The Resiliency of Prefabs: Modular Homes For Extreme Environments

Maybe you've always dreamed of having a home way out in the mountains, but wondered how you would get the infrastructure to such a remote area. Or perhaps climate change leading to more natural disasters has you considering the sturdiness of your current home.

Because they're built to be transported and lifted with cranes, pre-fabricated modular homes are inherently suited to extreme terrain and more intense weather conditions. 

In this article, we spotlight some beautiful prefabs nestled in far out, less hospitable locales. 

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Snøhetta's Gapahuk

We've mentioned the incredible designs of Snøhetta before, and yes - they even build prefabs!

“ Combining tradition and innovation, Gapahuk is designed to be a readymade cabin that fits into nearly any scenery – whether it’s placed in the mountains, in the forest or by the sea. Focus has been put on designing a cabin that is flexible with regards to wind and sun conditions, and which can adapt to various terrains and environments. ”

— https://snohetta.com/projects/328-gapahuk

The asymmetrical roof provides a shield to strong winds on one side, while allowing for plenty of sunlight and spectacular views on the other side of the home. 

Designed to be a readymade cabin with the ability to fit into any environment, the Gapahuk imbibes style into even the most rugged of landscapes.

Tasmanian Eco-prefab

Lingering over 150 miles off the coast of Australia, Tasmania is a pristine but untamed land.

Homeowner David Burns worked with Misho + Associates to design a sustainable eco-friendly prefab home that would be able to conform to the landscape and withstand the ocean winds which can blow in at up to 60 mph!

Photo by Lucas Allen. 
Read more: An Off-the-Grid Prefab that Combines Open Plan Living with Rugged Durability

Rural House

Located on the rugged and picturesque Isle of Skye off Scotland's northwest coast, Rural House is bringing modern modular design to a very rural and ancient feeling landscape. 

“Our contemporary, sustainable and prefabricated houses are purpose designed for rigours of the highlands and islands...”

— http://www.ruralhouse.co.uk/

French Island Off-Grid Prefab

About forty miles off the coast of Melbourne, Australia lies French Island, and there's really only one way to get there - by ferry. 

The area is so remote that there isn't even a local council, and the home certainly needed to be self-sustaining. The homeowners worked with Ecoliv to design and construct an eco-friendly prefab home that they then transported to the site via a three-day ferry ride! 

“We chose to go prefab because it consolidated most of the logistics into three days of moving, rather than months of ferries and barges for materials and manpower.”

— Rowan Brown, owner

Photo by Jaime Diaz-Berrio. Read more: It Took Three Days to Ferry This Off-the-Grid Prefab to Its Remote Australian Site

“Prefabrication allowed us to quickly and cost-effectively get an architecture standard of finish in a very remote place.”

— Rowan Brown, owner

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If you're considering living a remote lifestyle close to nature, prefab homes are a terrific housing option to facilitate this dream in style!

And if you're wanting to do so in North America, HAVEN can make this a reality for you. Get in touch with us! We'd love to hear your dream!

Tips For First-Time Home Buyers in 2018

The home buying process is renown for being overwhelming and perplexing. If it's your first time, this is especially true. 

So we decided to put together a list of tips and things to consider before buying or building a home. Hopefully this helps remove at least a little of the frenzy ;)
 

BE VERY CLEAR ON WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD

Know what kind of monthly payment you can afford before you even start shopping. 

List out all monthly expenses, not just bills, but anything you spend money on -- groceries, gas, eating out, shopping, entertainment, etc.

Be sure to factor in monthly projected utility costs in your new home, too.

Something for you to consider: if you go for an eco-friendly home, you could reduce your power bill to zero. That's smart, long-term thinking. 

A good rule of thumb is not to take on a mortgage payment any larger than 30% of your income.  Just because a bank approves you for a certain amount does not mean you should spend that much. 

DON'T SPEND ALL OF YOUR MONEY ON A DOWN PAYMENT

As a homeowner, emergency savings become more important than ever.

If your plumbing unexpectedly fails, that's on you, not a landlord, to get fixed.

Water leaks. roof damage. and other unexpected expenses outside of the home like a car repair or medical procedure could happen out of the blue.

You should have a minimum of three months of living expenses still in your bank account after purchasing your home. 

If your down payment is going to leave you with $1,000 or less, definitely wait until you have more money saved. The most "perfect" home can become a burden in no time if you impulse buy.
 

CONSIDER MAKING YOUR FIRST HOME AN INVESTMENT

Many first-time home buyers don't think about the option of having their first home actually make them money. 

But your first home can double as an investment property, too!

The HAVEN Nest, for example, is designed to be a single family home which offers a separate all-contained living area that doubles as a short-term Airbnb style rental. This offers the coziness of your own ultra-modern home to live in with all the privacy of a normal home, except it's fattening your wallet instead of draining it. #smartthinking right? 

Not to mention - experts predict prefab modular homes will continue to rise in popularity, opening the potential for a profit if you ever decided to sell.

IN CONCLUSION

As third generation builders, we've devoted time and careful attention to designing not only homes that make life better, but we've also designed one of the simplest home-buying processes on the market.

