Recently a powerful desert Monsoon thunderstorm hit our neighborhood. Within minutes, the wind was blowing through the trees bending them like tiny twigs. Then it happened, a sudden violent microburst of rain, wind, noise, and natural power turned the view out the window into a blurry sheet of water. As we watched the violence transform our landscape and break tree limbs, I could not help but wonder how much this beautiful act of Monsoonal nature was going to cost me!

When the torrential rain subsided, I made my way outside to assess the damage. I looked upward toward the roofline along the second story of the house and noticed the damage left by our violent visitor. An entire section of roof tiles had been peeled back from the roof’s edge.

After my initial angst with mother nature, I ruled out reporting the damage to our home owners insurance company. I did not want to call a roofer I did not know because they would already be inundated by similar emergencies. So, I called my trusted roofer listed in my cell phone directory. I had worked with him over the years on several custom homes. He came by the next day to fix the damage. I was fortunate to have his number on hand, it saved a lot of stress and time.

It is a very good idea to make a list of professionals you can call on at a moment’s notice for those unexpected emergencies and repairs that occur around the home. With a little prior planning, the stress of home repairs can be lessened by being able to quickly call on professionals you already know or have been referred to by friends. Here is a list of the top 10 professionals you may want to include on this list:

1. Plumber
2. Electrician
3. Roofer
4. Arborist (Gardener)
5. Carpenter
6. General Contractor (for major damage or repairs)
7. Heating & Air Conditioning
8. Handyman (for minor repairs and maintenance)
9. Tile, Stone, Flooring contractor
10. Mason

It’s said that locks and deadbolts are installed to keep the “honest” criminals out; if someone really wants to get in, they will. Unsettling, yes; however, there are several simple steps all home owners can take to make a criminal’s life a bit more cumbersome. Criminals do not like to be delayed, seen, or heard. By making it unpleasant for them to be near or in your home, they will move on, or at least be delayed long enough for help to arrive. By taking a few simple precautions you can increase the level of safety and security in your home.

1. Lighting: The greatest asset to any criminal is quiet, concealment, and surprise. One of the simplest ways to disrupt this set of ideal circumstances is through appropriate lighting. Keep the front of your home well lit. Your driveway does not have to look like an airport approach beacon, but keeping it lit most of the night will add to the security of the home. Lighting while away from home is especially important. Install automatic timers on light switches controlling the porch and driveway area lights. These are inexpensive upgrades available at most home improvement stores and installed in your existing wall switch boxes. They are fully programmable freeing you of remembering to turn the outside lights on or off. This is especially useful when away from home. Additionally, side and rear-yard motion sensor flood lights are very effective. This alerts you immediately to movement within your yard, not to mention, it scares off the unsuspecting prowler.

2. Security system: Security systems are an effective means of deterrence, especially when coupled with noticeable signage in the front yard and stickers affixed to each window and door. As a prowler identifies his next target, he will likely pass over homes advertising the presence of a security system. Systems range in price and room coverage areas. For a few hundred dollars, a professional security company can install a quality system. Off-site central monitoring services keep your home under constant watch for alarm activations for a monthly fee.

3. Deadbolts and locks: No matter how thick and heavy the door, it is only as strong as the door jamb it is attached to. Install extra long screws through the strike plate on the door jamb. The strike plate is the rectangular metal piece through which the dead bolt slides into when locked. The extra long screws (3″ minimum) will anchor the strike plate to the wall studs behind the thin door jamb adding some extra strength.

A locked front door does not slow down entry into a home during an emergency. Usually, all that is keeping the door closed and locked is a thin piece of wood approximately one-half of an inch thick. Also, add a padlock to the side yard gates. If a criminal’s only path to the rear yard is over a gate, the noise associated with such a jump will likely send him elsewhere.

4. Keep doors locked during the day while at home. This one may not be as obvious, but a true-story may illustrate the point. As officers attempted to stop a stolen car driven by a known criminal, a dangerous pursuit ensued through rain-slick city streets. After several minutes, the suspect crashed the car and ran into a quiet neighborhood. In his attempt to hide from pursuing officers, he entered a home through an unsecured front door. With astonished officers following close behind, they found the desperate man had taken an elderly couple hostage, threatening to shoot the home owners if the officers do not let him go.

As the officers took careful aim at the deranged man positioned behind the elderly couple, their negotiations quickly proved useless. The officers were forced to take this criminal’s life in order to save the elderly victims, who only seconds prior, were enjoying the quiet solitude of their home.

The chain of events can be that quick, and sudden. When at home, keep the doors locked. If nothing else, it can slow down the intruder allowing you time to call for help.

