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Find Your Dream Home in Dunwoody

Find Your Dream Home in Dunwoody

x876eNestled on a tree-lined street in the heart of one of Atlanta’s most sought-after suburbs, the four-sides brick Dunwoody home at 4953 Leisure Drive is an entertainer’s paradise with 5 spacious bedrooms, 4.5 spa-inspired bathrooms, showplace gourmet kitchen, inviting living spaces, full daylight basement, expansive back deck overlooking a private lake, fabulous mudroom, three-car garage and so much more. Priced at an incredible $1,049,000, this 4,239 SF spectacular spec home – elegantly designed, expertly crafted and exclusively YOU by Atlanta’s premier custom home builder, Highlight Homes – is move-in ready.

k753Aspiring chefs are likely to want to spend more time in the fabulous kitchen than anywhere else in the home. Just imagine the recipes one could create on the generously proportioned island. The crisp white cabinetry, pale gray tile backsplash and light granite countertops are offset by rich, hand-rubbed hardwoods, brushed nickel hardware and stainless steel appliances. The adjoining keeping room boasts a soaring cathedral wood ceiling and dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace. On warm Spring and Summer evenings, the choice to dine al fresco is an easy one thanks to the proximity of the deck to the kitchen space.

L070Surprisingly sophisticated touches can be found throughout the home – from the living room with its built-in bookcase with glass doors and coffered ceiling, to the magnificent oval-shaped double trey and wall of windows in the master bedroom. The master bathroom is truly special – giving off an air of Old Hollywood, with its soaking tub, tile plank flooring, his and her vanities and glass and tile shower stall. Even the secondary bedrooms have the feel of slightly smaller master suites with incredible attached bathrooms, walk-in closets, trey ceiling and more.

n01-236aWhile the overall feel of the home – from the gray shake siding, taupe board-and-batten shutters, double oak front doors and pale brick exterior to the luxurious yet completely livable interior – is overwhelmingly classic, it’s perfectly suited for today’s modern family. At the top of the stairs on the second floor is a striking tech center with built-in bookshelves, drawers and double desks – the ideal space for a homework station or home office. The home also comes equipped with “smart” technology for interior climate control – which isn’t merely cool and convenient, but could equate to some significant cost savings on utility bills.

LR346Children who live in this home can attend Kingsley Elementary, Peachtree Middle and Dunwoody High Schools – or the highly reputable Marist School, which was just ranked #9 out of the Top 100 Private High Schools in Georgia by Niche Rankings. #25 – Brandon Hall – is also located nearby. The entire family will enjoy the surrounding City of Dunwoody – with its convenience to I-285, Perimeter Mall, world-class dining, wonderful parks and terrific community events. To learn more about this distinctive Dunwoody home, please contact our real estate representatives at Keller Williams First Atlanta Realty – Melanie and Tyler Pourhassan. Melanie can be reached via e-mail at melaniehp@kw.com or by phone at 678-873-9232, and Tyler can be reached via e-mail at apourhassan@kw.com or by phone at 678-833-2051. They would be happy to schedule a tour of the home with you.

For more information about new construction homes, custom homes and luxury renovations by Highlight Homes – please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

2016 Pantone Color(s) of the Year: Rose Quartz and Serenity

2016 Pantone Color(s) of the Year: Rose Quartz and Serenity

Pantone press_coy2016For the first time EVER, Pantone – THE authority on color for the fashion and design industries has named not just one, but TWO colors as its Color of the Year. Exploring color’s softer side, Pantone has designated a blending of Rose Quartz (PANTONE 13-1520) and Serenity (PANTONE 15-3919) to reflect the public’s growing desire for balance and well-being.

“Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,” explained Pantone Color Institute Executive Director, Leatrice Eiseman, on the company’s website.

According to Pantone’s Color of the Year web page: “Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.”

For homeowners who swear by color psychology and the use of certain colors to lend a sense of balance to their world, this will no doubt come as good news. Atlanta-based Highlight Homes is happy to help its renovation and custom home clients incorporate these lovely new Colors of the Year in their homes. When used in conjunction with other hot trends such as crisp, white kitchens, reflective surfaces and “Old Hollywood”-inspired mirrored and metallic home accessories, both shades could lend to an elegant and sophisticated look. When used for Interiors, the Pantone press release announcing the Color of the Year suggests that “the pairing of Serenity and Rose Quartz bring a feeling of calm and relaxation into the home environment. Like a serene sunset, Rose Quartz encourages reflection on one’s surroundings while Serenity, a transcendent blue, provides a naturally connected sense of space.”

