The Oregon Association of Realtors(r) has emailed a survey -- but you might be interested in it, as well!
The HVCC (the House Value Code of Conduct) has been a very controversial "new" code which took effect May 1, 2009.
The reason I'm shaing this survey is because it's important that we voice our opinions . . . and this survey will do EXACTLY that. It's not long a survey and will take you less then 5 minutes.
Please take the time to speak out if you have any issues at all. In fact, if you like the new rules, so state!
This is the quote from The Oregon Association of Realtor(s) email from Andrea Bushnell, CEO and General Counsel:
"There have been increased problems related to appraisals in recent months. On May 1, Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) rules were adopted regarding mortgages that will be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. NAR is concerned that the rules could delay or actually eliminate a number of potential home sales. NAR would like to assess the extent of the problems, and you can help by completing this short survey. Your response to a brief online questionnaire will help the Association and policymakers address the potential problems.
All responses will be treated as confidential and will be compiled into a brief report. The survey closes on June 30. The link to the survey is below:
Since this is NOT state specific -- although sent from my Realtor(r) association -- it's for all of you who WANT your voice heard,here's a great oportunity to have your say!
Benefits of Rammed Earth Construction
Natural beauty of the rammed earth material
Structural walls with large load-bearing capacity
No maintenance
High insulation rating (R33)
Fire proof
Engineered for earthquakes
Uses subsoil (not topsoil)
Saves trees from our valuable forests
High sound resistance - inside and outside
Insect proof - termites, carpenter ants, etc...
Rodent proof
Thermal mass - stabilizes air temperature
Sustainable for 1000+ years
Free of fungicides and pesticides
Thickness of walls gives a solid feeling to the building
Shields from harmful electromagnetic fields and radiation
Lowers cost of heating
Uses local materials for walls
Cost comparable to conventional construction
Indoor air quality
Green building for health of future generations
Adobe
Adobe is one of the oldest building materials in use. It is basically just dirt that has been moistened with water, sometimes with chopped straw or other fibers added for strength, and then allowed to dry in the desired shape. Commonly adobe is shaped into uniform blocks that can be stacked like bricks to form walls, but it can also be simply piled up over time to create a structure. The best adobe soil will have between 15% and 30% clay in it to bind the material together, with the rest being mostly sand or larger aggregate. Too much clay will shrink and crack excessively; too little will allow fragmentation. Sometimes adobe is stabilized with a small amount of cement or asphalt emulsion added to keep it intact where it will be subject to excessive weather. Adobe blocks can be formed either by pouring it into molds and allowing it to dry, or it can pressed into blocks with a hydraulic or leverage press. Adobe can also be used for floors that have resilience and beauty, colored with a thin slip of clay and polished with natural oil.
Adobe buildings that have substantial eaves to protect the walls and foundations to keep the adobe off the ground will require less maintenance than if the walls are left unprotected. Some adobe buildings have been plastered with Portland cement on the outside in an attempt to protect the adobe, but this practice has led to failures when moisture finds a way through a crack in the cement and then can't readily evaporate. When adobe is used as an exterior plaster it is either stabilized or replastered on a regular basis.
Adobe is a good thermal mass material, holding heat and cool well. It does not insulate very well, so walls made of adobe need some means of providing insulation to maintain comfort in the building. Sometimes this is accomplished by creating a double wall, with an air space, or some other insulation in between. Another approach is placing insulating materials on the outside.
The Housing Guru has just expanded its website with a new section, "Home Repair Tips." In this section homeowners can find easy fixes for common home repair problems. Homeowners wanting to save by doing it themselves will find helpful information on topics that range from repairing drywall, simple electrical maintenance, greening your home, easy plumbing repairs, or how to locate water cut-off valves.
A valuable resource with the latest information about housing, The Housing Guru also provides tips on selling, buying, building, remodeling, and frugal living. Check out this new addition to our website and let us know how we can improve.
