Bob Cook Homebuilder

Cozy up with a good book...outside!

2011-10-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

We all love cozying up with a good book in front of a roaring fire on a cool fall day. Many don't expect to be cozied up outside in October, but now with outdoor fireplaces and fire pits it happens! Your family and friends can enjoy evenings in front of the fire, roasting marshmallows, telling scary stories and just enjoying the evening.

You may have noticed the outdoor fireplace trend at home shows and garden centers, ranging from small metal fire pits to massive custom built stone fireplaces with grills, waterfalls, stereos and seating built right in. The trend doesn't seem to be a trend as much as a change in how we look at our backyards, from a place to play in the summer with a plain slab patio to a 3 or 4 season outdoor room complete with stamped concrete and built in fireplaces, grills and pizza ovens!

By adding a roof extension to your home you can sit in the warmth of the fire and watch it snow or rain. With so many options to customizing your outdoor room, here's an abbreviated list of things to complete the room: fireplace, grill, water feature, patio furniture, outdoor rug, stamped concrete patio, gazebo and built-in speakers.

We've been adding brick and stone fireplaces to stamped concrete patios to homes and we don't see the trend slowing. Whether you're building a new home or just extending your living area outside, you'll want to remember to add a custom fireplace to your plans.

Say it with Concrete!

2011-09-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Say it in Concrete!

Recently you have probably seen our Facebook

photos and posts about the concrete work we've been doing. While Bob has been working with concrete for years, this spring he did some work with concrete stamping in place of wood on a deck that was just spectacular and generated a lot of comments.

Then, Ben Cook moved back to town to work with his Dad (Bob) and that allowed more time to invest in concrete work. We recently set up the concrete for the bus stop at Towne East Square for example.

During the Roman Empire concrete was made from quicklime, pumice, and pozzolana. You've no doubt seen images of the many Roman structures. Today's concrete is more sophisticated with chemicals that can accelerate the drying time, increase workability, and change colors. Mineral additives and blending cement mixtures improve the properties of concrete.

What people don't realize is that concrete has a miriad of uses from sidewalks to foundations, from faux stone walls to decks. Concrete is even becoming a popular countertop alternative to granite for it's durability and easy cleaning. It's crazy all the things you can do with concrete. And the great thing is, concrete made from all natural materials so it's environmentally friendly. It also doesn't require maintenance.

Keeping Cool with Cellulose Insulation

2011-06-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

It's getting pretty hot out there, are you getting concerned about your cooling bill?

Almost everyone has some knowledge of insulation. It's usually in the walls and attics of the home and serves as a guard against the temperature outside and the temperature inside. You may not know how the different types of insulation vary. The thicker and more dense the insulation, the better the home is protected from outside temperatures, thus keeping the home cooler and the electric bill to a minimum.

Most builders use insulation that meets the minimum standards. The insulation may be made of: foam; rigid boards of fiberglass, polystyrene or polyurethane; batts of mineral fiber; or loose fill fibers or fiber pellets.

While all of these do insulate the home, the rating is not that high. And when there is a 20 mph wind combined with a 20 degree F temperature the insulation doesn't function any better than a wood board.

In Bob Cook homes we use only the best, highest rated insulation called cellulose.

Cellulose is a "green" insulation made from shredded newspapers, magazines and other paper items that would otherwise be in the landfill. It's fire retardant, has excellent sound control (so you won't hear the party next door) and has the highest "R Value" per inch. (see the side by side comparison in the image below)

[R-Value represents the measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. The higher the value, the less likely heat will not flow through]

Insulation's purpose is to stop heat flow. When you're warm inside you don't want that to leave the house and when it's cool inside you don't want the warm air to come in. If the insulation is very dense, air can't move through it and the home stays a comfortable temperature and outside noise is less audible.

This is just one of the ways you'll see a difference when you choose Bob Cook to build your new home, of course ICF homes are even more energy efficient. Contact us today for more details.

Extreme Makeover Outtakes

2011-04-18T08:45:00.001-07:00

If you missed Extreme Makeover last night or if you still want more - we've got some video featuring Bob the Builder & Paulie. Super time lapsed video of the house going up! (video courtesy of hulu.com & ABC).

