What is The Dickerson Difference?

February 28, 2024 Homes By Dickerson

Homeowners have been re-evaluating their needs when it comes to a home’s performance—energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and both more and different standard features that match their changing needs. Since 1975, Homes By Dickerson has evolved from a two-person operation to a name that is highly respected in the Carolinas. What is The Dickerson Difference and why does it matter?

The Difference is in Our Commitment to Healthier Homes

Right from the beginning, Homes By Dickerson believed that we would do more than build homes. We believed in our commitment to serving the community, including those buyers and families who put their faith in us.

We didn’t follow the path of other builders and their processes. We explored the ways we could create a unique experience that led to an exceptional new home. Homes By Dickerson’s team remains committed to our mission. We’ve dedicated our efforts to designing and building high-performance homes—energy efficient, healthy, smart, and reflecting the best trends in home building, not just the latest.

High Performance for Quality & Peace of Mind

We talk to homebuyers about “high performance homes”, giving them a perspective they hadn’t considered. What does your home do to support you? How does it provide comfort, convenience, security, and value? That’s the job of your home, isn’t it?

Here are some of the “Built for Life” standard features we include in our energy-efficient homes.

Tankless Water Heaters

A tankless water heater heats water on demand, as opposed to a tank-style appliance that continuously heats the water. If you’ve ever run out of hot water, you know the main drawback of having a traditional water heater. A tankless system uses energy only when you turn on your faucet. You save money on your energy costs and don’t run out of hot water.

Grade 1 Insulation Install

Insulation installation is rated according to its quality in achieving effectiveness, from 1 to 3. Grade 1 is the best. A Grade 1 insulation installer adheres to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification requirements. Achieving a Grade 1 insulation installation doesn’t require spending more on the insulation, but focuses on doing it right! We insist on this quality for our energy-efficient homes.

Low-E Windows

A lot of energy can be wasted on windows that aren’t efficient. Low-E—short for low emissivity—windows have a reflective coating that allows visible light to pass through the two panes of glass while preventing the flow of cold and hot air. You can save about 25 to 30% of your heating and cooling costs with double-pane, low-E windows, a Homes By Dickerson standard feature on all of our homes.

The HBD Framing Strategy

We’ve refined our framing technique to require less wood and incorporate more insulation. And we do it without compromising the structural integrity. The result is more cost-effective and energy-efficient homes.

Exterior Air Barrier

A well insulated home prevents water vapor and air from permeating the walls. We use the ZIP SystemⓇ, the leading weather-resistant barrier, for this critical layer of protection.

Radiant Barrier

The radiant energy barrier in a home is installed in the attic to prevent exterior heat from transferring through the roof and into your home. Homes By Dickerson chooses TechShieldⓇ, which reduces the attic’s temperature by as much as 30°F.

Quality Subflooring

The subfloor is the surface that supports your home’s floors, providing strength and stability. A squeaky floor is the sign that your subflooring is sub-standard, which you’ll never find in a Homes By Dickerson home.

Engineered Wood Products

Engineered wood—also known as composite wood and manufactured board—is used to ensure structural integrity. The engineering process adds strength and uniformity that is essential for framing, joists, and trusses, and to conserve wood resources.

Encapsulated Crawl Spaces

The Dickerson Difference is also reflected in the way we extend the thermal envelope in crawl spaces. This step allows for a warmer first floor, controlled space environment, and protection for the HVAC system, which improves the HVAC’s efficiency and extends its lifespan.

15 Years Building High-Performance Green Homes

Since 2009, Homes By DIckerson has adhered to the high standards for building green homes for sale. We continue to build to the highest level of energy efficiency and never stop seeking more ways to improve in sustainable building practices.

Healthier Homes

What steps does Homes By Dickerson take to ensure your home supports healthy living? The Dickerson Difference is demonstrated in these choices and steps in ensuring healthier homes.

Low VOC Paint and Carpet

VOCs are volatile organic compounds, a toxin that can be particularly hazardous to people with certain allergies. VOCs are commonly found in certain pains and carpeting. We’ve committed to only using low VOC materials in our healthier homes.

MERV 11 Filter

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, which reflects the effectiveness of an air filter to capture particles and prevent them from moving through the filter and getting into the home. MERV filters are rated from 1, which is the lowest protection. Homes By Dickerson requires MERV 11 air filters to prevent up to 85% of particles sized between 3.0 and 10 microns.

Integrated Dehumidification

We also exceed standards in managing moisture to provide healthier homes. Homes By Dickerson includes a whole-home ventilating dehumidification system within the HVAC system. The unit senses the moisture level and, as needed, automatically draws in and dehumidifies the fresh air and house return air.

Sustainable Materials

The materials we source for our homes is part of Homes By Dickerson’s green building initiative for energy-efficient homes. We work with vendors and suppliers who share our concern for eco-friendly practices.