Pantone believes that both colors serve as a distinctive choice for rugs and upholstery, as well as paint and decorative accessories, such as solid and patterned fabrics, throws, pillows, bedding, kitchen items, tableware, and home accessories like candles, decorative bowls, vases and florals. Either would serve as a striking addition to any room as an accent wall or a painted door and trim.

Pantone recommends the following shades to complement Rose Quartz and Serenity: Grays such as Pantone 14-0000 Silver Gray, 18-3906 Volcanic Glass, 14-0216 Lint, 17-0613 Vetiver, 18-5204 Granite Gray, 11-4201 Cloud Dancer and 15-4702 Puritan Gray; Browns such as Pantone 19-0810 Major Brown, 18-1112 Walnut, 13-1012 Frosted Almond, 18-1108 Fallen Rock, 18-1235 Russet, 15-1218 Semolina and 16-0906 Simply Taupe; Bright pastels such as 16-2107 Orchid Haze, 15-1520 Blooming Dahlia, 16-3521 Lupine, 12-5406 Opal Blue, 18-3211 Grapeade, and 13-1125 Peach Quartz – among others.

To learn more about Rose Quartz, Serenity and Pantone’s suggested color palettes, visit the Color of the Year announcement page online.

About Pantone and the Pantone Color Institute: Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries. Pantone products have encouraged colorful exploration and expressions of creativity from inspiration to implementation for more than 50 years.

Image Credit: Pantone LLC Virtual Press Room

Building a Digital Dream Book

Building a Digital Dream Book

Dream book shutterstock_327497225 (sm)Over the course of the last few years, Highlight Homes has recommended to our renovation and custom home clients that they build a “dream book” to share with us. In addition to paint swatches and lists of elements they hope to incorporate into their design – such as a window seat with storage, butler’s pantry just off the formal dining room or upstairs laundry room they’ve always wanted – we often suggest that they clip photos out of magazines to give us the best idea of the look and feel they hope to achieve. These dream books serve as a tangible “go to” resource that we can look to throughout all stages of design and construction. However, given the fact that it is now 2016 and the digital age is in full swing, we’d like to add a wrinkle to the dog-eared Dream Book binder of yesteryear in favor of a more modern approach… the Digital Dream Book.

Step 1… Pop Open Pinterest: If you don’t already have one, open a Pinterest account. Depending on the size of your project, you can either build a board filled with images or several boards dedicated to various rooms of the home, as well as the exterior.  Once you’ve opened your account and created your boards, it’s time to start building!

Step 2… Become a Shutterbug: Inspiration can come from some of the most unusual places. Use your smartphone to snap photos of elements that speak to you at friends’ houses, but also look at the architecture of commercial locations, at your natural surroundings, everywhere! Upload photos to Pinterest and be sure to add comments with regard to WHY that image spoke to you.

Step 3… Explore the Digital Landscape: Architectural and interior design magazine websites are terrific places to look for images that speak to you. Don’t overlook appliance, paint and flooring manufacturers.

Again, inspiration can come from the most unusual places, so don’t rule anything out as you look for those images that will help convey what you hold in your imagination. Pin the pictures that hold special meaning and be sure to add comments with regard to WHY that image spoke to you.

Step 4… Share Your Boards with Highlight Homes: Once you’re satisfied with the sense of home you’re trying to convey, share the link to your board/boards with the team at Highlight Homes. We can use it to develop a more accurate quote and design so that your reality will actually exceed your dream (book).

To learn more about Highlight Homes and our extensive list of services, we encourage you to visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Make It a Home Sweet Home Kind of Holiday

Make It a Home Sweet Home Kind of Holiday

Give the Gift of a Custom Home or Whole Home Renovation This Holiday Season

Home Sweet Home shutterstock_302367035It’s not unusual for a family to fall out of love with their home. They may still love their neighbors, the area, the schools and that cute little bistro down the street, but their home may have lost its luster over the years. An easy fix in that situation may involve a whole home renovation or some remodeling projects in key areas of the home that the family uses most – or not at all, prompting the need to create more useable spaces. On the other hand, some families may feel no ties to their home or community whatsoever, indicating the need for a move to a home and community they will love for years and years to come – a home of their own imagining… a custom home. It just so happens that award-winning Atlanta-based Highlight Homes excels in both of these arenas and has for the last ten years. We welcome the opportunity to add your current or brand new custom home to our growing list of favorite projects EVER!  As a matter of fact, NOW is the perfect time to transform years of dreaming a into a beautiful reality by making this a “home sweet home” kind of holiday!