Still want more? How about the complete home tour! This will take your breath away.

We want to thank each of you that came out and worked on the house. It's amazing to look back and see how much we accomplished in a very short amount of time and it wouldn't have happened without all of our volunteers. And thanks to the sponsors for donating all the materials, home decor, everything.

This was truly an amazing project. a labor of love.

Sneak Peek!

2011-04-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Just a few short days until the new season of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Wichita is the premiere episode! Here's a sneak peek at the show -

Volunteer Spotlight: Kristen Ward

2011-03-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Kristen became involved with the Extreme Makeover project when Tasha Brackeen (another awesome volunteer) and Cyndi Herdt, one of Bob's staff, approached her. She decided to "jump on board with a great team and a respected builder."

Kristen thought of Extreme Makeover as a way to make a difference in the community where she works as an insurance agent. She knew it would help a very deserving family.

The Extreme Makeover project was not Kristen's first experience with giving. She's an active member with the Derby Chamber of Commerce, the Wichita March of Dimes, NAIFA and she's served on the Economic Development Board for the City of Derby. It's amazing she had time for the Makeover, as busy as she is!

Kristen met most, if not all of the cast members. She, along with Tasha, were able to "hang out" with them at the Alley riding go carts and socializing. She said of the cast and crew, "They were great people with a passion to help others." She worked very closely with the project managers and coordinators throughout the project. "The hard work and around the clock hours they commit to amazed me" said Kristen.

When asked about her impression of the house Kristen replied,"The house was beautiful! The attention to detail and the personal touches given to this home showed an overwhelming love for the family and truly identified who they are."

Kristen said that the best part of being able to work with Extreme Makeover on this home was the ability to make a difference. She also enjoyed seeing the community come together and work together -- everyone from food vendors, retailers, labor and etc. "it was unbelievable!" said Kristen, "lots of amazing people with a common goal to pay it forward."

Kristen is fondly remembered by many volunteers. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. In real life, Kristen runs a Farmers Insurance Agency in Derby.

Photo courtesy Splurge Magazine - Kristen is 2nd from the left.

Basement Walls

2011-03-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

How are we possibly going to get this house up in less than a week? On the outset it sounded like a daunting task and despite the very tight schedule (in 30 minute intervals) it still seems unimaginable.

One of the ways we were able to move forward so quickly was the basement. Instead of using a footing, the base of the walls was built on compacted gravel, something we had never used before. It's common up north where the building season is much shorter, so time is of the essence.

In this photo Bob, Ben (our son) and I look the basement walls (yes, basement walls) before they are set in place. The walls came from Superior Wall Systems. They are incredibly energy efficient, featuring styrofoam insulation pored into place. Superior does the basement walls for all of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition shows.

As you can tell, the delivery came at night so in the morning the basement was done and we were ready to start building upwards.

This is just one of the many ways we were able to keep on track. We also learned a few things we'll incorporate into homes we build in the future whenever feasible.

Volunteer Spotlight: Darcie Oursler

2011-03-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

Darcie became involved with the Extreme Makeover project through Kristen Ward (another popular volunteer). Kristen was familiar with Darcie's work because they had recently worked together on a project for the March of Dimes. "She told me about the Extreme & I said yes," said Darcie, who is actually working as the marketing liaison with AutoMasters.

Darcie was even more excited about the project because of the family. When she saw the profile video she thought they were a fantastic, very deserving family.

Although Darcie was involved from almost the day we found out about Extreme Makeover, her employer (Auto Masters) was excited about the opportunity and agreed to give Darcie paid leave from her regular job to be available on site every day during the build. Her contribution to the project includes: organizing food for the catering tents (along with Kristen), arranging for the dry storage truck and cold storage truck, soliciting donations for drinks, bottled water, arranging a band for the fundraiser, helping with set up at the fundraiser, coordinating the wrap party and collecting funds for the wrap party.

