Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Paradime Construction!

Thank you for making 2013 a wonderful year and we look forward to working with you in 2014!

Christmas Party Prep

This time of year often means getting together with friends and family. When you own a new home, often you become the host as curious well-wishers are excited to get a peek!

Take some of the stress out of hosting by serving some of these easy holiday appetizers! Then enjoy celebrating the season in your brand new home!

Organize your cheese tray into the shape of a Christmas tree!

Make a grinch out of grapes, strawberries, bananas and a marshmallow!

Fill up bread bowls with spinach dip and use Rye bread to form the hat!

Don't forget to invite Santa to the party! Use ricotta cheese, crackers, capers, pepperoni and celery to form the jolly old St. Nick!

Find Us on Houzz!

Paradime Construction has a profile on Houzz. Check us out! Read reviews from past customers and see photos of our work!

Click the image below and take a look around.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A very Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Paradime Construction. We so value our home buyers and the relationships that we have made through the years. Thank you for choosing Paradime.

Builder Confidence

Each month for the past 25 years the National Association of Home Builders and and Wells Fargo send out a national survey to builders trying to gauge their confidence levels in current and future sales.  Builders are asked to determine how they see the housing market now and how they predict it will be in six months.

November's numbers are in and builder confidence has stabilized after dropping off the past two months. Even with the lower numbers the past two months, the previous 6 months in a row saw more builders optimistic about the market than before.

Consumer interest in new homes remains steady because of low interest rates and pricing although it has been dampened by policy and economic uncertainty.

Increased builder confidence is a positive sign for the recovering housing market at this time and going forward into 2014.

Holiday Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and plans for the big meal are well underway!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day is the busiest day for home fires, of which the leading cause is cooking.  Keep your holiday safe and happy this year by following these tips below.

- Stay in the kitchen when you're cooking. Don't leave food unattended.
- Keep children away from the stovetop - by at least 3 feet
- Wear short sleeves while cooking
- Have pot holders and kitchen towels sit away from heat sources
- Make sure the floor is clear from toys and pocketbooks
- Keep all lit candles above the reach of children and make sure they are blown out when the evening is over
- Test all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Follow these safety tips and keep your home and family happy this Thanksgiving! 

Paradime Featured in Columbia Metropolitan

Thank you to Columbia Metro Magazine for the great feature in your November 2013 issue!

If you didn't see it on the stands, check out the link below!

Paradime Columbia Metro

Designing Your Bath

The bathrooms of yesteryear were often overlooked as functional rooms without much style.  That has changed greatly over the years with the importance of the master bathroom following only the kitchen in resale evaluations.

So what to today's baths look like?  Here are some of the trends builders and remodelers across the nation are reporting.

White and off-white remain the top color schemes followed by beige or brown. Rising in popularity are colors in the grey family.

Granite has typically been the go to surface material but quartz is narrowing the gap dramatically.

Ceramic tile flooring remains the most popular floor option followed by natural stone flooring.

New bathrooms are better lit - both with natural and artificial light.

Grab bars, once only installed on an as-needed basis are being requested more frequently. Many at-home accidents occur in the bathroom and as the Baby Boomers age they are planning ahead with safety in mind.

His and hers vanities are extremely popular even in smaller baths. Storage options are essential with more drawers and dividers being incorporated into the layout.

What would your dream bathroom look like?

Kitchen Trends

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It remains one of the most important areas in home design and warrants a lot of thought before building your custom home.

Some trends designers are seeing in kitchens these days are:

• More square footage. Kitchens are getting larger as they become the focal point for entertaining.
• Increase in detail. Molding, millwork and paneled doors are some examples of how to dress up the kitchen.
• Designer islands. More than just functional space, islands are taking on a life of their own with a unique style or color that stands apart from the rest of the kitchen.
• Less clutter. Kitchens are being designed with extra storage space to hold rarely used appliances and free up precious countertop space.
• Glamorous lighting. While some elements of the kitchen are becoming more clean and streamlined, buyers are adding in touches of upscale decor in chandeliers or oversized light fixtures.

What are your ideas for your custom kitchen space?

Entertaining Ideas!

Hard to believe but there are less than two weeks until Halloween!  Once you get settled in your new home it's natural to want to show it off - maybe with a Halloween or Fall Party?  Here are some easy but eye-catching Autumn recipes to use at your big event!

