2018 builders tour

north iowa builder’s

tour of homes

Friday, April 27 – 5 pm – 8 pm • Saturday, April 28, 1 pm – 4 pm • Sunday, April 29, 1 pm – 4 pm

1200 Stenberg Drive, Clear Lake

724 Cypress Court, Mason City

250 Sumac, Mason City

Joshua Homes

Kellar Construction, Inc

Rye Construction

2207 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake

2347 Ping Court, Mason City

1674 S. Illinois Ave, Mason City

2508 S. 32nd St, Clear Lake

Paulson Construction

Larry Elwood Construction

Frank Hanig Construction

Equinox Energy Homes

page 2

Thursday, April 26, 2018

1200 Stenberg drive , Clear Lake Builder: Tim and Dawn Stenberg • Construction Company: Joshua Homes

By Elda Stone

T

im and Dawn Stenberg of Joshua Homes picked Clear Lake as an excellent location for new home building. Joshua Homes has reinforced this idea with their tagline, “Come Home to Clear Lake.”

In addition to residential construction in Sioux Falls, Joshua Homes developed the Redstone condominiums on Clear Lake and have built houses in the local Pinebrook subdivision; Venetian Estates, Garner; and now in the new subdivision, Sunset Ridge in Clear Lake.

“Building in Clear Lake came about somewhat by accident,” Tim said. “I was introduced to Clear Lake in 1997 when we were invited to spend a weekend at a close family friend’s home on the lake. My parents bought a home on the lake the next year in 1998. My wife and I chose Clear Lake as the location to get married in 2001.

“I thought it would be a good idea to build one home per year in Clear Lake to give us an excuse to spend more time at the lake. And give our kids the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents.”

One home turned into several

homes, and then several homes turned into several neighborhoods, according to Tim. “I feel the same today as I did back in 2001. Clear Lake is a very special place.”

Sunset Ridge is their newest development. It sits on 18 acres north of town off Buddy Holly Place. Their first new home on the property, at 1200 Stenberg Drive, features four bedrooms, three bathrooms and triple garage stalls.

“Tim and I have a great working team. I manage the interior subcontracting work, and he handles all the exterior work,” Dawn said of her partnership with Tim. That team also includes many subcontractors from the surrounding communities.

“When we are building a custom house, I help our customer pick out the finishes and design of the home if they would like that service. We typically have properties available so buyers can see the options and quality of our work. Some people prefer not to be involved in the construction process and would prefer to walk into a home fully finished.”

The Sunset Ridge home includes today’s trends towards light-colored walls and countertops, according to Dawn. The open concept main floor

is beautified by a striking kitchen, with cabinets in Driftwood, a slate stain and Merola tile back splash.

Bar-style pull hardware for drawers and cabinets lend a modern, clean look. The sphere lighting leaves the space airy and elegant.

Dawn pointed out special features included in the kitchen cabinetry, such as a pull-out trash bin; a drawer at the very bottom of the sink cabinet in what is usually wasted space; and a tall, narrow cupboard perfect for cookies sheets. All doors and drawers are easy-close. The newest color of appliances is in the home. The matte finish in a slate colored stainless steel show no fingerprints.

The dark cabinets contrast nicely with countertops in white, marbleveined quartz. A bold, patterned backsplash of large tiles combines the white and taupe colors in the room. The island with all drawers provides ample storage and work space, as well as a back yard view for casual meals.

Solid hardwood hickory floors unite the kitchen, area for a dining table, and main floor living space.

Sliding glass doors lead out to a covered deck that is private and in-

viting. The foyer fixture casts rays of light onto the walls and recessed ceiling. There is ample light in all the rooms, often including a fan and can lighting.

A tiled laundry room is on the main floor for convenience. The triple-vehicle garage features high ceilings for that boat or RV, as well as extra-long depth on the singledoor stall for a work bench or storage.

One bedroom is located off of the front entry, close to the main floor full bathroom. Using the same cabinets and marble-look quartz as the kitchen, this bathroom contains an under mount rectangle sink, tub and shower combo.

The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet. All of the bedrooms are carpeted. Master bathroom features include a double vanity, large closet for linens and toiletry items, and a custom-tiled shower with vertical accents and recessed shelving for personal items.

An extra-wide stairway leads to a completely finished lower level, including two bedrooms, one of which has a walk-in closet. The common area would be perfect for a family room or space for the

kids to enjoy. A large storage closet allows for toy storage, games and extra bedding next to the family room. Another room next to the full bath would be perfect for an office or game room.