Highlight Homes’ founder – Tony Pourhassan – invites you to call him to schedule a meeting to discuss your vision, hopes and dreams for a custom home or whole home renovation. In the event that you are ready to sign a contract, Highlight Homes can develop a special “gift” for you to place under the tree to surprise your family on Christmas morning. Imagine the looks on their faces when you reveal to them your plans to fully renovate your home or build a custom home from the ground up. Highlight Homes can even connect you with a skilled real estate professional in the sale of your current home and the acquisition of land for your new home. What are you waiting for?  To get started, call 678-873-9234, e-mail info@highlighthomesga.com or fill out our convenient online contact form. To view our gallery of work  and learn more about Highlight Homes – including our full list of services, please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Highlight Homes to Take Part in 3rd Annual Real Estate Private Equity Forum on Land & Homebuilding

Tony Pourhassan

Tony Pourhassan headshotOn October 14 and 15 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, a collection of some of the nation’s finest builders, developers and finance partners will gather together for a two-day forum to network and discuss the state of their industry. The main focus of Information Management Network’s (IMN)  3rd Annual Real Estate Private Equity Forum will be on private equity, debt and joint venture financing in the land and homebuilding markets. The event will convene senior colleagues from homebuilders, funds/private equity firms, land developers, land owners, lenders, property management and other service providers to the industry. Highlight Homes’ Principal, Tony Pourhassan will not only be in attendance at the event – he will serve as a panelist.

Featured alongside four other panelists, the topic of discussion for his particular segment of the forum will relate to “The High-End of the Market” – a subject for which Tony is ideally suited as the founder of one of Atlanta, Georgia’s premier custom homebuilding companies, Highlight Homes. Tony and his fellow panelists will address the subjects of:

  • Land prices in affluent neighborhoods
  • Lot size, amenities and floorplans that are in vogue
  • Revenue that can be expected from projects such as these
  • Whether or not the new luxury home supply is under-served
  • The outside with regard to pools, guarded-gates, clubhouses and open space
  • Access to public transportation, highways and employment centers
  • The active senior community
  • What attracts them to high-end market opportunities

“I am honored to serve alongside my fellow panelists to discuss our ‘high-end’ sector of the market,” said Tony. “And I am particularly eager to learn what others are experiencing in different parts of the country. In Georgia, the recovery of the housing industry was extremely slow to start – but today it’s beginning to show great promise. Hopes are high for that trend to continue so we can all continue to do the work we love – building beautifully crafted houses for the families who will one day call them ‘home.’”

For those in attendance at the Forum, Tony would like to personally invite you to grab a seat before the “High-End of the Market” panel at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15. To learn more about IMN’s 3rd Annual Real Estate Private Equity Forum On Land & Homebuilding, please visit the event website. For more information about Highlight Homes, be sure to visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Style and Substance Coexist Beautifully in Dunwoody Executive Home

Style and Substance Coexist Beautifully in Dunwoody Executive Home

HLH 4952 Leisure Drive ExteriorDunwoody is now home to an elegant executive abode that serves as a delightful dichotomy of style vs. substance. Located at 4952 Leisure Drive and expertly crafted by the talented team at Atlanta’s premier custom builder – award-winning Highlight Homes, this new construction home is an entertainer’s dream on one hand and intelligently planned family headquarters on the other. Showcasing the 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 4239 square foot West Hampton floorplan, the home is poised on a beautiful .57 acre lot with a spectacular view of the community lake.

HLH 4952 Leisure Drive - KitchenBoasting all of the essential elements for a busy Dunwoody family, the home features a showplace mudroom for stowing backpacks and lacrosse gear, expansive tech center for nightly homework sessions, spacious open floorplan and 3-car side entry garage for all of the various modes of transportation the family might need. When it’s time to put practicality aside to entertain guests, the resident host and hostess will no doubt appreciate the fabulous gourmet kitchen with central island, 6-Burner Gas Cook-Top with pot filler, Oven & Microwave – all by Thermador, and walk-in pantry w/built ins. Visitors can stay close to the action in the kitchen by grabbing a seat in the nearby keeping roomwith gorgeous vaulted tongue & groove wood ceiling. As soon as the dinner bell rings, one and all can gather together in the formal dining room. Once the meal has ended, everyone can either retire to the basement for fun and games or the expansive deck for cocktails and star-gazing.

