Morningstar Homes Inc. Custom Home Builders Chapel Ridge Golf Community, Cameron Village

With the ever changing market conditions, we have found that flexibility is a very effective attribute to have to sustain and grow any viable business. Always on the lookout for opportunities to continue to grow our business, we found just such an opportunity about mid way through 2009 in the form of a new neighborhood located just outside of Chapel Hill.

Briar Chapel is a master planned community that stresses sound architectural design along with Energy Conservation and Green living. Developed by the award winning Newland Communities, Briar Chapel has already won recognition from the industry as well as established itself as the next great community to live in, in the greater triangle area.

Morningstar homes will be featuring a number of home plans with rear entry garages that will range in size from 2600 square feet to 3100 square feet with prices starting in the low $300’s.

Check back often as we update our website with more information about this exciting direction.

In an ongoing effort to continue to improve and add value to the homes that it builds, John Lile has been attending the training offered by the National Association of Home Builders for Green home construction. He completed the final training session in September of 2009 and subsequently earned his “CGP” (Certified Green Professional) designation.

The CGP is an exclusive designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders. Requirements include 24 hours of classroom instruction, industry experience and adherence to the CGP Code of Ethics.

While the current economic conditions continue to provide a challenge for homebuilders (especially custom homebuilders), business has been steady for MorningStar Homes. We have completed 3 homes so far this year (all pre-sales) and have two under construction as we speak with one more pending (all pre-sales). Some have been asking us what our “secret” is …. Well, here it is.

Steve and I have been building homes for over 30 years, so suffice it to say, this is not our first “rodeo”. We have both been through several recessions in the past and saw the signs, some time ago, for this current recession. As an overall business strategy, we don’t own many lots, in fact, we only own three in downtown Raleigh and are sitting on them till the market turns. Additionally, we don’t build “spec” homes (unsold inventory) unless there is a very compelling business reason for doing so. We only have one and currently have a couple of different prospects interested in it. Our business strategy has been to reduce overhead, concentrate on the “pre-sale” market and provide exceptional service and detail to our customers. All of this has resulted in a healthy referral business.

As we saw the signs for the current recession, we immediately began to take steps to reduce our overhead. We closed our office space and moved our operations into our homes, we looked at every overhead dollar we were spending and tried to find savings where ever possible. Lastly, we don’t live a lavish lifestyle. I know this sounds somewhat “trite” but the bottom line is a lot of builders get in trouble because they spend all their “reserves” on new boats, a house at the beach, one at the mountains etc.

So, what does this mean for our current and future customers? Steve and I are here to stay, we’re not in this for the short term … never have been, never will be. We have been able to stay busy in this market, we have passed the savings from reducing our overhead on to our customers, we have renegotiated all our contracts with our suppliers and vendors and passed this savings on to our customers. So, the bottom line is … if you have the ability to build a new home right now, Steve and I are ready and able to serve you.

“MorningStar Homes has a successful weekend at the Southern Ideal Home Show”
Steve and John would like to thank all of our friends and clients who came by to visit us at the Southern Ideal Home Show this past weekend. We had a wonderful time, met many interesting people and had a chance to visit with several folks who were looking for a custom Home builder. All in all, we think the show was a huge success and look forward to working with some of the new folks we met at the show.

“MorningStar Homes announces the winner of the free plan giveaway!
As part of the Southern Ideal Home Show, MorningStar Homes in conjunction with Southern Living Magazine held a drawing for a free set of home plans from Southern Living Home Plans. The winner of the free set of home plans is Lisa Williams. Congratulations Lisa!!

Visit the MorningStar Homes booth #737 at the Southern Ideal Home Show and register to win great prizes, including a complete set of Southern Living Magazine architectural drawings, a $1,200 value! You can also receive a complimentary issue of Southern Living Magazine when you stop by to see us.

The Southern Ideal Home Show will be held Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, 2009 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh (at the intersection of Blue Ridge Road and Trinity Road). We look forward to seeing you there

While we are not trained economists, there are certainly a number of factors that we believe should be considered if you are thinking about building a new home in the future. We are just going to try and hit the relevant points to consider if you are planning on building a new home.

The mortgage industry.
One of the most recent trends we are seeing is that the “underwriting” process for approval of a mortgage has become more stringent. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get a mortgage, but that the process may take a little longer. Ask around and see which mortgage companies seem to be holding up the best in the current circumstances and talk with them.