Design

The design of our homes is the result of a fine-tuned process of research and innovation. What do today’s homebuyers need and want, not just in the homes themselves but in the experience of buying and designing?

Flexibility

We design floor plans that give you options to customize the details. Tell us how you want to live in your home and we’ll work with you to shape the floor plan to fit your needs, not the other way around.

Custom Design Options

Homes By Dickerson makes it equally convenient to make your design selections. Visit any of our six design centers throughout the Carolinas. Browse the samples that fill the showrooms so you can better visualize how to bring together the right details for you.

Professional Design Team

You’re not alone in this journey! You have the knowledge, creativity, and guidance of an award-winning professional designer.

Personalized Experience

You’ll also have the assistance of our carefully selected design resources for reviewing and choosing lighting fixtures and specific granite slabs for your countertops.

Quality Vendors you can trust

You don’t invest 50 years in the business of building without cultivating strong relationships with vendors and suppliers. They are part of the Homes By Dickerson team, having proven to share our commitment to high standards.

Certified Green Homes for Sale in North & South Carolina

Going for green is a concerted effort for home builders. There are many industry standards that must be maintained for a variety of sustainability qualities. The Dickerson Difference is also evident in the way we seek excellence in our eco-friendly business practices.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is one of the features that has gained importance among homebuyers. After experiencing the outcomes of airborne diseases, we know that maintaining a superior level of indoor air quality isn’t just a nice feature to have. It’s a must—particularly when you consider that indoor air contains up to five times more pollutants than the air you breathe outside! Since we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, we need healthier homes to ensure we’re breathing clean, healthy air.

As you tour new homes and review floor plans, the energy efficiency and indoor air quality might not be apparent. But what you don’t see makes a lasting impact on the way you live in your home, how it “performs” for you. Homes By Dickerson is committed to offering green homes for sale that truly live up to the name.

HERS Index Rating Certified

Established in 2008, the HERS Index—Home Energy Rating System—is an industry standard for measuring the energy efficiency of a home. The score ranges between 0 and 150. The lower the number, the greater the energy efficiency, based on a baseline of 100 for a home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards.

A HERS score of 70 reflects a home that is 30% MORE energy efficient than this baseline home. A home that has a 150 HERS Index rating is 50% LESS efficient than this reference home.

Homes By Dickerson achieves an average HERS Index score of 56, which means our homes are 44% MORE energy efficient than what the Department of Energy would consider “average”.

ENERGY STAR certification

ENERGY STAR is a program of the US EPA, designed to establish and maintain standards to measure and certify energy efficiency. In order to earn the highly prestigious ENERGY STAR certification, Homes By Dickerson must meet the full set of requirements. Then, we are assessed by an EPA Quality Assurance Provider. Some builders choose not to pursue this effort, but we see it as an uncompromising promise to our buyers.

National Green Building Standard

In almost half a century, Homes By Dickerson has built the most homes in the U.S. certified by the National Green Building Standard. The stringent requirements ensure sustainability that create healthier places and spaces.

Contact Homes By Dickerson for the Best Homes for Sale in N.C. & S.C!

We invite you to experience The Dickerson Difference for yourself. At Homes By Dickerson, we design and build communities of the best homes for sale in NC and SC, in the sought-after areas of Raleigh-Durham, NC, Pinehurst, NC, and Charleston, SC. Raise your standards of what to expect from a home builder. Then contact us to see how we can exceed them!

Chatham Park: Modern, Eco-Friendly Homes for Sale in Pittsboro, NC

December 12, 2023 Homes By Dickerson

Imagine waking up each morning in a community that includes everything you want and need. A location that connects you to everyday conveniences and exciting attractions. A home that boasts eco-friendly features to keep you comfortable and safe. An atmosphere that caters to a variety of lifestyles. Homes by Dickerson is proud to show you that this imagination can become a reality with a move to Chatham Park!

Single Family & Quick Move-In Homes That Are “Built for Life”

Welcome to Chatham Park, a master-planned community in the heart of Chatham County in Pittsboro, NC where we offer single-family homes, including quick move-in homes ready when you are. Chatham Park checks off every box for a modern community where you can live life to the fullest. Across its 7,068 acres, you’ll find something to enjoy. A fan of the great outdoors? Staying active? Connecting with neighbors and friends? Chatham Park features a 10-acre park, open communal space, 30+ miles of scenic greenways, connected bike trails, pickleball courts, and many more outdoor recreational opportunities.

The beauty of living in a mixed-use development like Chatham Park is that you’re never too far from anything. You’ll have access to unique shops, superb restaurants, and eclectic entertainment, including concerts, art galleries, and live performances – all within the community! Along with unparalleled amenities, it offers on-site medical facilities and is a quick drive to whatever you need through major highways and roadways. Need to travel further? The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is just 30 minutes away.

