Holiday’s have arrived and the team at Thomsen Homes is thankful for so much. This year we reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives and how very grateful we are for our clients, vendors and business partners and the continued support. From everyone at Thomsen Homes we wish you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!
Location- Tips on how to pick your lot
Location, Location, Location! This is one of the key things to consider when looking to build a new home. A great house starts with a great lot! Below are a couple tips to keep in mind when selecting your lot for your new home.
Think about what kind of house plan works for you
What comes first the house or the lot? Well this depends. Some home plans may not fit on the lot you want. So you need to keep in mind what kind of home plan you are looking to build. Is it a Rambler, Bi-level or 2-story? These are things to think about when it comes to your lot selection. 
Set your priorities
Begin with the general area you want to be in. Think about access to work, schools, parks, and shopping. Friends or family nearby? Easy access to the interstate? Parks or “walkabaility” important to you? What kind of specials are there in the area you are looking at? Consider the areas outlook for growth, will they be building a school, new business etc. Consider these things and prioritize what is important to you and your lifestyle once you do this and narrow down an area you can start looking at what availability there is for lots.
Lot Location
This is important to think about. If easy access to your home is important, choose a lot closest to the entrance of your development. If you are considering a corner lot think of the pros and cons of having two streets on each side vs. an interior lot with only one street and homes on each side. Think about sun exposure when looking at lots. Consider visiting a few lots at different times of the day to get a good idea of the sun direction and where your preference lies.
When considering new home construction take some of these tips into account when selecting your lot. Our sales team at Thomsen Homes are happy to answer any questions you may have on lots and home plan options.
Fire Safety month across America
Each year over 350,000 homes catch fire. The National Fire Protection Association’s campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire – and how to escape safely in the event of one:
Look
Look for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
Listen
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could only have minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
Learn
Learn two ways out of every room. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
Cooking is the leading cause of house fires.
Pay attention to what you are cooking.
If you have to leave the room, turn off the stove.
Don’t cook if you are sleepy or impaired.
Clean your stovetop frequently to avoid grease build up.
Keep flammable items away from heat sources. (potholders, towels, clothing, etc.)
Close before you doze.
Sleeping with your bedroom door closed could be the difference between life and death.
The today show recently posted this demonstration video showing what happens to a bedroom with a door open vs. a door closed during a fire. After watching this video hopefully it will change your night time routine.
For more information on ways to keep your house and loved ones safe all year round please visit the National Fire Protection Association’s website. https://www.nfpa.org/
Life is lived in moments. Stay alive for them!
Winter Is Coming: 8 Tips For Prepping Your Home
Now that you have officially said goodbye to summer and you’ve brought your thick blankets and stockings out of storage, it’s time to also prepare your home for the winter months! Everyone enjoys a lower energy bill every month, right? Well, Thomsen Homes is here to give you a couple tips and pointers on how you can save money and make the best of your home in the winter.
- Winterize Air Conditioner & Water Lines: This one is a simple and easy task and can actually save you money when the temps outside warm up again! You just need to drain your hoses and A/C pipes of any excess water. If you have an air conditioner with a water shutoff valve, turn it off. You should also turn off any outside water spigots and store your hoses away.
- Turn Down the Water Heater: If you’re anything like me, you like a good hot shower in the winter. Liking your water hot doesn’t mean you have to run your heater temperature high. During the winter you can turn your temperature down about 20 degrees, saving you 5-10 percent on water heating costs. You’ll still be able to enjoy your relaxing shower and save money on the side!
- Change Furnace Filters: This is another quick and easy tip. Ideally you should replace your filter every month or so. Clean filters reduce energy demand. We suggest either a electrostatic or HEPA filter.
- Put Up Window Plastic: Now you may think this is old school and an eye sore, but if you install the plastic properly, it’s nearly invisible! This will help your home hold in the heat. Kits are available at your local hardware store such as Lowes or Menards.
- Insulate Your Pipes: Have you ever heard of someone’s pipes freezing? Yea, it’s not good! All you need to do is touch your pipes. If they’re warm, they should be insulated. You can easily buy pre-slit insulation that you simply cut to size and duct tape around the pipe. No more frozen pipes!
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: By reversing your fan’s rotation, the warmer air that gets trapped at the ceiling gets pushed down and circulates through the room.
- Block Drafts From Under Exterior Doors: This can be easily done with a rolled up towel, a DYI project or you can purchase a draft snake online.
- Open Blinds and Curtains During The Day: Having your blinds/curtains open eliminates air trapped and reduces freezing on windows. Wipe any condensation you see on the jambs and woodwork.
