A trip to the St. Louis Home and Garden Show this weekend will show you shades of green the you didn’t know existed.
See more here:
Plan Your Green Home Design at the Builders St. Louis Home and …
Every year, the International Builders’ Show has featured a house that was built specifically for the conference. Offering the latest in construction technology, the New American Home (TNAH) was a yearly showcase of the best that the …
Original post:
Metaphor Alert: New American Home 2010 Runs Out of Money …
Nikol Kokaz’s Page on New Home Notebook – New homes & condos in Chicago & suburbs.
Excerpt from:
Nikol Kokaz's Page - New Home Notebook – New homes & condos in …
As the ink dried on President Obama’s signature on November 6, formalizing passage of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Act of 2009, the world that is.
See the original post here:
Twin Deadlines for Home Builders | Housing Crisis
When Karen told us about her home’s feature in Charleston Mag we swooned, but not just for the usual reasons. Her home is a 1600 sq.ft.
View original here:
Apartment Therapy DC | A Hope-filled Family Home Charleston Mag
26 (Bloomberg) — Purchases of new homes in the U.S. jumped more than forecast and demand for long-lasting goods such as autos and computers climbed, reinforcing signs the economy is rebounding from the worst recession since the 1930s. …
Read the original here:
July New Home Sales Were Up- And Down - Housing Doom
Article from Articlebliss and entitled Standout Banner Designs for Minnesota Home Builders - By Craig Harris.
Originally posted here:
Standout Banner Designs for Minnesota Home Builders
Discover several of Colorado Springs’ most desirable new home communities, including Cordera, a master-planned community comprised of five builders, Misty Acres Estates Collection by Lennar, and Pine Creek, a golf course community …
Read the original post:
Colorado Springs New Home Communities, Master Planned, Golf Course …
When deciding if you should buy a new home or resale home, you will likely hear a number of opinions about which one is better. Each home has their own positive attributes so it all comes down to individual needs. Before making a decision, you should look at the benefits of each to determine which home would be best for you and your family. The following outlines important qualities of new homes and resale homes which may help you make the decision.
New Homes 1) When purchasing a home that is to be newly constructed, there are many options you may be able to choose from that include: kitchen furnishings, type of flooring, color schemes, walk in closets, and much more. 2) New homes are constructed with new building materials so there will be less maintenance. This can include: aluminum siding, vinyl windows, and pressure-treated wood. 3) Many homebuilders will provide warranties in the event of a construction defect. For instance, if a crack in a wall develops, or the roof begins to leak, they will cover the costs of repair. 4) New homes will not contain toxic substances such as lead paint. 5) The appliances are new so they will be under a manufacturer warranty. They are also much more energy efficient.
6) New homes are built to accommodate the newest safety systems such as burglar alarms and surveillance cameras. 7) New homes are usually wired for the newest technology such as multiple phone lines, high-speed internet connections, and extra cable outlets 
They are constructed using materials that contain fewer health risks so they will meet current health codes. 9) New homes are more energy efficient. They have better windows, insulation, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. 10) The design is more modern. They may have more bathrooms, bigger bedrooms, and much more. 11) Everything in a new home is clean and undamaged.
Resale Homes 1) Because the homes are older, they are more likely to be located near metro areas. 2) For people who enjoy renovating and making improvements, resale homes are a good choice. 3) If you are looking for a large piece of property, you will likely find it with a resale home. 4) A resale home is usually cheaper than a new home. Depending on the state, resale homes may have lower property tax rates. 5) They are not usually a part of a new development community so you will not have to pay new development fees for such things as for schools, parks, and road maintenance.
6) If you like traditional designs and layouts, resale homes are a good choice. 7) Buyers are often able to negotiate a lower price with a resale home. The landscape is usually more natural and contains trees that are full grown. Most backyards are bigger and more private. 9) Resale homes are usually located in established neighborhoods. They will usually already have existing roads, amenities, parks, and schools. 10) Taxes and closing costs may differ between new and resale homes. For instance, sales tax is payable on new homes, while it is usually included in a resale home purchase.
As you can see from the above lists, there are many advantages to owning either a new home or resale home. The key is to make a list of what you are looking for in a home and what you plan to do with it in the future. Because buying home is a major life investment, it is important to consider both the pros and cons of both types of homes before making the final decision.
Buying a new home can be a very exciting time in a persons life. There are many considerations one should be aware of before taking the plunge into new homeownership. Before you make this huge life investment, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Can I afford a new home?
When buying new homes, you have to consider the financial implications of homeownership. You have to consider the mortgage payments, the down payment, fees such as closing costs and lawyer expenses, taxes, and other costs. Use an online financial calculator that takes your income and debt and calculated it to determine how much you can afford.
Does the new home meet my requirements?
Make a list of all your needs. Consider children and pets. Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Is the yard big enough for a pet? Do you need a home office? If you have children, check to see if parks and schools are close by. Do you have to travel a long distance to work? What is the crime rate like in the neighborhood? How close is your home to supermarkets and malls? Is their a neighborhood development association that imposes strict rules?
Are there any hazards? Check to see if the home is in a high risk area such as flooding, earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes. You may have to pay higher insurance premiums. Also, find out what home inspections are needed. What are the sale closing costs?
Closing costs are the costs associated with the sale transaction. This can include fees for legal documents, recording deeds, escrow fee, real estate commission fee, reconveyance fee, and Title Insurance.
Is the exterior of the house in good condition?
When assessing the exterior of the house, ask such questions as: What materials were used for the exterior? Do the trim or sidewalls require painting? Is weather-stripping installed? Do windows and doors have insulated glass or storm windows? What is the condition of the gutters? Is the foundation in good condition? Is the ground sloped away from the foundation? What material is used for the foundation?
Is the interior of the house in good condition?
Are there cracks in the walls and/or ceilings? Has the interior been recently painted? Are the kitchen cabinets installed properly? Do the doors open and close properly? Are there exhaust fans in the kitchen and baths? Is the interior trim in good condition? What is the condition of the door knobs and locks? Are there any visible structural defects? Is the attic area insulated? Are there any sloping floors in the home? Is there an attic fan for ventilation?
What is the condition of the heating, electric system, and hot water system?
Is the incoming electric service properly installed? Is the main electric panel easily accessible? Are there adequate light fixtures throughout the home? Are lighting fixtures installed at all exterior entrances? Is the number of electrical receptacles in each room sufficient for modern living? Are ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) installed?
What type of furnace or boiler is installed? (Hot air, hot water, heat pump, etc.) What type of fuel is used for heat? Does the home have central air conditioning? Is the size water heater adequate for your needs? Are there heating/cooling outlets in each room?
What is the condition of the plumbing system?
What is the source for water and sewer? (City, private, well, septic) What materials are used for water and sewer pipes? (Copper, PVC, iron, etc.) What is the quality and quantity of the well water? Do the plumbing fixtures work properly? Is the water pressure adequate?
Buying a new home is a serious life commitment with lasting costs. Before buying a home, make sure you consider all of the positive and negative aspects of homeownership so that your final decision will be the right one.
