American Housing Builders, Inc

This article helps to clarify the issues one must consider before embarking on the search for a vacant lot for building a new home. As counties in the Tampa Bay area build up, so-called “infill” becomes the dominant mode for new construction– particularly in Pinellas County, Florida‘s densest in population.

Next ensure that the lot you are considering meets the requirements for the building you are considering. What is the setback from the road? Are there any easements that are carried over to the lot that need to be considered? What is the maximum footprint your home can have in relation to the lot? All of these questions need to be approved by the municipality prior to construction. It would be wise to make inquiries prior to construction to determine that your home plan is appropriate for the lot you are considering.

Read the whole article here: Suite101: Vacant Land: For New Home Construction

Via: Suite101

By Joel Nash

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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.

Read the whole article here.

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%

Read the whole article here.

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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There may be better reasons for investing in new construction in Florida than some other regions– current building materials and techniques are lightyears beyond what they were even twenty years ago, which is even more important in Florida’s demanding climate than it might be in more temperate zones. The following is an excerpt from an article which makes a pretty strong case for new construction down here in Florida.

Older homes may have smaller kitchens that contain old, outdated appliances. Cracked linoleum or tile flooring may need replacement, fixtures may be old and stained, and cabinetry that is either deteriorating due to age or inferior quality will need to be replaced. If you build a new Florida home, your kitchen will be luxuriously appointed with all of the latest appliances, cabinetry and fixtures. Appliances are brand new and top of the line.

Read the rest of the article here. Via: QB Blog

Although some green building options are fairly obvious– insulation, window glazing, etc.– others may come as a surprise to buyers of new construction or renovators of existing houses. One of these choices is roofing materials and techniques. Your roof is the first line of defense from the sun and the weather, and its construction can have a real effect on energy costs and the environment.

What are your best choices when it comes to green roofs for your home building needs? It seems to be an ever-changing industry, which is good, because change is good. Change is good because there is a steady increase in homeowner awareness, inquiries regarding what is affordable, better technology and what will bring you the best return on investment (ROI) in a new roofing system.

Fortunately, Uncle Sam has a program called Energy Star to give you most of the information you need to make an informed decision regarding green roofs for your home building project.

Read the rest of the article here.

Via: FunTimesGuide

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Insurance of any kind is something you invest in and hope you never have to use, right? The same thing can be said of a “Safe Room,” which can be a lifesaver for your family in Florida’s sometimes severe weather circumstances– or even as an anti-crime security strategy. But unless you are unlucky, a Safe Room will be simply peace of mind in an uncertain world. In any case,  it is a feature to consider when planning new construction in the Tampa Bay area, or even when weighing building a new home against buying an existing house.

These rooms can be separate or can be some part of the home, like a walk-in closet, which is built like the proverbial brick-stick house. They need to be isolated from the main structure so that as the main home becomes unglued and turns into countless fragments, this little oasis of space remains unscathed.

Above ground safe rooms are generally best in high water table states (such as Florida) and are usually built of reinforced, solidly poured masonry walls, and poured concrete ceilings (set just below the trusses). It is less expensive and much simpler to build while constructing a new home.

Read the whole article here. (Via ConstructionOmega)

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St Petersburg’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program

The purpose of the St Petersburg NSP Program is to provide targeted assistance, with the help of government grants, to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed residential properties.

The City of St. Petersburg Housing and Community Development Department is offering loans to eligible borrowers who wish to purchase and occupy a home through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) by financially assisting them with their down payment and closing costs.

Eligible home buyers purchasing a home through the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), may apply for up to $12,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. The loan will be forgiven after 15 years of residency.  The homeowner must reside in the home as their primary residence for the entire 15 year term before forgiveness will apply.  Should the home owner move or some other reason vacate the property, the entire principal amount of the loan will then become due and payable to the City of St. Petersburg and no forgiveness will occur.

For more information on this program, along with other home buying programs available today, contact American Housing at 727-546-6611.

Click here for more information on the City of St Petersburg’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

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The American Dream is Alive & Well!

Homeownership is still the American Dream for most of us, and as the housing market begins to slowly mend, many are learning that now is actually a great time to consider the purchasing of a new home. If you are one of the many thousands who would like to buy a new home but have been waiting to see what happens in the market, you might be interested to learn that as of now, there is an ample supply of affordable building lots available, costs are down making new homes much more affordable, interest rates are at record lows, and there are many tax incentives you will receive as a homeowners, all of which makes today a very attractive time to buy a new home.

