Archive for September, 2010
Money from Heaven!
American Housing Builders, Inc. has been building affordable single family homes in the Tampa Bay and St Petersburg area for many years and with interest rates having fallen to their lowest level in almost forty years, it is like having money “falling from heaven” for New Home buyers. Because we are always trying to stay up on the most current economic news and trends, we noted in an article posted on September 3, 2010, at FloridaRealtors.org, that mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in decades for the tenth time in 11 weeks.
The article then goes on to say that the average rate for a 30-year fixed loan is now at 4.32 percent, which is the lowest it has been since 1971. And even lower than that is a 15-year fixed rate mortgage that is now at 3.83 percent, which is the lowest level on record, a five year adjustable-rate mortgages that is at all time low of 3.54 percent, and a one-year adjustable mortgage that is now averaging at 3.50 percent. These are historically low rates and for New Home buyers who qualify, the money is there for the taking.
Click here to read entire article at FloridaRealtor.org.
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It sounds good, but what does “Green Construction” actually mean? At this point it appears to be more of an intent than a measurable practice, but in order to work toward a set of standardss, one must bear in mind several forms in which building or remodeling can impact the environment.
One of these forms is energy efficiency. The production of electricity from the burning of fossil fuels is one of the most harmful activities to the environment in existence today. Green structures incorporate renewable
energy sources that might include the use of wind, solar, low impact hydropower, or biothermal energy. The source of power is not the only concern. Another concern is the reduction of power use in lighting and appliances.
Via: Green Life
By Zack Verde
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It isn’t always obvious that water is used in varying amounts in producing all the materials used to build or remodel a house. And the cost of that water use is passed on to the end user, the home buyer/remodeler. So there are two good reasons to find out the “water costs” involved in your project: conservation of money and conservation of natural resources.
Kostigen lists the virtual water content of a variety of items we consume or use in our daily lives and occasionally suggests alternative products. Below, I’ve pulled a few items out of his chapter on Building Materials and Appliances. The numbers are shocking.
Carpet: 14,750 Gallons for 1,000 sq.ft. of synthetic carpeting.
Alternative: Using carpet made from recycled plastic bottles can cut the virtual water content by 86%
Via: Fine Homebuilding
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5 Reasons Homeownership Trumps Renting
A recent article posted on FloridaRealtors.org pointed to five reasons why it is better to buy and own a home than it is to rent a home. By owning your own home, you become your own landlord, by owning your own home your home comes an investment for your future, by owning your own home your fixed rate mortgage may actually allow your monthly payments to be less than if you were renting, and by owning your own home you can live in a better neighborhood with better schools.
Click here to read the entire article at FloridaRealtor.org.
Original Source: The New York Times, Ron Lieber (08/27/2010)
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Buyers of new construction potentially have it easier than those of older homes; there are none of the inevitable problems of wear, tear, and obsolescence. Aging can be accelerated in peninsular Florida because of the sunshine, heat, humidity and sub-tropical pests. (The Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas and Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco counties are in the bio-region of South Florida, according to the AHS.)
But a new house, however “cutting edge” in construction, has not been “road-tested”, and the buyer to some degree is depending on the reputation of the builder. Many people prefer to work with a real estate agent of their own choosing.
3. Check out the Builder’s Reputation
If a buyer has a bad experience with a builder, word spreads rapidly throughout a community. However, accurately and fairly assessing a builder’s history is the appropriate path- check public records for lawsuits or complaints and evaluate their resolutions.
Read the rest of the article here. Via: RisMedia
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