Unlike any other company we know, we offer the option of including land with your home.

But it doesn't stop there - your new modern prefab home can even be outfitted with sleek interior decor that fits your style to a T prior to you moving in! 

Read more about HAVEN's All-Inclusive Land + Home + Furniture Package. 

Hopefully these tips have been a little food for thought. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or want to chat about making your first home a HAVEN.

The Best Cities for Airbnb Investment in 2018

If you study real estate investment trends you already know that short-term rentals are predicted to continue their upward swing in popularity and demand. 

The prevalent tool connecting travelers to unique short-term lodging is, at present, Airbnb. 

These two pieces of information have been provoking real estate investors to hone their efforts more toward property purchase with short-term lodging in mind, and less toward the traditional rental situation (with tenants who are more likely to damage property and not pay rent). 

Of course, you could still run into issues like these with an Airbnb property, but the very software of AirBnB inherently diminishes this risk. This is due to AirBnB's ratings and review system; for anyone with a profile on Airbnb --property owners and travelers alike-- they are rated and reviewed on every stay. This ease of access to an individual's reputation helps mitigate risks to property, income, and other headaches in general. 

If you're reading this article, you're probably already convinced that Airbnb is a wise investment decision, so let's move onto the next step: Where will your Airbnb investment property be? 

THE BEST CITIES FOR AIRBNB INVESTMENT IN 2018

NASHVILLE, TN

One of the hottest housing markets in the US right now, Nashville doesn't just qualify as one of the overall best cities for Airbnb investment, but also one of the most profitable. 

Unlike many cities, Nashville already has a legal framework in place for the short-term rental market.

Despite the city's industrial growth, housing prices have remained affordable. 

The area attracts millions of tourists each year for its cultural downtown scene, rich in musical history and events, and the bucolic surroundings that are just a short drive outside the city. Nashville is a place where worlds collide: young and old, urban and rural, traditional and modern, promoting a feeling of everyone is welcome. 

Extra perks include no personal incomes taxes, low unemployment rate, and low cost of living. 

AUSTIN, TX

Airbnb is so popular in Austin that hotel revenues actually saw a 10% decrease in 2015. 

With its hip culture and plethora of attractions and events - Austin has been and will continue to be a tourism powerhouse. An added benefit - most tourists to the area are millennials, and millennials love Airbnb and unique experiences! 

Proof: during SXSW, an annual festival held in Austin which attracts over 130,000 attendees, Airbnb property owners have reported collecting over $1,000 each night. 

PALM SPRINGS, CA

AirDNA, a real estate analysis tool, gives an A grade to Palm Springs. Several factors go into this, notably: the consistent sunny climate, some of the largest festivals in the world, and the variety of activities to enjoy. 

Because of this unique blend of attractions, Palm Springs is always hopping with visitors and isn't just event dependent. 

Airbnb property owners in Palm Springs average $400 per day in short-term rental income. 

Make sure to research laws and regulations before settling on this area (or any area, obviously). As with most California cities - regulations are rapidly evolving and sometimes very different from what residents in other states might be accustomed to. 

SEATTLE, WA

From rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, hot springs and picturesque coastline to a bustling downtown full of museums, restaurants, and unique shopping - Seattle is a tourist hot spot, especially for cultured, eco-minded millennials. 

A 2015 study showed that Seattle tourism has reached record-breaking levels, outdoing neighboring Portland, Oregon. 

Average Airbnb revenue totals over $2,500 each month!

IN CONCLUSION

These are just a few great locations across America for Airbnb investors to look into. 

An important factor to keep in mind, no matter which city you decide to put your Airbnb property, is the type of property. Unique properties will always perform better than your standard house. 

Interesting structures like yurts, cabins, geodesic domes, treehouses, hobbit holes, shipping container homes, and ultra-modern prefab homes are among some of the most popular listings on Airbnb.

For this reason, we designed the HAVEN Nest sub-option specifically for Airbnb - a great way to make your HAVEN pay for itself. 

Sustainable Home Trends in 2018 & Beyond

If you thought sustainable green construction was just a trend, it might be time to reconsider. And it isn't just young trendsters living in hip Portland neighborhoods, in fact - this recent report surveyed builders who stated that green building was a significant share of their overall activity (more than 60% of their portfolio) and that one-third had already built a net-zero home. 

Single and multifamily homes alike are rapidly gaining traction in the world of green construction and this is a trend set to rise remarkably by 2022. 

As consumers become more and more aware of the impact their homes have on health and well-being, paired with an understanding of issues we face as a whole, sustainable homes serve as a powerful, intelligent, ethical response. 

But that's not all! There are numerous reasons for the continued rise in popularity of sustainable homes. 

SUSTAINABLE HOME TRENDS IN 2018 AND BEYOND

 

UTMOST ENERGY-EFFICIENCY

In the United States, buildings account for 70% of total energy use (and about 40% of CO2 emissions).

For several years now, homeowners doing renovations or construction have been focusing on more energy-efficient appliances, better insulation, and other small passive measures. This trend is poised to intensify, with net-zero energy homes being the aim. A net-zero energy home produces as much (or more!) electricity as it uses. 