The full bathroom downstairs includes a tub with shower, linen closet, and matching cabinetry to the rest of the house. Unfinished areas and closets in the basement provide plenty of storage space.

This four bedroom home proves you don’t have to sacrifice style for function. The open floor plan, quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail are just a few of the many features that make this home a winner.

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • • • • •

Zilge’s Applicance Center Clear Lake Bank & Trust Plumb Supply Flooring America Overhead Door Company of Mason City

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

PAGE 3

724 CYPRESS COURT, MASON CITY BUILDER: BRANDON KELLAR • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: KELLAR CONSTRUCTION, INC.

By Elda Stone

S

ales of new homes have been “solid” in North Iowa despite rising costs over the past five years, according to Brandon Kellar of Kellar Construction.

The company, which specializes in light commercial and residential properties around North Iowa, was started by Brandon’s father in the early 1990s. Brandon bought the business in 2007 after working with his dad for ten years.

“In the last couple of years, we’ve built eight or nine new-construction homes here - what I’d consider higher-end homes as far as amenities are concerned,” Kellar said.

Land costs, building code changes for safety, and material costs driven up by hurricanes and other weather problems have all contributed to the price tag on a new home. “But the market’s been fair. Sales of custom homes are still pretty solid. People are wanting to build.”

Higher costs also can drive the potential for remodeling jobs. “People are more apt to want to stay put, or they buy a less expensive home and remodel,” Kellar said. “Interest rates are still fantastic, so lending interest drives the construction market strongly. More people are apt to make improvements or dream of a new home when rates are low.”

Kellar’s latest new house project is a “spec home,” built this winter on speculation that a buyer will appear, as opposed to a custom job built for a specific buyer’s taste.

“Spec homes often go to people who transfer into the area for jobs, while the custom new home market is for people upgrading or wanting something new. But the spec home also appeals to some people who don’t want to make all the choices involved in construction.”

The house at 724 Cypress Court joins five other homes built by Kellar Construction in the Asbury subdivision of Mason City.

With a total 3,700 square feet split between main floor and basement, the ranch-style home has four bedrooms, three-and-one-quarter baths, and three-stall attached garage.

“Ranch homes are really popular,

because of all the space you gain on one level,” Kellar said. “People don’t want a lot of steps to go up and down.” He noted that modern, safeguarded basement systems mean the lower level of homes can be finished to create more living space.

The home’s exterior is clad in lap siding in Pelican Gray, with shake accents of Smoky Ash color on the gables. A stainable steel front door, with two sidelight panels, is stained in a wood-like tone and flanked by stone.

Just inside, an open plan room includes the kitchen, dining, and living areas under a vaulted ceiling. Slatecolored, oak kitchen cabinets contrast with an off-white island sided in stone. All countertops are a veined granite of lighter grays. The island houses the sink and dishwasher, with an overhang for counter seating and additional storage below.

“The appliances are from Zilge’s Appliance Center, in a slate color stainless steel,” Kellar pointed out.

“It doesn’t mark up with handprints.” A big pantry just off of the kitchen provides lot of extra storage space.

Hard-surface laminate flooring in a blend of brown and slate colors connects the entire open living space. A gas fireplace surrounded with stone anchors the living area. The spacious alcove across from the kitchen island provides plenty of room for a family dining table. Outside a full-view door is a partially-covered 12 x 19foot deck.

A main floor laundry room with powder room connects the threestall garage to the house, so anyone coming in from outside can clean up without tracking through the house.

The garage floor features a speckled gray epoxy coating.

The rest of the main floor has 9-foot ceilings. Walls are painted “Mindful Gray” with white ceilings.

Andersen Windows are installed throughout the home, with solid poplar trim.

Down the hall from the kitchen is the carpeted master bedroom, with a bath and a spacious walk-in closet.

The master bathroom includes dou-

ble sinks of one-piece cultured stone and a custom-tiled walk-in shower with a glass door and bench.

Two bedrooms on the other side of the house share a hall bathroom with combined tub and shower.

The lower level offers a huge family room and office space combined.

“I see the kids coming down to this office area to work on homework, or maybe Mom or Dad have an office here,” Kellar said.

A fourth bedroom and another full bath similar to the others expands the potential living space. Large egress windows provide light and safety for the lower level. There are several unfinished spaces for stor-

age, too.

Kellar also pointed out the house on Cypress Court is energy-efficient, based on changes in building codes.

“They have to be third-party verified now. Basically auditors inspect the house, and it has to meet standards and be submitted to the city inspector. That’s a huge benefit to homeowners.”

He said new homes get a Home Energy Rating System index number, somewhat like the energy ratings seen on appliances. Homeowners can get a rebate based on how efficient the home is.

