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

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.

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.

When Paul and Cathy Bickford bought a new Schiavi home they knew it came with guaranteed workmanship, but they never thought they would have to live through a tornado to find out how well their home was built.  Touching down in their back yard the tornado, so rare in Maine, caused about 20 trees to be blown over.  Luckily for the Bickfords their new home was fine.  We at Schiavi Home Builders are thrilled that the Bickfords are safe and pleased that their home escaped damage.  There was never a doubt in our mind that they purchased a quality home and we are glad that it stood up to the unusual winds in this crazy storm system that passed through Oxford County.  You can read more about the storm at the Sun Journal.

Mother Nature Network has a great blog article about manufactured housing: A to Zeta.  It shows just how far sytems built technology has come with efficient green building.  Pay attention to the list of green features.  What it shows is that it is available – if not the norm – yet.  Modular building is all about making your home what you want it to be.  If you are looking for an energy efficient green building, ask for that and voila, it’s in there.  If you want more closet space – ask for that and like magic, it’s in there.  Your new home should be everything you want it to be.  The energy conscience townhouse seen in this blog may be just what you have in mind.  A country ranch might be more to your liking – we can do that, too.  If you’ve never watched a modular home craned onto a foundation be sure to watch the short You Tube video of the townhouse being set into place at the bottom of the blog post on Mother Nature Network.  It’s fun to see it done in a mere 4 minutes with the men scurrying around so quickly.  Of course it takes longer than that in the real world, but it is still a much faster process than stick building on site.  If you’ve never considered a modular home before I encourage you to consider it now.  Call us to find out how it would work out for you!

In this economy where we are all looking to save money and energy, these products found at ThisOldHouse.com make a lot of sense.  Some of them might seem a little pricey, but if you factor in the energy savings, the net cost can be zero in just a matter of months.  My favorite item is the washer and dryer that can complete a clothes cycle in 30 minutes.  The energy saved in two years pays for them, but if I included in my time value – conservatively saying $30 per hour – with the amount of laundry to do in my house, I figure they could pay for themselves in six months.  Now, if This Old House would find a way that every item is folded and pressed when I open the dryer door, that would be priceless.

The July 2009 Builder Magazine published results from their recent survey in an article titled Brave New World. They have taken a good look at what the home builders of the future will be expecting in the housing market.  There are  three distinct markets that will drive these expectations according to the newest information.  Immigrants will still be dreaming about being able to build a home big enough for extended family, Baby Boomers will be looking to downsize without giving up quality, and the “Millenials” will be looking for urban, uncluttered and well designed homes.  All three groups will be looking at affordability due to economic constraints that were not there in the past.  The builders of the future will need to accommodate a variety of expectations and keep the cost down.  This is where sytems built technology has a head start.  Design, affordability and meeting expectations have always been the foremost concerns in a modular building process.  As we look to the future we can expect that modular building will be in a prime position to help anyone build the home they are looking for.