For the latest information and tips on buying, selling, building, remodeling, or home repair, visit: www.TheHousingGuru.com
We most likely have a little ways to go before Real Estate markets throughout the country finally hit bottom. After all there is still a significant amount of foreclosure inventory that needs to be sold, as well as new foreclosure inventory that has not yet hit the market.
According to Rick Sharga, Vice President for marketing at Realty Trac, a foreclosure listing firm, there were around 700,000 foreclosed homes nationwide at the end of last year that had not been listed yet. This "shadow inventory" of unsold homes certainly could drag the correction out longer.
This period in time however, could eventually looked back at as one of the best in our history to buy a home.
Think about it for a minute when have we ever had the kind of conditions that we presently have now? A large consolidation in housing prices, interest rates teetering on near record lows, 1st time home buyer tax credits, and on and on.
In some respects the housing market is like the stock market. Everyone would love to find the exact bottom and then buy.
If your time line for home ownership does not include a possible transfer over the next couple of years what are you waiting for? You should be jumping at this chance. The cost of home ownership has never been more affordable!
In many areas throughout the country you can own your own home for less than what a similar home would rent for. This is BEFORE you even take into account the tax savings involved with having a home.
While stocks can often times shoot up in a span of a few weeks and home prices do not, don't be foolish enough to assume that interest rates could not jump in a very short period of time. As soon as inflation starts to rear it's ugly head there will be extreme upside pressure on interest rates.
If you are a 1st time home buyer or want to move up in the market to a larger home there has never been a better opportunity. For those that want to think about moving up in the market and have not made the move because of lost equity - STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT! You will make this up on the purchase, as the home you will be buying will most likely have dropped by a larger percentage. For a detailed explanation of this see selling your home in a buyers market.
Interest rates are the X factor right now! The cost of borrowing money is super low. How long this will last is anybodys guess! I truly believe we are nearing the bottom of the Real Estate correction. Rates will not stay this low forever. Don't kick yourself by saying I coulda, woulda, shoulda after the rates jump!
I will leave you something to think about with this 30 second video:
About the Author: The aboveReal Estate information on the housing market coming back was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356.
Have a home to sell in Metrowest Mass? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
I service the following towns in Metrowest Massachusetts: Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Grafton, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Franklin, Douglas, and Framingham MA.
I DON'T THINK SO! The Full time agent is just starting to build up steam. There is so much to learn, many people to be in contact with, (other professionals) Zoning codes, market trends, pricing, sales, short sales, foreclosures...ECT!
You can't begin to stay on top of it all if you are not studying and researching all the time. Then if you work more than one sity, or county...the work is double and triple if not more.
When you sign on with a Real Estate Professional, you want your questions answered promptly, not just after 6 o'clock when they get home from the other job! Real Estate Professionals are not always available every minute of the day! I usually will NOT answer my phone if I am with another client. You want my full attention when I am working with you, so remember others deserve that same courtesy.
NOW, that being said, there are a lot of GOOD Professionals that are working other jobs. Many have to to pay the Bills! But, are they accessible for your needs in a timely matter. For each person, for each issue that time is debatable, for some issues need action right away while others can wait a hour or two, maybe even a day.
So, Before you work with a Real Estate Professional, check with others and see how well they handled their transaction. Check the Professional out and make sure they have your best interests in mind. A couple of phone calls can mean a difference between a smooth transaction or The transaction from HELL!
If you're considering going green with your new (or existing) home, one of your first questions is probably - how much is a solar photovoltaic (PV) system going to cost? The answer can vary quite a bit, but here's some basic considerations:
Federal and State Tax Credits
In North Carolina, there are significant tax credits available. You'll want to check with your tax accountant to make sure you're eligible. Or, if you're working through Southern Energy Management, you'll be able to take advantage of their tax accountant, who answers these kinds of questions regularly!
So for some photovoltaic systems, nearly 70% of the system can be paid for by both state and federal solar energy tax credits.
What Size Photovoltaic System Will You Need?
The typical "starting point" for a photovoltaic solar power system is 2 killowatts. To put this in perspective, a typical 2000 sq ft home uses 12 killowatts.
