Mark Johnson Custom Homes Blog

Wilmington home builder and remodeler Mark Johnson Custom Homes has been nationally recognized as Sater Design Collection’s “Builder of the Year.” It’s the first annual award ceremony for the firm, which is one of the most recognized luxury home plan design firms in the country.

Home builders across the country submitted their Sater Design Collection homes to the contest, and it was Mark Johnson Custom Homes who was awarded the top prize for the “Massimo” home plan. The home is located in the Landfall community of Wilmington.  Mark Johnson, founder of Mark Johnson Custom Homes, said, “We are extremely proud of the award and believe it exemplifies how our ‘dedication to the details’ produces a luxury home of the highest quality. We have previously built Sater Design Collection homes, and to be recognized not only at a national level, but for building one of their designs, is very special.”

This isn’t the first time Mark Johnson Custom Homes was recognized on the national level; they have previously been acknowledged by ICF Builder, The Concrete Producer and the National Association of Home Builders.

Visit MarkJohnsonCustomHomes.com to learn more about their company and what differentiates their home building process from any other. For more information about Sater Design Collection, visit SaterDesign.com.

About Mark Johnson Custom Homes

Mark Johnson Custom Homes is a family-owned business in Wilmington, NC. They specialize in new custom home construction and remodeling. They have excelled not only in custom home construction, but in multi-family construction, concrete construction, LEED for Homes Platinum, energy efficient/sustainable remodels and renovations. They have been recognized nationally and locally for their customer service, safety and “green” initiatives.

The Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center is a non-profit organization in Wilmington, NC that partners with other non-profits to increase their range of community involvement. The center focuses on everything from assistance for housing, health care, employment and family support, with the ultimate goal of “rebuilding lives through services” for those in need. And Wilmington custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes is proud to be a supporter of this amazing organization.

The Harrelson Center depends on generous donations and key partnerships with other organizations to increase opportunities for so many people in the Cape Fear area. Their needs vary throughout the year, so to become involved, donate or see their “Current Need” list. And thank you to everyone at the Harrelson Center for your dedication to making our community a better one!

Don’t miss the Wilmington, NC real estate community’s largest annual gathering! The 2014 Wilmington Real Estate Summit & Awards takes place Nov. 18 at the Wilmington Convention Center. And you can use this discount code — mjsummit — to save $10 on an all-access pass to the summit.

If you’re a New Hanover County resident, you’re in luck! The following events are completely free for you to enjoy year-round. Stay tuned to our blog for more attractions in and around Wilmington, NC, including those that are discounted or free for designated days of the year for New Hanover County residents.

• Federal Point History Center: Free admission, but admission may apply for special events and tours. 1121 North Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC. Open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am-4pm.
• Fort Fisher State Historic Site: Free admission, however donations are welcome. Highway 421, Kure Beach, NC. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-5pm.
• Hannah Block Historic USO and Community Arts Center: Free admission to tour the lobby, but admission applies for special events and rentals. 2nd and Orange Streets, Wilmington, NC. Open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.
• New Hanover County Arboretum: Free admission, however donations are welcome. Admission may apply for special events. 6206 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC. Open every day from 8am-5pm.
• New Hanover County Senior Resource Center: Free admission for NHC residents ages 55+, but admission may apply for special events and workshops. 2222 South College Rd., Wilmington, NC. Open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm.
• North Carolina Military History Museum: Fort Fisher Military Recreation Area on Riverfront Road near Kure Beach. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-4pm.
• Wrightsville Beach Museum of History: Free admission, however donations are welcome. Charges may apply for special events. 303 West Salisbury St., Wrightsville Beach, NC. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-4pm, Saturday from 12pm-5pm and Sunday from 1pm-5pm.

If you take advantage of any of these attractions, let us know how you enjoyed it on Facebook or Twitter!

