The three-page Appraisal Institute form should guarantee at the minimum that an appraiser will take notice of a home’s energy improvements and seek to come up with a value adjustment for local market conditions. By Kenneth R. HarneyOctober 9, 2011 … Continue reading
What’s new? The 2012 code requires more insulation, a tighter envelope, tighter ducts, better windows, and more efficient lighting than the 2009 code. Here is a summary of the important changesfor residential builders in the 2012 International codes: The 2012 International … Continue reading
As the unemployment rate stays stubbornly high and housing remains mired in recession, several proposals have come down the pike lately on how to jumpstart a recovery in both areas. Here’s a look at a few of the recent plans: … Continue reading
I recently had a 5 star Green Builders Program duplex appraised that I built in Austin and I was astounded to find out that appraisers show no value at all for energy efficient features or energy efficient recognition. A builder … Continue reading
I recently installed window film in my own home and i thought this article might be of interest. With interest in green building and utility rebates on the rise, builders and remodelers are looking at solar-controlling window films as a … Continue reading
Government agencies say the benefits of energy-saving construction are recognized by private lenders, but builders say otherwise. Last week, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu met at an energy auditing company on Long Island … Continue reading
2. Austin-Round Rock, TX Market Health Indicator: 86.5 2011 Building Permit Forecast: 11,079 Percent Change in Building Permits: 57% Though Austin was knocked from the top spot on this year’s list, its housing fundamentals continued to show solid improvement. The metro … Continue reading
How much more does it cost to build to the Gold standard of the NAHBGreen rating system than to Silver or Bronze certification? What specs would have to be upgraded to escalate a home’s rating? A builder north of New Orleans … Continue reading
Builders expect that homes will be both smaller and greener in 2015, a survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed. The homebuilders surveyed estimated that the average new home in 2015 will measure 2,152 square feet, 10 percent smaller … Continue reading
Conventional gas tank water heaters also are getting more efficient. In September, Energy Star upped its energy rating requirements for gas tank units from 0.62 EF to 0.67 EF. To meet those levels, manufacturers have to add power to their … Continue reading