Click on the images below to get step-by-step instructions!

What are some of your favorite recipes?

Financing Options

Financing a new home is often one of the more intimidating aspects of the home buying process.

To ease some of that anxiety, we're explaining three of the major loan programs, FHA, VA and USDA.

FHA Loans:
FHA loans are mortgages that are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. These loans are especially attractive for buyers who don't have a large down payment, could use some credit help, want to keep their monthly payments as low as possible or have any concerns about increasing monthly payments. FHA loans offer competitive interest rates and typically require less money down.

VA Loans:
A VA loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is available for eligible Veterans, Active-Duty Personnel, Reservist or  National Guard members and some surviving spouses.  In most cases no down payment is required with a VA loan, the interest rates are competitive and closing costs are comparable to other loan options. VA loans also do not require private mortgage insurance.

USDA Loans:
USDA loans are also known as Rural Development Loans and are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Eligibility is limited to rural areas as designated by the USDA. Loans do not require a down payment. Lenders will evaluate your debt to income ratio and credit score to ensure that you qualify.

These are only three of the financing options available. Talk with a lender to find out which program is right for you.

Choosing your color palette

Building a custom home involves many decisions, maybe none more important or difficult than choosing your color palette.  Here are some tips from the experts on how to make that decision just a little easier.

• Start with your formal areas first - dining room, living room and entry way. 
• Rule of thumb - use darker colors on the floor, medium shades on the wall and lighter colors for the ceiling
• Think about the colors you wear. People typically buy clothes in colors they like or look good in. Keep these colors in mind for your home as well.
• Use this ratio - 60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color and 10 percent accent color
• Work within the same hue if you find a color you love
• Consider your lighting. Observe your room or space in morning, afternoon and evening light. Light will greatly affect paint colors.
• Decorate for yourself. It's okay to get opinions from friends or family but ultimately it's your home and you have to live there. Choose what you like even if other people don't.

Things are looking up!

Here's a look at improving numbers from the South Carolina Association of Realtors. These figures are based on August MLS data.

New Listings in South Carolina increased 5.9 percent
Pending Sales are up 6.7 percent
Inventory levels shrank 6.6 percent

Median sales price increased 6.5 percent to $164,950
Days on market down 13.6 percent to 111 days

Housing sales increased as the mortgage rates increased and encouraged buyers who were on the fence to make a decision. Rates are still at historic lows and now is a great time to buy as the market is on the upswing.

Fall Lawn Care

Sunday is the first day of Fall - a very important season for your lawn health. That's right, if you prepare your lawn for going dormant this winter you'll be rewarded in the spring with a lush vibrant yard!


Mowing and watering are still important tasks to keep up in the fall. Temperatures are cooler but if you aren't receiving regular rainfall you will need to continue to water your lawn.  Mow on a higher setting to provide some extra insulation for your yard before the winter sets in.

Fall is also time to plant your spring bulbs, reseed the thin patches in your yard and go after those pesky weeds. 

Once the leaves start falling make sure to rake them up so they don't cut off your lawn's supply of sunlight and oxygen.

What lawn care tips do you employ to take care of your yard for the Fall and Winter?

Selling Your Home This Fall

Need to sell your current home before you can buy your new Paradime home?  You may have picked a good time. Mortgage rates are low and home values are going up. Potential buyers are looking to be settled before the Holidays.

Here are some tips for selling during the Fall season.

1. Strong Web Appeal
Home buyers are going online to search for homes. Make sure you have plenty of photos and information available about your home. As always keep the clutter to a minimum so the potential buyer can get a good look at each room.

2. Move-In Ready
Today's buyers want the home in move-in condition. Take care of any minor improvement issues before buyers come to see your home. This includes issues with paint, flooring, and the exterior. Curb appeal is so important!

3. Lots of Light
Let the Fall light and fresh air inside! Open your blinds and windows if the weather permits. Keep the overall home temperature comfortable.

4. Create Cozy
The Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of all those cozy things that make us feel at home. Purchase a lightly scented candle, accentuate your fireplace if you have one, decorate the entryway with some potted plants.

What are you doing to sell your home this Fall?

The Closing Process

Once you’ve found your new home and construction is almost complete, it’s time to start thinking about the last step in your home buying journey – the real estate closing or settlement.

