August 31, 2010

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August 3, 2010

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Stimulus Provisions to Help Put Housing on the Right Track!

Milwaukee's Metcalfe Park neighborhood was a pounding racket of construction activity Monday, as several hundred building industry veterans launched a five-day blitz to produce 10 new homes.

"It's off to a great start, with everything going on or ahead of schedule," said Matt Moroney, executive director of Metropolitan Builders Association, whose southeastern Wisconsin trade group organized the project. All 10 houses were up and shingled by the end of the first, adrenaline-rushed day.

"After that, if we get rain, it doesn't matter," Moroney said.

Contractors, tradespeople, suppliers and their allies donated their expertise, labor and materials - one all-encompassing donation to the anti-poverty group Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.

The 10 small but sturdy homes, priced around $65,000, are all sold to credit-qualified buyers who met Habitat's requirements: an income of no more than $40,300 for a family of four and service of 500 hours of volunteer labor to Habitat activities. Habitat rules require a five-year stay or the owner must forgo resale profits.

"This means the world to me," said Quiana Porter, a 25-year-old health care worker who filmed the crew building what on Friday will be her home.

"I have two little ones, and now they will have their own yard. And I'll have my first house," Porter said. Her 500-hour work requirement is finished, but she is still logging Habitat hours. "Whatever I get, I'll donate to someone who's just starting their 500 hours," she said.

The Milwaukee effort is part of a nationwide campaign between the two groups' parent organizations, Habitat for Humanity International and the National Association of Home Builders, to produce about 500 low-cost homes this week.

"This is the biggest building week we've ever had under way," said Steve Tennies, Milwaukee Habitat staff project coordinator. "Now, all the hard work of planning in the last year is paying off. This is a crucial part of our effort in Metcalfe, where there's an obvious need for decent, affordable housing."

Construction crews got an early start - 6:30 a.m. - on a tightly orchestrated schedule condensing the typical 180-day home-building norm into one super work week. But among the early birds greeting a day of glorious sunshine and summer breeze were even earlier birds.

"I pulled up here at a quarter to 5, and there was already a line," said Chellee Siewert, chief operating officer of Metropolitan Builders Association. "People wanted to get going."

Drawn by the hubbub, neighborhood residents peered from porches and windows at the military pace of action. Most kept their distance, but 34th St. resident David Kemp sauntered toward the work sites for a closer look.

"I love it. It's good what they're doing, putting up houses," Kemp said. "That noise don't bother me. I'm an old truck driver myself."

City officials cordoned off N. 32nd to N. 35th streets between W. Clarke St. and W. Meinecke Ave. to allow free rein to nine cranes and several dozen supply trucks. The work force numbered 300-plus at the start.

"Usually, we do one house at a time. Today, we're doing 10, so we'll be moving around a lot," said Linda Heipp, product specialist with Hallmark Building Supplies Inc. in Waukesha. Her company donated the project's house insulation wrap and window flashing.

For Greg Lamberg, supervising a carpentry crew of eight for JFK Builders Inc. of Pewaukee, it qualified as the "extreme building" hyped by TV shows.

"I've got five minutes max" to be interviewed, he said. "We're roughing in (the house frame) now and everyone is working as fast as they can - with no mistakes. This is a challenge, a great challenge."

The project's electricians could commiserate.

"We'll rough in today, and finish tomorrow, and we've got to work fast," said Tim Hanson, director of business development for Local 494 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Eighty-eight union members donated their labor for this project, he reported.

Milwaukee Habitat started revitalization work last year in impoverished Metcalfe Park with five new homes. Typically, the non-profit builds homes using the city's $1-a-lot urban infill land sale program, donor financing and predominantly volunteer crews. This week's homes, however, are professionally built, he noted.

"This is obviously a crucial part of our effort here, since this is a very challenged neighborhood," Tennies said. "With the MBA's help, we expect to have 21 homes here by the end of this year. If we can get more $1 city lots, we'll probably keep going."

Modest projects
Habitat-fashioned homes are modest, in keeping with the organization's "a hand up, not a hand out" motto. Typically 1,100 to 1,200 square feet, they have full basements and front porches, but no garages and only one bathroom each.

That's a big switch for some local builders, who typically work on large, expensive customized residences.

"Better watch me or I'll customize it," joked Andrew Ziebell, vice president of Hickory Hill Homes in Delafield, whose four-person office is pretty much shut down this week for its Habitat commitment.

"It's important to be involved. Our customers understand that," Ziebell said.

His company teamed up with another small, custom builder, Colby Construction Co. Inc. of Delafield, on a single house.

"How do you like that? Competitors join forces," quipped Colby President Pete Feichtmeier. In the months that their trade group has been planning this massive project, Feichtmeier and Ziebell said they've become friends.

Builders were challenged by a project that required a year of team planning and careful timing - in some cases, to the quarter-hour, Moroney said.

"Now our guys can take charge and do what they do best - build homes," Moroney said.

Craig Hampton, a Metcalfe Park resident since 1971, welcomed their presence.

"People in this neighborhood have been disappointed a lot - the unemployment, the low education, the family problems, the killings. This is a good sign, a good thing they're doing, rebuilding here. Maybe society hasn't given up on us after all," Hampton said.

It was fitting that the building blitz started with a prayer, said Karen Lawrence, marketing director for MasterCraft Builders of Kenosha.

"It was important to pray for the safety of our crews - and to get the job done on time," Lawrence said.

- From the June 6, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -

Spring marks increase in home building

KENOSHA, Wis. - TDB, 2007 - With spring in full bloom, so jump-starts the construction of new homes. MasterCraft Builders, the leading homebuilder in the Kenosha-Racine area, advises individuals to make deliberate, economic and efficient choices before building. Quality, location, design selection and warranty should all be given careful consideration before choosing a builder.