Chatham Park combines innovation, connectivity, design, wellness, and balance. Part of fulfilling that vision is using cutting-edge technologies to ensure green and sustainable living throughout. This is achieved with purple pipe reusable water lines, a solar farm, a wastewater treatment plant, and water and energy conservation.

Not only is the community sustainable, but our green homes for sale in Pittsboro, NC are “Built for Life”. Our High-Performance Certified-Green Homes are so much more than just energy-efficient; they offer our homeowners peace of mind about their comfort, health, money, and overall impact on the environment. Each home includes features like tankless water heaters, grade 1 insulation, low-E windows, strategic framing to use less wood, ZIP System® exterior air barriers, and so much more to ensure high performance. Low VOC paints and carpets, MERV 11 filters, and integrated dehumidification help keep the indoor quality healthy for you and your family. Homes by Dickerson believes what’s behind the walls matters just as much as what is visible. In combination with award-winning flexible floor plans, a professional design team, and a personalized experience, our homes have third-party certifications from recognized programs such as the National Green Building Standard.

What Does It Mean To Be Certified By The National Green Building Standard?

When looking for eco-friendly homes for sale, there are a few programs you may recognize that set the standard for green building. Every Homes by Dickerson home is ENERGY STAR Certified, crafted to the National Green Building Standard, and voluntarily built to the NC HERO code. We’re proud to go above and beyond and build all-around better homes for our clients.

The National Green Building Standard is a green building rating system that provides a blueprint for builders to follow for the design and construction of new homes. It’s the only one approved by the American National Standards Institute. Every home is certified based on meeting high standards in all categories, including lot design and development, resource efficiency, water efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building operation and maintenance. This gives homeowners peace of mind that their home is better for them, their wallets, and the environment. An NGBS-certified home goes beyond the average energy-efficient home requirements. Better yet, they are fully inspected.

National Green Building Standard Green Verifiers inspect the home in person twice at minimum before a builder is certified. They ensure everything from green practices to products and technologies are properly installed. They do this before drywall is installed and after the home is completed to ensure the home is compliant with all green building practices. In addition, Home Innovation Labs, an accredited standard development organization, reviews the report before the home is given its NGBS certification. When looking for green homes for sale, make sure to ask about the NGBS certification.

Contact Homes by Dickerson Today!

From the inside out, your home should treat you right with the highest quality construction, features, designs, and more. Our homes for sale in Pittsboro, NC offer that in addition to their location in an excellent community made for better living. Come experience the beauty of Chatham Park and the quality of our homes firsthand with a tour. We have a variety of quick move-in homes, so you don’t have to wait long to make Chatham Park home. Contact us today!

4 Questions To Ask When Working With A Custom Home Builder

September 19, 2023 Homes By Dickerson

Building a home that’s special and unique to you is our favorite part of being a custom home builder. Sure, it’s a chance to show off our design expertise, but mainly it’s a rewarding experience to work with you to create the home you’ll live your life in. All the special moments. All the shared meals. All of everything! Homes by Dickerson is here to be your go-to resource and expert on all things relating to custom-built homes. We’ve worked with hundreds of homeowners and are always here to help answer your questions. Here are some common questions you might have when working with a custom home builder.

Questions To Ask Your Home Builder

What is the timeline for a new home to be built?

Within the category of newly built homes, you’ll have model homes, quick move-in homes (aka our Designer Home Collection), and custom-built homes. Each will have a different timeline. While model homes and quick move-in homes are pre-planned for a shorter timeline, custom homes need more time since nothing is planned until we consult with you.

There are several steps included in the timeline, therefore it can depend largely on the stages of construction from the floor plan and selections to the framework and the installation of various systems. Other factors like material supply, labor availability, and weather can impact the timeline. At Homes by Dickerson, we have a strong team of workers and trade partners to keep everything running smoothly.

Does it cost more to buy a custom-built home than a previously owned one?

There are many things that can affect the cost of both custom-built homes and previously owned homes. It could be things like location, costs of financing a home, preferred style, moving timeline, current market, and short and long-term maintenance costs. However, with a newly built home, you don’t have to do any renovations unlike many previously owned homes. Think of all the money and time you’d be saving. Other advantages of new homes is the ability to personalize it to your specific layout and style plus the peace of mind of a warranty to cover your investment. These are invaluable advantages a previously owned home can’t offer.

Do I get to choose the exterior & interior design of my home?

Absolutely! Homes by Dickerson has professional designers, state-of-the-art design studios, and a range of award-winning floor plans to help you customize your home. You can start from one of our floor plans, modify one of them, or choose a completely custom design. Whether you already have ideas in mind or need some help from our experts, we’re here for you every step of the way.

When can I officially move in?

