Maine Modular & Custom Home News

We just purchased a new 15-lite Exterior door, so I planned to write this blog about lock sets.  Why not choose a topic that will help me in my personal life?  Five minutes into my research, I stumbled across a blog about lock bumping.  Ever heard of that?  Me neither.  Fifteen minutes later, I know more than I want to, and I’m more than a little concerned!  Let’s just say, I will be choosing my new lockset with a bit more care.

Lock Bumping is a technique used to unlock locks with the use of a Bump Key.  Bump Keys can be used to unlock all brand names of lock sets and deadbolts.  Bump key kits/sets can be ordered thru various website that are easily accessible.  Along with the marketing of the tools, you can YouTube videos to learn the technique!

Here are a couple links that explain how lock bumping works and how to prevent it:

Lock Bumping – How to Protect Yourself.  By: LiveSafely

Lock Bumping | What is it & How to Prevent it.  By: Security World News

Nine out of ten homebuyers are going to need to finance at least a portion of their home.  So, of any blog topic I could choose to do, this blog is probably the most relevant.  This topic is also one of the most difficult to write, due to amount of information available.  Fixed, adjustable, balloon, interest only, FHA, VA, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15…… The options, and information available for each option is endless!  No wonder why people are confused and intimidated by the financing process.

During my research for this blog, I found an AMAZING website:  The Home Buying Institute.  This site is geared more toward buying an existing home as opposed to building a new home; however most of the information is still relevant.  Information about credit scores, interest rates, and real estate news.  The information is clear, concise, up to date, and free.  There are very few advertisements on the page (links from Google Ads).  The information I have reviewed is unbiased and factual.

Their page on Mortgage Types is the best I have been able to find.  I highly encourage you to visit this page (link below) for explanations of each type of mortgage.  Their information is better organized and more complete than I could ever hope to be on this topic, so I will defer to their expertise:

http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/mortgagetypes.php

How much time do you spend on your landscaping each year?  How much time do you want to spend?  Between mowing, weeding, planting, watering and maintenance care, the typically homeowner spends hundreds of hours doing yard work.  While the creative side of landscaping ie: planting, can be relaxing and enjoyable; most of us find the aspect of maintenance tedious, and by the end of the season dread the chore.  Here are some basic tips to create low maintenance landscaping:

1. Plan ahead.  If you are just starting your yard, don’t just go out and by plants and seed; plan your yard.  Have a soil test done, not from one sample, but throughout your yard.  Group plants by their growing needs, soil type and sun exposure. 
2. Avoid sharp angles in your mowing area.  Use curved edges for flower beds and planting boxes for a more natural look and ease of mowing.
3. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch… it is a wonderful, versatile landscaping product.  Use it!  A thick layer of mulch will help hold weeds at bay, and protects soil from the drying rays of the sun; which means less watering.
4. Ornamental grasses and perennials tend to need less maintenance care than annuals.  Use annuals as colorful highlights and in pots, hangers and flowerboxes. 
5. Use a grass seed that has a high content of clover seed.  Clover is more resilient than many grass varieties.  It requires less water, and is more drought resistant.  Clover is short, which means less mowing.  It attracts beneficial insect and does not suffer from “dog spots.”  On top of this, clover is extremely soft.

Here are some links to articles with Low Maintenance Landscaping ideas:

Top 10 Tips for Low Maintenance Landscaping. from About.com

What is the most low-maintenance way to landscape? from HowStuffWorks.com

11 Ways to Save Water, Time and Money on Your Landscaping. from ThisOldHouse.com

Lawn-Less Yard Solutions. from ThisOldHouse.com

“The kitchen is the heart of the Home.”  This has been a catch phrase for years.  It is printed onto décor and embroidered on kitchen towels in kitchens around the world.  I have a new phrase “My kitchen is mission control.”  Whether I am doing homework with the kids, cooking a meal, paying bills, planning a family trip…. I’m in the kitchen.  Because so much happens in the kitchen, it is essential that I have an area to organize my life within the kitchen space.  Hence the Kitchen Office.

A kitchen office is a small space tucked into the kitchen design that allows you office space.  This space may only be a cabinet with a message board, charging station and bill basket tucked inside.  Or it could be a computer station with print drawer, mail slots and a filing cabinet.  It can be counter height, bar height, desk height, they even have standing workstations!  Kitchen offices can be designed into any kitchen to suit the needs of any family.  You know ‘It’s a good thing’ when Martha Stewart has one in her kitchen.

Kitchen Office in Martha Stewart's Home

Here are some links to get you started on your Kitchen Office:

Fit Functional Office Spaces in Kitchen   by HGTVPro.com

Kitchen Offices and Message Centers from 1001 Idead for Kitchen Organization by Joseph R. Provey

Kitchen Workstation Ideas by Better Homes and Gardens

With record low interest rates, tax credits, rock bottom prices on land and construction fees…. All you have to do is find an out of work builder to give you a lowball price and you’ll be in your new home in no time, right?  Better think again.

You know the time has come to make a change.  You know it’s a smart financial move to build your new home.  Yet, bad things happen, expecially to the uninformed.  That’s why you have to do your homework before you select a builder.  You can make a great choice, if you know the right questions to ask. Read the rest of this entry »

There is a lot of debate on whether it is a good or bad time to build a new home.  The answer is a resounding YES!  Now is a GREAT time to build a new home!

1. The General Contractors that have been able to weather the building market storm are financially strong and reputable contractors.  They are the contractors that are booked solid during strong building climates.  You can now work with the best in the industry for what you might have paid for the worst in the industry.
2. Over the past few years, mortgage rates sank to record lows.  While the rates are still low, they are slowly creeping up.  Now is the time to lock in your mortgage rate.  Don’t make the mistake of waiting for rates to drop, when trends show them to be on the rise.
3. Because the construction industry has been at historic lows, costs are low.  Many building materials are at their lowest prices in 5 years.  Labor costs are low because contractors are willing to work for a little less.  On top of this, employers have their pick of the best laborers due to lack of work available.
4. One of the most compelling reasons to build NOW, is that the economy is growing.  Slowly but surely the economy is getting stronger.  Given the information above, you can build your new home with a quality contractor, get a low mortgage rate and have value added to your home with great products.  As the economy grows, the equity in your new home will grow exponentially.

Is it a good time to build?  You decide.  Check out these articles, and do your own research.

http://www.eplans.com/house-plans/Now-Is-a-Great-Time-to-Build.hwx

http://www.davidrobertsbuilders.com/Great%20time%20to%20build.html

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1918174

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.

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.

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.