furniture and other items are put in their proper places and stain residue and debris is swept up, bagged and disposed of.

The stripping is finished and the logs and woodwork are clean and free of any coatings. Most stain manufactures require that before applying any finish, the logs must be clean bare wood, free of previous coatings, oils, grease and mill glaze before any warranty will be honored. Stripping is the only way to meet all of these requirements proving the importance of this process.

Preparation is one of the keys to sealer performance. Proper stripping technique is the first key to preparation. Log home restoration is a process and shortcuts lead to short comings. Do it right the first time by using proper maintenance procedures and quality products and you WILL extend the life of your log home finish.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 4:53 pm

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Enjoying The Log Home Lifestyle

So you’ve taken the plunge and bought your dream log home. Congratulations! Whether it was purchased as your main home or as a vacation home, there are many reasons why the log home lifestyle is different from living in a traditional home. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the true log home lifestyle.

Proper Decor

First and foremost, your decor should be a good match to the rugged, rustic beauty of the log interior and exterior walls. The logs should be the backdrop to decor that reflects your own personal style without clashing with the primitive uniqueness of the logs. Whether you choose furniture made from logs and twigs, traditional wood antiques, ranch style decor, an old western motif or just a comfy cabin style with a modern edge, there are many styles that will go well with a log home interior. If practicality, usability and cost is your main goal, then even simple wood furniture from places like IKEA would be a good fit. However, if you really want to stay true to the tradition of log home interiors, then consider spending more on some antiques and handcrafted wood furniture. Extremely modern furniture with straight edges and bright colors may not match well with your log home’s interior but you can always mix and match to find that perfect eclectic feel that best reflects your personality. A type of furniture that would go perfect in any log home is log furniture. You’ll find there are talented craftsmen who create beautiful chairs, beds, tables and benches completely from logs.

Nature

One of the reasons people buy a log home is to be closer to nature. Whether they buy a log cabin deep in the woods as a vacation getaway or ski lodge, or whether they choose a larger log home in a forested but sparsely populated area, you can bet the setting will more than likely be somewhere where nature and wildlife is bountiful. You can better enjoy nature by having a patio, deck or balcony where you can have meals outside. Also, don’t obstruct the view from your windows with furniture, lamps or curtains that can’t be opened completely. You want to be able to see the beauty outside your windows during every season. You may also want to bring nature into your home to help decorate it. You can make gorgeous decorations for holidays and year round by using pinecones, fallen leaves, twigs and branches. Pinecones can even make a beautiful centerpiece for your hall table or dinner table. You can also decorate your art and picture frames with found twigs and branches.

Warmth

I’m not just talking about heat here, it’s obvious you should keep your log home at a warm yet comfortable temperature. I’m talking about adding a warm and cozy feeling to your log home so you and your visitors will feel comfortable and at ease. Increase the warmth of your log home by having lots of throw blankets available, hang them over your couch or sofa. Add lots of pillows. Have candles around to light when the mood strikes or when guests visit. Lighting also plays a huge part in the sense of warmth of your home. You’ll find many types of lighting that works well with the interior of your log home. If you’re going for the rustic look, a chandelier made from a wagon wheel or antlers would work great. For a slightly more modern look, consider metal lighting such as lamps with punched tin lampshades or lighting fixtures made of wrought iron. Lighting placement is also important, but even more important for a log home since a log home’s interior tends to be darker than a traditional home’s interior. Typically, you’ll want to have a couple lamps in each room, but you may also want either a hanging lamp to give light to the whole room or a third lamp. Test your lighting schemes to see what works best for your particular interior environment as some log home interiors may have a lighter finish or even a finished and painted interior. Whatever lighting you choose, it should enhance the nighttime ambience of your home while remaining practical.