Aside from constructing the home itself, there are a few steps in the background that need to be completed before you can officially move in. This will include obtaining financing, securing homeowners insurance, final inspections/walkthroughs, and signing the purchase agreement that details everything else, including the official closing date. Your Homes by Dickerson Closing Coordinator will help to ensure all details are taken care of and shared with the closing attorney at settlement. The only step left is to then present you with the key to your new home, after the attorney has it recorded.

Homes by Dickerson Offers The Best Custom Built Homes Near Raleigh, NC

Homes by Dickerson was founded in 1975 with a strong desire to build custom homes in the Raleigh area. Over the years we evolved into a well-known, respected custom home builder with award-winning homes. We’re proud to continue growing and honing our craft while always staying true to our core values and principles of service, design, commitment, quality, craftsmanship, and flexibility. Homes by Dickerson is the builder you can trust to offer consistently exceptional customer service, designs, and homes that go above and beyond to fit how you want to live.

We currently have homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, Pinehurst, NC, and Charleston, SC. The options are endless with single-family homes and townhomes in a range of areas, styles, and price points to perfectly match your wants and needs. They’re thoughtfully crafted to give you the absolute best living experience. The communities are set in highly desirable locations and the homes are built to the highest standards with high-performance, quality techniques and materials. From the inside out, Homes by Dickerson only designs homes that are “Built for Life.” That means developing a dwelling that you can be proud to call home and wake up with peace of mind that it’s comfortable, healthy, energy-efficient, durable, and offers great value for your money. We have the most homes certified by the National Green Building Standard in the United States and are honored to continue building the best homes possible – all for you!

Contact Us Today!

Custom-built homes are our specialty and building a home that meets and exceeds your expectations is our top priority. From custom-built options to Designer Home Collection homes (quick move-in) and everything in between, we’re positive you’ll find something to suit your needs and enjoy a memorable personalized home-buying experience. Take a moment to browse our communities and floor plans. Once you’re ready to work with us or have any questions, contact us. Our team is here to help you find The Home of Your Life!

Our Top Floor Plans Are Ready to Shine!

February 20, 2023 Homes By Dickerson

One of the most exciting parts of any new home search is looking for the right floor plan. There are endless possibilities for how your home could be laid out plus upgrade options to choose from. As you look for your dream home, you might consider larger floor plans with 3+ bedrooms and ample square footage. Maybe you have a huge family, a child in college who will continue living at home, or frequently host friends and family from out of town. Whatever your reason, Homes By Dickerson has the best floor plans for you!

All of our floor plans have been thoughtfully designed to meet and exceed your needs for a new home. We have a few top plans that really shine. Take a look!

What are the Best Floor Plans for Homes in North Carolina?

The Garrison

The Garrison is one of our 5-bedroom floor plans. This generous floor plan reaches over 4,100 square feet of living space. Don’t worry! You won’t get lost inside as the plan layout is wide open for ease and flow throughout. All of the main living areas are located on the first floor including the private study, formal dining room, family room, kitchen, and breakfast area. The best part is there’s also a guest suite! Imagine being able to host holiday parties at home and have ample room for everyone to stay. With this layout, you can spend the day tackling work tasks in the office and then easily transition to an intimate dinner in the dining room. Another major highlight of this plan is the kitchen. It’s a chef’s dream with a large, triangular kitchen island and butler’s pantry.

The second floor hosts the remaining four bedrooms and is the total package for avid entertainers and couples with children of various ages. The primary suite and bathroom may become your mini-vacation destination. It includes massive his and hers walk-in closets and a spa-like bathroom with a freestanding tub and a spacious stand-up shower. Each bedroom also includes its own large walk-in closet. The entertainer in you will love the spacious rec room, which can be used however you see fit. Game room? Kids’ playroom? Movie room? You name it!

The Covington

The Covington is one of our 4-bedroom floor plans boasting an impressive 3,335 square feet of living space. In addition, there are 3.5 bathrooms with a full bathroom strategically placed on each floor for your convenience. If you like features that allow tons of natural sunlight and connect you to the outdoors, you’ll love the Covington. You’ll have a straight sight line view into the screened back porch as soon as you walk through the main entrance. There’s an option for skylights, too, making it even brighter. Plus, with the sunroom next door, you can spend days relaxing with scenic views. The first floor hosts three of the four total bedrooms including the primary suite for easy main-level living. Then, for extra guests or growing families, the fourth room is upstairs along with a large rec room. It’s about 25 by 17 feet, so just imagine all of the things you could use that space for.

