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In order to save money and design the home of their dreams, many people choose to build their home from the ground up. When building a home, one has to consider how they will finance the big project. One loan option many people choose is the Construction Mortgage.

A Construction Mortgage is a loan that is used to finance the building of a home. The money is normally given to the borrower in set amounts as each stage of the construction process is completed. Most construction mortgages involve paying the interest only during the construction period with full repayment required after the owner obtains a certificate of occupancy.

Before a lender approves a construction mortgage, they have to know all that will be involved in building the home. This includes the blueprint, materials, labor, other costs associated with the construction, and the time it will take to completely build the home. Construction mortgages are normally variable-rate loans which are priced at according to the prime rate. The homebuilder, lender, and contractor will set the schedule for withdrawal of funds for each stage of the construction process. Interest is applied on the amount of money withdrawn. Having the money released before each stage is complete is often seen as economically beneficial and helps prevent future funding problems.

Many homeowners will often choose to acquire a construction-to-permanent financing plan where the construction loan is switched to a mortgage loan after the certificate of occupancy is given out. You can often get a higher construction loan rate and then get better mortgage rates when you switch to traditional mortgage financing. It is important to remember that with a variable rate, repayments can fluctuate each month. Generally, construction mortgage rates are quoted on a prime plus basis. Also consider the varied GIC rates in your financial planning.

Like a traditional mortgage, how much you can borrow will depend on your financial status such as your credit rating and income. Lending can often range from 75 – 95 percent of the building cost. Some lenders provide a separate loan for the land. Funding for building costs is released when the home building plan has been approved. The best benefit of a construction mortgage is that it is usually cheaper than getting a mortgage for an existing home. The cost of building your own home is much less than buying a new house. As well, new self-built homes are worth more the day the home is finished so it makes for a good investment. When considering a construction mortgage, it is important to comparison shop from a number of different lenders. Many experts recommend consulting with a construction mortgage specialist.

From the size of the rooms and where the rooms are located, building your own home provides you with many more choices than if you were going to buy an existing home. A construction mortgage may be the perfect solution if you are looking to build your dream home at a much less expensive cost. When considering this type of mortgage, it is important to understand how it works, the cost to build, and the repayment terms and conditions. With the right knowledge, it will not be long before you will be living in your dream home.

Obtaining the best mortgage rates can be an important competitive advantage in the housing market. Another important factor to consider is finding the best GIC rates, which may help you in securing a stronger purchase or sale of your home.

Comments (0) Feb 02 2010

Because it increases property values, crown moldings are one of the most popular upgrades made to any home or building. Rooms in new buildings are often painfully plain because moldings are frequently skimped on to cut construction costs. You can greatly enhance the beauty and warmth of any room by installing window, door, crown and other architectural moldings.

Realtors and home selling experts recommend installing crown molding in an entryway or major room as an inexpensive way to increase buyer interest and get homes sold faster – especially in a slow economy. Crown molding is widely mentioned as one improvement that costs less than the resulting increase in property value.

According to the author of 101 Cost Effective Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home, Steve Berges, “When you’re comparing two houses, the one with the crown moulding is going to show better.”

Holly Slaughter, RealEstate.com’s consumer expert says “Trim work can really add interest, depth, and sophistication to your house, and put money back in your pocket at resale.”

If you think crown moulding is too expensive you may be surprised to learn that the less expensive materials can cost as little as sixty cents a foot while rare woods can run six dollars a foot or more.

Lower cost crown mouldings can be added to an average sized room for a total cost of only $300 to $500 including painting or staining, materials and installation. Total installed prices can range from $8 to $12 per running foot and up.

Even fans of crown molding probably do not realize that buying stock crown moldings greatly limits their choices. Millwork companies offer far more widths, thicknesses and shapes and can match any existing moldings.

Manufacturers of mouldings and millwork trim can source almost 200 different wood species. Best of all it costs less to order crown mouldings directly from the manufacturer than to buy them from retail stores or moulding installers.

When you consider the wide selection of styles, shapes, thicknesses and heights there are hundreds of Crown Molding profiles to choose from. Crown moldings can be two to twelve inches wide; the thicker and wider the molding the more impressive they are. Consider taller or wider moldings from less expensive wood or narrower or thinner moldings from the most rare and beautiful woods.

