It’s time to kick the enemy out of our homes and our of our family’s lives. My wife and I recently bought an 85 year old Victorian home in Stephenville, Texas. We call it Vanderbilt Place and we run it as a rooming house. On New Year’s Eve 2005, along with some friends, we prayed a blessing over the house. It made such a huge difference insofar as not only keeping the place occupied but also in the quality of renter we attracted from that day onward.

Later, after sharing this experience with a friend, a local business woman asked if we would pray with her over her business. Once we prayed, not only did productivity soar, but the strong ungodly element decreased dramatically, starting with the manager’s resignation several months later.

In this message, I did not want to get too ritualistic, thereby possibly inviting some other religious devil. Consider this a model; feel free to customize it for your needs. So, I’m keeping it simple and duplicatable so that others might be able to bless THEIR home…people like YOU! Don’t wait for Sunday to do something spiritual…we are the Church, NOT the buildings! Don’t wait for a minister either…you ARE one according to Scripture.

In America today, we tend to scream at societal issues and throw money at our problems. We do a great deal of finger pointing, too. What I’m proposing is that, house by house, American Christians must take back what the enemy has stolen from us. Starting TODAY! As they say, if you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.

Single parents, grandfathers, college students alone in your dorm, apartment dwellers AND apartment managers or property owners – if you are a Christian, you have the authority to take dominion over your dwelling place. Don’t delay. Gather some friends and a bottle of virgin olive oil from the kitchen and start praying and anointing as the Spirit leads…first your place, then THEIRS! There’s power in agreement so, regardless of their denomination, go for it! If you like, have communion afterward or sing some hymns. Here’s what we’re doing. Do likewise and be blessed!

1) TAKE AUTHORITY OVER SPIRITS THAT HAVE BEEN WELCOMED THROUGHOUT THE HOME’S HISTORY – LEAVE DOORS OPEN FOR THEIR ESCAPE. The Bible declares, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” Here’s a prayer you can begin with:

In the Name of Jesus our Messiah,and by the power of His Blood and His Cross, and the Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead and now dwells within us, we bind all spirits in the air, and the fire and the water, in the ground and the underground and the nether world,and we bind any satanic forces of nature that have been assigned to this dwelling place. You will steal from us no longer! In fact, you will repay us sevenfold, according to Eph 4;28. “When the thief is caught he must repay seven fold”. That includes sevenfold time, energy, money, health and anything else stolen from God’s children.

We break all generational and word curses, hexes, or spells, or any witchcraft or occult activity that have been invited into this house – on purpose or by accident – throughout the generations past.

We bind the interaction and interplay of demonic spirits within these walls. And we claim the protection of the shed Blood of Jesus Christ over this house and grounds, and over every person who ever spend so much as a few moments upon this property. May they receive God’s blessing!

We call out to you, Holy Spirit. Come now and fill this place, never to leave! We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Here are a few Opening Scriptures you may choose to start with:

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)

“Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in…” (Revelation 3:20)

2) PRAYER OF BLESSING WHILE ANOINTING WITH OIL

Most loving God, we thank you that through faith in your Son Jesus Christ, you make us all members of your eternal family. We give thanks for all the love that you send to draw our earthly families together, to heal us, and to heal those who have gone before us. Fill this house with your divine presence, we pray. Pour out your love to deepen the fellowship shared here. Let your wisdom guide us, your trust free us, and your peace bless us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We dedicate this home to love and understanding. May its joys and sorrows be shared and the individuality of each person who lives and visits here appreciated.

We dedicate this home to work, and rest and play. May our home have joy and high fellowship, with kindness in its voices and laughter running within its walls.

We dedicate this home to friendly life. May its doors open in hospitality and its windows look out with kindness toward other homes and those who pass by its doors.

We dedicate this home to cooperation. May its duties be performed in love, its furnishings bear witness that the work of others ministers to our comfort, and its table remind us that God works with us for the supply of daily needs.

We dedicate this home to the appreciation of all things good and true. May the books bring wisdom, the pictures symbolize things beautiful, and the music bring joy and inspiration.

We dedicate the time and talent of those who live here to help build a world in which every family may have a home of comfort and fellowship.

We dedicate this home as a unit in the Church universal, an instrument of the Kingdom of God, a place of worship and Christian training and a threshold to the life eternal.

