We’ll be the first to admit that buying a new home on a budget isn’t easy. And building a new home on a budget? Almost impossible – until now.

That’s because Excel Homes is very proud to announce the launch of our Starting Line Up series of homes. The five designs in our Starting Line Up were created with first-time homeowners in mind, with each home costing less than $100,000 (some as low as $60,000, depending on the region). Of course, this doesn’t include the cost of land, but even after that purchase, a Starting Lineup home still costs less than most other options.

And you don’t have to sacrifice style or quality either. The one- and two-story Starting Line Up designs feature smaller dwellings (less than 1,000 square feet), but with all of the style typically found in a larger floor plan. The homes are also energy conscious, arriving ENERGY STAR ready and green ready.

For us, the Starting Line Up offers a change to prove what we’ve known all along: that durability and quality can be had for less than $100,000. Specific design elements in some Starting Line Up homes include hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and sunken living rooms. It’s important to note, however, that unlike most other Excel modular designs, the Starting Line Up designs are sold as is, with no modifications or customization options. This helps to keep the cost of each home low, which is central component of the Starting Line Up Series.

In addition to lower cost with all of the style of other homes, the Starting Line Up offers these benefits:

• VERSATILITY – Some designs, like our 556 square foot “Trailblazer,” can be used as guest houses, pool houses or a backyard office.
• EASE OF COMPLETION – Starting Line Up homes require less work by the builder and finishing team, with some homes shipping 95 percent complete from an Excel Homes manufacturing facility, with only minimal work required to finish the unit on-site.
• SPEED – The smaller size of the Starting Line Up options also means a quicker turnaround for builders and anxious homeowners. With the modular construction process, homes can be built, delivered and set in under six weeks.
• ONE TRUCK – The Starting Line Up homes can be shipped on a single carrier and, in most cases, can be finished by the set crew.
• NO CRANE – Some designs, like the smaller Trailblazer, can be roll set on a foundation, eliminating the need for a crane, and come complete with the exception of a small portion of the roof and the final utility connections.

Each of the five Starting Line Up homes will be featured over the next several months on Excel’s Drawing Board blog, along with floor plans and interior and exterior renderings (check out the first design here). To give you a taste of what’s to come, below is a rendering of the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired 945 square foot Prairie View home.

Building your first new home doesn’t have to be difficult, and with the new Excel Homes’ Starting Lineup series, it isn’t. The Starting Lineup series features smaller homes with all the style of what is typically found in a larger floor plan and is designed specifically with the first-time homebuyer in mind. These basic homes can be shipped on a single carrier and the completion of the home is simple enough that in most cases, it can be finished by the set crew.

All renderings are for illustration purposes only. See engineering documentation for specific configuration.

The Craftsman Cottage is a reverse two story home with the bedrooms on the first floor and the main living space on the second floor. This promotes privacy, allows for grand views and offers something a little different from other homes at this price point.

The front stairs and kitchen are basked in sunlight from the large palladian style windows. The open floor plan of the second floor allows the space to flex as needed to fit the desires of the homeowner, making this 945 square foot home feel and live larger. With a basic footprint of only 15’-9” by 30’-0” and the second floor living space, this home is ideal for narrow waterfront lots.

The Craftsman Cottage is perfect for a budget-conscious new family and is designed with expansion in mind. As the homeowner needs to expand, so can this home. Pre-designed additions can be added when the home is set or with minimal rework at a later point.

SPECIFICATIONS:

SQ FOOTAGE: 945 sq. ft. (base model)
# BEDROOMS: 2
# BATHROOMS: 1
SPECIAL FEATURES: A reverse two-story plan with pre-designed additions; designed to be simple, green and flexible, weather-tight set service included in standard cost
MISC: Great narrow lot design. Home is shipped ENERGY STAR and green ready.

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Last month we announced here on Modular Musings our plan to stay one step ahead of legislation that will require all new single-family homes built in Pennsylvania after January 1, 2011 to be built with fire suppressing sprinkler systems. (We’re actually staying one year ahead of the legislation, because starting immediately, sprinkler systems will be an option in all new single family homes Excel builds.)

Last week, Central Pennsylvania’s local CBS affiliate paid a visit to Excel’s manufacturing facility in Liverpool, PA to get an up-close-and-personal look at the sprinkler systems and to chat with Excel President Steve Scharnhorst. Feel free to check out CBS’s coverage on their website (the video is on the right).

Like we said in last week’s look at male home buying preferences, the following was posted previously here on Modular Musings, but we thought it was worth a second look.

Last week, we took a look at some of the features of a new home that men are more likely to focus on. That includes home offices (40% of men versus 33% of women), recreational spaces and, of course, a garage. But what do women look for in a home?

According to the same 2008 study by ZipReality that we referenced last month, women were more focused on practical spaces and dining related spaces, including:

• Women placed more emphasis on dining spaces like a gourmet kitchen (61% to 55%) and a dining room (33% to 30%).

• Storage space was important to women, with large closets or walk-in closets as the number one home feature for women versus men (73% to 64%).

• While men were more likely to prefer a home with a view (32% to 27%), more women demanded a larger yard (49% to 45%).

The ZipReality study was based on a survey of 2,620 active home buyers and is proof that while we may not differ much on what we want out of a home, men and women do have their own opinions about what matters most – and that’s not likely to change any time soon.

The following was posted here on Modular Musings about a year ago, but as the New Year kicks off and would-be homeowners begin shopping for a new home, we thought it was worth a second look. Coming up next: A look at what women want in a new home.

Let’s face it, when it comes to buying a home, men and women are often on two different blueprint pages when it comes to features they want. Sure, some features are important no matter who you are, but what do men typically want when it comes to choosing and customizing their modular home?