Average cost per watt to build a photovoltaic system, start to finish, is $8-$10 per watt, with the price per watt decreasing as the size of the system increases, per Southern Energy Management, a nationally recognized solar power installer.
So a typical 2 kWh system will take care of a small portion of your needs, with a total cost of somewhere around $20,000, depending on site conditions and other factors. This is before any tax credits or other cost savings factors.
What About Selling Your Solar Power?
The state of North Carolina strongly encourages the use of green power.NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit organization that basically buys clean, green power (solar, wind, water, etc) from sources and "sells" it to average users who want to use power that's better for the environment.
Basically, you'll "sell" your solar generated photovoltaic power for about $.15/kWh, while paying approximately $.10/kWh for "regular" electricity.
In addition, you'll also get credits back from the power company, usually about $.05/kWh.
So the electricity your solar photovoltaic system generates produces a "cash crop", while creating clean green power!
Other Cost Breaks for PV Systems
Talk to your accountant. There is also depreciation and a few other factors that may contribute to lower overall costs.
More questions?
Just contact us, and we'll help you determine if a photovoltaic (PV) system is best for your needs and budget for your new home!
The Merriam Webster definition of Gentrification is: the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents
While there continues to be disagreement about what constitutes successful urban infill, there is general agreement that the term refers to efforts to utilize existing infrastructure when building new structures whether for commercial or residential use. For the most part, there is also agreement that this is good for both "smart growth" reasons since it stops (or at least slows) the ever expanding girth of cities and helps to revitalize existing urban areas and for revitalizing areas that have begun to decline. Herein lies the dilemma.....
I am a huge fan of remodeling and of building in existing neighborhoods. I believe that it can really be a boon to the area, however, building 2000 square foot homes with high end granite counters, jacuzzi tubs and Travertine floors in a neighborhood of 50 year old 1200 square foot homes that the owners have a hard time maintaining let alone improving is not helpful to the folks who live in the neighborhood already. It is, arguably, not even good for the people who might buy the house. Yes, they are paying less for the same house if it were in a different location but is it a good investment for them? Only if they are buying it because they love both the house and the neighborhood and don't really care about the economics of it.
Ask the people who live across the street or down the block from the new house what they think. They can't afford to have their property values increased because they are already struggling to pay the taxes. Who is going to buy the new home? Either someone who can't afford to buy the same house in a more upscale neighborhood or someone like the builder who built it and is in the process of building seven more on the same street-----oh, yeah, he is trying to buy out the remaining neighbors in the cul de sac where these are located. I love the note in the MLS that says that all 8 of the new homes being constructed here will have fenced yards---he's talking about the FRONT yard folks---- and for some reason I am not visualizing the three foot white picket fence that neighbors used to share iced tea over and grow roses on.
It is quite possible to build good, energy efficient, affordable homes in neighborhoods like this one rather than slightly smaller McMansions that don't really fit the neighborhood. Good builders build those kind of homes everyday. I've run across several of these large new homes lately in working with a buyer who wants a "nice" house but is smart enough to know that she should
Spend a little less than what her lender told her she is approved for.
Look for a house that she feels would be a home for many years since she doesn't want to move again in her later years (she's 45)
Is large enough for her to enjoy having her children and grandchildren visit but not too large for her to clean and maintain comfortably
And in her words, "I know better than to buy the biggest nicest house in the neighborhood - I would never get my money back if I did have to sell it later for some reason".
If one of these homes had been a 1500 square foot home with Saltillo tile instead of Travertine and a simple fireplace rather than an ornate one with expensive finishes and one of many solid surface counter tops rather than granite, good quality EnergyStar appliances and HVAC systems properly sized for the house, it would have cut 25% or more off the cost of the house and brought it down to the price range of the rest of the homes in the area. She would still have had a brand new home she loved in an area that she liked and she would have bought it in a heartbeat. Instead what we have is smaller trophy homes in unlikely places.