With our hearts turned toward you, so our thoughts rise in gratitude to God for this home, and in prayer for God’s blessings upon it.

Following are s few Scriptures and Reflections about Homes and God’s Care:

1. The Bible teaches us that a home is far more than a physical building.

Proverbs 24:3-4

By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

2. We need God’s presence, power and direction for our lives and homes to be fruitful.

Psalms 127:1

Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

3. The Bible indicates that it is important to dedicate our homes to God. Before going into battle, the men in the Bible were warned to dedicate their homes!

Deuteronomy 20:5

Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘What man is there that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.’

4. God told his people to write his word on the doorposts of their homes.

Many Jewish people today place a portion of God’s Word on a parchment scroll in a container on the doorposts of their homes. They touch the scroll every time they go in or out to remind them that their homes belong to God, and what happens there is to be directed by God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your hearts and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

5. When a person dedicates their house to God, we trust that God responds to their commitment. When Solomon dedicated the temple, God responded, speaking to him.

2 Chronicles 7:15

Now my eyes will be open [says the Lord] and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.

6. When people in the Early Christian movement gathered to teach and preach about Jesus, and to pray in the power of the Spirit, they often met in homes. Even today, there is a growing movement throughout the Western world – something our third world brethren have been doing for decades – meeting in homes or anywhere the Spirit leads them to.

Acts 5:42

And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 28:30,31

[Paul] stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ…

7. Jesus can use our homes to minister to us and with us if we will welcome him.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

8. In his teachings, Jesus presented home life as a model of what it means to live a life in God’s presence and love.

John 14:1-3

“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms;

if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

9. The Psalmist saw God’s care in a similar way.

Psalms 91:1-2

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress;my God, in whom I trust.”

10. How will we use the homes God has loaned to us? Dedicating our homes to God is not a one-time act. It is an ongoing ministry!

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

11. We are accountable to God for the use of our homes and our hospitality. God honors those who consecrate the use of their homes to bless others in need.

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats… Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was …a stranger and you welcomed me…’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee…a stranger and welcome thee…? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

Final Prayer of Blessing:

Almighty God,we thank you for the desires of our hearts for this home and all who enter its doors,that all we have and do here may be in accord with your divine plans,that this home and its residents may be truly and completely dedicated to you, and to serving your kingdom.

We ask you to strengthen them in this commitment. We pray to you, O God, for this home, its occupants and possessions,that you may bless and sanctify them, enriching them by your kindness in every way possible. Pour out on them, O Lord, heavenly dew in good measure, as well as an abundance of earthly needs.

Mercifully listen to their prayers, and grant that their needs be fulfilled.

As we come before you, Father, bless this home & every aspect of it,

cleansing any misdeeds of the past, and leaving it pure, fresh and holy.

Bless this house, just as you blessed the homes of Abraham and Sarah, of Isaac and

Rebecca, of Jacob and Rachel.

Within these walls, let your angels preside and stand watch over those who live and

spend time here, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

While an open house is a great way to actually meet the perfect buyer for your property, it is also a great opportunity for people with bad motives to do their rude moves. More than allowing your house to actually accommodate good buyers, you might also be accommodating bad people. So how are you are exactly going to do the open house while securing your home? Here are some tips.

Keep away important documents containing pertinent information such as Social Security numbers and bank accounts. These digits of numbers can actually be the key towards committing crimes using your identity.

Remove jewelries, antiques, and other items of high values. These are eye candies and can easily attract robbers and thieves. Electronic gadgets like tablets, laptops, and smartphones should also be secured. Your personal and some confidential information can be leaked once these gadgets are taken away from your possession.

Photos of family members are advised to be hidden. You don’t know how criminal minds think. Your family members, even with just their photos can be easy targets of crimes, especially children.

Never leave keys of your house, car, or rooms – even if they are just duplicates. These things are small and can be easily grabbed. When possessed by bad persons, these keys can be used to enter your property.

Never hide anything of value in your rooms and other likely places. Rooms within your house especially those that are locked up during the open house can imply that there are valuable things in there. Though they are locked up, it is still advised never to leave things of high value in those rooms. Some curious and naughty persons might be unnoticed sneaking in those rooms to peep on those things and plan something bad afterwards.

Have a logbook of guests joining the open house. This is a helpful record to see who came to visit the house. Make sure that the arrival and departure times are recorded too.