At the closing is where ownership will be transferred from the seller to the buyer.  This involves some time, patience and paperwork, but if you plan ahead you can make this a smooth process.

Talk with your Lender or Realtor about a week before closing to make sure you understand what paperwork you are responsible for bringing.  If there are costs involved such as a down payment, escrow or mortgage fees, you may need a certified check so find out the exact amount you will need to provide. 

Give yourself plenty of time! You’ll want to review the documents and make sure there are no typos or errors.  Allowing for a good block of time will help to alleviate some of the stress of that process.  Also, in case of delays, don’t arrange for your moving truck on too tight a schedule. Create some overlap so you don’t have to be out of one house the same day as you move in to another.

Remember, once you finish signing that mountain of paperwork you’ll be the owner of a brand new home!

Housing and Labor Day

As hard as it is to believe it is Labor Day weekend – the unofficial end to summer.

This Labor Day, AAA is predicting that 34.1 million Americans will hit the road and travel at least 50 miles this weekend, making it the busiest Labor Day in the last four years.

Part of the reason for this increase in travel is actually – housing.

According to the AAA study, consumer confidence is increasing as their home values increase. With the improvement in the housing market, consumers feel that their largest asset, their home, is more valuable. This increase in confidence leads to more spending and this weekend – more travel. 

This is just another piece of evidence that points to the importance of the housing market in our overall economic recovery.

Will you be traveling this Labor Day?

Rainy Day Home Maintenance

It's been a wet summer.

Don't let those rainy days get you down. There are some great home maintenance items that can be done when the weather has you trapped inside.

• Check smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed
• Clean out dryer vent
• Make an itemized list of valuables, electronics, etc in case of emergency. Take photos and get model information.
• Read through the instruction manuals on your home appliances and systems

Then relax and enjoy the sound of the rain!

What home maintenance items do you like to take care of on a rainy day?

Housing Market Still Improving

According to a report by the South Carolina Realtors based on July 2013 figures, sales across the state of South Carolina increased by 21%. Home prices increased by 5% to a median price of $163,063.

The number of available homes and standing inventory has dropped to a 9 month supply of single family homes and 9.5 month supply of condos. A six month supply of homes is considered normal.

As the economy improves and consumer confidence increases home sales continue to rise. This bodes well for the future of the SC economy and housing industry.

Mark Your Calendars

Paradime Construction will be at the 2013 Home Improvement Show, August 16-18 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

The 19^th annual show will feature exhibitors in home improvement, remodeling, construction and related industries. In addition to the exhibitors, there will be seminars all weekend long, door prizes every 20 minutes of the show, and more!

Come see us at booth #188!

Find out more about the Home Improvement Show at Columbiabuilders.com

Buying Power

If you've done any research into buying a home you've probably come across the term "buying power". Simply put, "buying power" is your ability to maximize your money when purchasing a new home.

Interest rates greatly affect your buying power. Historically speaking, today's interest rates are extremely low. This means that the money you pay in order to
borrow money for your home is much less than it was in the past. With lower interest rates your monthly payment is lower and you can afford a more expensive home than you could before - thus your buying power has increased.

Interest rates are going to slowly rise and as they do it will erode some of your buying power. Now is the time to buy, before rates go higher!  You'll be able to afford more home than you thought possible while the interest rates remain low.  They won't be this low forever so don't miss this opportunity to maximize your buying power!

Green Products vs a Green System

Today there are "green" products at every store you visit. While some of those products may be worth the extra money, it's important to understand that individual green products are not necessarily the answer to making your home more energy efficient.

Homes are a system of connecting pieces and parts that work together to form a home environment.  I is important to construct a home that works together to promote a healthy and efficient environment. 

Paradime Construction understands that there is a science and an art to home building. We won't encourage you to purchase the latest "green" products unless there is a true value to your home system.

Many of the new green products available today have the ability to increase the efficiency and comfort of your home. Just make sure you do the proper research to insure that these products will work with your current system and not against it.

Keep the heat out of the kitchen!

Grilling is a great way to keep your kitchen area cool and cut down on those high summer utility bills. To help out all the summer grill masters here are some easy and quick recipes to keep the heat out of the kitchen this summer. Click on each recipe header to view the full recipe and instructions.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled Pork Chops

Honey Glazed Grilled Pineapple

Economic Update for SC

According to a report by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the leading economic indicators in South Carolina increased for the 4th month in a row.