"Everyday I would go to the site and check in with Lisa (Nelson, Derby Rec Center), Kristen (Farmers Insurance Company) and Deb to see what was needed, played the gopher and helper's helper," says Darcie.

"The best part (of the project) was the caliber of volunteers, their attitudes and the enthusiasm that everyone had about this project. It was such an uplifting affair."

She also got to meet the cast of the show: Jillian, Paige and Paulie. "They were very warm and open. All of them were fantastic. Even the security staff was professional and nice," Darcie stated, then laughed "I didn't get to talk to Ty but he backed up over my foot and apologized, if you can call that conversation."

Darcie thinks the best part of the new home is the dual fireplace with all the messages. "Just being able to open the door and see the amount of love that went into that particular part of the house is really great," says Darcie.

"It was such an amazing experience. I can't imagine not having the opportunity to participate in that as a person and I was thrilled to represent my company to be a part in giving back to the community," said Darcie.

That sentiment will surely be echoed by each and every person involved.

And on the 7th Day

2011-02-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

It seems like only yesterday we got the call that Extreme Makeover wanted to talk to Bob about building a house. The week of the build was great, meeting so many people who gave so selflessly to make the dream of a home reality for the Hall family. Everything happened so fast. It's truly amazing how this all comes together so quickly.

Here then is the final video - the day of the reveal. Enjoy!

The Final Touches

2011-02-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

Wednesday progress is left to the final touches. We've had great weather for the build and all of the volunteers have been wonderful.

Tuesday in Motion!

2011-02-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Another Great video of the day by Deanna -

For anyone who doesn't believe in miracles or the power of people - this is a testament to what can happen when prayers are answered.

Amazing!

2011-02-22T14:54:00.001-08:00

This video was shot by Deanna of Today for Tomorrow Productions. A great view of what's been happening the last couple of days.

Day 2 at the Extreme Makeover site

2011-02-20T06:54:00.000-08:00

Overnight from the first day there was a basement, and now there are concrete basement walls. Today we added the insulated concrete forms and the house outline can clearly be seen. The wind made it sometimes challenging but all in all we've had a good day. Met lots of people and had some fun.

You'll see that we are a bit behind adding the day by day - before we can show you photos they have to be approved by the ABC liaison. But we've got some good ones from people on site & from our photographers. Check the photo gallery and this blog daily from here on out for the latest. If you have any photos email us so we can post!
This video by Today for Tomorrow Productions:

Day 1 at the Extreme Makeover site

2011-02-18T07:34:00.000-08:00

While people were enjoying the ambush of the Carl Hall family, the new home was already underway digging the basement of the home. Volunteers worked into the night getting the ground ready for the foundation and concrete forms. We were joined by troops from McConnell Air Force Base who all brought shovels & proudly donned hard hats & now famous blue t-shirts.

Bob was definitely the star of the show, directing the action and giving in interviews. He's excited to be able to build a home "at his pace."

The build site consists of several tents, cast trailers, work stations and, of course, the house. Spectator area will be open on Saturday - park at the Mel Hambelton Ford lot and get a free ride into the build site.

This house will come together very fast so even watching for an hour you'll see many changes.

Thanks to one of our 2 photographers, Courtney Cook, for these nighttime shots.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

We've had a busy 4 days starting with an awesome Pep Rally. We had cheerleaders, and a drum line to warm up the crowd. Bob even got up and had a very nice presentation about how and why he's involved. He also took the time to thank some of the key organizations & people who are a part of this project:

Mike Drumright, Randy Stovall, Mike Igo, David Shandy, Marlo Porter, Derek Lofgreen, Fenix Heating & Air, Fisher Lumber, Ruud Concrete, & Logix Insulated Concrete Forms, Adventure RV's, Il Primo Espresso Café, Wichita Area Builder's Association, Star Lumber, Kansas Lighting, and the Wichita Better Business Bureau. Additionally, Bob singled out these individuals for their contribution of time and talent thus far: Teajai Kimsey (Internet Idea Girl), Mike Mapes (David Hall Roofing), Kristen Ward (Farmer's Insurance), Darcie Oursler (AutoMasters), Shirley Harrold-Albright (Armstrong|Shank), Liz Willis-Henry, Tom Middlestadt, Cyndi, Christine & Marla (from Bob's office).

