February 15th, 2010 by The Excel Design Team
File Under: General
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.
Inspired by the prairie style designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Prairie View is an open plan with spaces defined by the manipulation of the floor and ceiling rather than walls in most cases. This modern design gives the impression that the lower unit is connected to the upper unit by only a ribbon of glass. When combined with builder constructed leveled decks, the lines between indoors and outside are blurred, creating larger space that makes the home a part of nature. This home is perfect for locations such as waterfront property or sites with grand views.

The Prairie View uses large windows and lots of glass to bring the outdoors inside. Murphy beds and hideaways could sleep six to eight adults comfortably.


SPECIFICATIONS:
SQ FOOTAGE: 945 sq. ft.
# BEDROOMS: 1
# BATHROOMS: 1
SPECIAL FEATURES: Designed to accommodate one to eight adults; modern design with long, low features help it blend with the natural environment, weather-tight set service included in standard cost
MISC: Inspired by the prairie style designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. Home is shipped ENERGY STAR and green ready.
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Tags: excel homes, modular, starter home, starting line-up
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February 2nd, 2010 by The Excel Design Team
File Under: General
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 Bungalow harkens to the simple designs of the Sears kit homes from the 1930s and ‘40s. These proven plans were widely built more than half a century ago but are still widely sought after and treasured by homeowners today. The Craftsman Bungalow of this series makes se of the basic plan and characteristics of that beloved style, but opens the kitchen, living room and dining areas for a more modern open living space.

The Craftsman Bungalow is designed as a starter home or a simple guest cottage and offers high quality amenities at an economical cost point. The standard home comes complete with many upgrade options as standard features, including hardwood floors, hard surface countertops, mission style trim and a whole house fan.

SPECIFICATIONS:
SQ FOOTAGE: 771 sq. ft.
# BEDROOMS: 2
# BATHROOMS: 1
SPECIAL FEATURES: Designed to be simple and easily set to reduce cost, weather-tight set service included in standard cost
MISC: Great narrow lot design and starter home; can used for disaster housing or Habitat projects. Home is shipped ENERGY STAR and green ready.
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Tags: craftsman bungalow, excel homes, starting line-up
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January 23rd, 2010 by Excel Team
File Under: General
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.

Tags: excel homes, starting line-up
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