It’s officially springtime, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. That means it’s time for a good old-fashioned home cleaning! This year, why not try some new tips to make the process a little bit easier? 

Spring Cleaning Tips

The best way to start spring cleaning is to have a plan ahead of time. Use our handy checklist to go room by room and avoid getting overwhelmed by tackling too much at one time. Get your cleaning supplies ready ahead of time and pick one room to start and check off this list as you go. You will have your home spick and span in no time!

Room by Room Cleaning Checklist: 

KITCHEN

• Fridge/Freezer- Discard expired food and deep clean
• Oven- Clean inside and behind
• Drawers/Cabinets- Organize and clean
• Discard old spices
• Mop floor

BEDROOMS

• Wash bedding and replace pillows
• Organize closets- Donate anything you haven’t worn in the past year

LAUNDRY ROOM

• Clean behind Washer/Dryer
• Clean lint plate thoroughly

BATHROOMS

• Clean Toilet, Shower, Sink
• Mop Floor
• Wash Shower Curtain or Replace
• Organize Medicine Cabinets and Closets

GENERAL

• Ceiling fans- Dust and clean
• Windows- Clean inside and outside. Dust and clean blinds or window treatments
• Wash walls and touch up any paint needed
• Rugs- Vacuum and shampoo
• Carpets- Vacuum and shampoo
• Change air filters
• Vacuum out sofa/chairs
• Discard and organize old medications

OUTDOORS

• Wash doors and doormats
• Wash windows in garage
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Power wash deck
• Clean the gutters
• Fertilize plants
• Additional Tips

Don’t forget to spruce things up for the new season with some new throw pillows, or fresh decorations for your front door. Happy Spring!

Have you found the perfect location for your lake home or cabin? We can work with you to create the perfect space to accommodate just about any size lot. From as small as a one bedroom/one bath cabin to as large as a beautiful 8 piece modular home, we can help you get whatever living space you are dreaming about.

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Tips before building a cabin or lake home

Prepare Financing

Make sure that your financing will cover both the land and the build of your lake home or cabin if you don’t already own the property. This should be one of your very first steps. Knowing what sort of loan you qualify for ahead of time will help make your selection and process move forward more seamlessly. 

Find Good Property

Do your research. Make sure the land is suitable for building and will allow for proper septic and drainage. It is important that the property doesn’t have any major obstacles that would interfere with building.

Know the Laws

Be aware of the county requirements to build on the property. There may be required setbacks and or restrictions that vary depending on if the property is considered lake property, government-controlled or wetlands. 

Plan Ahead

Spend the time planning ahead for all possible intentions of the home. Design the home to take full advantage of waterfront or beautiful views from the most important rooms that suit your needs. 

Expect Hiccups

Don’t ever assume that the builder can read your mind. It is important to communicate as much as you can. Delays happen, weather can interfere and building any size of home can become stressful. Remember to always plan for extra time, expect the unexpected and that kindness can go a very long way. 

We are here to help you

Building a new lake home or cabin should be exciting. We are going to help you every step of the way to make the build go as smoothly as possible so that you can enjoy the lake home or cabin you have been dreaming of. 

Contact us today to get started! 

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Looking for a Smaller Lake Home or Cabin Solution?

The Stratford Homes Cedarburg may be the perfect small home for you! It is an impressive one bedroom, one bathroom modular home that is 936 square feet and features log pine siding. Although it is small in size, it makes up for it in custom features. 

Note: The 8 piece / multi-level modular homes delivery area is limited to location and per availability only. 

When building your dream home, the best way to stay within your budget while building with solid and quality construction is to purchase a modular or manufactured home.  Because our professionals build custom homes in a climate controlled factory, our homes are not affected by weather and assembly delays the way a stick built home would be. They also are more affordable due to the quantity of materials and labor that factory building can provide. The finished products are cleaner and inspected to state standards so less likely to have flaws or weather damage.  The housing market is showing that now is the best time to buy a modular or manufactured home since home prices have been on the rise while the inventory of houses available has been steadily decreasing. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home price of new houses sold in February 2022 in the United States was $400,600.  The average sales price was $511,000.  

