Log Homes Council Unveils New Buyer’s Guide

March 3, 2010 - PRLog -- If there’s one silver lining to the housing boom and subsequent bust is that land costs are at a historic low. Just a few years ago, land costs were as much as 60 percent of the total cost of a new home in the United States, according to a recent study by the University of Wisconsin. Today land costs often make up less than five percent of the total cost.

This is a boon for baby boomers who envision themselves living out their retirement years in a rustic retreat. “Log and timber homes have never been more affordable than they are right now,” says Jim Murphy, chairman of the Log Homes Council, and a log home manufacturer from Mauston, WI. “We want consumers to get the most bang for their buck when building their dream home. That’s why we created The Log Homes Council Buyer’s Guide: The Perfect Path to Your Dream Home. This online resource at loghomes.org provides consumers with all the steps they need to take to make their dream come true, quickly and cost effectively.”

Members of the Log Homes Council part of the National Association of Home Builders, are a very exclusive association. While more than 400 companies offer log and timber homes in the United States and Canada, less than 60 companies qualify for membership in the Log Homes Council. What sets these companies apart? They offer peace of mind to consumers.

“Building your dream home is likely one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime,” says Murphy. “To help home buyers make informed decisions, we’ve created this new Buyer’s Guide. But that’s just the start. Our whole association is based on membership requirements that are designed to protect consumers during the buying and building process.”





These membership requirements include:
• Abiding by a strict code of ethics
• Grading their logs and timbers by third party agencies to ensure quality
• Providing construction manuals to ensure homes are built to meet building codes
• Contribute to scientific studies that advance log building technologies
• Offering FREE information to consumers
• Simplifying the selection process with the 'Tell Me More' search feature on its website

“This means when you buy from an LHC member, it guarantees you are getting the quality materials that will stand the test of time,” says Murphy. “When was the last time you bought anything from anyone who not only harvests the raw materials, but also designs and crafts the finished product? This is true for every member of the Log Homes Council. We have something in common with our customers. We share the same passion for living in a log home as they do.”

Much of the LHC’s knowledge is on display on the association’s website, www.loghomes.org. New articles every week reveal something new about every aspect of the buying and building process. These reports, which can be digitally downloaded to create your own log home guide, will include:

•   How To Detemine Your Budget
•   How to Choose a Lender
•   How To Buy Land
•   How To Design Your Home
•   How To Choose A Log of Timber Home Producer
•   How To Choose A Builder (or Build It Yourself)
•   How To Build ‘Green’ or Sustainably
•   How To Finish Your Home On Time & On Budget
•   How To Protect Your Investment with Maintenance

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ABOUT THE COUNCIL: The Log Homes Council is a national organization with membership comprised of manufacturers of log homes. These companies have adopted membership rules that protect consumers during the buying and building process.