The combination of an increase in new-home construction and a drop in unemployment claims contributed to the leading index numbers.

Below are some relevant statistics that attribute to these positive numbers.

• Residential construction permits rose 26.3% in May compared with April.
• The median sales price for a single-family home rose by 5.6% in May
• The overall volume of home sales in May rose 21% compared to the same time last year.

For a look at the overall economic indicators in the report visit the Charleston Regional Business Journal HERE.

Home Safety While Away

It's the time of year when many Americans hit the road for a well deserved summer vacation.  Before you go, it's important to prepare your home for your absence. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind before getting out of town.

1. If possible have someone come by while you're gone. Ask a trusted friend to peek their head in the neighborhood when possible, maybe water a few plants and just walk through the home every few days.

2. Make sure to stop your mail. This is a free service provided by the post office and in most areas the request can be submitted online.

3. Like above, if you receive the newspaper, make sure to stop delivery while you're gone. You don't want a stack of newspapers piling up while you're gone.

4. Unplug your coffee maker, computer and any other small appliances that won't be making the trip. Don't leave the washing machine or dishwasher running before you go.

5. It seems simple, but make sure all the doors are locked and blinds are closed. Double and even triple check. Especially those doors that aren't used as often.

What are some tips you have on keeping your home safe while you're away?

Builder Confidence On the Rise

According to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, builder confidence increased by eight points in June bringing it to the highest level since April 2006.

Any number over 50 is an indicator that builders view the housing market more favorably than negatively. This eight point gain in June is the biggest one-month increase since 2002.

NAHB Chairman Rick Judson attributes the growth in new home sales to an increase in home buyers and a low inventory of existing homes.

To read the full article click HERE.

First Day of Summer!

Happy First Day of Summer!

It's a relatively cool start to the summer here in the Midlands. We've created a list of some summer activities for you and the family to enjoy. Find out more by visiting the Columbia Visitors Bureau site HERE.

• Friday Nights at Riverfront Park - Movies on the lawn start at 8pm
• Summer Concert Series at Finlay Park - Saturdays from 7-10pm
• Irish Heritage Weekend at the Columbia Museum of Art - June 22
• Columbia Blowfish Baseball
• Toucan Tuesdays at Riverbank Zoo - 2 for the price of 1 with canned good donations

What are you doing this summer?

Housing Market Continues to Improve

The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index increased again in June to now include more than 70% of the U.S. metro areas.

The Improving Markets Index or IMI is a list of metropolitan areas that have shown improvement through the areas of housing permits, employment and house prices for at least the past six months.

Twenty-nine new markets were added to the list while twenty-four previously listed markets were removed. This fluctuation is a product of a slow recovery and confirmation that the housing industry still has challenges to face.  However the IMI list is three times larger this year than last year according to the NAHB.


For a full list of improving markets visit the NAHB's website HERE.

Summer Desserts

Since it is the season for back yard BBQ's and summer pot lucks, we thought you might enjoy some classic southern summer dessert ideas.  Here are some quick and tasty recipes for your next get together.

Frozen Lemonade Pie from Taste of Home

Banana Pudding from Southern Living

 

Peach-Blueberry Cobbler from Martha Stewart

 

 What are some of your favorite summertime desserts?
 

Keeping your costs down when the temperature is up!

Memorial Day was the unofficial kick off to the summer season and the temperatures are here to prove it!

Here are some tips for how to keep your utility bills from getting out of control while you try to stay cool!

• Remove debris from around your outside air conditioning unit. Look for grass, weeds, dirt and leaves.
• Change the air filters in your home regularly.
• Use your ceiling fans and make sure they are blowing the right way. The air should be blowing down.
• Close the registers in unused rooms to keep from cooling unoccupied space.
• Use a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature for when you're home or away.
• Make use of drapes and blinds to keep out some of the sunlight.
• When replacing light bulbs, choose LED lights that give off less heat.

What tips and tricks do you use to keep cool during these southern summers?

New Home Sales Rise in April

There's more good news for the housing market and new homes in particular.

According to HUD and the US Census Bureau, sales of new, single-family homes rose by 2.3 percent in April. Regionally, new home sales rose 3 percent in the South.

