Where to start?

Steve and I (mostly Steve) have been very busy with a new campaign for RollingBrock Homes.  We have been redesigning our website and creating a sales brochure to help establish the remodeling services that many people didn't even know RollingBrock offers. For years RollingBrock has earned a good reputation for being a top quality new home builder but we want to broaden our company to appeal to a larger audience.  There are still many good reasons to build a new home, but the reality is that not as many people are willing or able to take on that challenge.Many people who own a home want to modify it to their needs and changing family. We would like to serve those clients that need any help with projects around their homes. Simply, our goal is to be a leader in in all types of residential construction services.

With all of the do-it yourself programming on television, people get inspired to do a project, but what they don't see with these programs is what we call the "front end" of the project.  There is a lot of planning involved when starting any project in your home.  Many think that it looks easy, so they start a project only to find out that they didn't plan ahead for unexpected surprises. So there it sits in the middle of the project, the TV show is over and there is no direction on how to get over that hurdle and you need help.
Steve and I can help with this process. We can help you plan and design for the project you intend to perform. We can help you with the project you are stuck with. We can help you manage the project throughout or we can most certainly do the project for you.  Take advantage of our expertise to help. You will be surprised that with a little planning, your build can result in the vision that you have and the satisfaction of a project well done.

If you want to see some of the projects we've completed or learn more about RollingBrock please check out our new website www.rollingbrock.com !

Government Help?

I don't think I'm alone when I see articles or news reports about all the federal "stimulus" money available to help first time home buyers, or for homeowners to remodel the homes they live in. The problem I have though is, where do we find it?

I received a call from my finance guy and he asked me if I had heard of the new Affordable Advantage Program. I had not and he sent me a brochure explaining the highlights of the program. I was intrigued that this program existed. It sounded too good to be true. After some research on the internet, I was surprised to find other programs that offered help in either purchasing a home or remodeling your existing home.

In trying to find a new niche in the residential industry, I find that a lot of families just don't know where to get started. Steve and I hope to provide at the very least, some advice of where to start. At times it can seem overwhelming. But like all things, once you start, you always say why did I wait so long to get the ball rolling.

With that said, below is a short list of programs to consider when trying to fund your next project. Feel free to contact us with any questions or help that you need. We'd be glad to help!

First Time Home Buyers:
Affordable Advantage Program is a program that allows first time buyers to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price of a new home while only contributing $1000 as a down payment.

Mortgage programs for first time home buyers is also where you can find other programs available to first time home buyers.

Remodeling Loans:
Minnesota Fix-up Fund is a statewide program that offers loans at below market interest rates to homeowners.

Home Energy Loan Program is a statewide program that offers low interest loans to homeowners that want to make energy improvements to their properties.

What's on your list?

I am enjoying a couple hours of rest and watching the Vikings game this afternoon but I can't ever seem to completely relax.  All I can think about is the "honey do" list of things I want to get done around the house.  Does this happen to anyone else?  Maybe it's the nice weather outside and the impending doom of winter hanging in the air that makes me want to tackle some of those outside tasks.  Maybe it's just because I'm not happy unless I'm working on a project.  This summer has been full of different projects, (most involving re landscaping the yard) but the list grows longer.  Things like tiling, painting, caulking, and staining.  What's even more interesting are the things that you know need attention but don't even make your list because it's so unlikely you'll ever get them done.  As a contractor I take a great deal of pride in the finished product that we give our clients and I think that our clients would attest to that, but I often fall short of the same level of attention on my own house.  For instance, when I finished building my house 10 years ago there were a few windows that didn't get finished (polyurethane sealer) on the inside.  They are still that way today.  It would be unacceptable to leave an unfinished product like that for a customer.  To make it worse, I have the experience and all of the tools and supplies at my disposal to do this but am resigned to the fact that it won't happen for whatever reason.  I'd like to know what some of the things are on your list and what (other than lack of time) keeps you from getting them done.  One of the services that Kurt and I would like to provide to our family, friends, and clients is advice about how to get started with the projects that you can't seem to get off the ground.

Reflecting on almost 10 years in business

As homework for rebuilding our website, I have been pouring through old pictures to find the best shots to use to show what RollingBrock can do.  It's brought back a lot of old memories of some of our first projects.  In 2001 Kurt and I took a chance and started a brand new company by building houses in St Michael.  Since then we've remodeled houses, torn others down, and been in the parade of homes 5 times.  We've pounded nails, poured concrete, painted a lot of walls, and planted a few trees.   Below is a picture of the two of us standing in front of our first sale.  Embarrassing picture aside, Kurt and I are very proud that we've been able to build the company from scratch to over $9 million in sales and satisfied customers in neighborhoods all across the twin cities in just over 9 years.  It's been a lean market for construction over the last couple years but we are still going strong and looking forward to tackling all of the challenges that lie ahead.

Hello... Everyone?

Well, this is the first entry for the Rolling and Brock blog.  Since I'm posting this before we have any followers I guess the appropriate question to ask is, "If a tree falls in the forest and nobody follows it's blog, did anybody hear about it?

Although we are just starting out on this blog, we hope to build a strong allegiance of followers over time.  Kurt and I will post our opinions on a wide variety of topics both related and unrelated to construction.  We welcome any comments or questions that you may have about your home projects.

Many changes are on the horizon for RollingBrock Homes.  We are very excited to be working on a new website and will keep you posted on the progress.  We are also getting much more involved with the remodeling side of construction although we will always stay connected with new construction.

We hope that you enjoy what we have to share.