Maine Modular & Custom Home News

I’ve had a bit of trouble writing this blog.  “E” was a hard letter to find a topic for.  Energy Efficiency was one of the first topics I came up with.  As I researched however, I got lost in all of the available information.  I had the same problem with Eco-friendly building products which was my second choice.  After going through several other topic ideas, I have circled back to my initial topic.  I have chosen to narrow my focus a bit to the Energy Star program.

The Energy Star Program was released by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992.  In 1996 the EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy (DOE).  The first products to be promoted as Energy Star compliant were PC’s and monitors.  Since then every manufacturer of products that use energy has worked diligently to acquire and maintain the Energy Star qualification of their products.  Everything from blenders to light fixture and appliances to complete homes can be certified as part of the Energy Star program.  By April of 2009, 75% of Americans and Canadians were aware of the Energy Star Program.

As stated on the Energy Star website, the goal of the Energy Star program help consumers “save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.”  The program does this by testing products by their strict energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions guidelines.  Those products that meet the guidelines are allowed to be promoted as “Energy Star Products.”  Most manufacturers clearly advertise this certification, as it is easily recognized by the general public.  While the initial cost of the product maybe slightly more than a similar product that isn’t Energy Star compliant, but the cost of using these products have been greatly reduced.

This blog has barely touched the surface of what the Energy Star program is.  For more information, please visit their website at www.energystar.gov

Since  the 1950’s the average square footage of American homes has more than doubled!  Having a large home has become a status symbol of a successful life.  What most families have ended up with is a huge home with three or four rooms that are used on a daily basis.  In recent years however, families have begun to decrease the size of their homes.  Many families are eliminating formal dining and living rooms, opting instead for larger common areas with multiple uses.  By building or purchasing smaller homes families have smaller mortgage payments, as well as lower upkeep, and utility costs.  This article Home Downsizing on About.com discusses the Pros and Cons of downsizing your home.

Once you make the decision to downsize your home.  This article from Bob Vila Rethink Your Space and How You Use It is filled with ideas of how to fit your life into a smaller space.

Is the American perception of “bigger is better” changing?  Is our current economic situation driving this downsizing trend?  Or is it something else?  We welcome your opinions and input.

Why is it that when our home renovations are complete, we aren’t 100% happy with the results?  For some reason the reality of the room doesn’t always live up to our expectations.  I believe the reason for this is that we don’t “go for it” when we are picking out our paint colors.  We tend to tone down our choices for fear that what we really want to do will be too drastic, too bright, too dark, too vivid….  The “toos” go on and on.  And when the job is complete, we end up just short of what we really wanted.

After years of watching shows like “Trading Spaces” “While You Were Out” “Design on a Dime” and many others, I had learned that being afraid of color can limit your design options.  I knew that my husband would have a fit about what I wanted to do in our home, so I started redecorating during his deployment.  Boy, was I glad I did.  The color I picked for the ceiling and top half of the walls of our Living Room was called Baritone, it was a really deep purple.  The first coat looked like “Barney” purple!  But I didn’t stop, I had a picture in my mind and knew that if I changed anything, I wouldn’t get that picture.  Besides, I already had the paint, I might as well finish, and if I didn’t like the results I could always adjust afterwards.  I’m so glad I followed through.  The Living Room turned out beautifully as did the Dining Room that we did the following year. 

Visit Behr, Glidden, Benjamin Moore or any other paint manufacturer for ideas for your renovations.  Get inspired and go for the picture you have in your mind!

Here in the Northeast, we are “experts” in home winterization.  Each Fall, homeowners flock to the local hardware, building supply and department stores to load up on plastic window kits, weather stripping and door draft stoppers.  With the new Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency, now may be a good time to do more permanent changes to our home, than the standard annual buttoning up many homeowners do.

To help you get the most bang for your buck, it is a good idea to start your project with an Energy Audit of your home.  You might believe that your windows need to be replaced but in fact they may need to be reinstalled with proper use of caulking, ice and water shield, and insulation.  An Energy Audit will help eliminate the risk of spending money on products and services you don’t need.  Here is a link to information about how an Energy Audit is conducted, and what the purpose of an audit is.  Energy Savers: Home Energy Audits. 

When your Energy Audit is complete, you may be able to complete some of the updates with a little bit of knowhow and a few trips to the local building supply store.  DoItYourself.com has an in-depth article on weatherizing your home including a materials and tools checklist and list of different types of caulking and their pros and cons.  How to Weatherize Your Home.

ThisOldHouse.com is always filled with relevant home improvement articles.  10 Ways to Shrink Your Energy Bills has some great ideas regarding improving the efficiency of your home.  New Insulation Options describes types of insulation, explains their ingredients and performance.