HLH - 4952 Leisure Drive - Keeping RoomThe first level of the home also consists of a great room with coffered ceilings and built-in bookcases and a highly desirable master on main with a wall of windows overlooking the private backyard, luxurious master bathroom and impressive walk-in closet. Just upstairs, 4 secondary bedrooms await. As if all of this weren’t enough to entice prospective homebuyers, the property also features professional landscaping, energy efficient systems, excellent location in one of Atlanta’s most highly revered neighborhoods and fast access to I-285 for workday commutes. To learn more about Dunwoody, check out our Highlight Spotlight on the city.

HLH - 4952 Leisure Drive - Rear ExteriorThis stunning home is move-in ready and available for $1,049,000. To learn more about this property, potential future homeowners are encouraged to call the builder, Tony Pourhassan, directly at 678-873-9234. For more information about Highlight Homes – including a chance to view other custom homes and luxury renovations in their online portfolio – please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

 

HLH - 4952 Leisure Drive - Master Bedroom HLH - 4952 Leisure Drive - Master Bath HLH - 4952 Leisure Drive - Great Room

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Stately Southern Manor in the Heart of Historic Brookhaven

Stately Southern Manor in the Heart of Historic Brookhaven

960 Carter Drive NE - Front Elevation - 2015Premier Atlanta custom home builder –Highlight Homes – has launched construction on another elegant semi-custom home in the Historic Brookhaven neighborhood of Atlanta. By contracting with the builder in the earliest stages of construction, one lucky home buyer will have an opportunity to enjoy a build-to-suit custom construction experience and handpick virtually all of the elements that will make this stunning 5 bedroom, 5 ½ bathroom, 5,000+SF home uniquely their own. Upon completion, the home – located at 960 Carter Drive NE in Atlanta – will be poised upon 1.35 beautifully wooded acres.

If they hurry, the future home owner can propose a floorplan of their own. Otherwise, once the foundation is laid, the home will feature an exquisite open floorplan, which boasts two master suites – one on the main floor and another on the upper level, as well as three-car garage, two laundry rooms, a showplace gourmet kitchen, spa-inspired master bathrooms, a full basement, countless luxury appointments and so much more. The home exudes an air of welcome thanks to an inviting rocking chair front porch. As a matter of fact, a series of porches, decks, patios and a private backyard extend the living spaces outside – making this home an ideal fit for anyone who loves the Great Outdoors paired with the fine art of entertaining.

Located within two miles of the wildly popular Town Brookhaven and within four miles of the bustling Perimeter Mall area, this home offers no shortage of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. There are also a number of excellent parks nearby, including dog-friendly Brookhaven Park, Blue Heron Nature Preserve and Little Nancy Creek Park with its creek, playground, pavilion, community garden and calendar of events. For world-class entertainment, the future homeowners need look no further than Chastain Park Amphitheatre – which regularly features such renowned and varied artists as Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefers, Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, Willie Nelson, Counting Crows and more.

Prospective home buyers who are interested in learning more about this property are encouraged to call the homebuilder, Tony Pourhassan, directly at 678-873-9234. For more information about Highlight Homes – including a chance to view other custom homes and luxury renovations in their online portfolio – please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Press Release: Highlight Homes Issues Special Salute to the Troops

Press Release: Highlight Homes Issues Special Salute to the Troops

Georgia Builder Broadens the Scope of its Charitable Arm – the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation – to Include the Needs of Local Veterans

 

The launch and designation of the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation as a 501(c)3 Public Charity are among Highlight Homes' proudest moments of 2011.

Atlanta, May 21 – Whether completely reimagining a galley kitchen into a sprawling showplace that would make any chef green with envy or conjuring up a 5000 square foot luxury estate in place of a dated 1950’s ranch home in Brookhaven, Highlight Homes founder – Tony Pourhassan – has long been recognized as a man with big vision. What some people may not realize about the man at the helm of the Atlanta-based custom home construction company is that he has an equally big heart. Over the course of the last year alone, he donated time, resources and money to worthy non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, and Partners-in-Education. He has done everything from on-site construction at several Habitat homes to driving a loader of boxes filled with new toys to going on a shopping spree with a high school student-in-need to complete her Christmas wish list. This year, he will no doubt continue his legacy of philanthropy – but with more of an emphasis on his own non-profit organization, the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation.