Because of tighter and more energy-efficient construction, new

homes also must have Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems. This helps bring fresh air into a house through the heating and air conditioning, improving ventilation and climate control. “HRV gets rid of stagnant air and allergens, making for a healthier home,” Kellar explained.

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • Mason City Tile & Marble • Daley’s Plumbing & Heating

PAGE 4

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

TOUR OF HOMES 2508 S. 32 St., Clear Lake nd

EQUINOX ENERGY HOME

YOUR E M O H

+

R A L O S

FREE Electricity

= FREE

Heating/Cooling

FREE Hot Water

Panasonic Eco Solutions

Google

EquinoxEnergyHomes.com

Gregg Bacon welcomes visitors to his front door by saying,”Welcome to your forever Home”.

Gregg, Founder/President of Equinox Energy Homes, designed and built this 2,400 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 bath home that is run 110% by Solar Electricity with the Panasonic Solar Modules on the roof.

Gregg built the Equinox as a Model home and a residence to demonstrate it’s positive energy.

Since August the Equinox has been running on it’s own power being generated by the sun.

It also generates enough Extra Electricity to operate a Plug In Hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius Prime for about 8,000 commuter miles just on Excess Electricity. The finished home with Solar was built for under $200,000.00.

The Equinox heats and cools via Panasonic Eco Solutions High Performance Heat Pumps, Panasonic Solar Modules, and Panasonic ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) with filtering capability to 14 MERV. Plus additional, exhausts, transfer fans, etc. by Panasonic.

Lighting is cheap thanks to LED technologies.

The walls and roof are from EPS Buildings in Graettinger, IA. These SIPS Walls and Roof are 2.5 times stronger than conventional framing methods. The Equinox is built on a Frost Free Foundation which creates a high performance floor that both retains the earths temperature and offers cooling in the summer time. One of the three Baths is ADA (American Disabilities Act) featured. Being an all Electric home with

Heating and Cooling Filtered Air Supply Solar Modules

no open flame and no basement, insurance BUILDER: EquinoxEnergyHomes rates are quite low. As a forever home, the hallways are 3 feet wide, 36 inch doors and no PHONE : 515-720-0463 entrance stairs, thus affording the Homeowner DRIVING DIRECTIIONS: Along no impediments should a need for a wheelchair I-35, South on 40 St, Right on 27th arise.

The Equinox features also include, control by Ave, Right on 32nd St. Alexa, automatic vacuum cleaning, automatic DATE/TIME: April 27: 5-8 PM, lawn mowing by Stihl, lawn watering, etc. An E April 28: 1-4 PM, April 29: 1-4 PM Garage will be built this summer for additional Emergency Energy, which will house other E FEATURED CONTRACTORS: EPS devices, such as E Bikes, E Scooter, E Mopeds, Buildings, Currier Electric, Big Mikes etc. We all know that someday, that hole in the Plumbing, Shane Munson Construction Ground will be depleted (fossil fuels) why don’t we use Solar, and save an estimated $230,000.00 in Energy bills.

I am proud of this home, and my hope is that it shows you can do it for reasonable dollars and be energy free. I think a lot of people would be happy to live this way.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

PAGE 5

250 SUMAC, MASON CITY BUILDER: MICHAEL & ANDY RYE • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: RYE CONSTRUCTION

By Elda Stone

T

he Rye family has been building homes for North Iowans for over 100 years. Mike and Andy Rye, cousins, currently head Rye Construction, the business their fathers started in 1972. They are fifth-generation carpenters. Their ancestor Chris Rye built the Stockman House, a Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned home in Mason City, according to Mike.

“We started working with our dads when we were 15 or 16,” Mike Rye said. The company specializes in all aspects of commercial and residential construction.

The latest creation of the Rye building tradition is a brand new four-bedroom home at 250 Sumac Road, in the Asbury subdivision of Mason City. Construction started last August, and the home is now for sale. It joins five other homes built by Rye Construction in this neighborhood. Listing agent Jennifer Ramaeker with River City Iowa Realty also happens to be Mike and Andy Rye’s aunt.

The one-story house has 1,900 square feet on the main level, with the basement level adding another 1,900 square feet of finished and unfinished spaces. Its light gray exterior siding is set off by white trim and a stone accent wall at the front entrance. There’s plenty of vehicle space, with a three-stall garage entered from the side street.

“This is a nice floor plan, and we’ve put a lot of extras in,” Mike

said.

Just inside the front door is a completely open kitchen and living area, with great natural light. Plentiful, white Shaker cabinets provide high contrast to the flooring, 3/4-inch maple hardwood in a dark slate stain called Iron Hill. The entire home design uses popular complementary colors of white, gray, taupe, and slate.