We prefer the beauty of wood mouldings and the wide selection of woods used include pine, poplar, oak, mahogany and cypress including sinker deadhead cypress. Crown moulding can also be made from polyvinyl chloride (recycled pvc), polyurethane (flexible plastic) and polystyrene (foam).

Unless you are a talented do-it-yourselfer or carpenter, installing crown molding is usually best left to an expert. Few buildings are totally square and one expert says “crown molding has to be cut upside down and backwards” to specific angles. Arches or complex corners can make the job even more complicated.

If you want your moldings to really last, be sure to have them sealed, stained or painted on all sides prior to installation. Though few installers actually do this and many will insist it is not necessary, this step is critical to protect the wood from moisture that can cause warping or deterioration.

There are specialized tools that make installing crown molding easier for talented carpenters and do it yourselfers including compound mitre charts, True Angle measuring gauges, and specific mitre saws.

Wayne Drake’s book Crown Molding and Trim, Install It LIke A Pro shows you better ways to cut angles and install crown molding through the use of hundreds of examples and 350+ photos.

Do you know why historical buildings and old houses look so distinctive compared to new buildings and homes? If you really look you’ll notice the wider or more elaborate moulding trim around the doors, windows and ceilings that are missing in most rooms today. Adding mouldings – and especially crown mouldings – adds warmth and character to any space.

Crown moulding is one of the most widely recommended ways to increase the value and beauty of your home or office. Whether you install it yourself or hire a crown moulding installation expert, consider adding crown moulding to at least one room. When you see the difference it makes you may decide to continue adding interesting architectural mouldings in other rooms.

Frank Wright gets his answers about Crown Moldings from Good Millwork, a quality manufacturer of Architectural Molding selling direct to the public. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

Comments (0) Feb 01 2010

The majority of scientists and other experts now agree that human activity is having a negative impact on the planet. Global warming, increased pollution, and our diminishing natural resources have resulted in an urgent need to change our lifestyles. One way of creating a more sustainable environment is by building eco friendly homes.

By building eco friendly new homes we are protecting our forests and reducing the amount of toxins and green house gases being released into the air. For instance, bamboo is becoming popular as a source of wood for building homes. Bamboo is durable and it grows quickly therefore we are replenishing forests quickly instead of depleting them. As well, it absorbs four times as much carbon dioxide as most trees.

Another method of obtaining wood is through harvesting wood from sustainable forests and from recycled wood. One should consider using “green” lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Acquiring furniture made from eco-friendly methods is another way of protecting environment. There are many companies that recycle old furniture into beautiful products. As well, waste wood from lumber yards and wood from sustainable forests are also used to make eco-friendly furniture.

For concrete foundations, fly ash, the residue from coal-fired power plants, can be used to replace at least half the cement used to make concrete. Utilizing fly ash reduces the cost of concrete, and produces a superior quality product.

One main source of indoor pollution is carpeting and rugs. They are known for collecting toxins, dirt, dust, pet dander, pollen, and bacteria. Using an eco friendly carpet made from eco friendly materials helps reduce the amount of indoor harmful toxins in the home.

Other methods of making a home eco friendly include:

- Make sure windows are air tight to reduce energy consumption. – Use recycled and environmentally friendly insulation that do not contain any chemicals. Baled straw is a good choice. – Bricks can be recycled and reused with very little processing and energy consumption. – Concrete countertops made from recycled newspaper and fly ash – Paint walls with an eco-friendly paint. – Use energy efficient light bulbs. – Install ventilation systems to remove dust, dirt, and toxins that are in the air. – There are a host of energy efficient appliances on the market such as refrigerators, washers, water heaters, etc. – Install cabinets that do not contain any toxic substances – Install fans in the bathroom to remove moisture and install exhaust fans over the stove to remove gases. – For flooring, use either cork, bamboo, hardwood from certified sustainable forests, or biodegradable linoleum. – Install low flow shower heads and water conserving toilets.

According to the Worldwatch Institute, an independent organization that evaluates serious global issues, “one-fourth of the world’s wood and one-sixth of its fresh water are used in building construction”. More companies are now responding to consumers’ demands for an eco friendly lifestyle. Because there are now such a wide range of earth friendly materials available, building an eco friendly home is one way we can reduce our carbon footprint.