The Georgia Redevelopment Foundation was launched in 2011 in the wake of devastating tornadoes that slammed Alabama and Georgia. During this time, Pourhassan and his team logged hundreds of man hours in an attempt to help Southern homeowners rebuild their homes and their lives. Over the course of the last four years, the non-profit organization has grown to encompass senior citizens whose homes are in need of repair, but lack the funds to cover them. In 2015, Pourhassan grows that vision even further to include veterans, active military and their families.

“I have so much respect for these brave young men and women who go off to fight for our nation and the freedoms for which it stands,” explains Pourhassan. “While they are away, their homes may fall into disrepair and their families may not know where to turn for help. At the same time, there are many soldiers who come home from service with injuries that challenge their mobility. Where they may have been perfectly capable of tackling a home repair project before, they may now be somewhat limited in their capacity – either physically or financially. We want them to know that there’s an organization out there that wants to help them and their families.”

The scope of the vision for Georgia Redevelopment Foundation will include everything from outfitting a home for wheelchair access to much-needed home repairs while a spouse is away in service overseas. Active military personnel, veterans and their immediate families in need of assistance through the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation are asked to send their request along with address, branch of service, service dates and list of repair/renovation needs to info@highlighthomesga.com. Requests will be considered on an individual basis as funding allows. For those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help offset costs of future repair and renovation projects for military families, Pourhassan invites e-mails to the address listed above. The Georgia Redevelopment is also seeking strategic partnerships with individual investors, construction vendors, and corporations who wish to form an alliance and help military families rebuild their lives, one brick at a time.

About Highlight Homes:

Highlight Homes, LLC was established in 2005 by builder, developer and architect, Anthony F. Pourhassan. The Atlanta-based company is founded on the core belief in the significance of what they are creating, firmly based in their lasting dedication to the clients they serve, and continually growing as word spreads of their unswerving commitment to quality. Because Highlight Homes, LLC is family-owned and operated – they truly care about their clients and their families. They listen carefully to their clients’ wants and needs, then design and implement plans to fit both their vision and their budget. Each Highlight Home contractor is fully licensed, registered and insured, and is well prepared to tackle projects of varying size and scope – from a luxury custom estate in one of Atlanta’s trendiest neighborhoods to a cozy, bungalow-inspired home in the sprawling suburbs.

After nearly three decades of experience in architectural design, construction, and development, Anthony Pourhassan and Highlight Homes have the know-how to take any project from concept to completion. They keep a steady pace with other leaders in their field through continued education and certification, as well as via affiliations with top-notch professional organizations such as the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Certified Professional Home Builders of Georgia, National Kitchen & Bath Association, and National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Highlight Homes is proud to be a Better Business Bureau accredited business, as well as a certified Earth Craft House Builder, Energy Star Partner, and LEED Certified Home Builder.

Highlight Homes sets itself apart from the fray of other builders in the market through their attention to even the smallest detail, paired with their trademark of infusing unexpected touches and luxury finishes into every project they complete – at surprisingly affordable prices. They stand by every house they build by extending a one-year follow-up maintenance call to their homeowners, as well as a one-year full service warranty and an astounding EIGHT-YEAR structural warranty – all at no additional cost.  In response to a growing need in Atlanta, Highlight Homes launched their renovation division in 2009 and custom construction division in 2014. To learn more about Highlight Homes and the services it offers throughout Metro Atlanta, please visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Whole Home Renovations Prove Viable Alternative to New Construction

Kitchen Renovation - After; Image Credit: Never the Rock Photography
Kitchen Renovation; Image Credit: Never the Rock Photography

A recent study released by the National Association of Home Builders reveals that whole home renovations made the list at #4 of most common jobs for remodelers in 2014. It was beat out by less expensive projects such as bathroom remodeling (which tops the list at #1), kitchen renovations (#2) and window/door replacements (#3). Whole home renovations – which include a series of improvements that can dramatically alter the appearance/functionality of the interior and/or exterior of a house – may prove a practical solution for homeowners who love their neighborhood, but have grown disenchanted with the home itself.