Peace

If your log home is a true vacation getaway home, then you may not want to have distracting things like a huge TV, video game consoles, massive stereos and computers. Instead, have things available that will truly enhance the peace and calmness in your home like books, puzzles and board games. Also, have plenty of tea, coffee and/or hot cocoa handy. Just sitting by the fire drinking hot cocoa and reading a book, or sitting by a window with some herbal tea watching the snow fall, these are some of the true joys of log home living.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 1:51 pm

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Log Home Architectural Design and Design Considerations

A log home architectural design professional can be a tremendous help when you are designing and building your log home. There are several kinds of professionals who may be qualified to do your log home architectural design. These persons could be draftspersons or residential designers. However, the most qualified person will likely be an experienced architect.

A licensed architect will have graduated from architectural school and will have the most education in architectural design. In addition, verify that they have successfully completed log home design projects in the past. What you don’t want to do is make someone a favor such as a friend or acquaintance who promises to design your log home for you. Log home design and building present special challenges that require a log home architectural design specialist with education AND experience with log homes.

Here are example considerations for log home architectural design:

1. What About Design Fees? If you’ll be working with an architect, they’ll likely base their fees on either your total project cost or on the log home square footage. There are major advantages in working with a local architect, especially if they’re good. He or she can meet with you face to face, and they can obtain the information from you that they need to create the log home architectural design that you want. They may also be able to oversee the construction process to help ensure that your log home is built as intended. This option will likely cost the most. Ideally, you’ll find and investigate several architects, then choose the best one for doing your log home architectural design.

2. What Is Your Budget? Somewhere early in the design process, the total value of the proposed log home must be considered. If you are not up front about your financial limits for the log home project, you are likely to receive a log home architectural design that will exceed what you can really afford. If this happens, everyone loses, since at some point, reality must be confronted and design changes made. Have a budgeted amount and hold your designer to it!

3. Where Will Your Log Home Be Built? Whether your land is urban or rural, flat or sloping, with trees or without and so on, finding the land to build your dream log home may be one of the major hurdles to overcome. Once you have your land, your log home architectural design begins with the site plan. What about site utilities? Are they available, or must you provide your own well, septic tank and bring in electricity from some distant place? What about access to your site? Do you need to build an entrance roadway?

You’ll need to check with city and county officials about what building permits are needed, for example. Local building and zoning regulations may restrict where your log home can be placed, how far from the road it must be and so on. Utility companies may have ‘easements’ or the legal right to access or cross your site to do their utility work or maintenance. Floodplain restrictions, soil permeability and topographical features can limit the log home construction that can be done. You’ll want to be sure that your site will accept the log home architectural design that you’re planning on building.

4. Can You Find Log Home Designs That You Like? If you prefer not to work with a professional designer, consider looking for existing log home plans that will fit your site and is the home design that you want. Every plan you see can give you ideas and you never know, there may a log home design that’s just right for you that exists already. You can save considerable time and money if you can find great plans that have already been built somewhere, which means the plans will work.

Most reputable plans services can make whatever changes to the plans you need so they become exactly what you want. You can purchase log home architectural design plan books online, and you can search the websites of online plan services using the criteria for your project. Search by square footage, by number of rooms or stories and just see the plans that fit the specifications that’s right for you.

Maybe you are just beginning to organize your ideas, or maybe you are well along in your log home design. Making it happen can be a lot of work, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. Learn as much as you can about the process of creating your own log home architectural design that will provide you, your family and friends the enjoyment and pleasure of ownership for many years to come.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 9:11 am

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Log Home Mortgage – Difficulties You’ll Need to Overcome

So, you’ve finally found the log home of your dreams. Now you have to figure out a way to finance it and finding log home lenders is not necessarily such a simple task. When you are looking for a log home mortgage, you’ll find that there are many lenders that are just not interested in providing you with the money to build or purchase a log home. There are quite a few difficulties that you are going to have to overcome if you are going to get the log home you’ve been dreaming of. Although there are many lenders who won’t want to give you the mortgage that you need, there are a few great mortgage brokers who are willing to lend you the money that you’ll need with competitive interest rates as well. Let’s take a look at some of the problems you may encounter when trying to finance your log home and the steps to getting a log home mortgage.