Take photos or videos of the rooms and other parts of the house before the open house in its staged state. After the open house, review the photos or videos to see if there are some alterations on how things are placed and ordered.

Remember that an open house should be an opportunity to meet buyers, or even meet new connections and friends. It should not be an opportunity or an invitation to persons with bad intentions. However, we won’t know bad people until they have done wrong. So better stay safe and secured than be sorry later on!

Fabrication services are performed on two types of production models: in-house and out of house (i.e. outsourcing). Which model is better depends on the needs of the company, but many businesses realize the most benefits from the in-house model, especially when they invest in the right mix of automation services for the production line. If your company is deciding whether to perform fabrication onsite or outsource it to a third party, below are five reasons to choose the former:

You have control of production

Many companies are willing to outsource the fabrication process to save money, but most companies would rather have direct control over the process for four reasons:

• Improved quality control
• More accountability from those participate in the process
• Direct surveillance of production runs
• Faster inspection of finished products

By having control over the fabrication process, companies can eliminate efficiencies from the production cycle when they become apparent. They lack this ability when the process is outsourced, which means that they could overpay for fabrication services without knowing it.

Enhanced creativity

Fabricating products in-house allows a company to be creative with the production process. Instead of designing products based on a description in a catalogue, they can design them based on what enhances efficiency and reduces errors on the production line. Automation services that allow fabrication to be performed in-house help companies to think outside of the box, and achieve a greater harmony between the production line and products.

Improved production of custom products

Outsourcing the fabrication of custom products often results in the service provider adapting an off-the-shelf item to meet unique production specifications. With the process located onsite, material can be fabricated to meet custom specifications instead. This reduces production errors and the need to use technologies such as laser scanning to uncover the errors.

Better communication

When a company outsources fabrication, it places calls or send emails to an intermediary to receive updates. When the process is performed onsite, the business has direct communication with the people who perform the process – project managers, engineers, and workers in the fabrication shop. This close-knit communication can lead to shared ideas for improving design, reducing lead times, and handling problems without the assistance of vendors.

Reduced supply chain costs

Performing fabrication in-house reduces the cost of shipping material to vendor, having them shipped from the vendor to the customer, or both. Next to payroll, the cost of shipping is the biggest expense that most manufacturers pay. Performing fabrication services in-house is an easy way to reduce supply chain costs.

Conclusion

Fabricating products in-house requires the manufacturer to invest in production equipment, but performing the process onsite often costs less than outsourcing it in the end. With in-house fabrication, companies enjoy direct control over the production line, experience better communication with the parties to the process, and reduce supply chain costs by performing less shipping. To learn more about fabricating products in-house, contact a provider of automation services for manufacturing environments today.

It goes without saying, that renting out a home can be an excellent way to make some extra money. Whether you are having a hard time selling your home or are short on cash, renting out your house can be a great way to bring some income. Furthermore, renting out a house is not only easy compared to selling a house which is a much-complicated process, but also allows you to retain ownership of your home while making a profit out of it. With that said, renting out your property may seem like an easy way to increase your passive income, but upon starting the process, you may find it to be more complicated than expected.

Furthermore, renting out a house can be tricky if you are not careful. Read on to find out four things you need to know before renting out your home.

1. Surrounding laws- Let’s face it, renting out your house without checking whether the laws in your area allow homeowners to rent their homes or not may not be the brightest idea. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that renting out houses in your area is legal in every possible way. Furthermore, make sure you also consult a certified public accountant to get information on the tax codes that are relevant to your property. In addition, take a look at all the federal, state and local housing laws before renting out your place.

2. Demand for rentals- Without a doubt, a crucial factor to consider before renting out your house is the demand for rental properties in the area your house is located. This is important, especially, if your main goal is to make a good deal of money from the property and your primary source of income would be the rent from tenants. Besides, it will not be easy to find possible tenants for your place if the demand for rental properties in the area where your house is located is not high, or at least good.

3. Rent- One of the major factors that you need to take into account before renting out your home is making sure you decide the rent. Furthermore, use your classifieds or online versions like Craigslist to get a general idea about what the going rate is for a place like yours. Furthermore, if you overvalue your house, you may end up with long vacancy periods, so make sure you set a price that is fair and competitive.