The L-shaped kitchen work area and island are finished with variegated granite countertops.

The backsplash is a white, rippled subway tile. An island contains the sink and dishwasher space. Faced with stone visible from the living area, it also provides high-counter seating for meals and entertaining.

There also is room for a dining table by sliding glass doors. Just outside, a covered porch area could be closed in for a future three-season room, Mike suggested.

He noted that the house features all Andersen Windows, “top of the line as far as windows go,” and 90 percent of the lighting uses LED bulbs. “This home is energyefficient and should have fairly low energy bills.”

The carpeted master bedroom, 18 by 14.5 feet, leads off from the center of the home behind the kitchen.

Two more bedrooms, both 14 by 12 feet, are situated on the other side of the house. A fourth bedroom, 16 by 15 feet, is located on the lower level.

Each bedroom has a walk-in closet.

The master bath features a white vanity topped with marble-toned quartz and double sinks. Next to a jetted soaker tub is a large walk-in shower. Long subway tile in graytaupe covers the high shower walls and built-in bench, contrasting with white hexagonal floor tile.

On the other side of the house, a second bathroom features a tub/ shower combination. This time, a charcoal-gray quartz countertop and floor tile with a natural stone look contrast with the white cabinet and linen closet.

The main floor also includes a laundry room and powder room.

The lower level, reached by stairs just inside the front door, offers two generously-sized carpeted living spaces with garden egress windows.

“These two areas might be used for a theater room, game room, office space, or family room,” Mike suggested. There are three unfinished storage areas in the basement.

A downstairs bathroom, convenient for the bedroom as well as the multi-purpose rooms, includes a walk-in shower. With similar white cabinets and ceramic tile floor to the upstairs bath, this room sports a speckled gray quartz counter.

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTOR • Daley’s Plumbing & Heating

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

2207 NORTH SHORE DRIVE, CLEAR LAKE BUILDER: SCOTT PAULSON • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: PAULSON CONSTRUCTION

By Elda Stone

P

aulson Construction brought the lake into a lakeside home that had previously focused inward.

Scott Paulson, with his sons Matt and Joe, gutted the house at 2207 N. Shore Drive and opened up cramped rooms to showcase the lake views.

The family has been in the business of new construction and remodeling for 24 years, in the Clear Lake and Forest City areas. Scott and his sons did nearly all the work on this home themselves, with the exception of electrical and drywall jobs.

“This is probably the eleventh house I’ve done this way,” Scott Paulson said. “We buy, fix them up, and re-sell them. But I also have house plans if someone wants to build a new custom home.”

The home’s exterior can be deceiving. A well-designed floor plan provides substantially-sized rooms, with a total of 2,500 square feet of

living space.

“We’ve remodeled the home completely,” Paulson said. “We used steel beams to open rooms that used to be closed off.”

The main floor used to be divided up by a bedroom, narrow hallway, a walled kitchen, and a small living room with only one window onto the lake. Now the first view when entering the home is the large glass patio doors with spectacular views of the huge deck and Clear Lake.

Open and inviting, this area is a prime gathering spot for family and friends.

The kitchen cabinets, made of knotty alder wood, are customcrafted to the full ceiling height.

Glass-front doors on the area over the microwave provide a space for display. A stone backsplash from counter to ceiling surrounds the stainless steel range hood. Stone

and alder wood on the kitchen island complete the look, with bar seating on one side of the island and a stainless steel sink on the other.

Textured bamboo flooring unites the open areas. There’s plenty of room for a large dining table in the space opposite the kitchen. Comfortable seating in the living room takes advantage of the wood-burning fireplace as well as a ringside view of the lake.

The home’s living space extends out onto a massive, double-level cedar deck built around mature trees.

This is the place for entertaining or relaxing through three seasons.

There is room for a fire pit, grill, two patio tables, and decorative planters. Stairs lead down a stonereinforced seawall to the private dock.

Paulson said he thought it was important to keep one bedroom on

the main floor. Located towards the street side of the house, the carpeted bedroom has easy access to the hall bath. This bathroom includes a spacious shower, an alder vanity with white countertop, and tile floor.

The main floor also features a laundry alcove off of the three-stall garage. The stacked washer and dryer share space with a second refrigerator and large storage closet.

An unfinished basement provides additional storage.

Two-panel wood doors throughout the home match the cabinets used in the kitchen. Rooms are painted in a gray-taupe color, offset by clean white trim. Paulson installed all-new Pella Windows in the house.