A quote from an article by the National Association of Home Builders reinforces this positive message. “Today’s report is further evidence of the gradual, consistent improvement we have been seeing in housing market conditions over the past year,” noted NAHB Senior Economist Robert Denk. “We’re now about half-way back to what could be considered a full recovery, and we do expect to see continual, solid gains in both starts and sales of new homes going forward.”

Interest rates remain low and house prices are trending upwards and inventory remains tight.  Now is the time to buy!

To read the full article from the National Association of Home Builders please click HERE. 

Home Appreciation

New research from Zillow suggests that home values will continue to appreciate, on average up to 5% through 2013.

This result is based on a survey conducted by Zillow and distributed to economists, market and investment researches and real estate experts.

With interest rates still low and home prices remaining stead, this is a great time to build a Paradime home!

Talk with us about your dream home and how we can make those dreams a reality.

To see the full results of Zillow's survey visit their research website. 

Economic Snapshot

Dr. Joey Von Nessen recently created and presented an economic snapshot of the South Carolina economy, focusing on key variables affecting the business community

His analysis is available for free on the RESH Marketing website.

The snapshot looks at several leading economic indicators including:

• Industry employment
• The unemployment rate
• Housing starts
• House price appreciation

To download the information visit the website and look on the home page for Economic Snapshot.

Dr. Joey Von Nessen is a Research Economist at RESH Marketing. Dr. Von Nessen specializes in economic and marketing research in the home building industry and oversees the research activities of the company. In addition to his full-time duties at RESH, he is also a consultant with the Division of Research in the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, involved in both private sector and academic research.

New Vs. Used

When buyers set out to buy a "new" home, it may not always mean a home that's never been lived in before. The home may just be new to them. But what are the benefits of buying a home that's completely new?  That question is the inspiration behind a recently launched website called "Start Fresh. Buy New".

Since the site launched in March of this year, it's received about 10,000 visitors a day. The goal of the site is to educate homeowners on the benefits of buying a newly constructed home and to help them find new homes in their area.

Some of the highlighted benefits to buying new vs. used are:

• Increased energy efficiency
• New home warranties
• Modern construction techniques and materials
• Higher ceilings
• More closet space
• Modern safety features
• Open floor plan design
• Follows latest trends in flooring, finishes, colors, and cabinetry
• Time/Money saved on home repairs and updates

To visit the site and learn more about the benefits of buying a newly constructed home
CLICK HERE.

What are some of the benefits you see to buying a newly constructed home?

Developing a Budget

At Paradime Construction, owner Stan O'Brien designs, drafts and builds the homes. This hands on attention allows for a detailed focus on the costs of building a custom home and can be adapted to fit each home buyers unique needs. O'Brien remains involved in the entire process and with his years of experience can answer any questions that may arise.

When developing your budget for a custom home here are a few things to consider?

- Land costs - do you already own the property or will you need to acquire a home site?
- What other monthly costs do you already have? Make a tally of all expenses including car payments, credit cards, groceries, etc.
- Look at other homes in the square footage range and area that you are interested in for some ideas of the price range
- Bring photos, sketches, plans with you to your first builder meeting - this will help your builder understand better what type of features you are looking for in your home.

Most importantly, keep open communication with your builder. Stan O'Brien prides himself on being accessible to the customer and to really listening to what the needs and wants are of the buyer.

Real Estate Regrets

Trulia released the results of a consumer survey asking homeowners what they regret about their current home purchase or home buying process.

Home buyers this Spring are facing a market with limited inventory and stiff competition for homes. This environment creates the potential for buyers to make rushed decisions that they may later regret. The goal of Trulia's survey is to inform current buyers about the most common regrets in hopes that they can be avoided.

Here are the findings from the survey about top 5 homeowner regrets:

• 34% wish they had chosen a larger home
• 27% wish they had done more remodeling on the home that they did
• 22% wish they had more information on the home before they purchased
• 18% wish they had put more money down for the down payment
• 16% wish they were more financially secure before they made their decision

For a full list of homeowner regrets and analysis by Trulia visit this LINK

What if any regrets do you have from previous home buying experiences?

Natural Mosquito Control

As the weather warms up it's natural to want to spend more time outdoors enjoying the spring and summer temps!

Don't let mosquitoes ruin your outdoor environment. Here are some all natural tips to help keep the buzzing bugs at bay!