Then the Extreme Makeover crew was introduced to the city and Milan Vasic (Senior Producer) gave the history of the show. Not a dry eye in the house after Milan spoke.

Right from the Pep rally we were manning our booth at the Home Show through the weekend! It sure was busy there and the positive feedback from people visiting our booth was really nice to hear.

I also spent some time at the Extreme Makeover Booth at the show. We sold T-Shirts and signed up volunteers. And I have to say - We L O V E our volunteers & sponsors. If you haven't seen the growing list, please visit the resource page of our WichitaExtreme.com website. More are added daily.

This is a great week to show a family how much the community really does care. Coming on the heels of Valentine's day -- what better way to celebrate than to build a home!

Hope you will all come out and watch, looks like the weather will be cooperating.

Standing Room Only ~ We hope!

2011-02-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's a busy week at Bob Cook Homes!

The Pep Rally is on Thursday and we're really hustling to make sure everything is ready. Today we met with the staff at Central Christian Church. It's a wonderful venue for the rally. Not a bad seat in the house!

The audio/visual staff were really great about meeting our needs and volunteering their services. The donation of the space is going to work out well for all of the people who attend. The photo was at the meeting this morning. Notice all the smiling faces! what a great way to start off the week.

We're also getting ready for Home Show. Can you believe it? Same week as the pep rally! But if you come to either the pep rally or the booth at the home show you'll find out more about the Extreme Makeover about to take place.

Also this week we're expecting to receive t-shirts that people can buy with a donation to the Extreme Makeover family. We sure appreciate Special T's and City Blue Print for coming in at short notice to deliver banners and tee shirts for the Pep Rally.

If you want to see a more current list of sponsors (and it changes daily!) please visit the sponsor area of the Extreme Makeover website. And if you see any of these folks or happen to do business with any of these companies, tell you saw their logo / listing on our site.

We hope to see you all on Thursday! And if you haven't volunteered yet - there's no time like the present :)

PS - Listen to Bob Cook on Kissin 96FM around 8:45 Thursday morning.

Will the groundhog be predicting an extreme weather situation for Extreme Makeover?

2011-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Due to begin building in mid February, if the Groundhog sees his shadow it could mean we'll be in for some wintery weather for that whole week. Of course with temperatures in the 70's just a couple of days ago - we never know.

Around the office we've been lining up our volunteers, planning a fundraiser and a pep rally. The products, services and people it takes for just these two events is huge! If you haven't volunteered yet, please consider lending a hand (or 2, or 4). Also, if you want to donate something to the silent auction we'll be having at the fundraiser that would be great as well. We're looking for valuable gifts, services etc. that can bring in high bids. We hope to earn enough at the fundraiser to pay off a mortgage or set up a home maintenance/tax fund.

We've added more to our core "behind the scenes" team and we would like to take this brief opportunity to recognize:

Shirley Albright (Armstrong|Shank),
Elizabeth Willis Henry ,
Tom Middlestadt (Props & Design),
Lisa Nelson (Derby Recreation),
Teajai Stradley & Chris Keefer (Internet Marketing Strategies –Ideas That Work),
Mike Drumright (Drumright Builders, LLC),
Tasha Brackeen (Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc),
Kristen Ward (Farmers Insurance),
Darcie Ousler (Automasters Collision),
Scott Ruud (Ruud and Son) and
Derek Lofgreen (Landmark Home Improvement, LLC)

These folks are helping us put together a miracle to build a dream.

We have also been gathering our sponsors and adding them to the website and putting information about these great company donations on our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. If you want to get in on some of the day to day posts on Twitter, follow #emict.

As we get closer to the big day we'll be adding some behind the scenes photos and we'll be recognizing all of the individuals and companies that are a part of this very Extreme Makeover.

2011-01-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well it’s TGIF and we’re about 60 hours into the Extreme Makeover Home Edition project. It may be Friday to everyone else but it looks like all of us won’t actually have a real Friday until after the build is done! We’ve got almost everything designated to someone; it’s been pretty crazy around here with the production crew, vendor partners and marketing people.

