Tips For The Perfect Turkey

Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, a small family gathering or a huge party, cooking the perfect turkey for the holidays is every chef’s goal.  Here are a few foolproof tips to cooking the perfect turkey!
Get The Right Equipment
The first step to the perfect bird is having all the right tools.  You will need:

• Heavy duty roasting pan
• Rack to keep turkey from resting on the bottom of the pan
• Foil to cover turkey
• Basting brush to brush turkey with melted butter
• Baster for basting with pan juices
• Fine sieve for straining the pan juices for gravy
• Wire whisk for making lump-free gravy
• Good quality carving set
• Meat thermometer

Follow These Simple Tips:

1. A small, fresh turkey that weighs less than 14 pounds will usually be a more delicious bird.  Large turkeys take longer to cook, which makes the outer meat overcook more easily.  If you’re feeding a large group, buy two small turkeys rather than one big one.
2. Brine the turkey.  Salt draws out the blood, which cleanses the bird and breaks down the meat.  This step is especially important if you purchase a frozen turkey, as it greatly improves the flavor.
3. Cook the stuffing in the oven, not inside the turkey.  A stuffed bird takes longer to cook and dries out the meat.
4. When carving the turkey, remove the wings and legs first.  Remove each breast half from the bone in one piece, and thinly slice each half crosswise.  Cut each leg at the joint, and then carve the meat from the thigh and drumstick.
These simple tips can help you make the star of your holiday meal-the turkey-taste fantastic, and will have your friends and family talking about it for the rest of the year!

Fun Little Tips

Take Pictures Throughout the Building Process!

When building your home every time you walk through the house take a camera or pull out your phone and take lots of pictures.   Taking pictures while its being built will let you know where all your electrical wires, pipes, vents, etc. are and go. In the future you'll find it very nice to know just what's behind your walls. Not only that it'll be fun to look back on the entire process....later. 

 Check out our website at: http://buildingahomeinutah.com/#/home/

Where are your windows going?!

The framing stage is a perfect time to see if where the windows were on the floor plan work in real life.
Learn more about us at http://buildingahomeinutah.com/#/home/

How important is closet space really?

Is there enough storage? 

While the square footage might be generous, make sure the closet space will function for your personal needs. Some buildings offer additional storage space and in others you must accommodate inside your unit.  Be sure you aren't cutting important closet space to make for a bigger bath tub or entry way, you may be surprised at how crucial you will find your storage space and how much you will utilize it. At Echelon Homes we offer top quality shelving and closets oraganizers our standard features explains it here.

To help you get the most out of your closets today check out these 6 simple tips to help you maximize on your closet space: HERE!

Understanding Standard Features

There are a couple things you should be aware of when wanting to build a house understanding what's standard and what's extra is an important one so you know exactly what your getting for your money. 

Granite Counter tops

The way to this is simply ask the builder about amenities and upgrades. Amenities are features that benefit the entire community like a clubhouse, health and fitness center or a gated entrance. Upgrades refer to added features or items you pay extra for to enhance your home, like certain types of flooring or appliances.

Get a feature sheet from the builder you're interested in and read it very carefully, then compare feature to feature. Find out what comes with the base home price.

If you don't understand exactly what the builder is offering, ask and take notes. There are no dumb questions. Not knowing can cost you real money. At Echelon homes we offer a numerous standard features that other builders only offer as upgrades check out how we compare HERE! 

Fireplaces

Some things to keep in mind:

• If the stove is included, visit the showroom to see the model. If you're offered the basic stove and you're a gourmet cook, it makes sense to buy the upgrade.
• Make decisions on upgrades early in the process -- every change costs money.
• Have a good idea of what you need and want. They are two different things when it comes to upgrades.
• Builders rake in the cash on upgrades because they can get parts and labor relatively cheaply. The markup is huge, so investigate each option you're considering to see whether it would be cheaper to bid it out after you move in.
• Builders, in general, need to sell quickly to make a profit. If you're stuck haggling over price, get them to throw in the upgrades you want at a reduced cost or for free -- it's a way to get more value that's appealing to both sides.

Give us a call or email and we can help answer any questions you have.