Ranging from luxurious interiors to fresh exteriors, our service is dedicated to providing a warm Guelph home for families and individuals. Asides from home building, home improvement is also highly emphasized. If you are looking for greater detail for guelph homes, please visit us!

Comments (0) Dec 29 2009

When a person is looking at homes to purchase, one of the most common factors that are overlooked is the type of roof insulation installed. Roof insulation should be inspected before a home is purchased. There are many things that can go wrong after purchase if the proper precautions are not followed.

Roof insulation has several important jobs. The first job of any type of roof insulation is to trap heat in order for a home to keep warmer. No matter what type of roof insulation which is used, it will be located directly under the material which makes up the outer side of the roof. The type of insulation which is sold in rolls, gets rolled into the roof between the rafters, and then is attached most likely by staples.

Between the rafter and the underside roof is the area most likely taken up by roll in roof insulation. This allows the space of the attic or crawl space to be adequately used as a handy storage area for seasonal items such as Christmas decorations and other small items which are used annually.

When a crawl space or attic is accompanied by the type of roof insulation that gets blown into place by a person using a machine, the amount of storage space diminishes completely. The blown insulation sticks to anything, such as materials, and generally even is placed on the floor of the attic or crawl space. This type of insulation is the easiest to install, but is not the best space saving method to use.

Also, most roof insulation is not very flammable. Which means if a wood stove is the only method of heat, and the roof insulation is installed correctly, a chimney fire will not spread as quickly as it would if there were no roof insulation present in the home.

Also, when air conditioning is used inside a home regardless of the source, the cool air will be pushed downward into the living area of the home, because good roof insulation traps heat, and causes the cool air to stay in the home.

In conclusion, a prepared visual inspection before home purchase will save a sufficient amount of living costs when using insight. As a matter of fact, a successful inspection on the purchaser’s part, could request the seller replaces the roof or the roof insulation in order to gain the sale of a home.

April Kerr owns blog Types of Roofing where you will find details on cheap flat roofing materials plus cheepest vinyl rain guttering.

Comments (2) Dec 15 2009

A fireplace has long been a favorite of everyone. They bring class and romance to any home just by merely being there. If you are considering building fireplace in your home, there are a few things that you need to consider before moving forward to make sure that the project goes as smooth as possible.

If there was ever a doubt about how much people like fireplaces, all which need be done is a quick look at a study that was done by the National Board of Realtors. Homes are perceived to have about 10% additional value when there is a fireplace present and a whopping 60% of single homes that are under currently under construction will feature at least one fireplace in them.

As with all home remodel projects, taking the time to plan and learn about options is important when building fireplace. Think about what is most important to you in a fireplace, the look, the size, efficiency and economy, or heat output? Carefully research your community’s building and environmental regulations as well as the location factors within your home.

The most common choice is still the traditional wood burning fireplace, but if economy is important to you this may not be your best selection. About 90 percent of the heat generated in these hearths goes right up the chimney. It is possible to revamp this type of fireplace with a factory built insert that recirculates the air and has glass doors. Vents draw in the cold air, warm it up and then push it back out into the room.

Another route to go is a natural gas burning fireplace. They are very easy to use and while you obviously have to pay for gas, there is no longer the need to chop your own wood or have to buy it from a vendor. They are also able to be lit via a switch so you will never have to worry about damp wood ruining an evening.

Finally, think about what kind of mantel you are going to have as well. This will more than likely become the focal point of the room so you will want to dress it up as much as possible. You can set it up for a vase, picture displays or even hang your big screen over top of it. One things is for sure, home life will never be the same once a fireplace is installed.

Building a build an outdoor fireplace is a prevalent choice for scores of homeowners who enjoy the added comfort and warmth that they afford. Dive into our webpage at Outdoor fireplaces for extra specifics.

Comments (0) Dec 01 2009

Today’s new home construction projects, such as new home developments on Long Island, now offer the “green” choice: Energy Star rated new homes. Energy Star new construction houses are homes that meet certain strict government criteria regarding energy efficiency.

To be considered an Energy Star efficient home, these new houses must meet these guidelines set by the government at www.energystar.gov:

1. Effective Insulation 2. High-Performance Energy Efficient Windows 3. Tight Construction 4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment 5. Efficient Appliances 6. Third-Party Validation

What exactly is an Energy Star rating and how is it the green choice?

