http://www.discoverbuilding.com/ en tech@discoverbuilding.com Copyright 2008 2008-01-10T16:35:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/what-to-look-for-in-a-new-green-home/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/what-to-look-for-in-a-new-green-home/#When:16:35:00Z We all know that green homebuilding is hot in new home construction. But do you know how to spot a green home? Today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution outlines some things to look for when choosing your new home: Green Home Building 2008-01-10T16:35:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/builder-incentives-can-distort-home-value/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/builder-incentives-can-distort-home-value/#When:01:42:00Z As builders get creative with rebates and incentives, Fannie Mae raises the red flag to lenders citing “Value Distortion”.  Situations such as this: “shows signs of price distortion is the sale of a home on Olen Mattingly Road in Avenue, Md. The two-story, 2,158-square-foot home, built within the past two years, was originally listed for sale in February 2005 for $635,000 but languished on the market for more than a year, according to local real-estate agents. The owner, builder Bennett Homes LLC, gradually reduced the price to $469,000 by March 2007. In May, however, the home sold for $600,000, far above the recent asking price. Vangie Williams, a real-estate agent who represented the buyers, says the sale involved a payment by the builder to an organization that collected fees for finding buyers.” , are prompting Fannie Mae to tighten disclosures of incentives and rebates to ensure banks are loaning on true values of homes. Builder Incentives Distorting Values News 2007-12-25T01:42:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/latest-construction-spending-data-shows-continued-slowdown/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/latest-construction-spending-data-shows-continued-slowdown/#When:23:20:00Z Slowing to a snail's pace, construction spending continues to fall. This fact will have some effects on the overall economy at some point. "Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $863.2 billion, 1.4 percent below the revised September estimate of $875.2 billion. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $503.7 billion in October, 2.0 percent below the revised September estimate of $514.2 billion." News 2007-12-01T23:20:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/only-24-of-californians-can-afford-entry-level-housing/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/only-24-of-californians-can-afford-entry-level-housing/#When:22:58:01Z A recent study by the California Association of Realtors shows that only 24% of Californians have enough income to qualify for a typical entry-level home at $482,910. News 2007-12-01T22:58:01-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/now-is-the-time-to-build/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/now-is-the-time-to-build/#When:02:47:00Z Home Building Costs are low. Builders are on the sidelines looking for new avenues of revenue. Dust off your plans, now is the time to build. News 2007-12-01T02:47:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/choosing-the-right-home-builder/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/choosing-the-right-home-builder/#When:05:22:01Z It goes without saying that building your new home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make.  It only makes sense to choose a home builder that has invested in their profession.  Here are some requirements you should consider: Contractors 2007-10-09T05:22:01-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/let-mother-nature-heat-your-water-qualify-for-epact-tax-credit/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/let-mother-nature-heat-your-water-qualify-for-epact-tax-credit/#When:05:01:01Z Hot2o’s polymer-based roof solar system heats 50% of a typical households water. Costing less than $500 and qualifies for the federal solar energy tax credit (EPACT). Hot2o’s Solar Domestic Hot Water System. Products 2007-10-09T05:01:01-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/saving-water-with-vitra/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/saving-water-with-vitra/#When:04:38:00Z ADA Compliant and Green product lines by German based VitrA. Evergreen Two Piece Elongated Bowl, Gravity Flush gives 25% water savings with its 1.2gpf over traditional 1.8gpf American toilets.  Check out their full line of ADA and Green Toilets. Products 2007-10-09T04:38:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/new-recycled-products-find-their-way-into-green-homes/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/new-recycled-products-find-their-way-into-green-homes/#When:03:22:00Z Interior and exterior building materials are making their way into new home designs. After years of technology advancements and research America’s recycling efforts are paying off. From kitchen cabinets to exterior siding choices are many for the green builder. Recycled Wood Cabinets The Neil Kelly Naturals Collection is an environmentally sound choice of cabinets - the first in this league to be made from certified and recycled woods with environmentally friendly finishes. FSC certified SmartWood in 12 wood species. Green Cabinets Products 2007-10-09T03:22:00-05:00 http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/custom-kitchen-island-tips-and-ideas/ http://www.discoverbuilding.com/entry/custom-kitchen-island-tips-and-ideas/#When:22:01:00Z Kitchen island ideas can help you a lot when you want to modify the area of your kitchen according to your needs. Your kitchen can become more functional and comfortable if you apply some of the kitchen island ideas. Some of this ideas remind us of the traditional farmhouse kitchen when the preparation work was done on a large worktable. Home Plan Design 2007-10-08T22:01:00-05:00