PHB Home Stories: Dave and Reba
“We looked for three years… and we couldn’t be any happier with Pratt and with our home.”
How to Choose the Perfect Front Door for Your Home
Whether it’s draped in a Christmas wreath, guarded by a fun, fall-quoted mat or framed with blooming florals, your front door should be a statement when it comes to the exterior of your home. Reds, yellows, blues—oh my! The options are quite literally endless and once you add stains to the mix, it can become a little overwhelming to commit to a pallet. So how do you know what color front door is right for you? Your front door should be as individual as you are and make a statement while still tying into the rest of your home. It’s important to note the other colors and tones on the exterior of your home before sealing the deal on a paint color.
When you are looking for a refresh on an old door or just deciding which direction to go with a new one, look to the colors in the brick, siding or stone that frames your front door. Is there lots of texture and movement? Are you looking at an achromatic or monochromatic scheme? The easiest way to create a pallet is to find the colors present and pull from those. The hints of blue or red in a monotone brick are what can turn a random burst of color into a purposefully picked theme on your front porch.
When it comes to making a statement on your front porch, it’s important to keep in mind the long-term design of whatever you choose. Does your front porch receive a make-over during the holidays? If so, what color is your fall and winter décor? If you’re bouncing between themes and color pallets, you might opt for a classic stain or neutral swatch so that the façade is not dictating what décor you can use. If you routinely use one color pallet—for example, if your fall décor is made up of warm tones like reds and oranges, and your winter décor also plays off a similar bright red color—you may choose a warm-toned door. This allows your entryway to become a part of your decoration. If you want it to stand out from the color pallet you use when decorating, pick a complimentary color to play off the décor you have; however, if your Halloween pieces and Christmas wreath have no correlation, definitely go with something more transitional like a rustic grey or classic stain so that your front porch can path the way for the theme of your home.
Whatever color pallet you choose for the front of your house, let it make a statement and be the focal point as the entrance to your home. Let your creativity take flight and put your own mark on the home you love to live in.
Community Updates: Now Taking Site Reservations for 3 New Phases
We’re so excited to share that we have new phases opening at three of our most popular communities in Greater Chattanooga. All of these communities offer low-maintenance living, desirable areas, a variety of home plans, and stunning onsite amenities to make living better easy and accessible.
Learn more or schedule a visit on prattliving.com or call 423-757-7687
GreyHawk Trails – Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Creekside at Hampton Meadows – Ooltewah, Tennessee
Magnolia Farms – Apison, Tennessee
Five Advantages of Single Level Living
In the new home construction industry around Chattanooga, Tennessee, we are seeing a resurgence in Single Level Living. Many homebuyers of all ages are finding that a home on one level would accommodate their needs throughout the years. Pratt Home Builders offers a Single Level home plans in every community.
Accessible
It’s not surprising Single Level homes are among the most popular, as many Baby Boomers are downsizing from multi-level houses and seeking homes without stairs.
Versatile
In-laws visiting? Small children? Multiple levels can present challenges for a variety of people.
Lower-Maintenance
The right floor plan and the right finishes will make for spending less time working and more time living.
Convenient
Pratt Home Builders offers a variety of single level home plans with a wide range of square footage, so you can choose the right size for your lifestyle needs.
Options
To compliment the various Single Level home plans we offer, barrier-free design options are also available.
Pratt Home Builders and HabiChatt partner for first-ever Chattanooga Habitat for Humanity Home Builder’s Blitz
Every year, builders across the nation “blitz” a house for Habitat for Humanity. The blitz is different than the typical volunteer experience many people associate with Habitat for Humanity.
Pratt Home Builders has a long history with partnering with Habitat for Humanity. After celebrating 20 years as a locally-owned, family-owned business Pratt wanted to give back to the community in a more meaningful way, so this year, Pratt is the first ever Chattanooga sponsor of a Home Builder’s Blitz home. This means Pratt will assist with home plan design, provide the labor and all the materials and build the home in approximately three weeks.
The homeowner has already been selected and will be continuing her “sweat equity” throughout the build.
New Construction FAQs: “How do I finance my new construction home?”
One of the most common questions hopeful new home buyers often ask is: “Do I need a new construction loan?” You may be surprised to learn the answer is no. How is that possible when you’re buying a new home that’s under construction, or when building from the ground up? By the time you actually close on your home, the work will be complete.
While Market Homes and Pre-Sales have a few differences when it comes to selections and timeline to move in, the financing is the same for both – and standard lending products are welcome. Here’s a quick overview of the differences in what money you’ll need upfront to start your respective process, and of the types of financing we often see in New Home Construction.