Our volunteer coordinators are in place and they have been reviewing the info from people who would like to volunteer. Everyone who volunteers will be notified when the schedule is set up, we'll need over 4000 volunteers. If you want to volunteer please complete the form on our volunteer page.

Our sponsor list is starting to grow and that’s great because it’s going to take some really good sponsors to help us pull this off. We have several sponsorship levels and we’re finalizing the extra perks we can give to sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring please contact us at ehme@bobcookhomes.com, we will eagerly respond!

It’s no doubt that this is one project that will take a small village to pull off, and the number of spectators expected is really exciting. It's going to be great exposure for Wichita and all the business and people involved.

Floors & More

2010-10-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well if you've come this far in the building process no doubt you can see light at the end of the tunnel!

After the roof is completed and all the windows have been installed the house is sound and ready for all the electrical, gas and water to be connected. Good thing too because when installing cabinets and flooring, the electricity makes the job go faster.

As you can see from these photos, things are really starting to take shape. The walls have been set up and are ready for painting, the wood and tile floors are being installed and all the faucets are being hooked up.

This photo shows the special tile decor in the entry way. The tiles have already been set. The entry in this home will be a warm greeting foyer with the neutral tones and accents - ready for the home owner to decorate to their tastes.

Take a look at this cabinetry. We use only the finest wood in our floors and cabinets and it makes a difference. These won't look like every other home, they are chosen especially with this homes owner in mind. Notice also the granite counter-tops. These are not only beautiful, they are solid, sturdy surfaces for all food preparation.

We're excited about showing you the final walk thru on this home but first we've still got some work to do like sidewalks, painting, carpets & mirrors.

Be sure to check back as we finish up this project. And if you have any questions about having a custom built home, contact us! We'll be happy to review the process with you and show you the many options available.

Inside & Out

2010-09-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

After your home has been framed, it's time to add insulation, exterior & windows!

Insulation, of course, will help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. We work with Jordan Spray Insulators to give fill every possible nook. It may look a bit messy but when you want to have an energy efficient home, it's worth the extra effort. The guys from Jordon's take pride in their work and always do a great job for us.

At this time we also make sure that all the electrical and plumbing connections are put in along with the heating and air conditioning vents.

Once these are all in place we can begin the sheet-rock work that will make the framed walls look like... walls! No longer will the interior be a maze of see through wood work, you will really be able to see the interior of your new home come to life.

A good home exterior will also go a long way toward keeping the home energy use down. As the interior is being sheet-rocked, the siding is being put on the outside of your home. Many of our homes feature brick as the exterior and generally include some type of rock accent.

It may still a be a bit messy inside and out but at this point we're about half way through the new home construction process. And, the best is yet to come!

New Homes Rate High on Satisfaction / Quality

2010-09-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

A recent JD Powers report gave some pleasantly surprising results when it came to new home builders. Despite the housing concerns and credit problems in recent years, the 2010 JD Powers Home Builder report found that people who worked with home builders were more satisfied than ever before in the history of this survey (since 1997).

Participants in this study were asked to rate builders on a variety of areas that resulted in a possible total score of 1000. The study was based on new single family homes and took place between March & July of this year.

The new satisfaction rating averaged 826 out of 1000. The quality of new homes has also improved with an average of 844 out of 1000, another record high.

Even though customer satisfaction and quality has always been high on the list for home builders, the downturn in the economy has put an even greater focus in these areas and it shows in the new survey results. Now is truly the "buyers" market.

Green building has also received record attention in this survey with more people demanding a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient home. In 2009 only 35% of new home owners identified their homes as "green" but in 2010, 52% of owners said that their new homes were environmentally friendly. It's clear that new home owners & builders know the importance of building for the environment and this trend is expected to continue because not only is there a savings in energy costs, the home will have a greater value overall.

Here at Bob Cook Homes, we have several ways to make your new home "green" including ICF building options. Your satisfaction is always our greatest concern, you can count on us to make your building experience a good one from start to finish.