Echelon Homes

801-882-2622

info@solidinutah.com

http://buildingahomeinutah.com/

Cool Kitchen Cabinets

Cool Built in Kitchen Cabinets

We have found and built some cabinets that put a new face on space efficiency and use, check them out and keep them in mind when you decide to build or remodel.  

What a neat unlikely bathroom cabinet, how perfect to hold spare toilet paper indiscreetly, and hold all you shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. 

These are Toe Kick Drawers, they utlize that 2"-3" at the bottom of your cabinets to store anything you want. You can keep platters and baking sheets, candles, lightbulbs, lids, my favorite....trash compactor bags, the dogs soft food dish, place mats, really anything under 3" tall. 

 The way they work is some have handles you use to pull open and others you open literally by softly kicking it with your toe. 

We found this on amazon, such an awesome way to organize your pots- so much better than digging through a draw or cabinet, finally getting the right pot after you've pulled out half of your pots and pans.

Here is a Kitchen cabinet in one of our new builds. This provides a beautiful accent, to the stove while providing more space in your kitchen -in which you can never have enough of.

To find out more about us go to: http://buildingahomeinutah.com

One of the Top Mistakes Made in New Construction

ASSUMING THAT ACREAGE is more affordable than buying a lot in SUBDIVISION
There is an appeal of owning acreage and having enough space to tromp and roam and call your own is for many one of lifes greatest ambitions. On the surface the cost correlation between a lot in a subdivision and a acreage lot in the country often doesn’t make sense to all our us... why should I buy ¼ acre lot in a subdivision for 70K when I can buy 1 Acre in the country for 70K? Make sure that you have asked all the right questions before you understand whether or not you are truly comparing apples to apples

Question #1: Does the acreage have a valid survey that is insurable via an “EXTENDED POLICY” of title insurance through a reputable Title Company? Surveys can cost many thousands of dollars....an expense that you will not have to incur when you buy in a plated subdivision with a LOT & BLOCK legal description

Question #2: Is the acreage SEPTIC APPROVED? and if so....for WHAT SIZED HOME?...maybe it is already septic approved but the septic system approval is based only on a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home and not the 4 bedroom 3 bath home you had been dreaming of and already spent thousands designing.Making sure that you understand the value of CITY WATER & SEWER service is important and a large reason that subdivision lots are smaller and more expensive than acreage.

 My husband and I just recently found what we thought was an awesome lot it was just over an acre and rather flat in southwest Salt Lake area. However, upon inspection we discovered it had no water connected to the property, as we researched it we learned it would cost us $20,000++ depending on variables for us to out in a water line. In short what we thought was an awesome was actually a little less than fairly priced.

Question #3: Does the property have power? Do you need single phase or three phase? Power can be expensive and is typically billed by the foot and can often require additional infrastructure depending upon the homeowners requirements.

Question #4: Does the property have an “EASEMENT” allowing you access or conversely allowing others access on or through your property? Does it have a utility easement that restricts your building envelope?

Another lot my husband and I got excited upon learning more about the lot we found out that a public trail started on the property that would allow people on that part of the property, which we were not game for.

When looking at lots be aware of what is or isn't in the lot and land. If you need help finding a lot give us a call at 801-882-2622, we know how to find out everything that can help you or inhibit you from building.

2x4 Versus 2x6 Construction

Find out the difference and importance of 2x4 and 2x6 construction.

What to Know Before Building a House

14 Things to Know BEFORE Building a Home

Being a aware of everything from your builder's quality to the neighborhood will help you make better and more informed decisions while buying your home. 

1. What is the Local Public Opinion of the Builder?

Public opinion of a builder will be very important when it comes time to sell your home. If you buy from a builder who has a negative public opinion, you are likely going to have trouble selling your home when the time comes. If you’re from out of the area, ask a local Realtor who can offer insight on local opinion. How people feel about a particular builder in your hometown may be completely different than how they feel in the place you’re moving.

2. Does the Builder Build a Quality Product?

You’ll want to do some research on the builder’s quality of construction. The more well built a home is, the less maintenance you’ll have to do and the more you’ll enjoy living in your home. Ask the builder to tell you about the quality of their construction and how it compares to city code. (Remember meeting the city code should be the minimum requirement.) Also, compare this builder’s construction to other builders.

