Take The Smart Road to Log Home Buying
By Nikki Alvin-Smith

There are many companies out there offering to build your dream log home and it can be difficult to navigate through the mire of options. Your perfect piece of property awaits your residence and the time to get started could not be better than today. Quick action now could lock in 2018 rates for a Spring 2019 build. Let’s delve deeper into how to take the smart road to your log home purchase.

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time you bought your piece of property and envisioned a beautiful home that you could share with your family and friends where you could retreat from the worries of the world and enjoy the comfort and space of your own corner of the planet. Since then your plans might have stalled out. Most likely this has occurred for financial reasons. So logically when you ask yourself, “Where do I begin?” you should look into how much the project will actually cost and how you can fund it.

Whenever you begin a large project that is going to require significant capital investment it pays to begin with companies that offer fair deposit schedules for the process and an all inclusive guaranteed price for the purchase.

This may mean your best option is not just around the corner at the log homebuilder you’ve seen on your way to work. With the wonderful advent of the internet, you can source a log home builder, read reviews and make a personal visit. This offers the opportunity to enjoy a walk through one or more of their log homes to ascertain the quality of the build, and provides time for you to speak one on one with the company management to nail down all the details of the total cost of the project.

We met with a leading East Coast log home company, Zook Cabins, based in Atglen, PA, to find out more about the options for visits available. Matt Albrecht and Zook Cabins partner Dave Zook (yes, this is a family run business that has been around for 43+ years), gave me a guided tour of one of the beautiful log homes at their facility.

“We encourage folks to come and see the quality Amish built log homes and cabins that we produce in person and we offer a $1,000 discount to offset customers’ travel expenses,” explained Albrecht. “ There are many options for financing. We require half the purchase price as a deposit with the remainder due at completion. Options for our clients to fund this include taking out home equity loans on their existing properties to secure a log cabin or home, working with loans from friends and family, and of course regular mortgage loans of all types.”

Many first time homeowners can take advantage of State and Federal loan programs to secure lower interest rates for the term of the loan.

Dave Zook is a successful real estate investor and offers this advice:

“There is no doubt that interest rates are currently on the rise. So it may pay to take advantage of them while they are at their present day lows. Whichever method you choose for financing your new log home, it will always cost you less if you pay it off more quickly. The equity that you build into your new property will become a legacy for your family. Many of our clients have brought their families together to share the cost of the building and have created a common meeting place for family events. Whatever financing method you choose it is important to do your due diligence in finding the right loan and payment schedule that works for you.”

Nail Down the Details

It is imperative that you choose a company that will give you a guaranteed price for your purchase, and not one subject to fluctuation. No-one wants any hidden surprises with budget overruns or excuses, or disappointments in design.

“From our perspective at Zook Cabins, we help make the process as easy as possible with a nailed down price that includes delivery of the components to your site, full set up, complete sets of plans for permitting and our team keep you on track throughout the process. We stand behind our products with clearly expressed warranties and use top quality lumber to build a top quality Amish built log structure,” states Albrecht.

What Time is the Right Time?

If you have been sitting on the fence and have not started your log home purchase, the time to do so is here. Aside from the advantages of the lower interest rates currently available which will go up in the near future, if you purchase now you can lock in the 2018 rates for a Spring 2019 build according to Albrecht:

“Yes, now is a great time to take action and make your dream build a reality. With your purchase now, Zook Cabins will be busy building the components of your home through the winter with no delays because we build in our factory and are not subject to the vagaries of weather. You can have the site preparation ready to go for Spring 2019. When you gather for the holidays with friends and family this Fall you can make plans to use your new log home for gatherings next year. How exciting is that!”

Speaking as someone that built a new home when our children were in their early teens, I can attest to the fact that a stick built home takes a long time and a lot of mess to construct and endless tiring decision-making to finish. Budget overruns, materials not delivered to spec and all sorts of headaches. By the time we had everything somewhat in place, the children had grown up and headed off to college. I wish we had made the move earlier, as our property offers so much healthy outdoor living. They would have reveled in adventuring the mountain trails and growing up the way I did, out riding horses, hiking and cycling over hill and through dale. The modular log home would have been a smarter road for us to take.

Always Buy the Best Quality You Can Afford

All log homes and cabins are not created equal. When you walk through a Zook Cabin you will immediately feel at home with the design and quality. To realize the best long term investment for your hard earned dollars it is smart to buy good quality as it will not only service you happily through the years but it will also remain good looking and increase its value better through time.

The high quality of Amish craftsmanship is world-renowned and the Zook family take well-earned pride not just in the high quality of the workmanship in their buildings, but also in ensuring that all the materials are the best for the job.

Ask Lots of Questions

There is no such thing as a bad question. So don’t be shy to ask lots of them. None of us know the answers to everything but when it comes to construction, design, plans, structural requirements for hurricanes and all that fun stuff, it is wonderful to work with an engaging experienced team that know their job and take pleasure in helping you realize your home just the way you want it.

“We sincerely appreciate our customers,” explained Albrecht. I know this is true because I’ve witnessed Albrecht out delivering thank-you gift baskets from Zook Cabins to prior customers in their new Zook Cabins log homes in the Fall, in a bright yellow Zook Cabins vehicle.

In conclusion enjoy the process and well as the result of designing, purchasing and building your log home by choosing the right company for the job. If you would like more information please visit www.ZookCabins.com or give Matt Albrecht a call on 610-595-4650 and get started with your log home purchase today. Who knows, maybe you’ll be on the gift basket delivery route next year if you take the smart road to log home buying!