Problems with Financing a Log Home

First of all, you’ll find that there are many problems with trying to finance a log home and a variety of reasons that lenders just don’t want to lend money on a log home mortgage. Here are just a few of the problems that you are going to encounter if you are trying to find a mortgage for your own log home today.

- Today’s Mortgage Crisis – First of all, you’ll find that today’s mortgage crisis definitely has an impact on trying to get a log home mortgage. Many lenders are already hurting or going under financially, making it difficult for anyone to get a home loan, much less a loan on a “non-standard” structure like a log home. It’s a difficult time to find financing and this gets even harder when you are trying to finance a home that already has difficulties when trying to find a good mortgage option.

- Difficult to Find Comparable Sales – Another problem you may have when trying to find log home lenders is that it is difficult to find comparable sales for a log home. Many times it’s hard to find log homes in a specific area to compare your home to, which means that lenders are not really sure how much your home would be worth, so they decide not to lend to you. It’s a bit easier to get a loan in areas where comparable sales can be found, so keep this in mind when you are deciding where to purchase a log cabin today.

- It’s Considered a Non-Standard Structure – A log cabin is considered to be a “non-standard” structure, which makes it even more difficult to be able to get the mortgage that you need to purchase or build your log home. Most lenders don’t want to step out on a limb to finance this type of a structure.

- High Down Payments – Even if you can find the mortgage that you are looking for, many times you’ll end up with high payments, which makes it difficult to afford the log home that you really want. Often you’ll need to come up with 10% to 25% of the cost of the home and land, and in some cases, you may be asked to come up with 30% of the purchase price.

Steps to Financing Your Log Home

If you are trying to finance a log home, there are a variety of steps you’ll have to go through in order to get the mortgage that you need for the log home. Here are the steps you’ll need to keep in mind.

- Mortgage Pre Qualification – First of all, you’ll need to go through pre qualification. Getting a mortgage pre qualification is going to allow you to figure out how much money you’ll be able to get so you can get an idea of how much you’ll be able to have to purchase the log home that you want.

- Mortgage Application – After you find the log home that you really want, then you’ll want to go through the mortgage application process. You’ll need to show your income amount, financial documents, pay stubs, and more. You’ll also have to pay for the appraisal and an application fee.

- Approval and Settlement – Next you’ll end up getting the approval for your loan. After you are approved for your log home mortgage, you’ll need to give the lender a copy of the deed, the plans if you’re building a home, and a construction contract.

Finding a log home mortgage can definitely be a bit difficult since the homes are large and there are few comparable sales. However, if you really need to get a mortgage, one of the best ways to get the mortgage that you need is to go with a good mortgage broker. If you’re buying a log home in Minnesota, try going with a Minnesota mortgage broker to get the mortgage that you need. More than likely they’ll be able to help you to find the log home lenders that you’ve been looking for.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 4:59 am

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Log Home Dilemmas And Log Home Restoration

Log home restoration entails specialized log repair abilities along with special equipment. It should be carried out by log home repair experts instead of carpenters. Carpenters are actually specialists at fixing cabins built with wood, brick and drywall. Nevertheless, they could devote a lifetime working on houses and never work on a cabin having logs which suffer from log dry rot, damage from insects, together with log restoration or perhaps log replacement concerns.

Whenever logs are first milled they are left with what’s regarded in the industry as mill glaze in the surface of the logs. Caused from the rapid spinning hot razors inside the saw mill, it draws the sap to the surface of the wood and then dries out creating a thin glaze or film on the logs. Likewise, when first milled, the logs usually have a high degree of moisture either from being newly cut logs or being left outdoors in the rain or both. Each time a log house is created using these green and mill glazed logs, you will definitely have finish troubles eventually. After the logs are constructed and the roofing dried in, more often than not the building contractors will have it stained to keep any more dirt from building up from the continuous construction.