To wrap up this fairly long blog, if you are looking for more energy efficiency ideas that you don’t need to search through multiple websites to find, you will not find a more comprehensive source than The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings.  This book is published by  on a yearly basis and is filled with up-to-date ideas that can be applied to new construction as well as renovations.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 1 in every 4 Americans suffer from Asthma and/or allergies.  40 Million Americans have indoor/outdoor allergies.  With statistics like these, chances are someone in your household is affected by Asthma/allergies.  The most common known triggers for symptoms are pollen and pet dander.  Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to eliminate the triggers from your life.  You can; however, lower your exposure to them while at home with the use of an Air Filtration System.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation has a webpage with information about Air Filtrations Systems.  Their page is filled with information about how systems work in direct relation to how they can help asthmatics and allergy sufferers.  Information about Air Filtration Systems from the AAFA

The EPA also has information about Air Filtration Systems.  This page has more technical information comparing different types of systems and their purposes.  It also explains how to measure the performance of a system.  Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home from the EPA

The best part of each of these websites is that neither promotes a specific system.  These sites have general information you can use as you to compare different systems to find the right fit for your home.

Before I came to work at Schiavi Home Builders, I was a stay at home mom.  This meant we had a single income to support a family of four, plus two dogs, three cats and a guinea pig.  We are also working on a major home renovation….  The household budget was a very important part of my “job.”  I think this is why I am choosing Household Budgeting as the topic for my first blog.

In the society we live in, instant gratification is not only expected, it is now the norm.  I want something now; therefore, I go buy it now.  Living on a budget is “taboo.”  This attitude not only makes debt reduction difficult, but planning for a new home impossible.  Whether you are saving for a down payment or closing costs, or just trying to decide what you can afford for a mortgage payment, a detailed household budget should be part of this process.

There are many budget programs out there.  A family could spend hundreds of dollars to get books, software, programs, going to seminars, or lectures.  It is not necessary to spend anything to create and manage your household budget.  Below are links to website that offer FREE budgeting information:

This article Budget isn’t a Bad Word explains the advantages of using a budget.

To help you get started, here is a link to a basic budget worksheet:  Budgeting Form.

And finally, here is an article that has several links in regards to cutting expenses and finding extra money in your budget: Easy Ways to Cut Expenses.

Following are key points that prospective home buyers should be aware of when considering a home purchase under the tax credit program:

• A tax credit of up to $8000 is available for first-time home buyers purchasing on or after Jan 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010.  In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
• A tax credit of up to $6500 is available for repeat home buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years out of the prior eight years.  The repeat home buyer tax credit applies to houses sold after November 5, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010.  In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
• Income limits of $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly apply to all sales occurring after Nov 6, 2009.
• Homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for either the first-time home buyer tax credit or the repeat home buyer tax credit.
• Expanded tax credit benefits apply to members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community.
• Home purchases in 2010 may be claimed on an amended 2009 income tax return.
• Persons who are claimed as dependents by a taxpayer or who are under age 18 do not qualify for a tax credit.
• Home purchases from relatives of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse do not qualify for the tax credit.  The IRS defines relatives as ancestors (parent, grandparent, etc.), lineal descendants (child, grandchildren, etc.) and spouses.
• Married couples are not eligible to claim the first-time home buyer credit if either spouse has previously owned a home.  They may, however, qualify for the repeat home buyer tax credit.
• Neither the first-time home buyer tax credit nor the repeat home buyer tax credit have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
• Taxpayers must submit a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement and IRS form 5405 to claim either the first-time home buyer tax credit or the repeat home buyer tax credit.

If you have bought a home recently or are in the process of buying a home, you will soon find out that you need some things you may never have needed before.  I love the ideas at This Old House for the new home owner.  There are some inexpensive but practical ideas like the book – How Your House Works – “A vislual guide to understanding and  maintaining your home” for an affordable $22.00, some great hand tool suggestions, a handy tool tote, along with some more costly power tools.  Home maintenance is an important part of your life after you have moved into your new home.  It is a rewarding process that can keep your home as new and stunning as when you first moved in.  Happy shopping!

The home buyer tax credit has been extended.  You only have an additional six months to take advantage of this credit.  At Schiavi Home Builders that means you will need to be ordering your new home as soon as possible to insure you will take delivery before the deadline.  Our calendar is filling up fast for next year, so there isn’t any time to waste.  If you still have questions about the tax credit or you would like to learn more about the changes that were incorporated into the extension you can watch this video produced by the National Home Builders Association.  Click HERE for the video.

The Portland Press Herald posted some really good advice regarding modular housing in the Simon Says Column on October 16, 2009.  The question submitted had to do with the bad reputation modular building can have and how to know if modular construction is the right choice for your building needs.  Simon replied:

“I would encourage you to do your homework before you make a commitment.  I would find out who the manufacturer of the house is and contact them directly.  I would ask them to give you names of contractors who have worked with their product.

After speaking to the contractors on their take on the product, I would then ask the contractors for the names of the end users – people who are living in the houses.  I would then contact those individuals directly.”

Good advice Simon!  Any modular builder worthy of their name would want their customer to check them out thoroughly before deciding to buy.  Matching your expectations to your builder’s expectation makes for a happy consumer.  Thanks for the tip.