California has even mandated that all new homes built must be net-zero by the year 2020!

Get on board by checking out our Roost sub-option - the pinnacle of luxurious net-zero modular living. 
 

HOME AUTOMATION (SMART HOMES)

Appliances and systems in a home can be automated, that is - programmed to behave a certain way. Smart home automation allows you to dictate how, when, and why a device or system should react. 

Via a remote control (which could be your smart phone), you have control of your house from anywhere in the world.

Savings, convenience, and control are obvious benefits, but an automated home also alerts you to incidents you might want to know about right away such as unexpected entry or a water leak. 

We have no doubt that fully automated homes are the very near future! For HAVEN buyers who are interested in home automation but feel a bit overwhelmed, we're happy to help you understand and select smart home automation systems during the design phase of your HAVEN. 

A FOCUS ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HEALTH

Our homes are sealed environments, where all of the pollutants (think: cleaning sprays, artificial fragrances, dust, dander, mold, chemicals from new furniture and appliances, and building materials used to construct the home) get trapped and continuously circulate around us, inevitably being breathed in. Did you know that indoor air pollution is thought to be a bigger risk factor for health problems than outdoor air pollution?

The Cog FX Study really raised eyebrows when it showed that cognitive function was 61% higher in green buildings and a whopping 101% higher in enhanced green buildings! The implications are huge: what if your home is unintentionally causing poor health and poor performance (work, school...) in family members? It's something to take seriously. 

A new Harvard study examined green-certified buildings over a 16-year period in six different countries (U.S., China, India, Brazil, Germany and Turkey) and found nearly $6 billion in combined health and climate benefits!

Our use of non-toxic and sustainable materials in the green construction of HAVENS isn't just beautiful to look at, it creates a true sanctuary for healthy lives to flourish. 
 

BIOPHILIC DESIGN

As human beings, we have an inherent inclination to affiliate with nature. We are drawn to natural shapes and materials, natural light, and environmental features like plants. 

Despite these proclivities, over the last century our homes have been designed as barriers from nature. 

We design HAVENS to have a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, one that offers a sense of harmony and inspiration. You can feel this when you walk into a HAVEN.

These are just a few of the trends that are transitioning sustainable green building from a movement to a norm. As standards, codes, and rating systems are written and updated, and new smart technologies and design ideas emerge, eco-friendly buildings will take over mainstream. Watch this unfold in 2018 and beyond! Exciting, restorative times are ahead!

HAVENS All-Inclusive Home, Land, AND Furnishings Package

Buying a home is a big undertaking. As third-generation builders, we know first-hand how complicated and stressful the home-buying process can be. 

But we don't just build beautiful, eco-friendly, modern prefab homes, we've also designed some really wonderful and practical processes to help our buyers. We've anticipated needs in advance and decided to offer something entirely different from other companies.

There are a multitude of companies out there building and designing stylish prefabricated modular homes, but we don't know of any other company who includes land and furnishings!

What is usually several bills and many shopping trips can be consolidated into your mortgage --- your brand new trendsetting home, decked out with sleek modern furniture, and nestled into the perfect piece of land for your lifestyle! In just one bill. 

Hard to believe? That's because no one else is doing it. It's not a norm. 

At HAVEN though, we're serious about promoting sustainability, modern design, minimalism, and enjoyment of life! We genuinely care about our community of HAVEN owners and want to see you all living happy, full lives inside and outside of the sanctuary we build for you. 

Like we've said before, our mission is not just to build incredible homes, but fuller happier lives! This way we can ALL #dogoodthings in the world. 

WE'LL PROVIDE LAND 

If you already have a lot for to nest your HAVEN into, great! But if you don't - no worries, we'll take care of that! 

Part of our simplified home-buying process is to sit with you, get to know you and the kind of lifestyle you want to design, and locate the perfect piece of land for you. 

A suburban lot in proximity to shopping, work, and events...

A rural piece of land overlooking the river...

You tell us what you want, we'll talk about budget and specific details, and then you can carry on with life while we take care of everything. 

Go have fun! :)

 

OUR FURNITURE PACKAGES

Another aspect of our process is furniture selection. As a new HAVEN client, you'll have the option to select one of our carefully designed modern furniture packages. 

When we say our, we really mean it. Here at HAVEN, we've developed our own furniture line to outfit all HAVENS. Our furniture is the pinnacle of sleek modern design, ensuring your HAVEN is the modern idyll, inside and out. 

Here are some sneak peeks of our furniture packages!

MADISON //  A mid-century modern aesthetic___

ROWAN // Scandinavian-influenced designs___

 COZY // A relaxing and minimalistic modern aesthetic___

All packages have been expertly designed to coordinate with your interior finishes selections.  

With our team of interior designers, as well as our partnership with All Modern and Wayfair, we are able to deliver high-quality furniture that seamlessly blends with the design of your new HAVEN.

We're serious about taking care of you! Make life easier on yourself, get in touch with us to begin building your dream lifestyle. We can't wait to hear from you!