Michigan Custom Log Homes: June 2006 Newsletter

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 http://www.leelanauloghomes.com to remove yourself from our electronic subscriber list.

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

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June 2006 (Volume 1, Issue 9):

Announcements: Breeze into summer with Lincoln
Tip of the Month: Planning Retirement
Featured Floorplan: Brookside
Model Home News

1. Announcements:

Are you still planning to build this fall or spring 2007? Click here to read all about this exciting promotion. Hurry offer expires on July 31, 2006.

http://www.lincolnlogs.net/ecard.cfm?dealerid=658

2. Tip of the Month: Planning for Retirement

Many of us who are considering purchasing a log home in the coming years typically do so with one thought in mind, "retiring to a dream log home on a lake in Northern Michigan". So it's a good idea to start planning with the issues that come with getting older. As the great comedian, Bob Hope said, "You know you're getting older when the candles cost more than the cake".

For many of us aging is something we try to ignore, but aging issues should be addressed when planning for your future needs. If you plan to grow old in this new home then careful and well thought-out planning will make your life much easier.

Here are some simple tips to follow:

Building design : Give serious consideration to building a single level home, eliminate stairs and make hallways at least four or five feet wide for wheelchair accessibility. If you can design your home without hallways all the better. Choose wider doors that could be wheelchair accessible. Eliminate or reduce floor level changes, and if you do plan any, make sure to change the floor covering in this area to assist when failing eyesight becomes an issue.

Lighting: Provide more light than you think you need right now. Place windows strategically to maximize natural light. Have nightlights installed and make sure there is sufficient lighting at all exterior entries.

Emergencies: Consider installing a back-up generator for power outages. Plan for a security system. Does the area that you plan to build have adequate emergency services.fire, ambulance, police? What is the proximity to the local hospital?

Maintenance: Single story homes are easier and less costly to maintain than two story homes. Make sure your home has maintenance free exterior clad windows. Consider composite decking materials that reduce maintenance. At Lincoln Logs we offer both.

ADA Compliance: Plan the whole home with ADA features in mind. Seek advice in this area.

Accessibility: Keep the structure closer to the ground (check local building codes), limit the number of stairs and either build or make a provision in the design for future approach ramps that are wheelchair accessible.

A log home is one of the most peaceful and attractive types of housing on the market today. The Leelanau Log Home Company and Lincoln Logs will work with you to ensure your log home will be easier to care for and enjoy in your later years. Contact us to schedule your planning session to discuss your log home building plans.

Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.

3. Featured Floorplan: Brookside

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Main level: 684 sq. ft.
Second level: 403 sq. ft.
Total: 1,087 sq. ft.

This traditional log home is a pleasure to look at with its twin dormers and dining nook. The open layout makes a great gathering spot, and the large private loft might just be the perfect place to escape with a good book or artist's easel.

For more floorplans access our floorplans database.

3. Model Home News:

Our model home is nearing completion. It's a great time to visit us to see the quality of a Lincoln Logs home and the craftsmanship of the Leelanau Log Home Company. Stop by at one of our scheduled open houses or contact us for your personal tour.

Note: The information in this newsletter represents the opinions of The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC based on their knowledge and experience. Because every home and every homeowner is unique, we cannot guarantee that your experience will be the same. By signing up for this newsletter, you acknowledge your understanding of this representation. As an Authorized Independent Lincoln Logs dealer any opinions and or suggested project costs, cost quotes and or material cost and associated construction costs are only opinions based on the experiences of The Leelanau Log Home Company LLC and are not to be considered final or considered as an offer to build. They are for your estimating purposes only. Final costs, which will be provided by your builder of record, will be based on the final engineered blueprints that Lincoln Logs LTD provide and submittal of bids from the builder and or subcontractors and will be identified in a construction contract between you and your builder of record.