Outdoor Hearth

“With many of our semi-custom and custom home construction projects, we frequently buy dated homes in highly sought after communities – like a 1950’s ranch in the City of Brookhaven,” explains Atlanta-based Highlight Homes’ founder, Tony Pourhassan. “More often than not, we elect to raze those original houses and start anew, but in the case of a family who already owns the home and has special memories there – that may not be a desirable option for them.  If a home offers a base structure with good integrity, but it’s a ranch without a basement and the family is growing – we can add an upper level and completely alter the look of the exterior and interior. In the case of a home that’s already two-stories but has an outdated floorplan, we can adjust the flow of the interior and possibly add a room or two so it proves a better fit for the family who lives there.”

With multi-generational living on the rise, a whole home renovation may be a great way to stay true to one generation while making room for the next. Age-in-place elements can be incorporated for aging parents, while the latest trends in residential construction and décor can be incorporated to make the newest inhabitants feel right at home. A renovation partner like Highlight Homes – which is truly invested in the happiness of the homeowners with whom it partners – will strive to provide a seamless transition between “the old” and “the new” in a home so that it feels as though they are all part of one cohesive look.

Oak Point Bathroom Renovation

Best of all, a whole home renovation may prove less expensive than the construction of an entirely new home. You get to keep the same great neighbors, same easy commute and access to the same awesome shops and restaurants, but your home will have a completely new look. While you won’t have to undergo the hassle of moving, you may have to get creative with storage and living arrangements while your home undergoes its transformation. Still – in the long run – the good will likely far outweigh the temporary inconvenience.

To start a dialogue about a whole home renovation for your house, reach out to the talented team at Highlight Homes by calling 678.873.9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our convenient online contact form. If you’d like to view a list of services that Highlight Homes provides and view a portfolio of some of their previous projects, be sure to visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

Celebrate Earth Day Year-round with an Environmentally-Focused Custom Home

Green Building Council Logo - HLHWith the advent of Earth Day on April 22 paired with the recent arrival of Spring, thoughts of many are likely turned to the environment and the beauty it represents. While some may elect to plant trees or take part in local litter pickup events to celebrate Earth Day, there are ways to observe the lessons this environmentally –focused holiday teaches us 365 days a year. As an eco-friendly builder, Highlight Homes encourages our clients to incorporate Earth-friendly elements into the design and construction of their custom home. If you are considering building a custom – or semi-custom – home, here are a few eco-centric practices and elements you might want to integrate…

  • Thorough planning is crucial and occurs long before the home is actually built. At Highlight Homes, we continuously review the latest construction products and green building methods in order to ensure a home’s health, comfort and value, as well as to reduce the overall operating cost.
  • Site selection and stewardship are key to assuring your builder doesn’t negatively impact the environment in which your custom home will be based. Through thoughtful design and responsible construction strategies, your builder can minimize the impact on the site because less time is spent on-site on building activities and staging.
  • Ask that your builder use as many local suppliers as possible for a “big picture” approach to environmental stewardship. That way, you are cutting down on shipping of materials and supporting local commerce at the same time.
  • Consider incorporating rooftop solar panels to convert some of your family’s energy usage to solar power. Bear in mind that the pitch of the roof often has a lot to do with the efficiency of solar panels (the flatter the roof, the better), so this option may not work for every custom or semi-custom home design.
  • Request the placement of energy efficient windows and door throughout your home. Energy efficiency is often achieved through the use of the appropriate building science, technology and equipment – leading to lower operating costs for the homeowner. A Highlight Home is well-sealed and insulated – our carefully planned finishes and quality construction practices will aid in enhancing the indoor environmental quality – safeguarding the health of the family who will live there.
  • Have programmable thermostats placed on each level of the home. You can save money on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep, at the office or away on vacation. By setting it to 68° during the winter months while you are at home and awake, then scaling it back 10-15° for when you’re away or asleep – you can save as much as 15% off your heating bill – according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The same holds true during the summer. Set your thermostat for 78° while at home, then bump it up while you’re away.
  • Encourage the use of paints, carpets and building materials that emit low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.
  • Request water efficient plumbing fixtures throughout the home, as well as an energy efficient water heater. In addition to saving you money on your water bill, water efficiency aids in water conservation – leading to reduced stress on the local infrastructure, reduced energy usage and drought avoidance.
  • Landscape the area surrounding your home with native plants and use of water conservation methods. Consider investing in a water reclamation barrel to water your plants.
  • When all is said and done, request the placement of energy efficient appliances in your kitchen.

To learn more about Highlight Homes, we encourage you to visit www.highlighthomesga.com. If you live in the Metro Atlanta area and would like to see our green construction practices in action on a semi-custom or custom home of your own, call Highlight Homes today at 678-873-9234.