"Many future homeowners are anxious to begin the building process," said Mike Lawrence, General Manager of MasterCraft Builders. "It is essential to work with an experienced builder to ensure every desired aspect of their future home is met."

Laying the groundwork - choosing an experienced builder

Once a family has decided to build a home, the first step is to pick an experienced builder. When choosing a company, look for one that includes all prices and details upfront to avoid hidden costs. You also will want to pick one who utilizes quality products.

"The cheapest price is not always the best deal and the highest price does not always mean the best quality," cautions Lawrence.

It's all about location

When shopping for a builder, it's important to review the properties it has available. Well-established and reputable companies will have a variety of lots to choose from or will assist you in finding one in an area you wish to live. Consider your family's interests, schools, churches, shopping, etc., when choosing your new home's location.

"On average, families will live in a home for seven to ten years," stated Lawrence. "Therefore, it's important to anticipate what your needs - location and space - will be three, four, five years down the road."

Customized for you

One of the joys of building is selecting the type of layout you desire. Most builders offer a variety of plans for a set fee. The standard features provided in each home package vary. Families that wish to customize their homes, should research builders that allow unique modifications.

Lawrence said, "At MasterCraft Builders, not only do we provide numerous home plans, we also allow our customers to make custom changes to fit their individual lifestyles and tastes."

Securing your investment

Building a home is a large investment. One of the best ways to recognize a builder's reliability is in the warranty. This is a testament to the company's confidence in his or her workmanship and chosen materials. Consider what the warranty will cover and remember that regularly scheduled follow-up programs will quickly address any problems that may arise in the future.

Themes Include Design, Decorating, Building & Financing

KENOSHA, Wis. - December 17, 2004 - MasterCraft Builders, the leading homebuilder in Kenosha-Racine with communities in six Southeastern Wisconsin counties, will present five, exciting consumer-focused seminars at the Metropolitan Builders Association's 2007 Home Builders Expo January 6-9 at the Midwest Airlines Center, 400 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. The programs will cover everything from choosing the right home site to decorating and design trends. MasterCraft Builders will be in Booth #721 at the Expo.

"We've designed our seminars to inform and educate both prospective home builders and existing home owners," said Mike Lawrence, general manager of MasterCraft Builders. "The seminars reflect our commitment to making the home building process as straightforward and easy as possible so people can design, build and decorate the home of their dreams."

Seminars Featured

Following its theme of "Where Custom is the Standard," MasterCraft Builders' has developed the following Home Expo seminars to present at its brand-new, state-of-the-art exhibit booth:

•Combining Lifestyles in Home Design Find out how to include eye-catching designs such as arches, nooks, pillars, room entryways, unique balconies and luxurious master suites.

•Decorating Trends Learn what's new in home fashion and get tips on window treatments, unique cabinet layouts, interior wall finishes (coverings and painting techniques), space planning, lighting design, furnishings and plumbing fixtures.

•Taking the Mystery out of the Construction Process - Discover what to expect when building a new home from excavation to move in; what goes on at a job site, building procedures and time frames.

•The Key to Choosing the Right Lot - Get advice on how to choose the ideal lot for your home, what house type works best with the terrain and what subsoil issues you may face.

Construction Financing that Fits Your Needs - Obtain valuable information on turnkey and construction financing, no-money-down programs, condominium financing and lot loans. Get pre-approved for a loan at the Home Builders Expo.

"We're excited about the opportunity to interact with consumers, hear their ideas and concerns and understand exactly what they are looking for in a new home so we can meet their needs," added Lawrence.

In addition to the five seminars, MasterCraft Builders will provide a range of informative literature on its services, display models of various home styles, and offer prizes and giveaways. This is the first year that MasterCraft Builders has participated in the Home Builder's Expo. The theme of this year's show is Building Your Ideas; All Under One Roof!" With more than 770 booths and 325 exhibitors, the 16 th annual expo is on pace to be the largest in the show's history.

Win a stock car go-kart, proceeds to benefit The American Cancer Society

KENOSHA, Wis. - Sept. 29, 2004 - MasterCraft Builders, the leading homebuilder in Kenosha-Racine with communities in six Southeastern Wisconsin counties, is celebrating its new Avondale model with a racing flair. Families can cruise over to its Rolling Fields subdivision location at 6032 Graceway Drive in Caledonia (Racine) on Saturday, Oct. 2 from noon to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m.

"At MasterCraft Builders, we build homes that fit families' lifestyles. Our new Avondale model is a perfect example of that," said Mike Lawrence, General Manager of MasterCraft Builders. "To that end, for the roll out of this new model, we decided to have a party the whole family can enjoy."

Family fun

Activities planned for the event include free refreshments - hotdogs, popcorn, snow cones and soda. Games will be played and a large stock car will be on display. Five-dollar raffle tickets for a chance to win a stock car go-kart can also be purchased. All proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society.

"We strongly believe in giving back to the community and having this raffle is just one way we are showing our support for a great cause," said Lawrence.

Architecturally distinctive exterior

The unique, 2,181 square feet, open concept Avondale model includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master suite features a 13-foot double-bowl vanity with dressing table, pillars, whirlpool tub, glass block walls and tile shower. The great room, kitchen and dinette's focal point is a 10-foot tall, three-way fireplace. Perfect for entertaining, the kitchen contains a raised snack bar on the island, wine refrigerator and a spacious dining area with a built-in learning station for the family computer.

Directions to Rolling Fields:

Take I-94 to Exit Hwy. 20, East to Emmertsen Rd., North to Deerfield, East to Pond View to Graceway Drive.