Interest rates
This is a difficult one to call, but the fact remains that interest rates are still low compared to years past. Rates have gone up some recently and the experts tell us that we will probably continue to see rising rates for the next several years. Now may be the best time to lock something in.

Hard construction costs
Up until 6 months ago, hard construction costs were down dramatically from where they were several years ago. However, in the last 6 months, we are now seeing costs moving back upward, mostly due to gas prices and the effect they have on transportation and petroleum as a component of many building products. China is having a big impact on costs as well. Cement is a good example. While this is not a petroleum based product, China is using a lot of concrete in all their new construction and this is having an impact on the supply and demand here in the states. The result … concrete prices are at an all time high.

Inventory rates
Builders with completed unsold homes have been “cleaning house” and this has driven the market pricing down, but here locally, it seems that a lot of this inventory is now gone and we are seeing pricing start to stabilize.

So, what does all this mean to you? With the recent local market conditions (which have been far healthier then other parts of the nation) the cost to build a new home has fallen. However, we may very well have seen the bottom of this. If you have been considering building a new home for some time, now might be the best time to start. Remember, here at MorningStar Homes, we do “fixed price” contracts and our price does not go up once you sign a contract with us. We can also refer you to a mortgage company that we have been working with for a number of years that has served our past customers well. For more information contact us at info@morningstarhomesinc.com.

We are in the final stages of design and permitting for a new home to be built in Northern Wake county. We have been working closely with this customer for some time in the design process and have tailored a beautiful 4,000 square foot home to be built for them starting in early August. Check out our CURRENT PROJECTS link to see more of this plan.

MorningStar Homes is getting ready to start an Estate homes in the new Estates section of Chapel Ridge. THis home is a pre-sale and will have over 6,000 heated square feet and four garages when it is done. Some additional features of this homes will be an exercise room and smoking/billiard room in the finished basement. Check back often to see progress reports

Morningstar Homes will be starting one of our Craftsman style homes on lot 12 at parker Street. THis homes is located less then 1 mile from Cameron village and will have many exciting features along with a great location. THis home is available for sale. For more information, please contact us at info@morningstarhomesinc.com

We have recently moved into our new office. Office hours are by appointment only.

In a continuing effort to provide the greatest value in a custom home to our future customers, we are excited to announce that we will now offer Pella windows in our future homes.

Pella windows is a window manufacturer that has a long history of building a quality product that is known throughout the building industry for its innovation and quality. From their newest offering in an all vinyl window to their high end casement products, we are sure that there is a Pella window to meet each and every customers needs.

For more information, please feel free to contact us anytime at www.info@morningstarhomesinc.com or go to Pella’s web site at www.pella.com.

MorningStar Homes Inc. now offers Energy Star upgrade packages to customers building a new home. With current energy prices being what they are and the global warming problems we are experiencing, we felt it was the responsible thing to do to move down this avenue. We are committed to increasing the value of our products and services through continued improvement, such as the Energy Star program.

ENERGY STAR is the government symbol for energy efficiency. The mark Identifies new homes and more than fifty types of products that are energy efficient and offer features, quality, and performance that today's consumer expect. Products that can earn the ENERGY STAR include appliances, Lighting, homes office equipment, consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment.

A home that earns the ENERGY STAR is significantly more efficient than a standard home. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you can have all the features you desire in your new home, plus lower utility bills-all while helping to prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary partnership between the government and more than 8,000 organizations, including 3,500 of the nations home builders. Together with home buyers and their families, we are working to achieve a common goal-protecting the environment for future generations by changing to more energy-efficient practices today.

MorningStar Homes Inc. is currently in the planning stages to build a Southern Living Program Home in the Raleigh area. We will most likely build this home "inside the belt line" with a scheduled completion date of spring of 2008. Check back often to get the latest news on this project.

MorningStar Homes, working in partnership with our Interior Design Firm; Design Right, is in the process of attending and completing the courses to get our CAPS (Certified Ageing in Place Specialist) certification from the National Association of Home Builders.

The CAPS program is designed to further instruct the homebuilding community in the strategies and techniques for designing and building aesthetically enriching, barrier-free living environments. The CAPS program goes beyond design to address the codes and standards, common remodeling expenditures and projects, product ideas, and resources needed to provide comprehensive and practical aging-in-place solutions. CAPS graduates pledge to uphold a code of ethics and are required to maintain their designation by attending continuing education programs and participating in community service.

We believe that with our current knowledge base in “UNIVERSAL DESIGN” the CAPS program will provide us with an even more robust information base allowing us to provide a greater service to our customers.