- Salt or No Salt?: Only use salt on sealed concrete. Salt will eat away at stone, brick and concrete resulting in chips and pockets on your driveway and sidewalks.
- Winterize Your Sump Pump: Watch the video below as Niels explains how to winterize your sump pump:
All of these tips and trick shouldn’t take more than a couple hours and soon you will be on your way to an energy efficient home! Check out our Homeowner 101 Page to explore more ways to make your home the best it can be. Now grab some hot coffee (pumpkin spice or not) and get to it!
Join Us For the 2018 Fall Parade of Homes
Do you feel it? The crisp air tickling your cheeks as you step outside your front door? The crunch beneath your feet, strolling through the park with your loved ones? It’s that time of year again! Fall is fast approaching and so is the 2018 Fall Parade of Homes. Grab your apple cider and favorite coat and come take a tour! The Parade is held two weekends, September 29th-30th & October 6th-7th. This year Thomsen Homes has five models to share with you and we can’t wait for you to step inside.
Staged by Eco Chic Boutique, our homes will showcase the value and excellent craftsmanship Thomsen Homes has to offer. Our 2086 Two-Story model, located in the Wilds 9th neighborhood, features a luxurious master bathroom, including a free-standing tub and floating vanity. It will be a spa day, every day. The master closet is a dream with its ample storage space and island! Are you longing to entertain friends and family in a large kitchen and family space? Our 1670 Rambler in Deer Creek gives you that and much more. The dining room has been extended, offering plenty of room for entertaining guests. Curl up on those cold nights in front of the fireplace accented by custom, open, built-in shelving. These are just a couple tidbits to check out while visiting our homes.
Our homes are located in three neighborhoods for the Parade. Our 2180, 1944 and 1439 models are in Bison Meadows in South Fargo. Also located in South Fargo in Deer Creek is our 1670 model. The 2086 model is in Wilds 9th in West Fargo. We invite you and yours to take a peek and settle in September 29th-30th and October 6th-7th! See you then!
Thomsen Homes Makes Inc. 5000 List
Inc. Magazine has ranked Thomsen Homes No. 4459 on it’s 37th annual Inc. 5000. Thomsen Homes is honored to have made the list again for the second year in a row! Our team is grateful for this recognition, and it would not be possible without a great team, amazing clients and business partners. This list looks at companies nationwide and highlights two things to be considered: revenue and growth. Thomsen Homes met both these criteria at a 3-year sales growth of 74%. We look forward to the upcoming year and what’s in-store. Special thanks to the team and everyone who has made this recognition possible!
Congratulations to the other Fargo based companies were recognized and made the list this year: CoSchedule, BNG Team, Hatch Realty, Discovery Benefits and Pedigree Technologies.
The milestones of building a home
When you think about the different milestones in your life what do you think of? Getting married? Having a baby? Growing in your career? Finding your passion? Buying your first home? Whatever the milestone is, it is a moment that helps us grow.
Buying a Home
Buying your first home is a huge milestone. Buying a 2nd or 3rd home is also an incredible milestone. Let alone building a home is a milestone. All that hard work of saving, research, conversations have paid off and you truly have a place to call your own. This is probably one of the biggest investments you will make. Buying a home is a journey from the moment a home is considered, until getting the keys to the front door.
The Search for Value
When on the search for a new construction home consider the value, you get for your dollar. What things are included? What are the different selections to choose from? The Thomsen Homes value includes a sod yard, deck or patio, upgraded exterior and appliances all included. The sections offered are quality with a large variety to choose from. The service and attention to each and every client is our top priority. The aftercare warranty of your home is also a valued asset to working with a builder you can trust. At Thomsen we pride ourselves in the fact that we can take care of our clients well after their home has been built.
Check out Andrew and Katelin’s Thomsen Moment as they reached this milestone of building their home with Thomsen Homes.
If you want to meet this milestone and find value in a builder, you can trust make your Thomsen Moment happen today!
Highland Meadows Welcome Home
When searching for a new home location matters and it’s no secret that the city of West Fargo has been a popular city to call home. If West Fargo is where you want to plant your roots fall in love with the innovative neighborhood of Highland Meadows, where neighbors become family. Close to schools, Shadow Wood splash pad and quick convenient access to I-94. You won’t have to stray too far to get shopping, restaurants and daycare in Eagle Run Plaza. There is plenty to do outdoors at Rendezous Park nearby with a basketball court, baseball/ softball fields, Frisbee golf courses, ice rink, playground and a skate park.
You won’t find better value with no backyard neighbors and the most affordable lot prices in West Fargo than Highland Meadows.
Create your Thomsen moment in Highland Meadows today!