4. Various costs- Before renting out your house, it is important that you know about all the costs that are associated with renting a place. Property management, advertising, taxes as well as maintenance are just a few things that you will have to pay for as a landlord. Take all the costs into account before renting out your home; this will help you decide whether it will have a better effect on your lifestyle and will help you earn money or only cause stress and loss.

While these were some of the things you need to know before renting out a house, there are many others, such as insurance among many others.

Many of those who lose their jobs during a recession will find it tough to find another job and may start to think about investing in their own business with whatever redundancy pay they may have received. This can be a golden opportunity to become your own boss, but it takes hard work, determination and perseverance to make a new business successful and it rarely happens overnight.

It is always tempting when thinking about starting a business to do something you have always loved doing – make your hobby your job. But, sadly, in the majority of these cases the businesses just don’t succeed. This is mainly because they have been embarked upon with a personal bias and not from a purely business perspective. Whatever decision you might make about going it alone, that decision must always be a business one first and foremost.

The best approach to starting your own business is to research all those services or products that are required in both good and bad economic times.

A house clearance business is one such service that will always be in demand. More and more people are looking for this service sometimes simply to get their houses ready for sale. Or they might have moved and settled permanently abroad and now wish someone to clear out the house in readiness for selling it. Establishing a good business relationship with local estate agents can lead to regular business referrals.

But house clearance is most particularly required after a death in the family. The bereaved often do not want to clear the house at such an emotional time, and the act of disposing of a loved one’s belongings can be overwhelming. Relatives can struggle to sort out the belongings of the deceased whilst coping with their grief and the ongoing demands of work and family life. Or there may simply be no emotional ties and the deceased is a distant relative in another part of the country.

Whatever the reason, there is a booming business clearing out other people’s unwanted belongings.

Whilst local auctioneers do sometimes offer house clearance services, they are really looking for valuable items to sell in their auctions and are not usually interested in the junk. So if you are embarking on this type of business then you need to be prepared to clear everything and often to deal with people at a difficult time in their lives.

Many items that are unwanted by one individual can still be recycled or donated to charity so be sure to consider these options where possible.

To distinguish your business from the rogue element that operate bogus house clearance services it is worth joining the UK House Clearance Association.

Every member of the association makes some key commitments, which are simply good business practice:

· To provide a clear description, price and timetable for the house clearance to be carried out.

· To guarantee full liability insurance.

· To hold a current waste carrier’s license issued by the Environment Agency.

· To be courteous, competent, and committed to providing a high standard of service.

· To deal promptly and sympathetically with anything that may go wrong.

If you think this might be the business for you then it is a relatively easy business to start up with little capital outlay (so you might actually be able to save some of that redundancy cash). There are just some simple steps to take towards being your own boss:

Obtain liability insurance

When you are entering someone’s house and likely to be moving large and heavy objects, you must have the appropriate insurance against damaging either the fabric of the building or persons within it.

Obtain a waste carrier’s license from the Environment Agency

Dumping waste at municipal sites on a commercial basis requires a license. These are inexpensive and last for 3 years so apply for one well in advance of clearing that first house.

Decide which vehicle you need

If you don’t already own a van, you will definitely need one, but while you are still testing out your business idea, why not hire a van instead of buying one. That way you can decide which type of van is most suitable in your local area.

Advertise in the local press and online

The advantage of a small business like house clearance is that you can avoid expensive advertising costs by advertising your services in local publications and at local venues.

House Clearance is just one small business idea that is a service required whatever the economic climate and it is simple and inexpensive to start up. But there are many other such businesses that could mean the start of a new life as your own boss.

A house plan is a must for building a home before its construction begins. It is helpful for planning home space, estimating the cost of the expenses, allotting the budget, knowing the deadline of the construction and setting the schedule of meeting with the architect, designer or home builder. So if you are planning to build a new house without it, then it’s for sure, the house will have a low quality structure and design and also cost you more money in the long run because of the mistakes that may arise once the construction starts.

When making a house plan, there are many important points to consider. One is the location where the house will be built. It is usually best to buy a land before you start to make a house plan. Knowing the area and the type of terrain you chose to build on is helpful to properly plan the house and maximize the space of the land area. It’s also necessary to consider the lifestyle and the size of the family to see how many number of rooms and bathrooms needed, what kind of style and design of the living room, kitchen and dining room and how much space is needed for each of them. You also need to consider the number of your vehicles for you to plan well how much big your garage should be. It’s best to discuss these details with your family to make sure that your new house will meet your standard of living.