The Concord

The Concord is a great choice for those looking for 3-bedroom floor plans. There’s plenty of space in this 2,681-square-foot plan with ample storage. From the 2-car garage to the massive primary suite walk-in closet and upstairs unfinished storage areas, you can store all of your belongings without worry. Yes, even that extra box of shoes! The Concord is another great option if you like a wide open layout with ways to be outdoors. The shape and size of the covered front porch gives you tons of room to enjoy the fresh air and leads seamlessly into the entrance. Once inside, you’ll be greeted by a long, inviting foyer that leads you past two bedrooms divided by a full bathroom and into the spacious kitchen, family room, and dining room. You can host fun family get-togethers with a game of pool in the upstairs rec room or enjoy a cozy movie night by the fireplace in the family room. There are many great memories to be made in this 3-bedroom floor plan.

Choose Homes By Dickerson as Your Custom Home Builder

At Homes By Dickerson, we’re committed to building you the best quality, highest-performing home possible. We know a home isn’t just walls and fixtures for you, but a place you can feel comfortable living your life to the fullest. That’s why we strive to make each homebuilding experience positive, memorable, and personalized. From beginning to end, you’ll enjoy working with a passionate team of individuals who will provide exceptional guidance through every step of the process. Even after closing on your home, we’ll be there to guide you through the first year as a Homes By Dickerson homeowner from maintenance tips to “peace of mind” warranties.

In 45 years time, we’ve grown from a two-man operation to an award-winning custom builder in North and South Carolina. We’re proud to continue offering homes that are built for life and not only look good but feel good. We always ensure the details of your home are energy efficient, healthy, well-built, and reflect your personal style. You can trust that your custom home includes features that keep you comfortable, save you money, and are good for the environment.

Choosing Homes By Dickerson also means getting an unmatched level of customization when it comes to your home. Whether you want to start with one of our award-winning floor plans or work with our in-house architect on a new design, we’ll make sure to ask all of the right questions to make your home unique to you. We also have experienced designers who will help you choose the perfect fixtures, features, and finishes to bring your dream home to life. No matter where you decide to live, we have four Design Center locations with an array of options to choose from. It’s because of you and your unique style that no two Homes By Dickerson homes are the same, and we prefer it that way!

Contact Us Today!

Your home is just waiting to be built! Start with one of our amazing 3-bedroom floor plans, 4-bedroom floor plans, 5-bedroom floor plans, or even 6-bedroom floor plans, and customize it to your heart’s desire. Browse our website for information and inspiration, then connect with us by phone or online. We look forward to building the home of your life in North or South Carolina!

Featured Quick Delivery Homes In Raleigh/Durham

September 8, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

Want to live in a gorgeous Homes By Dickerson home but can’t wait too long to move? Good news! There are a ton of brand new homes being built right now, with expected completion dates as soon as the end of the year.

Throughout the Raleigh and Durham areas, we’ve chosen to build in and create communities that include the best amenities and are located near everyday conveniences. You can really have it all! And it’s not just about what’s on the outside that matters. Each quick delivery home we build showcases popular floor plans that include designer curated details. Without further ado, let’s explore some of these communities and their available homes.

Wendell Falls in Wendell, NC

When we say you can have it all, we mean it! Wendell Falls has both designer-ready townhomes and innovative single-family homes. This award-winning community is located just 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh in Wendell. It is a master-planned community that’s more than resort-style amenities and beautifully designed homes. It is a place to grow relationships, tap into an active lifestyle, and have a balanced life overall. This is clear from some of the amenities like the resort-style saltwater pool, community workspaces, and miles of nature trails.

Within the current lineup of quick delivery homes, you will find a variety of townhomes and single-family homes with amazing floor plans suitable for every type of resident. Starting with the basics, these homes range from 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5-3.5 bathrooms, and 1,937-2,976 square feet of living space. There are options with a covered front porch and a screened in back porch, perfect for a relaxing moment alone or a breath of fresh air. The townhomes will also have a relaxing outdoor feature with a deck off the second floor (some with wooded views). You will also find them with open, airy living spaces that have 10-foot ceilings throughout.

Chatham Park in Pittsboro, NC

A short drive to anywhere in the NC Triangle as well as the historic Pittsboro, you’ll find everything you need at Chatham Park. Another master-planned community that is built around innovation, connectivity, design, wellness, and balance. You can expect to live a high-quality life in this community. It features plenty of open communal space, scenic greenways, a 10-acre park, and so much more. Along with Homes By Dickerson’s passion for building green, this community boasts some amazing eco-friendly features. Purple Pipe reusable water lines, a solar farm, and a wastewater treatment plant, to name a few. The roads will be connected by bike trails and greenways, and the transit system will easily provide transportation to and from major roadways for residents’ convenience.

Here, you will find our single-family homes being built with a range of 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3.5 bathrooms, and 1,836-3,385 square feet of living space. These quick delivery homes will provide a great deal of work/life balance and the opportunity to entertain guests. You will find first floor study rooms, screened in porches, rec rooms with a buddy bath, and tons of storage space. A gas fireplace in the porch area and a wet bar are great features for entertaining guests or your own personal pleasure. One major highlight in this community is our Parade of Homes entry being built with New Orleans inspired features and designs. We cannot wait to show you!

