Welcome to The Leelanau Log Home Company E-Newsletter. This is a free monthly electronic newsletter that offers helpful tips and suggestions about log homes in general and specifically The Original Lincoln Logs LTD system. We'll cover a variety of topics from planning, buying, constructing, owning and maintaining a log home.

The Leelanau Log Home Company welcomes your feedback, including topics you may wish to see in future issues. If, at any time, you decide you would rather not receive our E-newsletter, please visit www.leelanauloghomes.com to remove yourself from our electronic mailing list.

Thank you for subscribing to our E-Newsletter. Enjoy!

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November 2005 (Volume 1, Issue 2):

1. Announcements:  Lincoln Logs Year-End Savings
2. Tip of the Month:  Choosing a Lender that's Perfect for You!
3. Model Home News
4. Featured Floorplan
5. Website Spotlight

1.  Lincoln Logs' Year-End Savings

Save now on your log, timber or cedar home package with Lincoln Logs' Year-End Savings.

BUY NOW, SAVE BIG!

Take your choice:  FREE OPTIONS OR CASH BACK

November Savings
15% of base pkg toward options,
Or 7.5% cash discount

December Savings
10% of base pkg toward options,
Or 5% cash discount

January Savings
7.5% of base pkg toward options,
Or 2.5% cash discount

There may never be a better time to reserve your Lincoln Logs home for a spring or summer delivery.  Interest rates are still low (but inching higher).  Materials prices are on the rise, but Lincoln Logs is offering this last chance to save money on the home of your dreams.  It's your choice -- get more and spend less by choosing a substantial credit toward popular options and upgrades, like cathedral ceilings, cedar decking and fixed glass packages, or take a cash discount on your purchase.  Either way, the sooner you act, the more you save.

This offer is good on all Lincoln Logs standard or custom homes.  Don't delay, this offer will expire on January 31, 2006, and we've been told to expect price increases by early next year. Call today so we can discuss your ideas and plans. We look forward to working with you to make your new Lincoln Logs home a beautiful reality.

Contact us today!

2. Tip of the Month:  Choosing a Lender that's Perfect for You!

Selecting a lender is as important as selecting your log producer, dealer and builder.  Doing your homework early can save you time and money as well as help you avoid costly delays in your project.  Here's a few suggested tips to follow:

• Shop, Shop, Shop.  Lenders are eager to give money to well qualified individuals and are often competitive with products, services and rates they offer.   Doing your homework early in the process by comparison shopping can save you time and money.
• If you don't already have a budget, work with your log home dealer to establish an initial budget to build your log home.  We'd be happy to assist you in developing a preliminary budget, give us a call today.   
• Make sure to ask the lending institution if they offer construction loans and mortgages for log homes.  Some banks don't.
• Get pre-qualified for a log home construction loan/mortgage before you commit to a log home package.
• Make sure you understand the terms of the loan.  You'll first need a construction loan to pay for the materials and labor to build the log home.  Typically lenders have a fixed number of months (usually 6-18 months) after which the construction must be finished.  Then the loan rolls over to a mortgage.  Ask if they offer a single settlement loan where the construction loan automatically converts to a mortgage without extra closing costs or additional processing fees.
• If you plan to act as your own general contractor, some lenders will apply additional charges and fees or even charge higher interest rates.
• Get your personal financial documents organized so the application process goes quickly and smoothly.  The lending institution usually has a list of documents that you'll need to produce.
• If you are purchasing land, you will need the legal description and a copy of the purchase agreement.  If you already own the land, you will need a copy of the deed to provide to the lending institution.
• Once you've selected a lender and they have selected you, you will be asked to provide cost of the log home package, floorplans and creditable building costs.  Make sure you involve your log home dealer/builder early so they can provide creditable building costs.  This is often where delays in getting the information to the lending institution occur.  Remember.delays will cost you money.
• We'll get you started on your homework, below are three log home lending institutions.  Good luck!  Please note: we do not endorse or recommend any lending institution.   