Getting started: In some cases, the money needed upfront can be among the determining factors in deciding whether to buy a Market Home or build. Market homes are for sale at all stages of construction and require only a small earnest money deposit to proceed with a purchase agreement. In order to participate in our Pre-Sale process (choose the plan, site and finishes), buyers must provide a little larger deposit.
*Please note, down payment is different than the deposit. The deposit is made payable to the builder and is ultimately applied toward the purchase price of the home ot towards the down payment at closing. The down payment is part of the lending process, and although also is applied toward the purchase price, this is the requirement to fund the loan and paid to the title company or bank.
FHA
An FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan is among the most popular financing choices, especially for first-time homebuyers, since the credit score and down payment needed to qualify are low. The FICO score must be 580 or higher, and the down payment can be as low as 3.5 percent of the sales price.
VA
The VA (Veterans’ Administration) is available to current and former military and National Guard members, and is one of the best if you qualify, and it’s among the most popular choice for Pratt Home Builders customers. There is no money down in many cases, no PMI, and the loans are assumable if you sell. VA loans in Hamilton and Bradley counties can currently be funded up to $453,100.
Conventional
The most common loan is the conventional loan, these can vary significantly to adjust to the buyer’s needs and can be the least restrictive in some regards. A conventional loan generally requires more money down and a higher credit score, but often offers lower interest rates. They typically require between three and20 percent down, and the down payment determines whether a PMI (private mortgage insurance) is required. A 20% down payment will eliminate the PMI.
THDA
The THDA (Tennessee Housing Development Authority) loan was created by the government to boost home ownership in certain areas, so it’s not a lending option in all Pratt communities, but is available in some. There are certain parameters for the home price and the buyer’s household income. In general, THDA loans are for first-time home buyers but there may be some exceptions so it’s always best to check with a lending professional.
PMI
PMI is an insurance policy that protects the holder against loss resulting from default on a mortgage loan. Insurance requirements are sufficient to guarantee that the lender gets some pre-defined percentage of the loan value back, either from foreclosure auction proceeds or from PMI.
To learn more about what new home financing option is ideal for you, contact Pratt Home Builder’s Preferred Lender, Blake McPherson.
https://prattliving.com/homebuyers-corner/financing-options/
Our Favorite Design Features for Holiday Entertaining
Tis the season for holiday entertaining. Do you love to host family and friends? At Pratt Home Builders, we have options that are perfect for cooking, gathering, gaming, and relaxing at home.
Open Kitchen
It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home and for good reason. They’re an inherently natural place to gather, but depending on your layout, that may or may not be ideal. Spacious open-concept kitchens that feature an island and a breakfast nook or dining area are a popular choice for many homebuyers. With all the room to cook and move around, it’s easy to understand why the combo has become so in-demand.
Powder Room
Let’s face it: Restroom accommodations can make a huge difference to guests’ comfort. When hosting a gathering, it’s important to have a conveniently located restroom that’s accessible. A first-floor half bath ensures your visitors can pop in to use the restroom, wash their hands or check the mirror if needed, without having to go through anyone’s personal space.
Sunroom
Maybe you’re popular with friends or have a large family and need multiple spaces that offer some separation but still foster a feeling of togetherness. Options such as this sunroom (in this case, right off the owners kitchen and living area) offer additional square footage and can be multipurpose. Explore our interactive home plans to see more options like this.
Open Layout
The Riverbirch home plan featured below is one example of a plan that has both an open, eat-in kitchen with a breakfast nook and an open dining room. While we also have plans with separate dining room options, around the holidays, open dining spaces are very conducive to sitting down large dishes and getting around the table to give out hugs.
Second Living Area
After the tryptophan kicks in and watching football games or Christmas movies commences, having multiple living spaces can be nice to offer ways to enjoy time together. The possibilities are endless for how to utilize two living spaces.
Outdoor Amenities
A belly full of food and a house full of people may eventually foster the urge to get out for some exercise and fresh air. Many communities have sidewalks and onsite amenities that make it easy to keep the fun going in a way that’s positive and accommodating to a variety of ages and personalities.
If you’re ready to learn more about any of these features, get in touch at prattliving.com or by callling 423-757-7687. We’d love the opportunity to help you love where you live, and how you live.