751 South in Durham, NC

Last but not least, is our 751 South community in Durham. This growing community is filled with a collection of brand-new modern townhomes and elegant 2 story single family homes. Here, you can enjoy the ease of a walkable neighborhood nearby major Hwy 751 with access to tons of dining, shopping, and entertainment. Within the community, there is even more to love with a resort-style pool, a kids’ pool and play area, a fitness center, a large gathering hall with catering kitchen, and more. With many floor plans to choose from, there is truly something for everyone.

We are currently working on brownstone townhomes that will feature high-end, classic urban designs. Aside from the luxury of no maintenance living, you will find relaxing hideaways in their private courtyards and spacious lofts. With 4 bedrooms, up to 3.5 bathrooms, and up to 2,920 square feet of living space, there is plenty of room for everyone. Some individual features include a gallery area, a zoom room, a treelined private lot, and a buffet niche.

Homes By Dickerson offers the best in home designs throughout the Raleigh/Durham, Pinehurst, and Charleston areas of the Carolinas. If you are looking to move soon rather than later, we have several amazing options to choose from. We are just a phone call away at 919-205-3404 when you’re ready to have a home that was built for life.

How to Choose the Right Floor Plan for Your Family

July 22, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

One of the most exciting times in your life can be deciding to build a new construction home. Here at Homes By Dickerson, we know that finding the “Home of Your Life” begins with choosing the right floor plan.

Which floor plan you choose depends on how you use your home and how it fits with your lifestyle. From the size and shape, to where the rooms are located in relation to each other, every part of the home can affect your living experience, so knowing what you really want is crucial.

Here are five tips for choosing the right floorplan for your new home:

Figure out what size home will best suit your needs

Choosing a floor plan should start with how you envision living in your new home, what type of layout works best, and how you would use each space. Though important, square footage should be your secondary consideration. Instead, focus on how many sleeping spaces do you need? Could a guest room double as an office or home gym if it won’t be used often? Do you need a certain amount of storage space? Prioritize your most important needs by thinking about your current space and what you need or don’t need in terms of rooms.

Choose a floorplan based on your lifestyle

Every family has their own style, so choosing a floorplan that meets your needs is essential. Do you need an office? Do the kids need a rec room? Do you like to exercise at home, rather than at the gym? Would you prefer a multi-purpose flex space that can change as your family grows? Think about the space you need to be comfortable based on your daily activities.

Trust your instincts on what “feels” right when choosing a floorplan

You know when a space feels comfortable. Take these instincts into consideration when looking at different floorplans. For example, someone with children may want the primary bedroom to be close to the other bedrooms. Others may prefer the primary bedroom to be separated for quiet and privacy.

Be honest about your needs and lifestyle

Preferred features in a home differ depending on what stage of life you are in. Before choosing a home design, ask yourself:

Is your family situation changing, either growing or shrinking?
Will you need guest rooms for overnight visitors?
What about dedicated living space for longer visits by parents or grandchildren?
Are you approaching retirement? Should you choose a plan that’s better for aging in place?
How do you entertain? Do you want formal spaces or more relaxed gathering rooms?
Do you travel frequently and need a lock-and-leave lifestyle?

Don’t forget workspace or entertaining considerations

Are you working from home more these days, possibly even full-time? A dedicated office in a quiet part of the house is a necessity. Even better, an office with sound proofed walls and a door that locks!

Do you have hobbies or special interests that might require special rooms to enjoy them? A wine room for your bottles of Napa Valley Chardonnay or Italian Barolo. A media room for special showings of your Akira Kurosawa films.

Do you need lots of attic or storage space to store your treasures? For example, the holiday decorations that seem to grow exponentially every year. Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July… Cinco de Mayo? (Really?) Or the model trains/Lego sets/doll houses that were supposed to be temporary.

Do you want to be able to eat/live/entertain outdoors? A deck, patio, covered/screened porch is a must. Make sure there’s room for a dining table, and a conversation area. Then add a fireplace and an outdoor kitchen!

Answering these questions honestly will ensure that you choose the right floor plan for your lifestyle now and into the future. If you need any guidance or suggestions, connect with our online sales associates!

Reasons to Love Townhome Living

May 5, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

A townhome presents the ideal solution for a variety of homebuyers. First-time buyers and right-sizing empty nesters appreciate the low maintenance. The lock-and-leave aspect is one of the many reasons to love townhome living.

It feels like home.

A townhome is at least two levels of living, so it feels more like a home than a condo. You do not compromise on the square footage or features. You still have the beautiful kitchen, the spacious suite, the number of bathrooms you need, and possibly a garage.