There are lots of ways to obtain a desired house plan for your new house. You can search it through the internet and choose from various websites that feature display homes with their corresponding house design plans. Searching for some examples of house plans can be an efficient, smart and fast way of getting and refining ideas in planning and making your own one.

Certainly, a house plan is necessary in building a house. It helps you visualize how the house should look like when it’s fully finished. Seeing the overall layout and house design will make you sure that the architect has met your exact requirements on its structure, features, designs, styles and all other important details in building your house. It also gives the home builder a good overview on its house design and guides him all the way through the entire project. So it’s imperative to not be rush in making a house plan to ensure that all your requirements are met and to avoid mistakes. Ideally, preparing a house plan should take several weeks and need a lot of discussion with your architect or home builder. Doing this gives you a sense that your hew house is built safe and also assures you its quality and excellence.

Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers homebuyers fashion home runs and strikeouts when shopping for a home. It might not be obvious that what you wear when house hunting can impact what you pay for a home. Years of showing homes and introducing prospective buyers to home sellers, the way buyers project themselves fashion-wise makes a big impression.

First impressions by real estate agents and home sellers are all they have when assessing potential buyers. If you appear well-groomed, under-stated and wear home price-range-appropriate clothes you could pay less than the tattooed, big-hair, over-jeweled and torn-blue jean buyer your in competition with in multiple-offers for the same home. Buying a home is a business transaction, think business wear when shopping for a home.

Women

-Pants are fine, but make sure they’re not low riders.

-Ditch the tee shirts, tank and tube tops. House hunting is not a vacation.

-Skirts are great. Minis send the wrong message.

-Wear comfortable but presentable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, climbing up stairs and in and out of transportation.

-Forget high-heels. Spiked heels on shoes can easily dent bamboo and other softer wood floors. Plus if you got into the yard to take a look at the roof you might end up aerating the lawn.

-Leave the animal prints for when you’re out to a nightclub. Busy or fussy fashion looks can be distracting and not on everyone’s top ten fashion list.

-Simple jewelry and limited amounts accent your business perspective. Omit the” bling” otherwise you might end up paying more for a home, because the sellers think you can afford it.

-Simplify make-up, hair and manicure styles to appeal to the majority of people. You’re not going to get a better deal because the sellers love your fabulous acrylic nails.

-No fur coats, ever. It’s a political and extravagant statement that could cost you a home or an additional $10,000.

-No low cut or revealing looks. Very rarely do homebuyers get a discount for sex.

Men

-Verify shoe soles aren’t caked with mud before you enter any open house. Many a homebuyer never made it to the kitchen after walking across freshly cleaned carpet with dirty shoes.

-No jogging, gym-wear, bike shorts or swimsuits. Unless, you’re testing the workout facilities in a condominium building on your second visit.

-Business-casual pants are best, but if you must wear jeans, make sure they’re clean and not ripped.

-Open collar shirts work fine, but realty agents and home sellers don’t need to see your buffed or not so buffed chest or four gold chains.

-Think twice about sporting more than one earring. If we were all the same life would be boring.

-Omit muscle and tee shirts and no underwear elastic waistbands displayed please. You might turn Ms. home seller on, but Mr. home seller might not appreciate it.

-Limit tattoo exposure, they’re the rage, but not for everyone. Ditto the ladies on this one.

-Wear simple patterned shirts with matching plain pants. Remember that red denotes power.

-Don’t over-dress to impress. Leave the cuff links and French cuffed shirts at home.

Both

-Coffee “go-cups” aren’t a fashion accessory. Coffee is easily spilled on carpets when walking up stairs or opening closets and cabinets when touring properties.

-Baseball caps are for bad hair days. Plus they send the wrong negotiating message when purchasing the largest asset you’ll own.

-Wet umbrellas should be parked outside the front door, not on hardwood floors or entry tables and chairs.

-Wear slip on shoes when touring open houses. You might be asked to remove your shoes out of cultural respect to the owner, inclement weather or newly installed floor coverings.

-If you don’t want to take off your shoes buy and carry blue disposable surgical booties-or ask your agent for a pair.