On Friday March 23, MorningStar Homes Inc. in conjunction with Design Right will sponsor a workshop on Universal Design to be presented by the Universal Design Alliance.

The workshop, called “The Universal Home” will be presented at Meredith College by Sandra McGowen, FASID. Ms. McGowen is Co-Founder of the Universal Design Alliance and Coordinator of the Interior Design program, Atlanta Campus for Brenau University.

Why Everyone Needs Universal Design
The Principles of Universal Design
Characteristics of Universal Design projects
Room by room features that make a home universal
Specific products and appliances that are universal

MorningStar Homes, as a cosponsor, has recognized the importance of Universal Design with the current aging population growth. Universal Design goes far beyond the minimum ADA requirements and addresses a more robust set of lifestyle needs from major to minor disabilities as well as aging in place.

Design Right, a local ASID interior design firm, works with MorningStar Homes in assisting their customers to address not only the elements of good interior design, but specific lifestyle needs as well. For more information go to their web site at WWW.DESIGNRIGHT.BIZ.

For more information regarding this workshop or to register to attend, please contact Barbara Lile at BARBARA@DESIGNRIGHT.BIZ.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Raleigh builders MorningStar Homes, Inc. has been selected for membership in the Southern Living Custom Builder Program.

MorningStar Homes, Inc. (www.morningstarhomesinc.com) is one of 105 builders chosen nationwide for the 14th annual builder program. Each year, Southern Living carefully selects members based on their reputation among local businesses and consumers; strength of presence in their respective markets; superior quality and attention to detail; innovative style; and other criteria.

Members have exclusive rights to a special portfolio of Southern Living House Plans. Builders also have access to the entire Southern Living House Plans collection, which includes more than 800 plans created by respected architects and designers.

“The builder program is a natural extension of our overall homes effort, which aims at offering quality designs and new ideas to consumers across the Southeast,” said Kristen Payne, Manager of Builder Programs and Services for Southern Living.

MorningStar Homes specializes in building distinctive custom homes on lots, building sites and acreage that their customers own. The also have an active program for building historically accurate homes inside the belt line in downtown Raleigh. Both principals bring over 70 years combined experience in the home building business and a real focus on learning what the customer wants in their home, and delivering it to them. They also have a strategic alliance with Design Right (www.designright.biz), an ASID certified interior design firm that assists each of their customers in the color and selection process.

Southern Living (www.southernliving.com) is published by Southern Progress Corporation, which also publishes Progressive Farmer, Cooking Light, Southern Accents, Coastal Living and Sunset magazines as well as other Oxmoor House books. The Birmingham-based subsidiary of Time Inc. is a leading publisher of lifestyle information.

We recently started another craftsman home which will have some rather unique features to it. This home is 3000 sq. feet and includes a workshop in the basement. It will be unique to the area in that it will have the tradition Craftsman exterior and a very contemporary interior. Check back often to see updated photo’s of this home.

MORNINGSTAR HOMES IS THE NEWEST BUILDER IN THE LUXURY CHAPEL RIDGE GOLF COMMUNITY.

MorningStar Homes has just purchased a great corner lot in the exciting new master planned Chapel Ridge Golf Community and will begin building one of our signature Frank Betz designs within the next 30 days.

Located halfway between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill on the newly widened highway 15/501, this community is convenient to just about everything. It features a Fred Couples championship golf course along with an extensive amenity package featuring a swim and tennis club with playgrounds, basketball courts and a resort style swimming pool. For more information on this great community, visit their web site at www.chapelridgeinfo.com

We will offer our Frank Betz designed Woodcliffe home plan in this community. It will include a long list of custom features such as granite tops in the kitchen, hardwood flooring, built in bookcases and cabinets in select locations, upgrade lighting and plumbing fixtures as well as an extensive landscape package including a sprinkler system just to name a few. For the complete scoop as well as pricing information on this plan call Peggy Makepeace today at 919-981-0341 or toll free at 877-906-6001. You can also e-mail her at jlile@morningstarhomesinc.com.

MORNINGSTAR HOMES IS LOOKING TO EXPAND OUR “INSIDE THE BELTLINE” ACTIVITIES

We’re currently in the process of acquiring several lots near Cameron Village in order to build some of our signature Craftsman homes on them. If this sounds interesting to you, contact us as soon as possible. Once we offer these homes for sale, they will go fast. INFO@MORNINGSTARHOMESINC.COM