You own the land…

While your lot is smaller than what might accompany a single-family home, you still own it. And your property tax is considerably smaller based on this size.

…but do not have to mow it.

Exterior maintenance is usually included in the townhome community’s HOA fee. You have the pleasure of your own outdoor space without the maintenance. Your HOA takes care of the mowing, weeding, and fertilizing.

Your HOA fee also covers your roof, siding, and driveway. You do not need to store all those tools for home repair, so use the space in your garage or basement for something more fun!

More affordable, spacious living

Townhomes often present a more enticing price point than single-family homes. Remember, you have a smaller lot, and you are sharing some walls with another homeowner. However, with today’s advances in construction, you do not hear them!

Safety in numbers

There is something to be said for proximity to your neighbors. Townhome community residents tend to look out for one another because they see each other more frequently. You build relationships through familiarity—with neighbors on either side of your townhome, across the street, at the pool or fitness center, and those you pass while walking around the community. It is like living in a small town where everyone looks out for one another. And when you need someone to keep an eye on your townhome while you are away, you will have helpful neighbors willing to pitch in.

The amenities are a plus

When you choose to buy a townhome, you also get the use of the community amenities—a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, walking trails, and other advantages to living in a townhome community. Some master-planned communities, like Wendell Falls in Wendell, NC, Nexton in Summerville, SC, and The Brownstones at 751 South in Durham, NC, deliver an outstanding selection of amenities. These communities are like towns of their own, with shopping, dining, and other services embedded there.

Combine the luxuries of resort-style amenities with the convenience of a low-maintenance lifestyle and you have more time to reap the rewards of your smart choice! Leave the home care to the pros and enjoy recreation, hobbies, and all the things that make life more satisfying.

Homes By Dickerson builds townhomes and single-family homes, sometimes within the same community. We bring our curated designs, quality construction, and commitment to delivering a greater standard for service, features, and value. When you’re looking for a new construction townhome that checks off every item on your wish list, look at Homes By Dickerson. Our communities are growing in Raleigh-Durham and The Research Triangle; Pinehurst, NC, one of the finest golf regions in the country; and Charleston, SC, the jewel of the South. Connect with Homes By Dickerson to explore the benefits of townhome living.

All About Curb Appeal

May 5, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

What do you see when you envision your dream home? The exterior details—the home’s style, color, details, and landscaping—communicate a lot about it. Every homeowner wants their home to stand out from the others on the street—and in a good way. Achieving that is all about curb appeal. And research shows that a home with eye-catching curb appeal sells for about 7% more than those that are less attractive on the outside.

Whether you’re shopping for a new home or preparing to put yours on the market, Homes By Dickerson has some factors for gauging this important feature.

The proportions are right.

Have you ever looked at a home and felt there was something out of balance about it? Maybe there was a confusing use of architectural details that did not flow together. The front porch was too small, the front door too large, or the walkway just plain wrong. Possibly the roof lines seemed like someone did not think it through.

Look for proportionality in the home’s exterior design. The gables, siding, dormers, and details should achieve a balance that you can see and “feel”. When there are contrasting sidings, like wood and stone, one should not overwhelm the other.

You will probably sense the lack of good proportions before you can pinpoint it. Take the time to view how the details relate to one another.

Watch the windows.

The placement of windows on a home can be very telling. When they are done correctly, the home has ample windows with symmetrical placement. For example, if you have windows on one side of the front half of the home, there should be two windows on the opposite end. A builder can save money by omitting windows, so it is a telling sign if you see this flaw in the curb appeal.

Paint problems.

When you are looking at a home, the first thing you notice is the style. The second is the color. If the exterior paint color is unappealing to you, you probably will pass on the property to avoid the expense of repainting it.

If the home needs a paint job, you should wonder what other maintenance has been overlooked by the homeowner.

How does the garden grow?

You might be impressed with the curb appeal that comes with stunning gardens. It is beautiful now but ask yourself if you will be able to handle the upkeep. If not, the lovely view from the street will become an overgrown tangle of unsightly plants and weeds.

Look past the home.

You can find your dream home but if the neighbors are not quite as pristine, your curb appeal will have distinct limitations. When you stand back and take in the view of a home, look left, right, and across the street. Are the neighboring homes as visually enticing? Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner’s Association that governs curb appeal? This is an important consideration when deciding on where to invest in your next home.

The Homes By Dickerson solution

You have many choices when it comes to a home builder. In Raleigh, NC, and Charleston, SC, Homes By Dickerson stands out as the one who prefers to give our buyers something that others don’t: Choices. We work with each homebuyer to come up with a home that is the sum of your details, inside and out. When it is done, you don’t just have a Homes By Dickerson residence. It is completely personalized to you.

We curate the designs to start with architecture and features that buyers want, from townhomes to single-family homes, Modern Farmhouse to Contemporary to Coastal. Our floor plans begin the inspiration process. Together, you and Homes By Dickerson bring that vision “home”.