1. The Citronella plant.  This distinctive smell hides you from mosquitoes. It's the same fragrance used in citronella candles but the actual plant is stronger and more effective.

2. Change your lighting. If you have outdoor lights  change your bulbs to a yellow or orange shade. This glow seems to attract less mosquitoes as opposed to bright white bulbs.

3. Remove sources of standing water. Mosquitoes breed in still pools of water so look for any overturned tubs or containers that may be catching rain water.

4. Camouflage yourself. Wear light or neutral colors, limit perfumes and lotions. Use a ceiling fan to keep air circulating.

Builder Q&A

Question: What is a conditioned crawl space?

Answer:
In new construction a conditioned crawl space involves the following elements:

• No insulation between the ground and floor
• 20 mil puncture proof polymer on the ground that is rolled up the side walls and taped
• Spray foam insulation around the perimeter of the wall to insulate from the outside
• HVAC supply duct into the crawl space to control temperature and humidity
• HVAC return to the first floor to allow air circulation

The advantages to having a conditioned crawl space are many:

• Utliized the earth's thermal mass to help heat and cool the home in temperature extremes
• No hot or cold floors - consistent temperatures because of the conditioned space
• Eliminates moisture for better indoor air quality
• Reduces the possibility of bugs and pests

Paradime Construction is familiar with the purpose and construction of a conditioned crawl space.  When buying a new home consider the investment you are making and the best ways to protect it.

Mortgage Interest Rates

A note from Hal Von Nessen, MIRM. His blog can be found at reshmarketing.com.

"The Federal Housing Finance Agency released figures today showing a slight increase in mortgage interest rates in February. I recall the good old days when an upward tick in the rates would stimulate buyers to come out to avoid the anticipated price adjustments resulting from another increase. It would appear that, just as spring heralds its arrival with new growth, the housing market is also seeing signs of rebirth. It may be minimal, it may be slow, but it sure is welcomed!"

Here's a link to the full report.

http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/25069/MIRS%20March%202013%20final.pdf

Tankless Water Heaters

As part of the green building products and practices built into new homes, Paradime Construction includes a Tankless Water Heater.

If you're not familiar with this type of water heater, here's a little background information on the advantages to going tankless.

Tankless water heaters are also known as "on demand" water heaters.  Unlike traditional water heaters, a tankless heater does not store warm, unused water, but heats water only as it is needed.

With a tankless water heater it is not necessary to run water so that it will "heat up". You can save water by having immediately warm water on demand.

The life span of a tankless water heater may be longer than the standard water heater because there is no sitting water to corrode the tank.  The tanks are more compact than standard units and when used correctly can still supply enough hot water for your household.

Talk with Stan O'Brien at Paradime Construction about your hot water needs and to ensure that a tankless water heater is incorporated into your home design. 

Thank You!

We had an amazing Home Show last weekend. The weather was beautiful and the crowds were huge! 

We made some great new contacts and really appreciated everyone who came by to learn a little more about Paradime Construction.

If you couldn't make it out, don't worry! Take a look around our website or contact us to learn more about what makes a Paradime home unique.

We look forward to working with you to design and build your dream home!

It's Opening Day!

Come see us at the 47th annual Home and Garden Show at the State Fairgrounds this weekend.

The Home Show features over 300 exhibitors in home construction, design, gardening, landscaping PLUS free educational seminars.

Today is opening day and the doors stay open until 8pm.  Tomorrow's hours are 9am-7pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Enjoy your favorite fair foods and the chance to win from the over $15,000 in door prize give-aways!

Admission is $6 at the gate, children 14 and under free.

Visit us at booth C201 in the Cantey Building!

For a complete list of seminars and special events visit ColumbiaBuilders.com

Spring Home Maintenance

Spring Home Maintenance

March is quickly approaching and with it - spring!

Once the chill is out of the air it's time to get back up and outside for some home maintenance.

Here are some items for your list of must-do spring sprucing.

• Change your air filters - do this monthly for best use
• Check for leaky faucets and clogged drains
• Look for signs of pests and take preventative measures before it gets too warm
• Refresh outdoor furniture
• Repair or replace window screens
• Declutter

What are we missing? What will you do to freshen your home for spring?

See us at the Home Show!

 The 47th Annual Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show will be here March 8-10th at the State Fairgrounds and Paradime is excited to be participating again in this great event!