We’ll talk about green . Unfortunately, this concept is thrown around so often that people claim many products are “green” simply because they cause less harm to the ecosystem than another product. When we discuss about green, we’re talking a significant reduction of contaminants or a positive conservation of energy.

With new homes, the main green impact is energy savings. Electricity and heat can be conserved in a number of ways, reducing the requirements for fossil fuels. Electricity, while clean when used, still needs to be produced. Generally, it is produced by coal or other fossil fuels with massive negative effects on the environment. By cutting the electric demand, you effectively reduce the amount of toxic fuel that needs to be consumed. By doing a few things in your house, you can significantly reduce your electric demand.

First, you want to use high quality insulation in new construction. Make use of enough insulation to sufficiently protect your new house from the weather. Ideally, you should insulate your basement, walls, floor and attic to help maintain an even inside temperature. The more consistent the temperature inside, the less often your heating system needs to go on, using energy to stabilize the temperature.

Next, consider your windows. With new homes, you can use higher efficiency windows that reduce breezes, insulate outside cold air and help block out ultraviolet light (which can fade fabrics, paint and carpets, requiring you to replace them sooner).

Solid construction is key. Small cracks and holes can create significant drafts that can allow heat to escape in the winter and air conditioning to escape in the summer. When this happens, your heating and cooling systems need to work overtime to compensate. Fixing these leaks will significantly reduce your energy costs. With new construction, tight and solid construction, especially around ducts and pipes leading outside, you will have a major impact.

Finally, as you choose a builder, for example www.EmmyHomes.com on Long Island, be sure the homes have a verification of their Energy Star rating. This protects you to make sure that you receive the energy benefits that you expect from your new construction.

Craig Axelrod is one of the principals with Emmy Homes. Emmy is one of LI’s most established home developers. Emmy’s Commack real estate features luxury homes in Commack. Visit EmmyHomes.com for more details.

Comments (0) Nov 14 2009

The lagging economy has affected all types of businesses and the construction industry has been no exception. New home construction has fallen off considerably in recent months and following right behind has been a slowdown in commercial construction. Government stimulus initiatives are helping to keep things moving somewhat, but our economy is far from out of the woods. As a result, it is essential that businesses of all kinds operate on a very cost efficient basis.

The amount of money to be made from any commercial construction project is mainly determined by how well the planning both before and during the period of construction. When your budget is tight, you must be efficient. Construction materials and other expenses must be planned for maximum profitability. If there are delays, that will cost money and not many commercial construction companies can afford to lose profits at this time.

By using a design-build contractor, a project delivery service can offer a construction businesses with what they need to finish their project on time and within the budget. There are times where a general contractor will do this job, but other design professionals like architects and engineers may also provide this sort of service. This stops any unnecessary overlap between the designer and the builder.

A proficient design-builder has all the staff they require to complete a project in a timely manner with efficiency. The amount of time it takes to finish each portion of the project may be the same; however, the transition between phases is quicker most of the time. The designers and builders collaborate on a project which results in a well run construction timetable.

There may be little savings on the construction costs themselves, but there can be significant savings on the project as a whole. This can often make the difference between being able to undertake a project and having to shelve it.

In addition, there are many other benefits to using a design-build contractor for a construction project. There is often much better communication between the design-build service and the owner of the project. The service provider is aware of the need for high accountability and is willing to provide this information often and in detail. The client can rely on one single source for the completion of the project and efficient communication provides the client with a sense of confidence.

At a time when commercial construction projects are falling by the wayside because of a lack of funds, and construction companies are going out of business from too many cost overruns, it is essential for those that do have work to carry them out with the least amount of waste. Low profit margins can still be enough to keep a business functioning if a project is brought in on time and within budget.

Choosing a design-build company to complete a commercial construction project is the best cost efficient means for a construction company to remain in business throughout these hard economic times. This effective technique has become a popular trend in commercial construction.

For more information on Commercial Building Contractor options in MD, DC and VA checkout Commercial Construction Washington DC and available Commercial Construction options – with local service in the MD, VA, DC area, visit: http://www.LandisCommercial.com

Comments (4) Nov 11 2009

Purchasing a new home comes with a lot of responsibilities. For most people, it will be their biggest and most important life investment, so you need to be aware of what is involved with such a large purchase in order to ensure that you have made the right decision.