Design your home, your way. 

At Excelsior Homes you are able to design your own manufactured or modular house plan. You do not need to be limited to our models. So we can make your dream home a reality, and in less time than a traditionally built home. We have a variety of options and plans available for you, but we encourage you to bring us your ideas, drawings, plans from another company. Although we cannot build every single plan that a site-builder may be able to build, we can come close. We have numerous options to choose from that can accommodate your wants and needs. Bring us anything you have and we’ll let you know what we can do with it.

Advantages of Manufactured or Modular Homes

There are many advantages that our homes can offer since they are built in a climate controlled factory:

• Design flexibility allows for hundreds of options
• Speed of construction and reduced building time
• Better quality construction
• Building plans are reviewed and approved before the construction begins
• Built to the same building codes used by conventional site-builders
• Energy efficient homes 
• Superior strength
• Environmentally friendly
• Skilled subcontractors
• Manufactured homes hold value

 
View Our Floor Plans
 

Your top choice for quality and style

What ideas do you have and what have you seen other homeowners do that you’d love to discuss with us to incorporate into your new home?

We offer a wide range of customizable modular and manufactured homes. Call 1.800.547.4990 or send us a message at [email protected] to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable sales team.

We are excited to announce that we have two Move-In-Ready homes available!

Hurry! These won’t last long!

These homes are open for viewing and are both move-in-ready! One is located in Glencoe and one is located in Clarks Grove, MN. Contact us now at 320-587-4990 to set up a tour of these homes.  

GLENCOE 

1190 Sq. Ft. – 3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms

Move-in ready home available at Glen Knoll Park in Glencoe. This new Lifestyle series home is an affordable option that provides a fresh look to fit your lifestyle. It is built with integrity and customer satisfaction in mind. This 1190 square foot home offers three spacious bedrooms along with two bathrooms. If you are looking for an affordable singlewide manufactured home, you should definitely check out this great opportunity. 

Learn more about Clayton Built Lifestyle 207 Homes

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CLARKS GROVE

1034 Sq. Ft. – 3 Bedrooms / 1 Bathrooms

Move-in ready home available at Hillcrest Community in Clarks Grove, MN. If you are seeking a modern singlewide the Clayton Lifestyle 208 may fit your housing needs.  This series is crafted with craft appeal and modern lifestyle.  Already equipped with an abundance of standard features making the buying process simple – no changes needed!  Pendent and can lighting, ship lap accent wall, and duracraft cabinets are all features that complete the modern look.  Not only does this home give you the comfy cozy feel on the inside it is attractive on the outside too.  Not a tiny home, but a comfortable living space with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom – what more do you need?  

Learn more about Clayton Built Lifestyle 208 Homes

Often the first question people have when they express interest in a modular or manufactured home is “How much does it cost?” This answer can vary depending on a number of factors, which can make answering this question more difficult than it may seem.

Home prices, building materials, land, and many other things have seen dramatic price fluctuations this year. There is a high demand for homes and supply shortages. This means that the price of a home today could be very different than a price in 2022.

On average homes have increased $36,000 this year. 

Pricing Checklist

There are some factors in your control that you can work on as you start to think about a new home to make sure you’re prepared. 

1. LAND – Do you have land? Where are you going to build your home? Have you already purchased it? Is it family land? Do you have a lot in a mobile home park? Determining this is a huge step. Without a place to put your home, we can’t move forward.
2. BUDGET – Do you have financing? What is your price range? If your budget is low, but you want a large, custom, modular home we can let you know that isn’t realistic. We can guide you in the right direction based on your budget requirements.
3. TIMELINE – When do you want to build? If it is within a year that is a realistic timeline to start the process. There is a balance of starting the process close enough to have consistent pricing and coordinating with demands.
4. WANTS & NEEDS – View our model homes to get an idea of what is available. Know what your home is required to have and be aware of what you want. If your wants are flexible that can help in the home design/selection process to help you stay within your budget and timeline.

