Apr 30, 2014
NAHB, 2014 – According to a new National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers survey, high-performing, Low-emissive (Low-E) windows are the most common green building products used by residential remodelers. To kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, NAHB released the survey results, which highlight the most common building features that home owners are using to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
“The improved availability and affordability of high-performing building products means energy-efficient features are being incorporated into more home improvement projects,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Paul Sullivan, CAPS, CGR, CGP, of Waterville Valley, N.H. “Remodeling can not only improve the overall layout and features of a home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also save money on utilities, improve indoor air quality and strengthen the long-term value of your home.”
The most popular green building features in the survey of residential remodelers in the first quarter of 2014 are:
• High performance windows including Low-E and Argon gas windows
• High efficiency HVAC systems
• Programmable thermostats
• ENERGY STAR appliances
Other popular features include ceiling fans, moisture control products such as bathroom fans, water conserving fixtures and high performance insulation.
The usage of technology to improve a home’s performance has increased dramatically during recent years. Seventy percent of remodelers said they used programmable thermostats, an increase from 42 percent in 2011. Sixty-two percent of remodelers used ceiling fans in their remodels, compared to 37 percent in 2011.
Over the next five years, the percentage of remodelers who expect to be doing more than 60 percent of their projects green will double, according to the McGraw Hill Construction green building study in conjunction with NAHB.
“The lower operating and maintenance costs of energy-efficient homes are a compelling reason for more home owners to incorporate green features in their remodeling designs,” said Sullivan. “A professional remodeler can help maximize the benefits of including these features in a remodel. The survey results provide useful examples of ways to increase a home’s efficiency, decrease costs and take advantage of the other benefits that high performance green homes offer.”
For more information about remodeling during National Home Remodeling Month in May and year-round, visitwww.nahb.org/remodel.
Apr 24, 2014
Here at Regency Homes we know that every family is different and we will do everything to ensure that you are getting a home that is perfect for you and your family. The infographic below from ApartmentsForRent has the results of a survey inquiring about what makes a dream home for most Americans listing information on location, size, and a variety of features. Hopefully the survey will give you some inspiration on your own dream homes features!
Apr 22, 2014
April 21, 2014 – As much of the United States recovers from one of harshest winters in recent history, it is important to inspect your home for damage and plan for home maintenance, repair and remodeling projects. Winter weather can be particularly damaging to a home and the tips from NAHB Remodelers can return your home to top condition after the severe winter.
“Winter weather can damage homes in ways that aren’t easily visible,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Paul Sullivan, CAPS, CGR, CGP, of Waterville Valley, N.H. “Home owners should protect their investment and hire a professional remodeler to repair or replace damaged components now, before spring storms create more problems.”
NAHB Remodelers recommends these top 10 tips for home owners to inspect for damage and make sure your home is ready for spring from top to bottom:
- Inspect roof—Check your roof for loose, warped or missing shingles and make sure the chimney flashing and skylight seals are intact.
- Clean and repair gutters—Clear winter storm debris from gutters and downspouts, and check that they are still securely attached to the house. Blocked or loose gutters can allow water into your home and damage trim.
- Look for leaks—Common culprits for hard-to-find leaks are attics, crawl spaces and washing machine hoses. Inspect these areas, look under sinks for damage from frozen pipes and check your water heater for signs of corrosion.
- Clear exterior drains—Remove leaves from underground or exterior drains to clear the way for spring showers and prevent backups.
- Inspect siding—Inspect siding for pieces that have come loose during winter storms.
- Check window and door seals—Examine the exterior caulking on door and window seals to ensure it remains watertight.
- Patch cracks—Patch cracks in concrete driveways, sidewalks and steps to keep water out and prevent further expansion.
- Paint the exterior—Painting or touching up paint on the exterior of your home not only makes it look better, but will also help protect the home from the elements.
- Inspect the HVAC—Hire a qualified technician to service your home’s HVAC system to make sure it is running properly before hot temperatures call for air conditioning. Now is also the time to replace your HVAC filters.
- Check your home’s grading—Ensure the grading of your yard slopes away from your home’s foundation to keep excess moisture at bay.
Don’t wait to inspect your home and get damage fixed. Many professional remodelers not only renovate homes; they repair or replace damaged or deteriorating roofs, windows, doors and other home features. Remodeling and repair projects can require your home to be open to the elements and companies may have a backlog of work due to the length and severity of the winter season. Choose your repair and renovation projects for the year ahead and start planning now.
To find a local professional remodeler, visit nahb.org/remodelerdirectory.
Apr 16, 2014
April 16, 2014 – Led by a 6 percent rise in single-family starts, nationwide housing production rose 2.8 percent above an upwardly revised February rate of 920,000 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 946,000 units in March, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau.
“We see improving signs of new-home construction as we move into the spring buying season,” said Kevin Kelly, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del. “The strongest recovery is in the Northeast and Midwest, where builders were hampered by severe winter weather earlier in the year.”
“Today’s report is in line with our forecast of a gradual strengthening in the housing sector in 2014,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “However, several uncertainties including tight credit conditions for home buyers and erratic job growth are making builders cautious about getting ahead of demand.”
Single-family housing starts rose 6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 635,000 units in March, while multifamily starts fell 6.1 percent to 292,000 units.
Regionally in March, combined single- and multifamily housing production rose strongly in the Northeast and Midwest with gains of 30.7 percent and 65.5 percent, respectively, but fell 9.1 percent and 4.5 percent in the South and West, respectively.
Overall permit issuance fell 2.4 percent to 990,000 units in March. The Northeast and Midwest posted gains of 33.3 percent and 26 percent, respectively, while the West was unchanged and the South posted a 17.1 percent decline.
Apr 15, 2014
The kitchen is known as the heart of the home and for good reason. We eat, prepare meals and most importantly connect with family in this room. So it’s no surprise that more and more people are designing their kitchen to reflect the importance it has in the home and family. What follows are the top trends in kitchen design, from DIY projects to a complete remodel there’s a kitchen design trend for everyone.
- Lighting – From undercabinet lighting to overhead chandeliers homeowners are using various lighting techniques to highlight and illuminate their kitchens. Lighting can completely change the feel of the room so many homeowers are installing different kinds of lighting and using each depending on the activity.
- White cabinetry – White cabinetry pairs perfectly with any architectural style. It can achieve a modern look and feel as well as a one with more country charm and flair. No matter which style of white cabinetry you choose all are easy to clean and look fabulous.
- Energy Star appliances – Eco friendly kitchen appliances can save you money and are good for the planet. Today’s energy efficient appliances are beautiful, functional and easy to operate.
- Mixing design styles and materials – Designers of todays kitchens are mixing elements from past decades. Imagine the clean lines of handless cabinetry against the rustic look and feel of exposed brick. No matter which styles you embrace mixing them can add character and your unique personality to your home.
- Efficient use of space rather than busting out – In smaller homes many homeowners have opted to redesign their kitchen smarter. Instead of making the kitchen larger by adding to the home or taking over another room in the home, homeowners are opting you use efficient design elements such as a Lazy Susan (they work great in a refrigerator) or deeper cabinets.
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