The ample inventory of land that is available today includes building lots that have been reduced in price and are ready to build on. These same lots that were unaffordable just a couple of years ago are now obtainable at affordable prices throughout the entire Tampa Bay area, making it an attractive time to consider building that new home you have been dreaming about for so long.

Along with construction costs and home prices being at their lowest level in years, most builders are offering many incentives with the purchase of a new home. When you consider that, and then factor in the many energy saving, “Green,” and “Energy Star” features that are now included in so many new homes today, along with all of the code changes that have been added to new homes to make them more hurricane resistant, it makes even more sense to purchase a new home today.

Another thing to consider is that current mortgage interest rates are now extremely favorable for new home buyers. In fact, a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is now hovering at a 30-year low, and although no one can accurately predict whether interest rates will go up or down, waiting to see which way they will go can be a dangerous and losing gamble. Consider that FHA is now offering loans today with just 3.5% down and when you take that into account, along with the low interest rate that is available, it is easy to realize that your mortgage payment would probably be less than what you are paying in rent today.

Home ownership also makes a lot of sense because of the many positive tax implications. The most important sources of tax savings for you as a homeowner, will be the deductions you receive because of your mortgage interest, the deductions you receive for your paid real estate taxes, and the capital gain exclusion you receive when you eventually sell your home. The mortgage interest and real estate tax deductions alone will reduce your annual cost of homeownership by reducing your tax liability each year.

So, because of the fact that we know that building lots today are much more affordable, we know that new home prices are down, we know that there are many builder incentives available, we know that interest rates are low and we know there are many tax saving incentives available to you as a homeowner, it is nice to know that the American Dream of home ownership is still alive and well and it is clear that it still makes a lot of economic sense to own your own home.

You can contact us here at American Housing Builders, Inc. at 727-546-6611.

Information gathered from various sources, including the NAHB web site at nahb.org.

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“How New Construction Has Changed!”

The typical new home being built today is actually quite different from homes built just a couple of years ago. In the last few years, some of the extravagant extras that were once being taken for granted by homebuyers, are disappearing and many new homes are reverting back to the basics. After all, when it comes right down to it, your home does not really have to be a real “castle,” it just has to be your home.

The size of new homes has gotten smaller and because of this, homes are being redesigned to make homes more functional by taking advantage of the smaller living areas. Being more practical in designing a new home allows you to get much more use out of your home with less square footage. This concept seems to be a win / win for everyone.

Cutting back on the type of materials being used is another change that has taken place. Instead of using so much tile and wood as flooring, vinyl is making a comeback. Instead of using granite, mica countertops have returned. Instead of 10 and 12 foot ceilings, 8 foot ceilings seem to be more in fashion. This does not mean that new home builders are cutting corners, it just means they are replacing higher cost products with good quality alternatives, including materials that are just a little less expensive than some of the higher line products.

Also, more and more “green” technologies are being incorporated into the design of new homes. Products such as low-e windows, energy saving fixtures and appliances, such as “Energy Star” dishwashers, light fixtures and “Energy Star” heat pumps are becoming more and more common. These products, along with many other products and energy saving design changes are making homes much more energy efficient, saving the homeowner money in the operation and the maintenance of their home.

Another area of change in today’s homes are changes that were made because of the many new building codes that have taken effect. It is certainly true in the State of Florida, where many code changes have been made because of the storms and hurricanes that Floridians have witnessed over the years.  Homes now have to meet demanding wind load designs that are obtained by adding either impact windows and doors or by adding window and door protections over the openings, more stringent nailing and strapping of the roof, garage doors designed and installed to withstand high winds and other safeguards that help a home endure severe weather.

Values have pretty much hit bottom and with the changes that have been implemented over the past few years, along with the lower costs and lower interest rates, you can rest assured that now is one of the best times in history to buy a new home. Along with low interest rates that are available, there is also an FHA program that requires only 3.5% down payment, and even lower if you have your own lot, making it an even better time to buy. So, if you have been considering buying a new home but have been holding off to see what the economy will do, now may be the perfect time to take that plunge. Only you can make that call, but with costs where they are, it is certainly time to consider making that move.

For more information on our new homes and what type of financing is available, including a 3.5% down payment FHA program, contact American Housing Builders, Inc. at 727-546-6611 and we will provide you with the information you need to decide if the time is right for you and your family.

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