-You must wear socks or stockings. No sandals, period. If you are asked to remove your shoes, owners don’t necessarily want your bare feet on their floors.

-Cell phones. If you need to make or receive a call go to a place where you won’t disturb others at the open house. Never negotiate a home purchase contract on a different property contract while your viewing a home.

-Carry bicycle and motorcycle helmets with you. Ask before your park them on any surface.

-Shorts are okay if they are close to knee length. No torn or overly tight styles.

-Dress for the season. Don’t wear shorts in snow or black wool in August, even if it is your best house-hunting outfit.

-Remove your sunglasses when inside buildings. People expect some eye contact.

-Go easy on the perfume. Many people have allergies to it today and they could be the owners of the house you fell in love with.

-Put cigarettes, cigars and pipes out of view. They’re not exactly a popular fashion or political statement in 2006.

Children

-Tops, pants, shoes and socks required.

-Diapers are not fashion.

“Stock Plans” are building plans which you can order from a magazine, catalog or website. Some builders offer such pre-designed plans. Though not custom designed for you, homes built from these types of plans can be nice and quite appealing.

However, given the time and expense of building a home (which is a custom process by its nature) many would never consider anything but custom plans designed for uniquely for them or by them. However, stock plans can certainly be enticing and have definite value.

Here are some of the Pros and Cons of purchasing stock house plans:

Pros:

• Stock plans can be less expensive. Prices for a set of plans can be a thousand bucks – or less. The plans are listed like a menu and the prices for the plans are clearly posted. Once you’ve decided on a plan it is an easy process of clicking and buying. You choose the form of the drawing and the quantity.
• Stock plans can save time in selecting a home. Since the designs are done and there for review, if you can select quickly you can save time. Usually the plans are displayed as floor plans and exterior views. Depending on the catalog you may get just a front view, and sometimes even a few views to help you understand the design. It’s a mail-order solution. Mail-order items have been part of our culture for a long time – from mail-order brides, to mail order kit-houses from Sears.
• These predesigned plans are usually collections from a variety of viewpoints. This can be stimulating as you browse through the plans and views. You’ll find “new” ideas that you likely have not considered before.
• Stock plans catalogs can to kick-start your imagination. They can get the creative juices flowing. Stock plans can be a valuable launching point to explore new ideas.

Cons

• Stock plans are rarely ready for permitting. If submitted for permits without additional actions they will likely be rejected.
• Engineer’s or Architect’s professional seal (looks like the old notary seal) is required on the plans in many localities (you should check with your local building department). Getting a professional stamp is not as easy as it sounds. Many professionals will require re-draw or, as a minimum, several revisions and additions to bring the plans up to local Codes and worthy of their seal. The fees for this can range from many hundreds to several thousands of dollars and will take several weeks to do depending on the project and the professional’s time.
• Some revisions are inevitable. Because the plans are not customized for you it is rare that you will not see things you want to change. This can be expensive because most of the stock plan companies are not set up for individualized attention.
• Stock-Plans are reused plans which have been built numerous times before. To some, this can be a negative factor.
• Plans from the internet or catalog are designed for mass-appeal similar to cars and other consumer goods. This is beneficial for factory created items because it keeps the prices down. But since home building is always custom, some consider a home designed for mass-market appeal to be a waste of opportunity. It would be custom building a car and ending up with a Ford Taurus. What’s the point?
• Stock plans are designed to be built in numerous locations. Areas of the country have basements, snow, hurricanes, cool temperatures, warm temperatures, and many other factors that are unique to each area. Certain types of building systems are common in certain areas – and generic plans can’t cover all the possibilities. Additionally, local tradesmen will spot the Stock Home and will mark them as such – not always positively.

Predesigned plans by a local builder, however, can side step many of these problems. They will generally be ready for permits, will be recognized locally and, if the builder has made provisions for changes, these can be a very good value.

In summary, stock plans are valuable for study and education and are a fertile source of ideas. They, however, will likely turn out not as inexpensive as you first think, or as quick, and certainly will not be something designed exclusively for you.

Having a professional working for and with you to develop a custom design based upon your ideas, your notions, and various ideas you have collected from many sources, as well has his or her experienced creativity will allow you to take full advantage the truly custom nature of building a home.

Remember, home building is the only industry which remains truly custom in nature – the designs should be as well.