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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December 2005 (Volume 1, Issue 3):

1. Announcements: Lincoln Logs Year-End Savings.there's still time to save!
2. Tip of the Month: Choosing A Lender, Part 2: Top Ten Questions to Ask
3. Model Home News
4. Featured Floorplan: Lake George
5. Website Spotlight: Woodland Creek Furniture & Gallery

1. Lincoln Logs' Year-End Savings

If you are planning to build in the next 12 months this promotion is for you!

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

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. I look forward to speaking with you soon, and 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, Part 2: Top Ten Questions to Ask

(Questions and Answers Courtesy of M&T Mortgage Corporation)

1. Have you financed log & timber frame homes before? You don't want to be the guinea pig for a local bank. M&T is the industry leader in Log & Timber Frame financing. No one does more than we do from a financing standpoint.

2. Will you pay for the package when it arrives at the jobsite before it is part of the house? Log and timber frame manufacturers want to be paid in full for their package up front. If the lender isn't willing to make that payment, the pressure will be on the customer to make it. In most cases, M&T will wire the funds directly to the manufacturer 3 days prior to delivery.

3. Will you require log home comparables for the appraisal? Traditional appraisals require the following:

1. Similar sized home
2. Similar room count
3. Similar sized property
4. Located within 5 miles
5. Sold within the last 6 months

The solution to this problem is to not require log home comparables but to look for custom home comparables. M&T does not require log home comparables.

4. What is your construction term? M&T has a standard 12-month construction term, 18 months is available for larger homes.

5. When can I lock the rate on my permanent mortgage? Many lenders will not set the rate on a home until it is near completion. M&T allows a customer to lock their rate as soon as they are approved, before construction has even started.

6. How long can I lock my permanent mortgage rate for? Standard rate locks are good for 60 days. With M&T you can lock your rate up to 13 months in advance. We also have 60, 90, 120, 180 or 270-day locks available.

7. If rates go down, can I take advantage of them? Absolutely! It is called a float-down option.

8. I want to be an owner contractor, is that OK? If you're not a General Contractor by trade and don't plan to hire one, many lenders will not want to work with you. M&T does allow owner contractors and project managers.

9. How many closings/settlements will I have to go through on my mortgage? Some lenders like to do a construction-only loan that has to be refinanced into a permanent mortgage once the home is complete. Two closings and two sets of closing costs. All M&T programs are a one-time construction to permanent mortgage, no second closing, one set of closing costs.

10. What programs do you have available for log or timber frame homes? You name it, M&T has it: 15-30 year fixed rate, Adjustable rate, Interest only!

M&T Mortgage Corporation

Tom Haldeman
thaldeman@mandtbank.com
888-539-1160 x8012
717-399-7099 fax
2270 Erin Court
Lancaster, PA 17603

3. Model Home News

Old Man Winter made an early appearance on November 17 and dumped about 14 inches of the white stuff. Despite the snow we're close to finishing up with the exterior trim work that includes installing the cedar shakes and log siding on the gable ends. The basement floor was poured, window and doors have been installed, stove and chimney and water well are in. Work has begun on the rough plumbing and HVAC.

We'd like to thank the following:

1. Larry Price Excavating
2. Leelanau Redi-Mix (Foundation and drain field).
3. Cousin Carl. Thanks for your help with the site excavation.
4. Mary Ann & Bill Coyle (Jim's Mom and Dad). Thank you for your support and encouragement.
5. Bobby G's Carpentry (Rough Framing).
6. Roof Doctor (Roofing).
7. M&M Contracting, Larry Morton (Plumbing and HVAC)
8. Bob's Well Drilling
9. Positive Chimney

For more photos please click "Construction Photos" on the lefthand side of this page.

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

4. Featured Floorplan: Lake George    

3 Bedrooms, 2 1⁄2 Bathrooms

Main level: 1,891 sq. ft.
Second level: 1,032 sq. ft.
Total: 2,923 sq. ft.

Our flagship model, the Lake George, is the largest and most well-appointed of our popular Bristol series. Here, our Bristol IV is enhanced with a solarium, entrance foyer and attached 2-car garage to create a very special luxury home.

For more floorplans access our floorplans database.

5. Website Spotlight: Woodland Creek Furniture & Gallery

This month's Website Spotlight features a local company, Woodland Creek Furniture & Gallery where they boast "Woodland Creek is the Largest Rustic Furniture Store in the Country -- Showcasing Designs From Around the World!"

A recent visit to their Traverse City and Kalkaska showrooms would suggest that's true. But let me tell you about their website. From the home page you can browse their inventory of log and rustic furniture and accessories from the traditional to the elegant to the exotic. They offer a wide range of products from furniture to very cool accessories like custom mantels, doors, pool tables, staircases, etc. Not only are their pictures of the products, but in most cases the prices as well.  

Website address: www.woodlandcreekfurniture.com

Woodland Creek Furniture & Gallery has three locations in Northern Michigan: Kalkaska, Traverse City and Mackinaw City.

Happy Shopping!

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