It’s that time of year again!

Spring is the time of year when everyone comes out of hibernation and the excitement of finding new perspective in our surroundings starts greets us around every corner. Being surrounded by new growth, fresh air, and warmth awakens a need in all of us to purge our homes of the old and create a fresh start in our environment that’s as refreshing and light as spring itself. Hence “Spring Cleaning”! Whether you’re staying in your current home or you’ve been looking for a custom home builder in Peoria-Dunlap to really start off fresh this spring, there’s nothing like a clean home to bring winter-weary families together in an age old tradition.

Here are some helpful tips that will hopefully make your spring cleaning a successful one! Remember: dedicating yourself to the details is what will make your results shine. That’s what helps us stand out as a Peoria-Dunlap custom home builder and will make your home stand out as clean and pristine.

1.        Make a List

Yes, this sounds like the most obvious step, but making a list of each room you would like to tackle and listing out every task, especially those not normally done, can be incredibly helpful. This list will not only keep you organized, but will also allow those helping you to know what needs to be done. Plus, who doesn’t like to cross something off a list? This small act can keep you motivated to accomplish items until the whole list is nothing but scratches and scribbles!

2.        Get All the Right Supplies

This may seem like another obvious pointer, but it’s important to make sure you start with everything you need. It’s never fun after all your helpers are there, the list is made, and you’ve cranked up “The Eye of the Tiger,” to find out that you don’t have any paper towels and need to run to the store.

3.        Take Your Time & Take Breaks!

Speeding through a spring cleaning is recipe for missed corners and an unfinished product. Take your time and really put some elbow grease into those smudges. Your home and later satisfaction will thank you even if your shoulders don’t! Also, take some breaks. Cleaning, believe it or not, is actually quite the workout. Make sure you are well rested, eat some hearty meals, and don’t be afraid to take some time to play around on Facebook. Just remember to get back to cleaning eventually!

4.        Declutter  

Spring cleaning is a great time to look through those old boxes and closets and find things you don’t really need. Making “keep,” “toss,” and “donate/sell,” boxes is a great way to take the plunge and get rid of those old Meatloaf albums!

5.        Start From the Top Down

Vacuuming the floor before dusting the fan blades is not the greatest idea. When you first tackle a room, start with the light fixtures and walls. Then move down to the tall furniture, shelves, and lamps. Once those items at eye level are spic-and-span, head to the sofas, chairs, coffee table knick knacks, etc. Lastly, hit that floor with everything you can muster because you’re almost done!

Hopefully these tips have given you some motivation to head to the closet and pull out that dust mop. Let us know if you have any creative ways of completing your spring cleaning on our Facebook page, and remember, “Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don’t do it!”

Happy Cleaning!

The rendering of our new home in the Peoria-Dunlap area

3100 St. Charles in progress!

O’Neal Builders is excited to introduce our new home in Peoria, IL,  3100 St. Charles Place. This open and luxurious floor plan boasts custom designed cabinetry, granite countertops, stone backsplashes, hand-scraped hickory floors, and exquisite exterior façades with brick and stone detailing. With its eye catching angled garage design and location in the renowned Attingham Park Subdivision, we know that 3100 St. Charles Place will be one of the most coveted homes in the Peoria-Dunlap area for 2013.

See the full list of details and features of this home here, or contact us today to request more information about 3100 St. Charles Place and other new homes in Peoria-Dunlap, IL from O’Neal Builders, Central Illinois premiere custom home builder.

3100 St. Charles Place, a true example of how O’Neal Builders is Dedicated To The Details.

David Current and his wife, Julie

It’s time for our monthly “Meet the Team” blog post! This month we are highlighting David Current, our hardworking draftsmen and estimator that helps bring our Peoria Custom Homes to life. David graduated through ISU’s construction management program in 2007, and has been working with us since he graduated. David exhibits a passion for designing high quality custom homes in the Peoria area filled with details and the O’Neal Builders touch.

David has been married to his wife Julie for two and a half years, and on February 22^nd they will be expecting their first child! David was kind enough to answer a few questions so that you could get to know him better. Check them out!

So David…

What is your favorite part of the job?

Probably the fact that every day is different. From drafting, to purchasing, to estimating, no day seems to be quite the same as the previous one!

What is your favorite room in the house?

The kitchen, for sure.

What is your favorite color?

Green.

What would your dream home look like?

A rustic log cabin.

