Let's talk Columbia and Elmwood Park.

I had a meeting with the Elmwood Neighborhood Association tonight and I asked these questions and brought up these topics.  I asked everyone in attendance to visit this BLOG and post their comments on the subjects.  Here is what I asked and what they had to say.

QUESTION 1.

*  How do you feel about the designs presented within this website, as far as these homes fitting in within Elmwood Park?  You should address the homes' exterior designs, design elements, size of the homes (new floor plans not shown are between 2,200 - 2,600 heated square feet, but have these front facades), price point, and overall compatability with the neighborhood.

QUESTION 2.

*  Would you prefer these home designs or more simplified, streamlined and lower price range homes to be built on The Residences at Park and Bryan Phase-1 properties?

TOPIC 1.

*  It has been suggested that Elmwood Park is comprised more with simple, streamlined homes than what we propose to build, and that our designs may overpower the neighboring homes.  What are your thoughts on this topic?

TOPIC 2.

*  From a builder's perspective, if we simplify the designs and exterior facades of these homes, then the price point must be reduced.  This places the homes into a different target buyer market.  What are YOUR thoughts on what target buyer market we should be shooting for?  Define the AGE GROUP that you believe is best for The Residences at Park and Bryan, and explain your answer, please.

Thanks to all who participate here, good or bad.  Until next time, Marty.

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I have learned a few things in my time about making changes. Sometimes, changes are good.  Sometimes changes are GREAT!  And sometime, changes will result in placing you further away from your goal, dream and/or where you SHOULD really be in the end.  That results in a bad change.  Not exactly where you want to be is it?  So?  If changes are sometimes good and sometimes bad, then which is it for you? 

That can only be answered by you.  And you should be steadfast in your decision, stand proud and move forward without regret.  That's a good plan to me. 

Back and happy to be here!  Until next time, Marty.

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Many thanks are extended to the Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association for allowing me to update the membership on progress and future plans for The Residences at Park and Bryan, as was requested by the Association President. 

The meeting last night brought neighborhood concerns and questions to the table, as to how the project is progressing, what we are looking at as far as tackling the economy and building within that economy, pressures concerning starting a home within the development, and concerns as to whether or not we plan to alter our plans from what was identified in the beginning in order to start a home.

All of these questions I believe were answered fairly and satisfactorily, and hopefully were too the concerns surrounding our intentions ... That we intent to continue our original scope and vision.  We continue our intent to make The Residences at Park and Bryan a pleasant place to live, with a timeless feeling of the classic Elmwood Park setting.  That will not change. 

It is my hope that our friends and neighbors will therefore continue to believe in our development, and know that we will build this project to completion, with style and class, as is appropriate.

Until next time,  Marty.

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(This blog had a little problem with the posting here.  I fixed it just now and included what was supposed to be replacing text.  Sorry folks!)

They say that Abraham Lincoln tried and failed, tried and failed, tried and failed ... Oh, and tried and failed, again and again. 

So what does that say about the man? 

Frustration has to get the best of you when you go through that over and over and over again.  I know, trust me.  The economy is a testament to that fact.  But what I know to be a steadfast truth is ... I want to succeed.  I want to be like Abe; I am going to be like Abe.  He succeeded at some point, so shall I.  There is no giving up with success.  So onward and upward!

Next time,  Marty.

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Several people whom I have talked with about The Residences at Park and Bryan have asked me the question, "What does custom homebuilding mean" with regard to MartyWhite,net.  Well the answer is in the question. 

Custom homebuilding to some builders and certainly to most developers means, "Select one of these products here, or one of those over there and we'll put it into your custom house."  That should make you all warm and squishy.  In actuality, in that case you are selecting what the builder has already PRE-SELECTED for you.

In our model of homebuilding, custom means just that ... Custom.  Over the years our clientele traveled many a mile with me on the road.  Going to meet with vendors, visiting showrooms, looking at products, visiting other people's homes ... all with the intentions of using the information gathered to satisfy curiosity and pay due diligence in  researching products for their new home.  And we have looked at about a million and a half products and ideas to date.  So why did I not offer these products to them in the first place?  Well, total custom homebuilding means it is about YOU, not the last person I built for.  Sure, I tell clients about products that I recommend.  And I share information on products and options used in the past.  I toss around ideas for what they can do to achieve a desired look, certain finishes, maintain durability, etc. etc.  I even point blank say, "Hey, I would do this."

Regardless of what I SAY, in order to get the total custom built home, you MUST venture out there and look around.  Otherwise, you are CUTTING YOURSELF SHORT if you pick one of the three or four options placed before you by your builder.  There is a whole world of options ... At your fingertips!  Products are always improving and options continually change like the seasons.  The sky is the limit.  And thankfully, the budget is the key to making the selections a trial and error method worth venturing into.  And the best part of total custom?  YOU CONTROL YOUR BUDGET in total custom.  It's your house!  Make it yours.

The end result is a home well thought out, well planned ... and definitely one of a kind.  Until next time, Marty.

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