5. Children answering the door: Do not allow young children to answer the door alone. Always be in sight of the door if your children are going to open it. Taking such precautions will teach your children a basic rule of safety; stay within sight of mom and dad. The most unlikely and innocent situations are usually ideal opportunities for criminals. Yes, children have been “stolen” from inside their homes, i.e. Polly Klaas in Petaluma, CA 1993.

6. Emergency procedure and practice: Hold regular practice emergency drills with your family. Teach children the procedure for calling 911, and practice the steps in detail. Highlight the numbers on the keypad. Have them practice giving their address and home description over the phone, such as single story or two, dark or light color etc. This can be a lifesaving skill whether the emergency is criminal, medical, or a fire. Prior planning and practice will pay-off in a critical situation.

7. Vacation checks: Most local law enforcement agencies offer increased patrols and vacation checks when requested by residents. If you suspect something suspicious in the neighborhood, anonymously ask for a higher patrol presence. Getting to know your beat officer is a great way to keep current on local crime trends and happenings. Simply call the non-emergency number for the local police agency and request a brief visit with the officer at your home. A positive contact such as this always a welcome request.

Also, when away from the house for a few days, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up the newspaper and collect your mail. Nothing broadcasts that you are away more clearly to a would-be burglar than a pile of newspapers in the driveway, or an overflowing mailbox.

As a whole, our communities are safe and secure thanks to the vigilance of our local police departments and watchful neighbors. While you may never fall victim to violent crime, a heightened awareness of the steps and procedures to remain safe will always pay off. Our home is a coveted sanctuary from the busy world around us. Practicing these techniques will help keep it a safe and secure refuge. Preparedness is half the battle.

1.  It is best to start by making a list of the professionals you will need in order to accomplish your particular goal.  There are many specialized industry technicians who can be of service in the construction of any home; however, all these services are not necessary for every home built.  It is important to decide how specialized you would like to be in developing your team of building professionals.  For example, you may be able to bypass an architectural firm and use a draftsman to produce a working set of construction plans.  This alone has the potential of saving thousands of dollars.

2.  The next step is to research and interview the professionals to be hired. This process can be applied to builders, architects, and designers alike.  Visit the job-sites of potential builders and architects.  Talk with the work crews and get a sense of the general quality of work.  As for designers, visit finished projects.  Most importantly speak with each candidate to learn about their personal and professional standards.  The key is to find a team of individuals who compliment your personality and value your desires. Check and confirm if the professional is licensed by the applicable state governing board.  Are there any unresolved or outstanding complaints filed with the registrar of contractors, professional association, or Better Business Bureau?  Confirm that the firm carries the required bonding and insurance.   Most important of all contact past and current clients of the particular professional.  Ask for their honest recommendation and assessment of the overall quality of work, attention to detail, and methods of education and updates the firm used throughout the process.

3.  Architects and designers are also very good sources for identifying top builders in any area.  They will know who is who in the local building community better than most others as they work closely with the builders who build out the conceptual plans they are handed.

4.  On the flip side, builders are great resources for identifying good architects and designers.  They have first hand knowledge and experience regarding the architect or designer’s level of quality, plan detail, and most importantly, follow-through.

One additional method is to locate a particular home you like and ask the owners who built their home.  If they were happy with the service and commitment received they will happily refer you to their professional team.

The key to a smooth relocation is the type of question asked, along with the preparation and research done upfront.  Here are several broad topics to consider in order to assure a Smooth Relocation:

1.  Age and Demographic:  Do you want to be around people your age or a healthy mix of young and mature?   We are not just thinking about “now,” but rather several years into the future.

2.  Health:  Consider the proximity to health care facilities, type of care needed, allergies, and family medical history. It is very important to think about future care and needs, especially if you have enjoyed good health for much of your life.  Situations can change rapidly.  If building a house, design the doorways capable of accommodating a wheelchair, just in case.  You do not want to relocate to an area known for bee attacks if you are deathly allergic to bee stings and can not get immediate medical attention or antibody injections.  Are your allergies controlled by medication that does not cause drowsiness or limit your ability to function normally?

3.  Climate:  Do you want one season or four?  Do you love the fall color changes in the trees?  Is there a medical or physical condition that is worsened by general climactic conditions? 

4.  Religion:  Consider the proximity and availability of your particular religious congregation.  Is this a determining factor in your decision on a particular location?

5.  Current location:  Your must have and must avoids.  What do you want that is the same or different in your new area?  Are you tired of living next to a busy street?  Do you want unobstructed views free from the high-tension power lines you have put up with for years?

6.  Rural, Suburban, or City:  Consider population, crime, and general lifestyle of an area.  We all want low crime, no crowds, and all the conveniences of a large city.  What about good schools, even if the kids have grown and moved away?  This can equate to higher property values. 

