Environmentally Friendly Building Techniques

1. REDUCE

Create a better insulated home. This will reduce heat and cool air loss, and save you money while decreasing the home's energy consumption. How to do this? Consider using raised heel trusses, which bumps more insulation space into your roof. Also consider insulating the outside of the foundation.

Advanced caulking can help to reduce air inflow and unwanted temperature changes; a good air seal can be confirmed with a "blower door" test. And testing the cooling and heating ducts for leaks, and subsequently sealing them, can also add up to environmental and financial savings, as well.

You can also reduce environmental impact by selecting, where possible, quickly renewable resources such as strawboard, wheatgrass, cork or bamboo. Consider also using engineered lumber, which can also replace lumber cut from old-growth ecosystems.

Insulation is available which is crafted from a sustainable resource: sheep's wool.

Some traditional wood products, such as deck planking, siding and sills, have now been created from plastic lumber, which utilizes recycled plastic jugs. A side benefit is that these products require little maintenance from the homeowner.

Another idea to reduce consumption is the use of durable flooring and pathway items, such as tile, slate and stone. These materials tend to last longer and therefore don't need to be replaced nearly as often as other choices might require.

Select high-efficiency appliances, including washers, water heaters, furnaces, and light fixtures. Work to incorporate daylight as a natural light source into your design wherever possible.

The effort to reduce household water consumption can be aided by installing rainwater collection systems. Think also about installing less lawn and more drought resistant plants in your landscape.

2. REUSE

Use reclaimed lumber where possible to keep this material out of the landfill. Multiple building products have been created from recycled stock. Also stockpile and reuse the topsoil on your lot; don't allow it to be hauled away.

3. RECYCLE

At the construction site, a de facto recycling center can not only save the need to rent a dumpster, but can also avoid putting leftover construction materials in a landfill. By posting a recycling plan for the construction site, and working to recycle such items as concrete, packaging, cardboard, drywall, and lumber, builders can then take these materials to recyclers. These items can then be reused, rather than just creating more waste stream.

4. BREATHE MORE EASILY AT HOME

New home construction can be dogged by "off-gassing" materials, such as carpet adhesives and solvent-based varnishes and paints. Avoid such problems by electing to use natural, low-VOC paints. Ask that carpet be tacked rather than glued.

Town Houses As Investment Properties

If you are considering an investment property then this is a great move that can help you to earn a large amount of money over a short amount of time. It's a very secure investment that's highly unlikely to drop in value, and it's an investment that can have great practical use while you wait to sell giving you somewhere to live, a holiday home, or just generally a property (unlike owning an old painting or stock which you can't do much with in the interim).

Town houses are ideal investment properties as they are something that will always be in demand thanks to their highly practical locations and the surrounding industry and amenities.

That said though not all town houses were made equal, and while any town house will be a good way to make money there are some things that can help you make our investment even more successful and profitable. Here we will look at some tips when buying town houses as investment properties that can help you to make more money more quickly.

Choose Your Area: First of all, choose your location well. You want to find somewhere that is currently good value and in demand, but even more importantly you want it to be somewhere that is increasing in value. It needs to be somewhere that is going to be worth more than it is now when you come to sell it - otherwise you are just making your money back. The more that the area goes up in value and in demand, the more money you will make on your purchase.

How do you choose a property that is going to go up in value? Well first of all you should choose somewhere that is going to have a lot of money spent on it in the near future. Areas marked for development are ideal investments. Likewise look for places that are having particular new installations in the region whether those are tourist attractions or amenities.

Develop: Next you want to invest in a property that you will be able to develop and spend money on. In other words you want somewhere that isn't in perfect repair and that has room for improvement. This is another way to raise the value past the amount that you paid for it. For instance if you retile the bathroom, relandscape the garden, replaster the walls, or redecorate the rooms then you will find it increases the value of the property. And the value of the property will increase to such a degree that you earn back more than you paid for the developments.

Use: You can also make money from an investment townhouse by using it in the interim while you wait for it to sell. This can mean simply that you rent it out, or that you lease it for use as a holiday home. Either way you will make money in the short term and then make more money again on top of that when you sell the building.

3 Ways Custom Homes Are a Better Option for Buyers

There are basically two types of home buying options; custom homes or production houses. For custom homes you hire a construction company to build on your plot, while a production home is buying an already built home on the company's land site. While production houses also have their own benefits, it is these homes that many of us dreams of. Who wouldn't want a beautiful dream home that is built exactly the way they imagined it? In case you are unsure about whether this is a better option, here are three major benefits that can help you get a better understanding:

1. Get a Dream Home

Each one of us dreams of what our home would look like. Some of us are lucky enough to make sure this dream comes true. You can build the kitchen the way you want, have the rooms designed in a special way for your kids. Create a personal sanctuary for peace and meditation. All these are possibilities when you have a home built according to a laid out design plan. You will have to employ a professional company that offers you unique flooring plans. If you can sketch your own design that would definitely be a great boost.

2. No Repairs or Renovations

Most of the time, you have to renovate a production house to suit your living style. With custom-built houses, you don't have to worry about such a problem anymore. There will be no need for manipulations and no costly renovations needed. However, for this to be the "perfect" home, you also need to have a perfect design plan.

Never hurry in creating your design plan, but rather put in a good though process and feel what you want from each room, each space in your home. Even with design plans, make sure everything is according to your liking and that you have a good understanding of how your home would look like and then go on with it.

3. You Control the Cost

With custom houses, you control the cost. You know what products are being used, what paints are required and what the overall cost of the object is. You don't have to pay any hidden, upfront charges. Everything is in your control and later this house will give an excellent resale value.