What is your favorite thing to do in the spring?

Being outside doing something athletic, or working in the yard.

What is your favorite quote or piece of advice?

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Do you like light or dark cabinets?

Dark cabinets.

What is your dream vacation destination?

Where my wife and I went for our honeymoon, Jamaica.

Whether you’re building a custom home in the Peoria – Dunlap area or the Bloomington – Normal area, David will be right there to help you design the beautiful  custom home of your dreams – One Detail At A Time.

Join us next month as we spotlight the owner and president of O’Neal Builders, Jim O’Neal. He’ll answer some of our questions and tell us what inspired him to center O’Neal Builders around detail.

Peoria Custom Home Available For Sale

Great news!  According to housing and real estate experts 2013 is going to be an excellent year for home sales and housing prices, which means that if you’ve been sitting on the fence about building your Peoria custom home, it’s time to take action. The U.S. housing market in 2012 proved to be the most successful stimulator to the national economy above all other sectors.  Economists expect the housing market to continue improving this calendar year.

Because of this uptick in home sales, other industries begin to see growth, in what we like to call the “trickle-down effect.” Every time a new home is built or sold, industries such as furniture manufactures, department stores, and restaurants profit greatly. When the demand for homes increases, the local and national economies feel the effects.  Higher home values give customers and builders more confidence to go out and spend money or make investments, which also stimulates the real estate market and broader economy.

Know that when you build your custom home in Peoria, you’re helping stimulate the economy at local level, with a family company who loves everything about building new homes in Central Illinois. Discover the difference between a house and a Peoria Custom home – you’ll find that it’s all in the details.

Join us this year, February 22-24 for Peoria’s 2013 Official Spring Home Show! If you are looking for a new home in Peoria-Dunlap, this is a show that you will definitely not want to miss. We are excited to announce that O’Neal Builders will be featured as one of the Home Construction Exhibitors for this year’s show where you can learn all about new home options in the Peoria-Dunlap area. As you walk around the many trade booths make sure to stop by and say hi! We’d love to shake your hand and meet you in-person.

From the K9 Frisbee Show to Midwest Grillin’ cooking, there will be fun for the whole family, and of course O’Neal Builders will be there to showcase their newest Peoria-Dunlap homes. Meet the team and share with us your vision for your next dream home! Doors open at 4 P.M. Friday the 22^nd. Let us meet you and your family and share some exciting designs and projects we have in store for this year in the Peoria-Dunlap area!

Bill Fry ~ O’Neal Builders’ Project Manager

O’Neal Builders is excited to introduce our “Meet the Team” blog post! This month we asked our Project Manager, Bill Fry some questions so you can get to know one of our team players – this guy spearheads everything whether you’re building your home in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign or Urbana. Bill has been with O’Neal Builders for 10 years and was a framing contractor for 20 years before he joined the O’Neal Team. Married to his wife Sue for 20 years, Bill has been fascinated by construction since a very early age. Bill manages all of O’Neal’s jobsites, and facilitates our vendors and trades’ schedules to make sure your custom home in Peoria is finished on time.

So tell us, Bill…

What is your favorite part of your job?

Watching the home transform from a pile of wood and bricks into a home for a family in such a short time.

What’s your favorite room in a house?

Oh definitely the theatre room, when it’s completely decked out with all the features.

What’s your favorite color?

Brown.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the winter?

Relax at home, while watching the Bears or Cowboys.

What’s your favorite piece of advice?

Do it right the first time so you don’t have to redo it!

Carpet or hardwood?

Carpet for the living areas and hardwood for the rest.

Dream vacation?

Barcelo Maya

How would you describe your dream home?

A ranch walk-out with a full theatre room and a lot of open space.

If you visit our Peoria home building sites, you’re bound to see Bill working hard to deliver beautiful, warm and inviting homes to O’Neal clients and living up to our promise that your Peoria custom home will be spectacular – One Detail At A Time.

Stay tuned when we bring you more of your favorite Peoria Home Building team where we say hi to our Purchase and Estimating Manager David Current.

Here’s a great recipe to warm you and your family up this January. There’s nothing better than enjoying a warm hot chocolate in your home,

Ingredients

3      cups fat-free milk

1     14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

½     14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (2/3-cup)

2     tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

½     teaspoon vanilla

Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

1/4  cup chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. In medium saucepan combine fat-free milk, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Whisk in cocoa powder until well-combined.

2. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve in mugs topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Makes 5 (1-cup) servings.

Enjoy!

Avoid the post-holiday doldrums with these fun events happening in the Bloomington-Normal and Peoria-Dunlap areas. Part of the fun of building your dream home in Central Illinois is knowing what’s going on around you and O’Neal Builders is here to help you plan your family calendar One Detail At A Time.

Relay for Life Charity Ball- January 12, 5 p.m. @ The Chateau

Hosted by Team Owen, the formal Charity Ball will feature a silent auction, live music, cosmetic design, and more! Dinner is included in the price of the ticket. Join them January 12, at 5:00PM at the Chateau in Bloomington to raise proceeds for the Relay for Life 2013. E-mail or call Team Owen for ticket information @ 309-212-4601, teamowen@live.com

Zac Brown Band- January 12, 7 p.m. @ the Peoria Civic Center

The Peoria Civic Center is proud to host the Zac Brown Band on January 12 at 7:00PM. This multiplatinum, GRAMMY-winning outfit throws down every night with expert musicianship, hearty Southern rock, and an unparalleled fan experience. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com or peoriaciviccenter.com.

2013 World Championship Motorcycle Ice Racing- January 12, 7:30 p.m. @ U.S. Cellular Coliseum

Bring your kids to the most exciting thrill experience this January as professional ice motorcyclists battle for the coveted world championship title on January 12. The races begin at 7:30, tickets are available at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum box office or through Ticketmaster: $18 for Adults and $10 for kids.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – January 15 to 16, 7:30 p.m. @ the Peoria Civic Center

The smash hit Broadway musical based off Academy-Award winning animated feature film is coming to the Peoria Civic Center January 15-16 at 7:30PM. Bring your kids to a magical Broadway experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com.

Winter Jam 2013 -January 27th, 6:00 p.m. @ the Peoria Civic Center

This Christian music concert tour has become the #1 tour in the world (first quarter) for two consecutive years. On January 27^th starting at 6:00, Winter Jam 2013 will be headlined by GRAMMY®-winning, multi-platinum recording artist TobyMac, and will also feature artists like RED, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Sidewalk Prophets and Royal Tailor. Located at the Peoria Civic Center, tickets are just $10 at the door!

Bradley Basketball VS. Illinois State University – January 29th, 7:00 p.m. @ the Peoria Civic Center

Watch as the two Central Illinois Universities face off head to head in this exciting rivalry game on January 29 at 7:00PM at the Peoria Civic Center. Tickets range from $8-$35, and are available at the Peoria Civic Center box office.

Do you know of any other events? Help us spread the word on our Facebook Page!

The team at O’Neal Builders is excited to announce the start of our newest available home in Peoria, IL 3100 St. Charles Place in the beautiful Attingham Park Development. This Peoria-Dunlap custom home offers the functional and spacious layout that you have come to love in O’Neal Builders’ homes.  Our newest floor plan includes a newly designed first, second floor and three-car garage!

Groundbreaking began this week, and we invite you to follow along on our Facebook page with the progress of this gorgeous home. Our available homes have been selling fast, but 3100 St. Charles Place is still available for a lucky buyer to integrate selections that come together to create the perfect new Peoria-Dunlap home for your and your family. Call us at 309-454-6700, email us or visit our website for a full list of select features that make this house a home, One Detail At A Time.

The team here at O’Neal Builders wanted to give a big “Thank you!” to the Yi and Jones families. These two families are repeat customers for us and we are honored that they trusted us to build their homes for a second time. At O’Neal Builders, our homes are built to last a lifetime, but when our clients’ lives evolve due to work or lifestyle, we are there to provide everything they need in their new Central Illinois home. And for Bloomington-Normal home buyers, in this case the Yi’s and the Jones’, we’ve recently had the privilege of delivering two new Bloomington-Normal homes to these families for the second time in the beautiful Trails On Sunset Lake development in Bloomington-Normal, IL.

We make the building process fun and enjoyable so that our customers can savor this special time in their life, which contributes to our repeat customers. We love our returning customers; we get to forge a deeper relationship while building their custom home of exceptional quality and surpassing their expectations of satisfaction and quality workmanship – for a second time!

The Yi’s and Jones’ believe the difference between a house and a home is all in the details. We at O’Neal Builders are grateful for their continued business and the opportunity to build their new home in Bloomington-Normal – One Detail At A Time!