7.  Residency plans:  Is this to be your primary residence or second home?  Either way, treat it as if you will be moving into the house on a full-time basis, just in case.

8.  Family:  Are you comfortable with less frequent visits from family and friends if you move away from everyone?  Consider the number of visits you would like to make each year and the travel costs associated for both sides.  Assure this is an acceptable arrangement with all parties involved.

9.  Retail Conveniences:  Consider the proximity of shopping, dining, entertainment and how it relates to your lifestyle.  How close, or far, would you like to be to the conveniences of establishments such as the grocery store, hardware, gas stations and more?  Consider all aspects and implications of travel time to and from and wear and tear on the family car.

10.  Neighbors:  Consider how close, how many, and how you would like to interact.  Do you want to step next door and have a quick chat at a moments notice, or drive a few miles to see another human being?  The proximity of friends and neighbors will have a strong impact on your desired sense of community and attachment.

11. Social and Recreational:  Consider availability of clubs, organizations, and volunteerism.

12. Hobbies:  Consider the availability of local resources to pursue your interests.  For example, if you enjoy flying, how about a fly-in community built around a private airport.  If boating and fishing are important, look at lake communities.  Is bird watching, golf, or painting important to you?

13. Favorite Vacation Spot: What is it about your favorite vacation spots that you most enjoy?  Does the allure of this area diminish once the thought of living there year-round sets in?

14. Financial: Consider the affordability and sustainability of the area as it relates to your lifestyle.  Does an international relocation appeal to you?  There are many international communities which cater to individuals moving in from other countries.

15. Occupation:  Will you continue in your current field of labor, start a new business, or retire completely?  If your plan is to keep your hand in your chosen field, start a new career, or retire from the grind completely, make sure your new location offers you all the resources and opportunities you would like.

16. Education:  Do you plan to return to school, complete an advanced degree, or participate in continuing education courses?  You may have completed all the education you want.  If so, living in an area with a reputation for high quality education is a great investment.

In essence our perfect place, our home, is anywhere we feel most loved and secure.  George Moore is quoted as saying, “A man travels the world in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.”  The physical environment surrounding this personal utopia of happiness can have a dramatic impact on our feeling complete in all respects. 

As a general rule, as members of a modern global society, we do not choose where we “want to live.”  Rather our circumstances dictate to us where we “have to live.”  Our employer is based in a city unfamiliar to us; however, we choose to put up with the inconvenience and stick it out until we reach a level of financial security that we can finally live where we really want to.  

Or, our extended family has always lived in a particular sector of the country and if we were to move from that area, there would be years of reconciliation and family relationships to mend.  

This unfortunate reality most of us consider to be simply the way things are, is in fact to a large extent, why so many continue forward unfulfilled and continuously searching for the nebulous completeness of mind, body, and soul. 

In reality, we are each one-hundred percent in control of all circumstances around us.  We can survive, we can raise a family, we can enjoy life to the fullest in our “Perfect Place.”  I invite you to take some time to look around and do some research on places you have dreamed of living.  You will be amazed at how many people live and flourish in areas you have set as “off-limits” for yourself due to self-imposed limitations or boundaries.   

That “Perfect Place” exists for us all.  It does not have to be something set aside to enjoy once we are financially positioned for retirement, after we have made our millions, inherited a fortune, or whatever we have been feeding our minds.  The “Perfect Place” is as individual as there are dreamers to pursue it.  With a systematic approach we can identify those aspects that will clearly point us in the critical direction leading to its identification.  What is your “Perfect Place?”  Let’s find out together, because believe it or not, it does exist.

Webster’s defines “perfect” as, complete in all respects; without defect or omission; sound; flawless.  Rarely in our adult life do we come across something, someone, or someplace which is “perfect.”  For those fortunate enough to recall a worry-free blissfulness of childhood, or a passing sensation of complete wholeness with life and our surroundings, the definition mentioned above will instantly transport us to such a moment. 

When was the last time you felt, “complete in all respects”?  For some this may conjure memories of family gatherings, financial security, or the accomplishment of fulfilling a difficult task.  For me, it takes me back to my childhood home and a particular memory, or more precisely, a particular impression felt as a result of the most mundane of tasks.  

As a child, on certain weekends when we did not have sporting events or other responsibilities to attend, my parents would begin their day long before I awoke.  As I shook off the sleepiness of the early morning I would lay in bed listening to the voices of my parents just outside my bedroom window working in the front yard and follow the sound of their conversations throughout the house and yard as they went about their tasks together.  

The soft twittering sounds of the rainbird sprinklers filtering through the air, the sounds of my parent’s industriously beautifying the landscape, coupled with the comfort and security of my room equated to my being “complete in all respects.”  