Photo courtesy of intracoastalrealty.com

If you’re looking to increase your home’s efficiency and reduce heating costs, a geothermal heating system is one of the many ways you can achieve just that. Also called a ground source heat pump, the system uses the earth as a source of heat in the winter. While the initial installation costs are higher than traditional heating systems, they pay for themselves in 3-10 years. Couple that with tax credits or incentives for Green initiatives, you could see your costs recouped even earlier!

Mark Johnson Custom Homes is currently installing geothermal heat pumps at two custom homes in Landfall, more specifically a closed loop geothermal heating system. There are various designs and options available, but the closed loop system requires two refrigerant loops be installed with a mix of water and antifreeze.

For more information on geothermal heating systems for your custom home or remodel, contact us today!

The Pretty in Pink Foundation is a North Carolina-based organization that provides financial assistance for uninsured or under-insured breast cancer patients. With the help of generous sponsors and fundraisers, they help these breast cancer Champions (survivors) through all stages of their journey. The Pretty in Pink Foundation helps these Champions receive lifesaving treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and more.

And that’s why Mark Johnson Custom Homes is excited to be a sponsor of the Pink Fashion Walk Gala! The 2014 Gala is at the Coastline Convention Center in downtown Wilmington on Friday, September 12th, 2014. We hope you will join us for an evening of entertainment, delicious cuisine and drinks and the latest fashions. And to make the event even more special, the Fashion Walk models are 40 local cancer Champions! Thanks to Camille’s of Wilmington for graciously donating the evening’s fashions.

For more information on the Pretty in Pink Foundation’s Pink Fashion Walk Gala, contact Joy Wade at 910-620-9871 or jwade@prettyinpinkfoundation.org. And click here to donate today

Building a custom home may be seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Mark Johnson Custom Homes believes in “dedication to the details,” which includes walking through all of those details with you and creating the custom home of your dreams.

But if you’re at the beginning stages of considering a custom home, and would like to start your research online, the National Association of Home Builders is an excellent resource!  The NAHB offers free articles and videos that cover every aspect of home building, including: financing, green building, the latest designs, and even tips to sell the home you are currently in. Check out their “Buying or Building Your Home” page to access all of these resources today!

And to request a free custom home consultation with Mark Johnson, contact us today!

The summer season is winding down, so it’s the perfect time to prepare for winter months. So we’ve compiled a convenient list of tips for homeowners to make sure your home is ready for colder weather.

1. Check your faucets in and outside of the home for leaks and repair them. Waiting until the temperature drops could be more costly if a pipe breaks.
2. Complete tasks that should be done during warmer months while you can. This includes interior painting and cleaning or replacing carpeting.
3. Schedule a heating system check-up from a professional, who will also check for possible carbon monoxide leaks. Remember to change your filters every month, and clean your heating ducts and vents.
4. Prevent drafts! Replace window seals and door weather stripping if needed to prevent heat from escaping in the winter.
5. Inspect your roof and clean out gutters. Being proactive will help find any leaks in the roof and prevent damage from clogged gutters.

Mark Johnson Custom Homes is one of the few home builders in Wilmington, NC that are a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. The certification is a National Home Builders Association program that focuses on home modifications that will allows elderly or handicapped homeowners to stay in their homes. The program also is aimed at to help middle age homeowners planning for their parents and themselves.

On average, people live three years longer if they stay in their own home, they are happier and save money. And most adults prefer aging-in-place. “A Report to the National Livable Communities: Creative Environments for Successful Aging” found that 90% of adults 65 years old and older would prefer to stay in their current residence as they age.

Mark Johnson Custom Homes analyzes individual homeowner’s needs with occupational and physical therapists, who work with the homeowner’s doctors,  to create a plan of action. With a focused approach and innovative designs, the integrity of the home stays intact, allowing these homes to feel more like their homes, rather than a an assisted living facility. The growing number of candidates for aging-in-place is growing in Wilmington and its surrounding areas, which is why this topic has been featured in a recent Lumina News article.

Accommodating a handicapped or elderly homeowner is so much more than wider doorways or handicapped bars. It’s all about learning more about the clients’ needs and planning for the future. For more information on aging-in-place home renovations, contact us today!