Buying Your First Home: Three Reasons It Should Be a Modular Home

Purchasing your first home is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming process. From choosing design options to financing, there are a lot of decisions to be made before you can become a homeowner. Many first time buyers are discovering the many advantages of building a customized modular home. If you are considering buying your first home, there are three reasons a modular home may be the best choice for you.

1. Quality: Modular homes are built off-site in a climate controlled factory. They are about 85% complete when they are transferred to the home site. There are multiple inspections throughout the construction process to ensure that your home is built to the highest of standards. These homes meet or exceed all federal, state, and local regulation codes. Because they must be constructed to withstand travel, they are highly durable as well.

The modular homes of today are not the manufactured homes of the past. They are quality built homes that are constructed with 30% more lumber, more glue and more nails than traditional homes. You can be sure that your modular home is safe, sturdy home that will stay strong and beautiful for many years to come.

2. Affordable: You will be amazed at how much house you get for the price. There are a number of reasons that modular homes are so affordable. Because they are built in an off site factory, you do not need to worry about theft or vandalism to your supplies. All of the lumber and equipment is safely housed and inaccessible to the public. The manufacturer is able to buy supplies and materials in bulk, saving the home buyer a substantial amount of money. Shorter construction times also result in savings to the consumer.

3. Customizable: There are hundreds of floor plans available to ensure that you find the home layout that will make the most sense for your family. You can choose a two-story or one-story home with a variety of styles and choices for exterior treatments. Porches and garages are popular additions that customize your home and enhance its functionality and appearance.

When designing your home, you will need to choose a foundation system. Modular homes can be built on a slab, crawl space, or basement. There are advantages and disadvantages to all options. Your builder will help you choose the option that will fit your budget and benefit your family the most.

One of the best things about buying a modular home is the ability to customize the interior of your home so that it makes sense for your family's lifestyle. From gourmet kitchens to walk-in tubs and energy efficient appliances, you can truly design your dream home. The manufacturer that you work with will be able to inform you of all of the various options available to you and help you make choices that will stay within your budget.

Buying Another House Vs Building a Second House

As a successful homeowner who wants to invest in a second home, purchasing another house and the decision to have a house built from the ground up are both options. These two options for a resident differ in their personality, preference, and price.

Building-a-home types are creative, independent thinkers, who want a place that reflects their personality. They take pride in knowing the image of their perfect house has come to life. In contrast with buying another house types who don't really want what comes with building a house, they just want a roof over their heads. They don't want to put the effort into a new house built from the ground up. Whatever personality a homeowner has whether it's buying a house attitude or building a new home attitude, both types know what they need when it comes to choosing a home.

The cost of another house as opposed to building another home doesn't have everything a homeowner wants on their wish list. With having a house built, the resident can decide exactly what they want in their dream home.

Homeowners can "customize their home with such things as energy-efficient systems or environmentally friendly aspects." So the householder is not only getting everything they want but also they are saving the earth. I'm having trouble seeing the bad side to this option. I'd pay for a second, built home just knowing I was doing something good for the environment.

For occupants who want a home right away buying another house is the best option. This choice is for those homeowners that need to move out of their first home to another house because they need to move for a new job. These people don't have the luxury of waiting for their dream house unless they plan far in advance. Or it's possible they are not the building a home type. I'd take this option under consideration if I didn't have the time to invest constructing of a new house.

When faced with options like buying another house or building a second house, the homeowner has to consider the cost of these two options. According toCost of Building a House vs. Buying, "The median price for an existing home in 2005 was $219,000, while the median cost of building a home the same year was $240,900." The prices are not that far apart, and it's only a 21,900 difference. The resident doesn't have to worry much about a significant price increase.

So, either way a homeowner can choose one option or the other without worrying about how one costs considerably more than the other. This is a relief for some owners who think they have to settle when buying another house instead of building their dream home. I know I wouldn't want to settle for an all ready built home when I can have a new, built home for me at a good price.

Financial cost isn't the only price of a home. Emotional cost is also involved when buying another house or building a new house. With unexpected weather like snow and rain and contracting issues, a completed house sounds more favorable. Buying a house definitely sounds more favorable as opposed to all the stresses surrounding a new, built home but I believe it's worth it in the end when I'd be living in a place I can really call mine.

Getting the Best Deal for Your New Home

Your house is definitely the biggest financial asset in your life. Building your dream home should not be compromised or taken for granted. Find the best new homebuilder to make your place of living more secure and comfortable.

The most important thing in searching for a new home is choosing where to live. Your first move is to search for the best places. Avoid building your new home in a place where there are too many liabilities such as water and sewage disposal or other environmental concerns.

Finding the perfect location

To get the perfect place where you can build your new home, follow these steps.

What type of home do you want to build?

The first step is choosing your home style. Choose whether you want a bungalow, single-family house, or cabin type. If you want a big house, you need to plan all the details.

What is your budget?

Everything starts with the right budget. How much are you willing to pay for your house? By now, you should know how much you could afford. Remember to always stick to the budget. Never buy anything you cannot afford to avoid future problems.

What are the things you need to consider?

Find a good location where you can build your new home. Make sure you have all the things you need, such as accessibility to schools, hospitals, pharmacies, and shopping malls.

What kind of community do you want to live in?

This is one of the most important things you need to consider when looking for a new home. Go around the neighborhood and talk to the local residents. Observe carefully.

What kind of environment do you want for your family?

You're buying a new home to ensure comfort of your family. Make sure the new environment is safe and favorable for your loved ones. Apart from that, you should also examine the civic facilities such as road, garbage, sewage, drainage, and the means of transportation. Living in a new place should be hassle free.

Negotiating for the best deal

Real estate transactions are sometimes complicated. It could be more difficult when negotiating with new homebuilders because usually home prices are based on fixed construction rates. Still, you can get the ideal deal if you know how to negotiate.