Age in Place: Universal Design for Barrier-Free Living
At Pratt Home Builders, we talk with hundreds of prospective home buyers per month and a growing trend we see with home buyers of all ages is the desire to include design features that are conducive to “aging in place” in their new construction home. Regardless of what age you are, barrier-free living is very desirable and for good reason – after all, anyone can sprain an ankle or be in a position where a floor transition that was previously never thought about suddenly seems treacherous. Whether you want to ensure there are fewer tripping hazards for young children, you want to be proactive about whatever unknown the years ahead may bring, or you want to plan for open and easy-to-use spaces that feel inclusive to all your friends and family, we have options. With 43 home plans and options galore, at Pratt Home Builders we can make home plan edits that are universally user-friendly without sacrificing style. In fact, if you aren’t looking for them – you may not even notice these features.
Below we have outlined some of the helpful options we have available to make your lifestyle easier, whether you have an injury, illness, or simply an armload of groceries!
Home plans – Perhaps one of the easiest ways to be prepared for anything life may throw your way is to consider a one level home plan, or a two story with a master on main. We have both one and two story options available in all communities.
Wider doorways – In many cases, interior doors can be upgraded to 36″ which is the required clearance for ADA. Our large cased openings are nice and easy for wayfinding.
Walk-in showers – Walk-in showers are a popular choice, and these are available with no transition, along with shower benches. We also offer grab bars in multiple sizes and can install them horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Counter height adjustments – With most of our plans, we also provide ample clear floor space in the kitchen for maneuvering around the island. There are also a variety of handles and hardware available. Upgrades like the pot filler faucet below can aid in cooking ease.
Flooring – Our floor transitions are virtually seamless. Moving from hardwood to tile is completely smooth, which is easy on the eyes and the body.
If you are ready to start the conversation about buying or building a home that will meet your needs for many years to come, get in touch with us to learn more at prattliving.com or call 423-757-7687.
10 Ways to Experience Fall in Chattanooga
Fall is here again, and whether you’re a longtime resident or new to Chattanooga, the beautiful colors and refreshing temperatures of our East Tennessee fall are invigorating to the mind, body and spirit year after year. Whether you like to explore in nature, find ways to be festive, or enjoy the flavors of the season, here are our top 10 ways to experience fall in Chattanooga.
Have a Picnic at Coolidge Park
Enjoy the fall colors against the contrast of our world-famous Walnut Street Bridge in Downtown Chattanooga. Pack a picnic lunch for Coolidge Park, ride the carousel, walk along the longest pedestrian bridge in the U.S. over to the Hunter Museum and enjoy a meal or dessert in the Bluff View art district. There are always inspiring views around Chattanooga, but perhaps no more than during Fall.
Savor the Best Pumpkin Latte Around at Milk and Honey
It’s a seasonal favorite, but in our opinion, you’ve not experienced real pumpkin latte bliss until you enjoyed one of these beloved seasonal drinks from Milk and Honey. The locally owned sweet shop and cafe boasts an array of Fall treats sure to inspire your taste buds. Choose from Pumpkin Cheesecake gelato, an assortment of caramel and pumpkin baked goods (including some gluten free options), and a Pumpkin Latte that’s out of this world, crafted from local Cruze dairy milk and whole ingredients. If you love fall and are obsessed with all things #PumpkinSpice this is a great place to kickoff the season.
Hike Cravens Trail to Sunset Rock
Ready to feel like a true Chattanoogan? The Scenic City has become well known for its outdoor beauty. For a view that will really take your breath away, and not just during the two hour hike, start at Craven’s House and hike to Sunset Rock for a panoramic view of incredible fall colors against the majestic Tennessee River. The hike is actually fairly easy to moderate, just dress in layers, wear good shoes, and bring your camera.
Fly a Kite at River Rocks at Sculpture Fields
There’s one phrase that best describes River Rocks and that is “so Chattanooga”. River Rocks is an annual event that celebrates so many of the things Greater Chattanooga residents like best, including but not limited to the outdoors, live music, fitness, competition and fun. This year’s River Rocks is a partnership with River City Kites and adds to the mix another favorite local element – art – since the event will take place at Sculpture Fields. Kites as large as 20 feet long will fill the fields for an inspiring day of color. There will be activities for kids, food trucks, a beer tent and more.
Get Inspired at Startup Week Chattanooga
This week of events may not be about pumpkins or Halloween, but as a resident around Gig City, there’s a good chance you’re excited about the area’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Startup Week has been going for five years strong and boasts an array of events that inspire innovative thinking with takeaways for virtually any industry. New seasons are always a great time to take a page from nature’s book and do some shedding of the old to make way for the new, and this week is filled with “hacks” to help participants live, work and play in a more meaningful way. Startup Week is filled with local and visiting experts in their fields, thought leaders, founders, venture capitalists, tech gurus and beyond. If you’re new to Chattanooga, it’s a great way to get connected, literally and figuratively.