According to a 2008 study by ZipReality, men and women don’t differ much on certain features, but some differences are worth pointing out:

• Men preferred a home office more than women did (40% to 33%)
• Men placed greater emphasis on recreational spaces, like a home theater (12% to 6%), exercise room (13% to 9%), a swimming pool (22% to 20%), and an outdoor entertainment area (57% to 55%).
• On a surprising aesthetic note, more men than women demanded a home with a view (32% to 27%).
• As expected, men need their garage more than women, with 74% of men saying they wouldn’t purchase a house without a garage, versus 71% of women who made the same claim.

We’ll cover what women want in a future Modular Musings blog entry. Until then, let’s try to find some common ground when it comes to deciding what to do with that new addition off the living room.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council voted to mandate the placement of sprinklers in all new one- and two-family residences and townhomes built in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania beginning January 1, 2011. Good thing builders have a little over a year to get ready, right?

While waiting until the last minute might be an option for some builders, it’s not an option for Excel. Instead, the team at Excel Homes has decided to start installing sprinkler systems a little earlier. In fact, we’re going to start right now.

Beginning today, all Excel Homes will include an optional sprinkler system designed to protect a homeowner’s investment and make each home a lot safer. Of course, for now, these sprinkler systems are only optional. But after January 1, 2011, they’ll be mandatory in Pennsylvania (and soon thereafter in many other states). The good news is, that by the time that deadline rolls around, the Excel team is ready.

Our enthusiasm for the new sprinkler law should come as no surprise there many reasons to support the use of sprinkler systems, here are just a few.

• According to the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the addition of sprinklers to homes could prevent more than 3,000 fire-related deaths and 60,000 serious fire-related injuries each year in the United States.
• The typical home fire can reach deadly proportions in just three minutes, while in many cases, it may take 10 or more minutes for the first fire truck to arrive. With a sprinkler system, the fire can be controlled or even extinguished before loss of lives or property.
• The average damage from a fire in a house with a sprinkler system is less than $2,000, compared to more than $17,000 in damage in homes without sprinkler systems.
• In addition to the peace of mind that having a sprinkler system can provide, sprinkler systems also decrease insurance costs and increase a home’s value.

For more information about Excel’s sprinkler system program, check out the brochure on our website.

This is a home that combines style with the space to entertain.

The open concept plan allows for large gatherings but still has that warm feeling of home. Two-story areas at the foyer and the family room add to the grand feel of this home and an option for a third story walk-up attic gives you space to expand.

A two-sided fireplace divides the family room and the kitchen, but allows for easy interaction between the spaces. Special details like the colonnade at the foyer, a butler pantry and a walk-in pantry give this home those special touches to set it apart from other floor plans.

SPECIFICATIONS:

SQ FOOTAGE: 4,828 sq. ft.
# BEDROOMS: 5
# BATHROOMS: 3.5
SPECIAL FEATURES: Lots of built-ins and special architectural features such as two-story areas and a colonnade foyer
OPTIONS: Walk-up attic, porch, garage
MISC: Double stack window walls in the family room flood the space with natural light.

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Here’s a look at one of our newest and most innovative residential designs…

Southern coastal design with a modern modular twist.

The southern, coastal design of this floor plan makes it the perfect choice for relaxed seaside or lakeside living. This home is designed with narrow beach front lots in mind, with an option to move the two-car garage to the side of the home instead of the back (as shown here).

The second story balcony is perfect for relaxing during summer nights or enjoying a view of the nearby ocean. The spacious loft area brings the feeling of being outdoors inside for you and your guests to enjoy.

The optional bedroom suite is perfect for larger families or for investors looking to rent out a vacation home.

SPECIFICATIONS:

SQ FOOTAGE: 2,640 sq. ft.
# BEDROOMS: 4
# BATHROOMS: 3.5
SPECIAL FEATURES: First-floor master, Jack & Jill bath, loft/media area and professionally designed kitchen with separate cooktop and oven.
MISC: ENERGY STAR certification option available.

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Excel is working hard to uphold and reinforce the environmentally friendly aspects of modular construction. One of our most recent efforts is our focus on internal sustainability and our effort to become a landfill-free home manufacturer.

It’s a lofty goal – contributing absolutely nothing to landfills in the process of making our homes – but we’re confident we can do it. This year we hope to reduce the amount of waste generated at our manufacturing facilities by 700 tons, and our newest facility in Marlboro, NY, is already landfill free.

Of course, being landfill free doesn’t mean producing zero waste. There will be waste and scraps associated with the construction process (although still far less than stick-built homes), but our goal is to recycle or repurpose that waste so that nothing goes to, well, waste.

We’re doing that by training plant employees to throw away less and be more concise in material usage. We’re also working with our vendors to supply us with the highest quality products with the least amount of waste in packaging by utilizing tools like returnable shipping solutions. Overall, it’s an exciting new part of our process and it’s one more reason why Excel home owners should feel good about their new purchase.

Here’s a look at one of our newest and most innovative residential designs…

This design screams elegance and stability. It’s also proof that modular homes can not only look like every other house on the block, they can actually look better.

This Georgian style home offers ample living space and upgrade customization options to suit the most discriminating tastes. The first floor includes 9-foot ceilings, while the second floor offers 8-foot ceilings. The exterior of the home showcases modular’s ability to blend in with other homes with its solid brick front, varying pitched roofs and a side-entry two-car garage.

SPECIFICATIONS:

SQ FOOTAGE: 2,619 sq. ft.
# BEDROOMS: 3
# BATHROOMS: 2.5
SPECIAL FEATURES: Two-car garage, sizable formal two-story foyer, separate family room, formal dining room and a large professionally designed kitchen with separate cooktop and wall oven.
MISC: ENERGY STAR certification option available.

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Please feel free to comment on this design by leaving a comment below.