American Log Mortgage
American Log Mortgage
3840 Hempland Rd.
Mountville, PA 17554
Toll Free: 877-226-5242 ext 6612
Toll Free Fax: 866-901-1118
Website: www.americanlogmortgage.com

Log Lenders of America
365-B West Roundbunch
Bridge City, TX 77611
888-880-LOGS
Website: www.logloans.com

SystemBuilt Lending Division
M&T Mortgage Corporation
2270 Erin Court
Lancaster, PA 17601
888-539-1160
Website: www.systembuilt.com
Website: www.YourLogHomeCenter.com

Talk to The Leelanau Log Home Company to make your dream of living in a beautiful log home come true. Contact us at 231-275-5647 or email us at:  sales@leelanauloghomes.com.

3. Model Home News

Construction of The Leelanau Log Home Company model home is progressing well.  We're very close to "weathering-in" the Lincoln Logs package and will have the windows installed by the time you read this. 

We'd like to thank the following:

1. Leelanau Redi-Mix (Foundation and drain field).
2. Cousin Carl . Thanks for your help with site excavation.
3. Mary Ann & Bill Coyle (Jim's mom and dad).  Thank you for your support and encouragement.
4. Bobby G's Carpentry (Rough framing).
5. Roof Doctor (Roofing).

Here are some recent photos.

If you are interested in personal tour of our model home during the construction phase, please contact us for your personal tour.

4. Featured Floorplan: Attitash

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Main level: 946 sq. ft.
Second level: 398 sq. ft.
Total: 1,344 sq. ft.

Cozy comfort defines this 3-bedroom cape. The private 2nd level master bedroom opens onto a loft that overlooks the living and dining areas. Cathedral ceilings and gable glass bring the outdoors in, and the full front porch and optional decks are made for relaxation.

For more floorplans access our floorplans database.

5.  Website Spotlight

The Log Home Council (www.loghomes.org) website is a great resource to add to your favorites list.  You'll find a variety of information about log homes and the log home industry.  I especially like the "Publications" section where you'll find "Tech Notes"  and "Log Home Library" pages filled with valuable information about the performance of log homes.  The Original Lincoln Logs Ltd. is a Charter Member of The Log Home Council, and our log and timber products are inspected by the TPI (Timber Products Inspection, Inc.). Happy surfing!

Here's The Log Home Council boilerplate:

The Log Homes Council is a national organization with membership comprised of manufacturers of log homes. The LHC is part of the Building Systems Councils, a council of the National Association of Home Builders. Council members are log home manufacturers and producers who have united to develop and promote quality building systems and ethical business practices by participation in both mandatory and voluntary council programs designed to benefit log home customers.

To qualify for and maintain membership status, a log home manufacturer must:

• Conduct or participate in a certified log grading program. This ensures that customers will get only graded logs when purchasing from a council member. The Log Homes Council recognizes two third-party certified log grading programs: One administered by the council and Timber Products Inspection.
• Subscribe to a rigid Code of Ethics developed to ensure well-constructed, code-complying structures and fair business dealings.
• Agree to provide interested persons with truthful and accurate information and educational materials about log home building systems.
• Follow the recommendations provided in the Log Homes Council construction manual guideline designed to address issues unique to log home construction as they relate to their individual system.
• Participate in and sponsor research, training and marketing programs committed to raising log home industry standards.
• Make a continuing commitment to professionalism and customer service.
• Be an active member of their local NAHB chapter.

In short, the manufacturers you'll find in the Log Homes Council directory meet the highest standards in the industry. Many are recognized as industry pioneers. Most are known as industry leaders. Several have been in business for more than 50 years.

LOG HOMES COUNCIL

National Association
of Home Builders
1201 15th Street
Washington, D.C 20005
1-800-368-5242, Ext. 8576
FAX: (202)266-8141
www.loghomes.org

The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC
Brad Karikomi & Jim Coyle
Model home address:
1310 S. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Leelanau, Michigan 49653
Business mailing address:
PO Box 309, Interlochen, Michigan 49643
Office: 231-275-5647
Mobile: 231-668-1465
Fax: 231-275-0400