This year the show features over 300 exhibitors in home building, home improvement, gardening and landscaping.  The show includes free educational seminars, a Senior Expo on Friday and special guest Jenny Martin from Southern Savers.

Southern Savers is a couponing blog that has received national attention. Founder Jenny Martin will present three seminars on how to save money through coupons.

For more information on the show visit ColumbiaBuilders.com.

Home Prices On the Rise!

The map above shows the change in house prices by state from the past four quarters. The latest map was released at the end of the 3rd Quarter 2012.  What you'll find is that home prices in South Carolina are increasing.  This is great news for home owners and good motivation for potential buyers to act now before prices go even higher!


The housing recovery is vital to our country's economic rebound and we are excited to see some good news on the state of the housing market in our area.

Game Time!

We're down to the wire now with only two more days until the Super Bowl.

Whether you've been planning your get-together for weeks or just decided to invite over some friends, here are some tips to make your party a hit!

1. Plan for your guests:  Some will be there for the game, some for the commercials, and some for the chance to catch up with friends.  Have an area with seating available for those not interested in watching the game. This will make the talkers comfortable and keep the serious game watchers from getting upset.

2. Keep the food simple and portable. You'll want to have finger foods that can easily be eaten while sitting on the couch cheering on your favorite team.  Make plenty of space on coffee and end tables with coasters and napkins readily available.

3. Enjoy your own party. The Super Bowl is not a formal event. Keep your decorations low-key, the food easy, and the mood light. Ask friends to bring a dish or beverages. Don't get trapped in the kitchen!

Benefits to Building with Paradime - Part 1

Not all builders are created equal.  Building with Paradime Construction has its benefits and our goal here is to highlight those benefits before you make your building decision.

Today's focus will be on the interior aesthetics of your home. There are techniques and materials that will drastically improve the quality and look of your new home.  Here are a few of those processes employed by Paradime.

1. All homes include smooth ceilings, crown mouldings and casing to create a finished and polished look to the rooms.

2. Windows are trimmed with wood to create a frame along the window.

3. The front door is a fiberglass door that will withstand the elements and years longer than wood or metal doors. It also allows for the option to paint or stain the door.

4. All paint is rolled, not sprayed.  This allows for a smoother finish that is easier to touch up and repair in the future.

If that isn't enough, Paradime guarantees a one year visit with one of their painters to make any touch ups that could occur as the house settles and adjusts to the various seasons.

Finding a builder who understands the subtle importance of these details is rare.  Choose Paradime to build your brand new home.

Time to prepare

It's that time of year again...tax time.

While it's not necessarily worthy of a Hallmark card, tax time for homeowners has its benefits.

Homeownership allows for certain tax breaks that can make visiting your accountant a little more bearable.

For information on how these tax breaks apply to you and how to best utilize them we've collected a list of articles that we hope will be educational.

6 Tax Breaks Every Homeowner Should Know

Homeowner Tax Breaks

Deductions for Homeowners

What are some of your biggest questions about taxes for new homeowners?

Why Buy?

Home ownership has long been part of the American Dream.  But why?

What are the actual benefits to owning a home?

We've compiled some here. Let us know what you think!

• Stability: No yearly rent increases here. What you see is what you get and you call the shots.
• Tax Deductions: Homeowners can deduct some or all of their mortgage interest from their taxes.
• Equity: Owning a home builds equity and can help your credit score for future borrowing needs.
• Appreciation: Although the housing market is cyclical, over time most homes appreciate in value.
• Freedom: Make your home your own! There is no landlord to answer to and no restrictions on what you can do to make your home unique!

Color Trends 2013

Happy New Year!

Each year some of the major paint companies develop their list of color trends they predict will be popular in new home design.

Today, we're sharing with you two color forecasts for 2013.


Behr

Behr predicts that several color families will be trendsetters in 2013 including a style throwback to the roaring 20's, deep natural colors, color blocking and magenta - a spin on traditional red. They also see "water-cooled blue" as a popular color for accessorizing a room.

To see samples of their color predictions click HERE


Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin Williams predicts several color families in 2013

Midnight Mystery - Moody, muted and masculine - click HERE

Honed Vitality - Soft neutrals inspired by nature - click HERE

Vintage Moxie - Bold Pastels and gem-inspired tones - click HERE

High Voltage - Bold and bright hues - click HERE



What colors are inspiring you this year?