Futuristic Homes You Can Buy Now

courtesy of Zillow

According to an article on Forbes.com,  we may not have flying cars yet, but a new residential construction project going up in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., may make you think otherwise.

The Porsche Design Tower will feature an elevator to lift owners — and their cars — to their front doors in seconds. A co-production of developer Dezer Properties and Porsche Design Group, the retail-oriented spin-off company of the luxury German carmaker, it will be the first residential project affiliated with the Porsche name. These car-friendly condos will range from $2.9 million to $9 million.

Maytag revolutionizes oven cleaning

Maytag brand is revolutionizing oven cleaning with the introduction of AquaLift self-clean technology.

Maytag brand’s latest line of freestanding ranges offer homeowners an innovation to self-clean the oven interior with an exclusive enamel oven coating, low heat and water to release baked-on spills in less than one hour.

Grabbing a mortgage loan in 2012 – 12 Tips

Taken from Bankrate.com By Polyana da Costa

Grabbing a mortgage loan has become a challenging task in recent years. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

Lending standards will remain tight in 2012, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to snag a mortgage with an attractive rate. Savvy borrowers who understand the rules and prepare in advance will improve their chances of success.

2012 Interior Design Trends

At Fairmont Homes, we are always looking for the latest in interior design trends to better serve you, our customers when helping you design your dream home.

Here are several articles and websites that provide more information about the new interior design trends for 2012:

The Pro’s of Hiring a Pro

I get asked this question a lot: Do I need an architect?

Architects are licensed professionals. Like doctors and lawyers, they have completed university programs and lengthy internships, and they have passed a series of rigorous exams. Their training covers many areas, ranging from landscape design to structural engineering.

From gutter rakes to a helping hand

When we think of the holidays, we think of home — our own home, maybe our mom’s, or even a best friend’s. Why not give a gift that will make that home better, warmer, more practical, and more fun?

Here’s a guide from House Logic to Christmas gifts for every budget, from under $50 to stocking stuffers that dreams are made of:

9 ways to keep your energy bills down!

No one likes wasting money, especially in these tough economic times. So it certainly makes sense — dollars and cents — to make a small investment of time and supplies to close up those heat-wasting air leaks around your home. It’ll pay back big dividends in reduced energy bills and a warmer, more comfortable house this winter. So let’s look at some of the areas where those drafts may be lurking, and see how to take care of them.

9 Positive Signs About Housing!

We’ve needed something positive to show us that the housing industry is turning around. Here are nine reasons posted by HousingZone.com that tell us we might be looking at a better 2012 than 2011 in the residential construction market.

1. Unemployment drops to lowest point since 2009

The unemployment rate is at 8.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today. That’s down from 9 percent last month and the lowest rate since March 2009.

The Return of the White Kitchen!

There is something so gorgeous about an elegant, timeless, white kitchen!

Whether you enjoy trend-spotting or wrinkle your nose at the very thought, recurring trends are worth paying attention to, if for no other reason than what they say about the public taste vis-a-vis the times we’re living in. We’re talking about the return of the white kitchen, and if you’ve been in the business long enough, you’ve seen the trend before. So, why now? Depending on your point of view—and your clientele—explanations vary.

Get cozy by the fire with these Fireplace Design Ideas!

If you’re thinking about a new custom home, chances are fairly good that you’ll be including at least one fireplace.

But what type of fireplace do you have in mind?  Here are a few basic ideas to get you started.