Everybody on the East Coast knows that the Poconos is a great place to escape and stay cool during the summer, but the Poconos region offers plenty of year-round activities. And winter is no exception. While plenty of people come for the skiing in the winter, there’s much more than just skiing in Pennsylvania’s winter wonderland.

For decades, the Poconos region has been a popular vacation and “get-way” spot for East Coast residents. In recent years, however, the Poconos have increasingly become popular as a place for East Coasters to get away and live! Whether they are looking for a vacation home, a primary family home, or a place to which they can retire, people are looking at the Poconos as an ideal place to build a home. But before you pull up stakes where you are, there is some information you should be aware of. Let’s look at 8 things to know about the Poconos before your move there.

With ski resorts for snowy getaways and beautiful lakes for summer vacations, the Pocono Mountains area is the ultimate all-season destination that’s been attracting visitors for over a century. The most shocking thing about the Poconos isn't that they are 71 miles from New York or that the schools are great or that the area is a natural wonderland minutes from quaint towns and thriving cultural communities... It's the price of buying a new home.

We’ve been building custom homes for more than 35 years, and without question, the one question we’ve probably been asked more than any other is, “What is it going to cost to build a home in the Poconos?” You know what? We really don’t mind that question at all! As a homeowner, you have to ask that question. It would be foolish not to do so.

Sometimes buying a new home feels a little bit like a big bowl of alphabet soup. You’re exposed to acronyms that you don’t run into anywhere else. You have to deal with PITI (Principle/Interest/Taxes/Insurance) on your mortgage loan. You may find yourself comparing HVAC (Heating Venting Air Conditioning) systems. In a lot of cases, you’ll find yourself in a relationship with an HOA (Home Owners Association). There’s one acronym, however, you may not be familiar with that can make a big difference when building your new Poconos home. What is RESNET® and why does it matter?

The beginning of a new year often gives people pause to consider new opportunities. For some people that might include the consideration of buying or building a new home. Before you jump into a major decision like that, there are things you’ll want to evaluate—including the timing. Should you buy or build a new home in 2020? Let’s look at a few things you’ll want to think about before deciding.

First of all, when it comes to building a new home, you may need to adjust your understanding of “perfection.” While we all know the tagline from Lexus— “The Unwavering Pursuit of Perfection”—nobody actually expects a car to be perfect. It’s the same with building a home. Minor imperfections are part of the building process. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for less than you want. You can still walk into your new home with a huge sigh of satisfaction.  With that in mind, let’s look at 4 ways to achieve “perfection” in your new home build.

Your home is unlike any other building. It’s much more personal. It’s where you relax and enjoy yourself in an intimate surrounding. It’s why so many people want to build a place that exudes charm and character.  So, let’s take a look at how to get the most charm and character when building a new home.

What are the most important features to include when you’re building a new home? There are plenty of design and décor experts who can tell you about the hottest new colors, fabrics, and styles. Styles come and go. Building trends, on the other hand, are a reflection of things that make a home more comfortable and convenient. Let’s look at some of the 5 top features to add when building your home.