On the second level, original wooden dressers built into the eaves retain the home’s rustic character.

There’s also an original cedar-lined closet at the top of the stairs.

A huge lakeside bedroom has room for two full-size beds, or it could be used as a family room. It has its own bathroom with a shower.

Interesting bookshelves and storage cabinets are built into the walls.

The master bedroom and a fourth bedroom occupy the street side of the upper floor. They share a sitting porch for enjoying a cup of coffee or watching golfers across North Shore Drive. The master bath includes a double vanity, jetted tub and separate shower, with large square tile evocative of natural stone. A second door makes this bath accessible from the hall.

The Paulsons have been renting out the home for family vacations through VRBO.com, but hope to sell it this spring. His next project is building a new home on lakeshore property he owns at 3507 N. Shore Drive.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

PAGE 7

2347 PING CT., MASON CITY BUILDER: LARRY ELWOOD • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: LARRY ELWOOD CONSTRUCTION

By Elda Stone

E

lwood Construction has a long history in Mason City, starting with Larry Elwood nearly 44 years ago. His son Troy is carrying on the business, as acting president of the company, with business partner Al Eckenrod.

The latest addition to the Elwood construction legacy is a twin home at 2347 Ping Court, finished in 2017.

“We’ve done almost 95 percent of the homes out here in the Fairways addition,” Troy El-wood said.

“Larry’s land development has been concentrated here.”

Larry and his wife Zelda have enjoyed building and decorating homes throughout their lives. Troy said he grew up in multiple houses, as his parents built or remodeled homes and moved on to the next one.

The four-bedroom home offers the kind of living that Troy said appeals to retired couples or busy professionals. With 1,726 square feet per floor, the house is spacious and finely finished with at-tention to detail.

“A twin home is really two individual homes put together,” Larry Elwood said. “You still have privacy and comfort. In this development, your lawn care is done, your snow removal is done. You can work hard and play hard and enjoy luxury living.”

Larry explained that the twin home is double-walled and double-insulated between each side, with one inch of space between the panels for extra soundproofing. “So living side by side, your floor doesn’t touch mine, and your wall doesn’t touch mine.”

The home also is exceptionally energy-efficient. “Today’s building codes adopted in Mason City are very stringent on energy efficiency,” Larry said.

The open concept main floor of the Ping Court home has 9-foot ceilings, going up to a 10-foot tray ceiling in the living room.

One side of the massive kitchen features white Woodharbor cabinetry in a classic contemporary style. Gray cabinets make up a buffet area on the other side, with a gray island in the middle of the room. The buffet includes a built-in wine rack and beverage refrigerator. The white cupboards and island are topped with Cambria quartz counters in a light color, while the gray buffet has a darker slab. Stainless steel appliances and hardware unite the room.

“The appliances are all top-notch Jenn-Air brand,” Troy said. “There’s a double oven, plus an in-duction stove top on the island.”

The flooring throughout the living and kitchen area is shaved birch in a rich brown color. “It really complements the casement work and makes a transition from painted wood to old-style carpentry,” he said. “The flooring has depth and a little bit of texture to it.”

Walls throughout the home are painted a color called Mega Greige, which is somewhere between a beige and a gray. “It goes with everything and looks natural,” Troy said. “It used to be every room had a different color. Now we use one paint color, and it’s the decorations that set the tone in every room.”

There’s plenty of room for a large dining table to bridge the kitchen and living room. Two facing sofas in the living room share the view of the television and a wall-mounted electric fire feature. A small deck outside is enclosed for privacy and has a pergola overhead for shade.

A master bedroom off the living room includes a private bathroom with attached walk-in closet. The bath has a soaking tub, with an alcove built into the opposite wall with room for a small televi-sion.

There also is a walk-in shower with custom tiling and a double vanity.

Just inside the home’s front door is a small bedroom currently set up as an office, plus a small powder

room with white cabinet and quartz counter.

The stairs to the lower level are carpeted in a subtle taupe print, leading to a big family room with a bright garden-level window. Off to the side is an extra storage or game room with painted concrete floor and an additional furnace and storage area.

Two bedrooms on the lower level share a full bathroom with a tub and shower combination and similar finishes to the main floor bath.

Elwood Construction is now starting to build exclusively with structurally insulated panels (SIPS).

The business is a dealer for these pre-engineered building panels made

by EPS, of Graettinger, Io-wa. “This is an exceedingly better product with a little less effort and high energy efficiency,” Larry said.

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • • • • •

McCloskey Appliance Woodharbor Clear Lake Bank & Trust Flooring America Overhead Door Company of Mason City • Budget Blinds