3. Do You Understand Your Cancellation Clauses?

Make sure to understand your right to cancel (if there are any) and how the cancellation process works. This is especially important if you are building a home contingent on the sale of your current home. If you don’t follow the rules, you could be stuck losing your deposit.

4. What Upgrades Can you Install After the Home is Built?

Upgrades are where builders get a lot of their profit. Ask yourself what upgrades you can install after your home is built. One of the big profit centers are outdoor kitchens. Ask the builder to put in the gas line on the patio and any other electrical or plumbing you would need. Then, hire a contractor to build out the rest.

You’ll want to make sure all of the electrical and plumbing you need is installed during construction. The rest you can do after building is complete for a lot less.

5. Will Your Lender Finance All Upgrades?

Some lenders won’t finance certain upgrades. Work with a knowledgeable lender who knows the loan program. Then, keep them informed at all stages of the process to protect against any unexpected surprises.

6. Will the Builder Allow You to Bring Your Own Inspector?

Ask the builder if they will allow you to bring in your own inspector at each stage of the building process. The inspector’s job is to look over the builder’s shoulder to make sure they are adhering to the construction standards they promised. A good builder should have no problem with a knowledgeable inspector checking their work.

7. How Long Will this Home Suit Your Needs?

Time makes money in real estate, not timing. The longer you’ll be able to comfortably live in a home, the higher likelihood you’ll have equity when you sell. Try to anticipate any family size changes, kids, older parents living with you and plan for it. Don’t just buy a home with exactly the number of bedrooms you need today. Give yourself room to grow into it.

8. Will My Current Living Situation Accommodate Construction Delays?

Try to get a reasonable estimate from the builder for total build time. Ask the builder if their build time includes a reasonable amount of time to select finishes and if it factors in a buffer for weather or supply delays. Give yourself some extra time with your current living situation to cover any other unexpected delays or make arrangements to stay with friends or relatives ahead of time. Buying a new home is stressful enough without compounding the problem with having to find temporary housing.

9. Will the Builder Allow You to Communicate with the Superintendent?

The Superintendent is the person who is in charge of overseeing the construction of your home. Ask the builder if they will allow you to communicate with your Superintendent during the build process. A good builder will put you in contact so they can coordinate the build process directly with you.

10. Does the Builder Provide a Warranty? What Does it Cover?

Get the details of the home warranty in writing, before you sign a contract. Know what it says and what it covers. New homes are not without problems and inevitably something will break. Know how long the builder covers the systems and components in the house and the process for getting something repaired.

11. Will the Builder Provide Local References?

Ask the builder if they have any current homeowners they could put you in contact with. Then, knock on a few doors and ask them about their experience with the builder. Explain you’re considering buying the neighborhood and wanted to know how they like it. You’d be surprised how much information you’ll get by simply asking neighbors.

12. Is There an HOA? If so, What Rules and Restrictions are Imposed?

The Homeowners Association (aka HOA) can impose rules and restrictions for homeowners for just about anything. Though the rules have their advantages in keeping neighborhoods uniform, some don’t like being told how they can use their property. Get a copy of the HOA’s rules and restrictions and honestly ask yourself i you can live by them.

13. What are Similar Homes in the Neighborhood Selling For?

Have your Realtor prepare a market analysis showing what homes in the neighborhood recently sold for. Are homes selling for around the same price as the builder’s inventory or is there a big difference in price? If so, why?

14. Will You Hire Your Own Realtor to Represent You?

Relying on the on-site sales agent to help you buy a home from a builder is a little like hiring the prosecutor to represent you in a lawsuit. The on-site salesperson’s job is to sell homes in this neighborhood from this builder. They aren’t going to tell you about the neighborhood down the street that has higher quality homes in a better school district for less money. Nor are they going to tell you about the high profit margins in upgrades. As much as they try to say they are on your side, they have a fiduciary duty to get the builder the most money for their homes. Not help you buy it right.

You can call or email us anytime so we can help you answer all these questions about your current situation and plans. Find out more about us at http://buildingahomeinutah.com/#/home/

Why to build a home

The benefits of building a new home. We can help you plan, design and build your dream home, check us out at: http://www.buildingahomeinutah.com/