See the full JD Powers report at: http://www.jdpowers/home

You've Been Framed!

2010-08-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

When you've got a new home in the works seeing the wood framework go up is pretty cool. If you aren't able to imagine where the rooms will be, what the view from a window might look like the frame can certainly give you a good idea.

We work with Rob Fanning Construction as our framing contractor and these guys really bring the home to life with their work. Where there were no walls, suddenly you can imagine the dimensions of each room. Where there were no doors or windows you'll be able to visually walk through the home as you'll be doing when it's finished. Where there are no stairs or vaulted ceilings you'll be able to descend to a walk out basement or view out the imaginary skylights of your living room.

Shortly after the framing is complete the rafters and sheathing is done. Then the permanent roof and siding is added. From the outside your home is looking good even though there may still be quite a bit of work to be done inside.

A Firm Foundation

2010-07-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

The first step to any new home is to stake and dig the basement. Seeing your new home staked out is very exciting as it's the confirmation that the construction of your new home is about to begin!

Did you know that before 1950, basements didn't really serve the same purpose as they do today? Before then it was little more than a cellar, or it could be a section of a building containing rooms and spaces similar to those of the rest of the structure. Often there were exposed beams, dirt floors and cinder-block. Not what you would imagine for the extended living spaces of basements today!

There are 3 different types of basements: Walk-Out, View Out and the fully underground basement.

Walk-Out basements are built in a home that is situated on a slope where a doorway actually leads from the basement to the outside without a stairway. From the street this type of home can look like a one-story house when the slope is in the back or it can look like a two story home when the slope is in front.

A view-out basement has windows that are close to regular size or larger and actually look out at ground level. These make the basement feel more like the main level of the home and bring in a lot of natural light.

The standard basement is fully underground with small windows.

At Bob Cook Homes we use poured concrete for the basement. This has the advantage of being more fire and water resistant because of the density of the concrete. It is also able to resist the pressures of water, earth and wind.

Once the home is staked out, the foundation and walls are poured, then we apply damp-proofing to make sure the basement is absolutely dry. It's very important that the basement be very dry before finishing it out to become a living space in your new home.

After the basement concrete has had time to cure, we'll back-fill the areas around the outside basement walls and install any underground plumbing. Then we can put in the basement floors.

At this point you'll know your home is well underway. More on the steps to construction coming in future blog posts so check back often.

Location, Location, Location!

2010-07-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

If you've been thinking about having a custom home built, it's certain you have been considering where you would want to live! With all the new developments cropping up and the option to live in suburban or rural locations, there are many options to choose from when choosing your building location.

Is your desired location akin to a "Field of Dreams?" Before investing in a rural building location there are a few things you'll want to check on up front. First, of course, is the land build-able? The building site may be unstable, have drainage issues or require excavation work. Also check on the water source, is it potable (not all water sources are!).
And then, unless you want to live in the literal dark ages, you'll want to check on the availability of electricity and phone or cable service.

If you are looking into an area that is on the fringe of of a city, but not quite fully developed, be sure you know about the easements, zoning and property line restrictions.

There are also developments that are currently underway where you can buy a lot in a community with built in amenities like playgrounds, water features, or swimming pools. In these areas you'll need to find out about the homeowner's association requirements and dues.

Above all, the key is location, location, location! Proximity to the activities you enjoy, shopping, entertainment and parks should be considered. If you have children, you'll want to check out the local schools and be sure to choose a "kid friendly" neighborhood. If retirement is around the corner, you'll may want a more peaceful environment with couples in the same stage of life.

Don't be afraid to talk to people who live in the area you are considering to get a better view of what you can expect. Find out if the area is tight-knit or if anonymity is the norm.

Bottom line, before you build be sure you are happy with the location and you'll enjoy not only your new home, but you'll enjoy the community for years to come. And by the way, we'll be happy to help you find the best location for your new home & build it too! Contact us today.

The Eyes Have it!

2010-06-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

How do you make an impact when you're building project is on a tight budget? Pay attention to the details at eye level!