Perhaps as the economy and the environmental crisis combine to make more people examine their priorities we will see a shift away from gentrification toward community building which I think is a much more appropriate goal for infill development. Having walkable neighborhoods, energy efficient homes and interacting with our neighbors in a cooperative way that helps us all have a better life can be a path to changing and improving neighborhoods and cities for the better without gentrifying them. Making a neighborhood a better place to live does not have to mean making it unaffordable.
We only have one earth and we really do need to take care of it so that it will be here for future generations to come. One of the staples in my household cupboard is baking soda. I buy it when it's on sale and often get it for 3 boxes for $1. It goes a long way. There are a lot of great environmentally friendly products available for cleaning. Here are some inexpensive ideas.
Carpets - Before vacuuming, shake baking soda over the carpeting; it will help absorb odors. For spot cleaning, try that natural wonder, vinegar. Spray it on, scrub out the spot with a washrag and don't worry about the vinegar smell, it will soon dissipate.
Upholstery - Sprinkle stale cushions and chairs with baking soda, then vacuum after letting it sit for a while.
General Odors - Make your own scented sprays by mixing distilled water, isopropyl alcohol (ieep this away from heat and flames, as well as from children and pets) and several drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle, then spray wherever needed. For especially stubborn smells, some people swear by zeolite, a natural mineral with tiny, tiny pores and an ability to soak in the worst of odors.
Garbage Cans - sprinkle the bottoms with the natural mineral borax to prevent mold and fungus, and to keep away insects.
Household Gateways for Bugs Spring is when ants and other critters start running amok; fine for the outdoors, maybe, but not in your house. To keep them from crawling in, mix equal parts sugar and borax in a shaker bottle, then sprinkle along likely household entry points (keep away from areas accessible to children and pets).
Laundry - to brighten your whites and keep your colors looking bright add a scoop of borax to your wash water.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home give me a call today and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling. If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy. The tax savings and wealth building a lone is worth the plunge into todays market.
During 2009 Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc is waving administrative fees for active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's. If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve Advance Realty Anne Arundel Inc. will waive the admin fee at settlement. This is a $350 savings. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give Advance Realty Anne Arundel a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent. Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-761-1550.
I just read a somewhat humerous but sobering article in my local paper.
New environmental rules seem to have spurred a flurry of inter-state smuggling.
Last July, Spokane County Washington became the launch pad for our nation's strictest ban on dishwasherdetergents made with phosphates. It is well known that phosphates are a heavy water polluter and this is an attempt to reduce water pollution! The ban will become statewide come July 2010 and several other states are expected to follow suit!
Now for the smuggling part: It would appear that "green" detergents do (1) Not cut grease and (2) Don't get dishes clean. Those folks in Spokane County were forced to either wash their dishes by hand, put them through a pot & pan cycle (more water) or head East on Interstate 90 into Idaho....for the real deal! One, unnamed, Consumer says"everyone she knows buys their soap in Idaho". The manager of the Costco in Coeur d'Alene Idaho estimates his detergent sales have increased 10%.
Among the other States considering a like ban are our sister states of Vermont and Massachusetts.
For years our border businesses in NH have benefited from tobacco and liquor pricing and our lack of sales tax......do we have another potential source of revenue? On which side will the Legislative debate land? Will we too go green or encourage non-green sales benefits?
Boy....Kermie was right! It's not easy being green!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The Oregon Association of Realtors(r) has emailed a survey -- but you might be interested in it, as well!
The Housing Guru has just expanded its website with a new section, "Home Repair Tips." In this section homeowners can find easy fixes for common home repair problems. Homeowners wanting to save by doing it themselves will find helpful information on topics that range from repairing drywall, simple electrical maintenance, greening your home, easy plumbing repairs, or how to locate water cut-off valves.
We most likely have a little ways to go before Real Estate markets throughout the country finally hit bottom. After all there is still a significant amount of foreclosure inventory that needs to be sold, as well as new foreclosure inventory that has not yet hit the market.
Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at 
Available Communities and Land - Triangle NC Area
New environmental rules seem to have spurred a flurry of inter-state smuggling.
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