New Homes Now Available in Chatham Park in Pittsboro

March 23, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

Homes By Dickerson is excited to share the details of our newest collection of homes in Chatham Park, the brand new community of single-family homes in Pittsboro, NC. The Carolina Collection offers homes ranging from 2,000 to 3,100+ square feet and includes ranch, 1.2 and 2-story plans. Here are the base plan details for each home:

Cooper | 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,029+ Sq. Ft. | Ranch

Burlington II | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,691+ Sq. Ft. | 2nd Floor Owner’s Suite

Rosemary II | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,677+ Sq. Ft. | 1st Floor Owner’s Suite

Columbia II | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,618+ Sq. Ft. | 1st Floor Owner’s Suite

Harper II | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 2,384+ Sq. Ft. | 1st Floor Owner’s Suite

Brookshire | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,058+ Sq. Ft. | 2nd Floor Owner’s Suite

If you’d like a sneak peek at the available home sites for this collection, they are #146 through #159 on this site map. Located on a cul-de-sac, these homes are within walking distance to the future community pool and pickleball club, called Paddles, which is slated to open this summer!

Clicking on each individual home site will show you the acreage, available plans, and premiums for that home. Those shaded in white are available to build from scratch and those in orange are inventory homes that will be listed later this year when construction is further along.

On-site appointments to walk home sites and learn more about the newest plans are available now and can be scheduled with our new home specialists.

If you’re looking for a home that could be ready sooner, or these plans don’t fit your needs, we also have homes already under construction in an earlier phase that are available for purchase now.

Please contact Whitney at 919-804-8866 to schedule an appointment or ask any questions about Chatham Park!

Floorplan Features Perfect for Hosting

March 17, 2022 Homes By Dickerson

Now that you’ve filled out your bracket, it’s time to prepare your pre-game fuel and put on your best game face for the big March tournament! Can you hear your team’s fight song getting louder in the distance? Now that the best college basketball teams are vying for the ultimate title, it’s time for you to kick off this great sports tradition with a party in your new Homes By Dickerson home!

Our floorplans come with the features you’ve always wanted to host the ultimate game viewing party. Whether it’s an open living space to accommodate all your family and friends, or a separate flex space to keep the celebrations contained, with a Homes By Dickerson home, you have so many options.

Here are our top floorplan features that’ll make your game-viewing party a hit:

Open Floorplans

In an open-concept home, it’s so easy for everyone at the party to hang out, talk, and mingle all in one comfortable space. And with no walls to interrupt the flow between family room, kitchen and dining room, the hosts can enjoy the party just as much as everyone else.

Large Kitchen Islands

When you have a party of any kind, there can never be enough seating and serving areas. Our large kitchen islands function as both! Pull up the barstools so that folks have more places to sit and eat, or remove the barstools and lay out your platters of snacks, dips, and drinks for easy self-serve access!

Butler’s Pantry

This is the perfect space to keep the messy part of hosting out of sight. You can do most of your food prep in this genius little space between the kitchen and the dining room to keep your counters free for serving. This is also the ideal place to quickly store small appliances and dirty pots and pans when the doorbell rings!

Wet Bar

Keep the traffic in and out of the fridge to a minimum and have all your drinks prepped and ready on the wet bar! These little stations make a big difference when they include a wine fridge, small sink, and just enough counter space to mix the perfect team-themed drinks.

Media Room

If your significant other would rather the house NOT be overrun with overly excited basketball fans, take the party to the media room! Media rooms are spacious and can be designed in any way you’d like to maximize space. You can even choose to include custom features, like a wet bar or sound proofing. The best part? There’s a door that can be closed to keep the rest of the house quiet and peaceful.

Outdoor Living Space

These days, people love spending time in gorgeous outdoor living areas just as much (if not more!) than spending time indoors. Especially in the beautiful spring weather we have in Raleigh. Convert your covered porch or patio into the ultimate game day experience by setting up comfortable seating areas anchored by a soft outdoor rug and accented with string or lantern lights. You can customize your space to include an outdoor fireplace and wiring to mount a TV above it, combining the luxury of an indoor living room with all the benefits of fresh air and sunshine.

Flex Space

If you’re having a few friends over and you don’t want to be underfoot of anyone else in the house, bring the watch party up to your upstairs loft bonus room. This is an open room that can be used for a number of purposes. During the tournament, add oversized floor pillows so guests can lounge in comfort, or a rolling drink cart to make serving easy and convenient.

When you live in a Homes By Dickerson-designed new home in the Raleigh area, there are so many options to throw your version of the perfect sports-viewing party…or any party! Want to make one yours before next spring’s madness? Contact us at (919)-205-3404 to schedule an appointment and learn all about the process for building The Home of Your Life.