Doors, windows and eye level trim are key places to add a touch of class without going over budget. Here are a few examples to consider:

Brick. The texture and color options of brick (or stone) are appealing to many but can be pricey if covering the entire exterior. Instead use brick as an accent and use it from the ground to window bases. This will add character to the homes exterior while keeping costs down.

Doors. The exterior entry to your home is the place everyone looks to first when visiting. Use this as an accent piece with unique or hand crafted doors. The door frames can also be accented with different wood, brick or metal.

Windows. Windows are the eyes of your home. Don't go with traditional with shutters - this is the perfect place to add style. Think shape, color and function. Why not try accenting lower level windows with a bit of stained glass. Use the shape of the home to inspire the shape of the windows and window panes. Now more than ever there are many new choices in window design.

Garage Doors. Often ignored, a unique garage door can increase curb appeal and the home's future value! Instead of plain aluminum that seems to be so popular, how about carriage doors? There are many different styles of the carriage door that you may not recognize the style at first!

Adding class to your new home doesn't have to be expensive, focus on eye level and you'll quickly see how attractive your new home can be with just a hint of individuality.

Ballyclare Addition

2010-06-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

Located in Southeast Wichita, the Ballyclare neighborhood features a beautifully landscaped lake, community pool and playground for children. The homes in Ballyclare are equally beautiful and well appointed. We at Bob Cook Homes are pleased to have three such homes in the Ballyclare community:

10725 Boston 3 bedrooms 3 baths 3 car garage and a partially finished view out basement with a family room and bar
10622 Boston: 4 bedrooms and 3 baths 3 car garage and a partially finished view out basement
1416 Shiloh: 5 bedrooms and 3 baths with finished view out basement and 3 car garage

All the lots in this development have been sold so this is your last chance to get a Bob Cook Home in this community. Contact us today and we'll be happy to arrange for a showing or discuss building the home of your dreams.

Landscape for Your New Home

2010-05-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is here, you may be thinking about the exterior of your new home as much as construction of the home itself. More often, architects, builders and homeowners strive to make homes blend to form an actual community. Landscaping brings all the individual homes into one cohesive group.

When considering the land around your home, think about the character of your home and what
natural elements will enhance the overall presentation of your new home. The goal is to have a balanced look that compliments your home as well as the community as a whole. The landscape should have a soft touch which includes plants that are native to the area.

Begin planning your landscape early by considering how to frame outdoor patios, decks and entries. It's not necessary to plant exotic shrubs or flowers, often using plants and grasses that are low maintenance will be appreciated when it comes to keeping up with care in the future. Choose seed mixes that are include perinnial plants and supplement them with a few annual flowers for interest.

Ground cover like ivy can be a nice replacement to grass and will cut down on mowing, especially in hard to reach areas. Choose ornamental grasses can provide eye appeal even in winter when seasonal grass is dormant.

Start your plan by dividing up the lawn into 3 main areas: foreground, service space and private areas. The foreground or street side areas include the lawn, walkways, foundation plants and a few trees. The service space includes the house itself and any outside structures like dividers that hide the trash receptical. The private areas are comprised of patios, gazebos and primarily the backyard.

Make a copy of the diagram for your home and make some sketches in pencil to designate what
you would like to see in the different areas. Search garden magazines for the different plans you would like to include. You may want to hire a landscape architect or do it yourself, either way it's best to work within your capabilities physically and financially.

The Green Valley Community - 943 Threewood Ct

2010-05-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a home in a family oriented community with playground, pool, golf course and access to award winning schools, Green Valley is the place for you!

Green Valley is located just north of Kellogg and east of 159th East. Our home at 943 Threewood Ct is located just off the golf course. This home is on one level, there are no steps, and has a beautiful open floor plan.

If you love to entertain, this home is for you! The kitchen features Corian countertops, breakfast bar, and a walk-in pantry made out of ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) blocks to double as a storm shelter. The master bath suite won a ribbon in the Parade of Homes and features a lighted trey ceiling, double vanity, separate shower and tub, and a large walk-in closet.