See Rock City and Take a Hayride at Rock City’s Enchanted Corn Maize
Even if you’re new to the area, you probably saw “See Rock City” on barn rooves at some point somewhere in the United States. Fall is a great time to “see seven states” and see them bathed in breathtaking jewel tones. At the foot of Lookout, you’ll find Blowing Springs Farm, the home of Rock City’s Enchanted Corn Maze.
Get Goosebumps at Ruby Falls Dread Hollow
If you’re looking for some frightful fun this fall, Ruby Falls Dread Hollow will take visitors on an interactive journey through 20,000 square feet of chills and thrills. Designed by the creators of Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern, it’s sure to get you in the Halloween Spirit. Beware: This “extreme haunt experience” is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Celebrate Weird Wildlife During ODDtober at the Tennessee Aquarium
Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction. Younger children and people of all ages can get a close encounter with the wild, weird and wonderful real life creatures at the beautiful Tennessee Aquarium. Each week of October showcases different “odd” residents of the deep. Learning more about these animals can remove fear and inspire wonder. Every Saturday, Scuba Divers carve a pumpkin underwater! (How cool is that?!)
Board a Train for a Haunted or Historic Trip
All aboard! Jump on a train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and take in the beautiful sights on any one of the regular trips, or checkout the Halloween Eerie Express for a Halloween take on Chattanooga’s rich “choo-choo” history. You’ll be on the right track to experiencing the best of fall, headed full-steam ahead into a festive mood for the holiday season.
Take a Bite of Fall at the Cleveland Apple Festival
Looking for something more low key? Discover the sights and sounds of the The Cleveland Apple Festival. After all, Fall isn’t just about pumpkins. Enjoy apple ciders, pies, turnovers and more at this much-loved festival. With an abundance of free activities for kids (including pony rides!), the festival in Cleveland, TN is a day of simple, country pleasures. From arts and crafts to music and dance, this old-fashioned fun is appropriate for the whole family.
Fall is a great time to explore locally and regionally. For even more ideas for ways to make the most of fall this year, check out this recent article by The Chattanooga Times Free Press to learn more about activities happening all over the area.
Pratt Home Builders Fall Open House Weekend
We’re excited to kick off fall with an open house weekend at two of our communities! If you’re looking for a new home that’s move-in ready, look no further. These Market homes are designed by our in-house team and boast beautiful, modern finishes. Both of these homes happen to be our Lynden floor plan, which is a customer favorite, and with good reason. The Lynden offers a beautiful open concept kitchen and living room, a guest room and full bathroom on the main, a high impact entryway, and a second living area on the second floor.
Below, each community expert shares the special features about each of this weekend’s featured plans.
Our first featured home is in Boulder Pass at The Canyons in Falling Water, at 409 Stone Valley Lane.
The onsite agent, Chris, will be available this weekend to answer questions. Chris said “The Lynden home design is is situated on a larger cul-de-sac homesite with scenic views of Signal and Mowbry mountain. This traditional home is located in highly desirable Canyons neighborhood situated 15 minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from the heart of Hixson. The Lynden offers 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Gorgeous quartz countertops and sleek grey and white tile backsplash highlight the kitchen which overlooks an airy great room featuring a wall of windows allowing a plethora of natural light. A bonus room, butlers pantry, garage storage nook and large drop zone also are popular features found in this home. Come see it Saturday or Sunday.”
The second home is convenient to downtown in the Ooltewah area, a little closer to Hamilton Place and between Chattanooga and Cleveland at 8217 River Birch Loop, Ooltewah.
The onsite expert Charlene, said “You have been looking at it online, dreaming about living in it and now you can! The stunning 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath Lynden model home at The Farm at Hampton Meadows is for sale! Don’t miss this great opportunity to see this one in person and make it your own. Our former model is rich with features including an oversized barnwood kitchen island, granite top butler’s pantry, tons of craftsman-style trim, coffered ceiling dining room, mudroom built-ins and sliding barn door, floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace and built-in home office with finely-crafted cabinetry and butcher block wood tops. Let this home wow you at only $373,900.”
If you have any other questions about the Open House Weekend, get in touch online at prattliving.com or call 423-757-7687.