We do offer free home quotes but prefer that you have land and a budget first.

It seems like the trend of remote work is here to stay. With more people at home most of the time, home design has become more important than ever. Whether you want to increase your house’s curb appeal, focus on interiors, or upgrade to an entirely new space, there are a variety of 2022 home design trends that can provide ample inspiration.

Design Trends for 2022

Colors and Decor

Neutral shades will continue to be extremely popular for both interior and exterior design. The Sherwin-Williams 2022 Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog. It is neutral organic gray-green. Neutral colors like this, as well as beige and ecru are easy to accessorize and go with almost anything. In keeping with the growing public interest in sustainability, organic-looking materials like wood and glass are being used to craft light fixtures, coffee tables, and more. Synthetics like plastic and resin are growing in popularity alongside other finishes like quartz, marble, and even wood-mimicking laminate.

Improved Efficiency

Once upon a time, homes had different rooms for everything. However, the popularity of the modern open floor plan has caused homebuyers to seek out versatile spaces that can serve multiple functions. Maybe your kitchen has a large island that can also function as a workstation, or your living room has a special play area for children that is set apart from the main area. Multipurpose rooms allow you to take advantage of every inch of your home.

New Innovations

As technology keeps advancing, it’s only natural that home design will follow suit. Like with interior design trends for 2022, sustainability will play a huge role in shaping home technology trends. Renewable power sources like solar panels are popping up on roofs all over America. Smart appliances are another burgeoning market. Many devices like refrigerators and thermostats now have Wi-Fi capabilities to assist you in monitoring your home and reducing energy consumption.

Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity – not a threat. 

Steve Jobs

What ideas do you have and what have you seen other homeowners do that you’d love to discuss with us to incorporate into your new home?

Your top choice for quality and style

We offer a wide range of customizable modular and manufactured homes. Call 1.800.547.4990 or send us a message at [email protected] to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable sales team.

The future is now—at least when it comes to interior design. Thanks to its minimalist appeal and sleek lines, the modern aesthetic has become incredibly popular in homes. While modern homes may look expensive, this interior design motif is achievable on almost any budget by following these modern home decorating tips.

Here are the elements you’ll want to focus on.

Embrace Open Space

The open-concept floor plan is incredibly popular in modern homes, and for good reason. Thick walls can block natural light and make a home feel stuffy or claustrophobic. An open floor plan will allow for an easier flow throughout your house and make dim spaces feel light and airy. An open floor plan will also encourage family members to congregate in highly trafficked areas, so you can spend more time together.

Incorporate Clean Lines

The modern aesthetic is all about clean lines and sleek silhouettes. Accenting your windows and allowing natural light to be a focal point can give the appearance of more space and incorporate clean lines. One of the simplest ways to modernize your home is by updating your appliances. Polished stainless steel refrigerators and microwaves provide a clean, streamlined look and offset the clutter that often accumulates in the kitchen. Swapping outdated furniture can also make a big impact. For example, you could try exchanging an ornately carved armoire for a steel garment rack or swapping a bulky entertainment center for a wall-mounted flat screen television. Enhance clean lines with trendier paint colors and accents, while keeping clutter to a minimum. Select your favorite pieces to decorate and let them be the focal point.

Maximize Efficiency

Modern homes are not only attractive; they’re also incredibly functional. Open floor plans allow for unobstructed movement, which can come in handy when cooking or entertaining. Focusing on a few key elements in each room can also cut down on excessive decorative pieces, such as tchotchkes and oversized furniture, to maximize the space of your home. Integrated storage compartments in your larger furniture pieces, such as ottomans and desks, also help reduce clutter.

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Are you ready to build the modern manufactured home of your dreams in the Minnesota and surrounding area? Call Excelsior Homes West at 1.800.547.4990 or send us an email at [email protected] to make an appointment with our experienced sales team.