ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS

2011 

I was at Best Buy this weekend, buying another electronic gadget that I know my wife will say I don't need (which is often true). As I checked out, the cashier asked me if I'd like to purchase the extended warranty. For the most part, I've learned that these never make sense and passed on it. Unl...
04/17/2011
I talk with a lot of people who are looking to build a custom home.  I do my best to steer them away from my past mistakes as a home builder in Tampa and the ones others have made.  Here's my latest attempt. Purchasing a lot that is "affordable".  Remember - location, location, location.  Purchas...
04/14/2011
I don't remember getting much, if any, allowance as a kid.  I can hear your pity already.  I do remember with all too much clarity the yard work, pool cleaning and other household chores, but not the allowance.  Now as an adult and a custom home builder in Tampa and St. Petersburg, I spend a lot ...
04/13/2011
"I have a friend (or brother-in-law, or Uncle Louie, or insert friend here) who is willing to do the tile work in my new home for a discounted rate.  I'd like to use him and save some money."  I can't tell you how often I have heard this from people.  My response is always that I'm happy to have ...
04/12/2011
A few years ago, my mom gave me Richard Carlson's book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - and It's All Small Stuff.  It's a famous book, which you've likely heard and read yourself.  In it he said, "Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that, upon closer examination, aren't reall...
04/11/2011
If you've ever built a custom home or done a major home renovation in Tampa or St. Petersburg, you know that there are a lot of choices to be made.  I can't stress then how strongly I recommend that you make your selections before construction begins.  And I mean ALL selections - paint colors, ca...
04/10/2011
I love the smell of a new home.  For some people it's the smell of a new car or the freshly mowed yard, but for me, it's the smell of the new home.  When I walk through a recently completed home, I enjoy the smell of fresh paint and seeing the beautiful floors, fixtures, cabinets, counters and ap...
04/06/2011
As a former naysayer of the benefits of gas in new and renovated homes, I've come full circle and am now a big fan.  Here are my top 5 reasons why I wouldn't live in a home again without it: Lower Costs:  Not only have both our customers and myself seen significantly lower monthly utility bills, ...
04/05/2011
So how much fun can we have talking about insurance and taxes?  I know...stop your yawning.  This is worth staying awake for a short read.  Lets cut to the chase on this exciting topic.  When it comes to similar sized new homes and renovated existing homes, premiums for property insurance are hig...
04/04/2011
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Jon Solomon

Owners' Ace | The Homebuilder Guru
local_phone(813) 870-2838
smartphone(813) 220-5787
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