Despite the fact that you can get mill glaze removal solutions made available, a light chemical strip is actually all that is required not only to get rid of mill glaze, but also dirt, discolorations and discolorations. The stain will certainly retain water within the logs, particularly when it’s a film forming blemish. The film acts as a barrier to keep wetness out. Nonetheless, it also keeps moisture in. With inadequate stain penetration, moisture held in the wood along with the presence of mill glaze, it can be determined that any amount of stain which could have seeped into the logs, will not likely endure a very good potential for having a permanent result to give you much defense. Another issue with having green and/or mill glazed logs would be the potential for mold and also timber fungus. Logs are often kept outdoors.

Bear in mind, log homes are continuously shifting, shrinking and swelling, for this reason there will always be caulking issues to be tackled. The remedy is to stay on top of it simply by going through annual assessments and repairs as necessary. It will not take very long and many people can do it themselves or maybe they can employ the service of a professional to get it done. Just make sure it gets completed just before any real harm happens. And also, change the damaged logs if needed.

Log home restoration is an expert in the aesthetic restoration and also structural replacement in log and timber homes. Lots of log home companies and manufacturers aren’t in operation today, so replacement logs are challenging if not impossible to locate. Log home restoration has a significant profile and species database to help consumers in locating a close match when mending and replacing logs inside their log home. In instances where matches are not identified, its experienced craftsmen can replicate your log on the jobsite.

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Posted by Log Man - April 30, 2012 at 12:28 am

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Log Homes Floor Plans – Get the Best Designs From the Best Source

Log homes floor plans for building a cabin of your own to live in can vary in design and quality immensely. What are the best designs? Well, that all depends on what you are looking to build for yourself. Do you want a camping getaway for hunting trips? Do you want a guest house for friends and family when they decide to come for an extended visit? Do you want a comfortable home to live in for you and your family? Of course, there’s no end in sight for variety of designs, but as for where to get your hands on some, this is where you need to do some wise choice making. What would be the best source for the best designs?

You can find log homes floor plans almost anywhere online, but as you might probably guess, they aren’t all created equal as far as quality goes. See, it’s just not a “one-size-fits-all” kind of thing. There are rules and regulations about what can and can’t be built as far as structural soundness and zoning laws and such, so… how can we be assured of s trustworthy design? If you were to say, download a set of plans, the most prudent course to take thereafter before you set to building would be to show them to a professional architect to get an opinion. Depending upon where you go for this, it can be a bit costly.

Getting log homes floor plans from companies that are in the business of building log homes is the best way to go – because such plans have already stood the test of being built. Makes sense, yes? Plans acquired from established log home builders with experience are checked and meet all requirements for safe building. Many log home construction companies are happy to provide plans, and even offer complete sets of plans that they build from for a small fee – world’s less expensive than getting the opinion of a professional architect, and architecturally, such plans are all already approved for building. Having said all of that, now the next step is to decide which type of log cabin building company would be best to place an inquiry with.

Look at the company and examples of what they build before inquiring about log homes floor plans from them. How many styles do they build along? How is the versatility of their designs? This is where we want to choose a company whose building styles and house designs are the most potentially diverse. Have you ever heard of log cabin kits? No, they’re not log cabins that are pushed out of a mould and all look the same – it’s the logs themselves that are milled uniformly. Being pre-cut and pre-shaped in a sort of factory type setting, any number of styles and designs are possible… much like with that good-old American toy many of us might remember, “Lincoln Logs”. However, the shaping process produces much tighter and more complex fitting than is done with the toy, of course.

Another thing to consider when inquiring about log homes floor plans from such a company is their business… about 90% of all log homes being built today are from log cabin kits. Orders are put together in the factory to check for a perfect fit, then the logs are numbered in order of construction while being disassembled for shipment to the construction site. From there, what used to take the better part of a year (building it) now can be completed in a few short weeks. Because of the assembly line type setting these logs are milled in, it is the most inexpensive way to own a log home. For this reason, and that of versatility of design due to the pre-shaped logs, this type of company serves a vast many customers with cabin homes of a vast array of designs. Clearly, this would be the best source for log homes plans.

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Posted by Log Man - April 29, 2012 at 8:33 pm

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