Strangely enough, even at that young age, I recognized the lasting importance of the overall sense of completeness I felt.  As I grew older I noticed how this tended to be muted and eventually fade away.  I would suggest a partial reason for this existed in the humanistic tendency to be anxiously engaged in something, all the time, rarely pausing to listen, feel, and recognize the serenity of a seemingly mundane moment. 

Can you remember a time when something, someone, or someplace felt “without defect,” or “flawless?”  As a result of our innate humanistic tendencies toward perfectionism, comfort, and immediate gratification, more often than not, as adults we find in most creations some form of weakness or flaw.  Can you remember a time when this was not the case? 

As a young boy, our family had the tradition of traveling the forty-five minutes by automobile to my grand parent’s house for Christmas Eve dinner.  The drive home from this event was always a quiet time of excitement for the pending Christmas morning.  On certain occasions, after settling into our home we would light the fireplace.  I can remember sitting in front of the warmth and continuous interest of the popping flames with my father as we discussed the anticipation of Christmas day. 

I can remember knowing that Santa Clause was an imaginary tale, although still believing in the magic and possibility of his coming.  As I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas tree, wrapped presents, warmth of the crackling fire, and security of my parents companionship, my world was a flawless corner of a vast universe without defect for a young boy. 

Just about all of my happiest childhood memories can be traced back to a general origin: my Home, and the surrounding environment.  I believe within all of us exists an innate desire to be “home” no matter where we are at a given moment.  For some of us, that ideal of “home” is not easily defined.  For others, this realization is clear; however, the ability to realize the dream is not presently possible due to work responsibilities, education, military service, or the myriad of personal circumstances in which we may find ourselves. 

If you find yourself currently longing for a defined purpose, sense of security, or overall completeness, I invite you to do something you may have not done in a long time:

Sit and be still.  Let yourself reset.  Be grateful for what you have; life, shelter, modern conveniences, the ability to be anything you want to be.  It has been said that “Home is where the heart is.”  For me, this is an absolute truth, getting our house in order can mean different things to different people.  I invite you to allow your natural intelligence to help define this for you.  Enjoy the process!

1.  Home theater - a central location to gather with family, grand children, and friends for entertaining and relaxation

2.  Three to Four car garage - for storage of a lifetime of accumulated recreational fun, such as bikes, cars, boats, etc

3.  Workshop - usually attached to the garage as an extended area off the parking stalls. Used for crafting, woodworking, model building, and other hobbies

4.  Dedicated office - a specific room set aside for working a second career, paying the bills, and following the investments. These rooms also serve as a quiet place to get away and relax, read a good book, do needlepoint, etc.

5.  Inclusion of family heirlooms - use of furniture from previous homes, antique collection hutches, built-in display cases and glass door cabinets allow for the display of a lifetime of collectibles. This usually includes sports memorabilia, career related mementos, souvenirs from travels abroad, trophies and many more. Here the focus is on displaying the items in the open, rather than packing them away hidden in boxes. They want to feel surrounded by their intimate creation of a lifetime of comfortable memories.

6.  Warm and lived-in look - I have seen brand new homes look as if they had been lived in for decades. Boomers are passionate about creating a warm feel to their surroundings. Usually accomplished by the use of reclaimed wood flooring, distressed wood and cedar beams, faux finishes on the walls, custom ceiling mural treatments, and stone flooring.

7.  Dedicated guest quarters - whether it be a detached guest house or rooms set aside for the grand children and visiting family, many boomers incorporate this separate and often times private sleeping arrangement. They want their guests to feel at-home, comfortable, and experience a sense of privacy. Most include attached private bathrooms as well as a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, and sink.

8.  Main floor level master bedroom suite - this arrangement allows for easy access to the main sleeping quarters. Navigating a flight of 18 to 20 stair steps can become a challenging task as aging takes it toll. With a little forward-looking planning, boomers are planning for a future of heightened comfort and convenience.

9.  Recreation rooms - (second story or basement level) recreation rooms for casual entertaining

10.  Outdoor living and cooking areas - this is becoming a must-have luxury. Many “boomer” homes incorporate pocketing doors off the great room leading to an expansive outdoor covered patio and living area. This usually includes a BBQ and grill assembly to rival the indoor kitchen. Bringing the “outdoors in” has become a common request especially for this active generation of custom home owners.

The stages of construction will usually follow a straight forward progression. Your general contractor will establish a detailed schedule of all aspects of construction broken down into categories such as site work, framing, interior, exterior etc. I have included for you a basic progressive list of the order in which a home will typically be constructed. This list is not all inclusive, but is presented here to give you an idea of the general steps involved in typical custom residential construction.

Click Here Custom Home Construction Phases (Sample)