The community also has an active social calendar with many opportunities to meet your neighbors like pool parties, barbeques and Christmas party complete with Santa Claus. Green Valley also provides trash service with curbside recycling!

With Wichita just minutes away, living in the Green Valley / Andover addition you'll have the best of both worlds. Contact us today to see this home!

Pick of the Parade

2010-04-29T15:39:00.001-07:00

The Parade of Homes is over and we're excited that our property, 520 Belle Terre won Pick of the Parade! It also won ribbons for Effective Design, Kitchen Design, Master Suite/Bath Design and Basement Design for its price category. If you haven't been by to look at this property, plan on coming by soon - we'd love to show you around!

"Despite the national news of poor lending practices and credit crunches in large markets, such conditions are not present in Wichita," says Wess Galyon, president and CEO of the Wichita Area Builders Association. "The greater Wichita housing market remains strong." (As quoted in Wichita Business Journal)

We agree! Today's homes are not only affordable and attainable, the overall construction and building materials can lend to the cost efficiency of owning a newly built home vs. buying an older home.

To everyone who visited our homes, it's been great meeting all of you and hearing your comments.

Spring Parade of Homes

2010-04-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

It's here! The Spring Parade of Homes officially started April 10 and will run through April 25. This is an exciting line up of showcase homes in the best areas in and around Wichita. And this is a great time to invest in a new home with the material costs being low, the mortgage rates are low and there is still time to get the $8000 homebuyer tax credit.

We're participating in the Parade of Homes with 3 entries:

Home #67 - 520 Belle Terre. This home has an incredible view of the golf course, it's conveniently located in the Terradyne community and is part of the Andover school district. Download a pdf flyer about this home: click here.
Update: This home has won Pick of the Parade! It also won ribbons for Effective Design, Kitchen Design, Master Suite/Bath Design and Basement Design for its price category Come see why today!
Home #105 - 1118 Waters Edge, Derby. Located in the premier area of The Oaks Golf Course, this home has a spacious master suite, tucked in deck and completely finished basement.
Home #128 - 108 N. Fawnwood, Goddard. This 3 bedroom ranch style home is located in Auburn Hills. It features a curved breakfast nook, walk-in pantry, wood flooring and custom shower in the owner's suite. The lower level features a finished family room.

The weather has been beautiful lately and it's a great time to visit the Parade of Homes to get ideas for your new home. When you're ready to build, call the award winning builder, Bob Cook Homes.

Auburn Hills Affordable Lifestyle

2010-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Wichita ranks 27th in a national survey of national housing affordability? In fact, Wichita has always been a leader in affordable housing. Ahead of Oklahoma City and even Kansas City!

In the Wichita area, Auburn hills not only offers affordable homes, Auburn Hills offers an affordable lifestyle. This community, located within the Goddard school district, has many amenities including:

2 clubhouses,
4 pools
4 playgrounds
18 hole public golf course

Bob Cook has two homes in the Auburn Hills addition, both are eligible for Homebuyer Credit!

14307 W. Burton Ct. 312,542

A couple of streets away from clubhouse Cul de Sac Corner Lot

108 N. Fawnwood 439,909 Clubhouse / Pool - Brand New

one of 4 new homes.

Both north of Maple & 135 & 151s

Home prices in Wichita are slowly gaining in home value so if you buy a home today, it's going to appreciate, despite what the news may be telling you!

The Development at Water's Edge

2010-03-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for an upscale home in the suburbs, consider Water's Edge in Derby.

Derby KS is a burgeoning community on the Southeastern edge of Wichita which has recently seen a boom in commerce including a Kohl's department store and several restaurant chains.

Water's Edge is a smaller neighborhood within the Oaks subdivision at 63rd and Rock Rd. The homes in Water's Edge all have a minimum of 1900 sq ft and are considered the cream of the crop by the city economic development director.

Water's Edge will eventually feature 450 homes ranging upward in price from $150,000. And did I mention that the community is built around the Derby Golf Course and Country Club?

We are currently building a home at 1118 Waters Edge which will feature 4 bedrooms 3 1/2 baths and is priced at $412,421.00.