The universal desire for a place to call home is the reason why The Plan Collection has decided to pledge its support to Fisher House Foundation during the months of April, May, October and November by donating 5% of all house plans sales. Fisher House is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Just think – now you can build a home gym complete with a wall mounted smart television, connect online to the Internet, and voila - you can join others in an interactive fitness class from home, giving you the options for when to work out. Trends indicate that over the next few years cardio equipment will include sophisticated tracking mechanisms for our workouts that can connect to your mobile device, home computer, and gym.

How many times have you looked at a gorgeous house and secretly wished it were yours, imagining yourself living in it and taking care of it? And if one of these dream homes actually belonged to you, what would you do to personalize it and make it your own?

Remember your parents’ collection of old record albums and the wood cabinet where they were lovingly stored? How about that dumbwaiter or the laundry chute in a restored home? Today these “old-home” features are “spicing up” new homes. Here’s a closer look at some of these vintage pieces.

And baby makes three! Finding space in your small apartment or house for the little one is the immediate challenge. Whether it is a corner in the master bedroom, a converted walk-in closet, or a spare bedroom, you will want to be sure to create a baby nursery that is fun, comfortable, and safe. For many it is also the time to consider a new home, and new parents should have a list of what to look for in a floor plan that is both baby—and family—friendly.

Of course, you want your own home. The big decision: should you buy an existing home or build a one from plans? Before you decide to build, here is what you need to know. Then think it through, plan and organize each step, and prepare to be an active participant.

You have been planning your dream home for some time, but now you have to think about how you are going to pay for it. Overwhelmed? You shouldn’t be. Following this step-by-step guide to budgeting makes the process that much easier.

What happens when even the “best” apartment gets too cramped for you and your family? Is it time for that dream house with a lovely porch and garden? But wait … before you buy or build, consider these points as you embark on this challenging and exciting journey.

You’re searching through pre-designed house plans to find your dream home, but you find you are having trouble conjuring a mental picture of the inside of the home from floor plans. Here are some tips on how to better visualize the finished product as you peruse home plans.

You’ve successfully searched through pre-designed house plans to find your dream home. Now it’s time to build. Will you hire a general contractor to build your house or manage the job yourself? Here are tips to help you hire and work with contractors no matter which way you go.