The following is a list of factors to consider when buying a new home:

Determine Your Home Requirements: Before you purchase a new home, you should consider what type of home will be needed for your present and future needs. Do you have a family or will you be expanding your family in the future? How many bedrooms and bathrooms will you need? As well, what type of environment do you want to live in? Do you prefer a rural community or more urban. You also have to look at such areas as proximity to schools, retail stores, and work. As well, do you want a condo, duplex, or a home with a large property? You have to make sure you have considered all housing options. This will help narrow your search.

Financing Options: Financing is a major factor to take into consideration when buying a new home. The majority of new home buyers will have to get a mortgage. You must determine how much of a mortgage you can actually afford. Consider visiting a mortgage site and using their mortgage calculator. This tool will give you an estimate of how much you can actually afford. Remember you have to consider added expenses such as legal fees, closing costs, building inspector fees, title transfer fees, taxes…etc.

Mortgage Pre-approval: Before you find a new home, you should get a mortgage pre-approval from a trustworthy lender. This will help you narrow your home search. First, make sure you have a clean credit history. Check for any errors on your credit report and have them corrected. Pay off any outstanding bills. Comparison shop for a mortgage lender as mortgage products will vary. Consider whether you should get a fixed rate or variable rate. As well, look at the pros and cons of a 15 year and 30 year mortgage.

Hire A Real Estate Agent: Real estate agents have a great deal of knowledge about the housing market. They have knowledge of the community and their resources and amenities, the value of the other homes in the neighborhood, whether the price of a home for sale is fair, and how to properly make an offer and counter offer. They can also show you homes that meet your needs. As well, a real estate agent will know of any important issues about the home, property, and community.

Home Inspector: It is important to get a home inspector to inspect the home you are considering buying. An inspector will be able to note any problems with the structural integrity of the home, foundation, roof, septic, plumbing, electrical…etc. You do not want to buy a home and find out you have an enormous repair bill.

Buying new homes is not only an exciting time in your life, but is also a time that requires much thought and planning. Considering the above factors when purchasing a new home will help ensure that you purchase a home that is not only right for you and your family, but also a home that you can afford.

An innovative residential home builder Southwestern Ontario, provides energy efficient new homes in the Guelph homes, London Ontario Home and Kitchener home markets. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Comments (0) Nov 03 2009

Foreclosures in Kuna Idaho are getting to become common in the market. As hard as this seems to be for property owners, it is really quite good for buyers. Given that defaults at an all time high, foreclosures in Kuna Idaho are simply a condition of market components causing chaos.

Even though they can be very neglected, they work out to be good investments for buyers researching to relocate to the county keep these facts in mind.

New home owners buying Kuna foreclosures simply endeavor to remembers that significant numbers of them will require significant repair and financial involvement. The bulk of foreclosure property are treated for winter to protect their plumbing but do not expect that to mean that everything inside are in good shape.

Interested parties should be aware of how long any real estate you are considering has been vacant and know that could mean that many of the appliances, particularly the furnace, could have been open to wide ranging temperatures and disuse.

Another possibility to note is that mice & rats can move into the indoors as the onset of fall, as it turns cooler. If nobody is present to chase them out, and they have even a small store of food, they will get in, breed, and remain.

Vermin in the west U.S. can pack diseases like respiratory illnesses and the Black Plague so they can not be ignored. If an infestation is bad enough and involved diseased rodents, the house may end up being destroyed. This could have all be avoided by just requesting the property inspector to watch out for any signals of infestation and deal with it from there.

Random vandalism is becoming a developing situation with Kuna foreclosures. Many vacant properties are left exposed against marauding teenagers or criminal elements in the towns. Many of destruction is easy repaired and limited to shattered windows. On occassion it is something relatively major that would grants easy access, like a kicked in door, so you have to concern yourself about seedy residents occupying the home.

Usually this situation is only a trouble while the house is unoccupied because once the squatters see someone inside they search out another property to occupy.

The author enjoys writing articles on Kuna foreclosures and foreclosures in Boise Idaho.

Comments (0) Nov 02 2009

Have you heard all the things that can go wrong when building a new home?

My brother bought a newly built house in a big development tract.  After living in the house for less than six months he noticed some discoloration on the wall of his daughters bedroom.  He found out that a slow leak had been soaking the interior of the wall for months and now it was full of mold.

He had to put his daughter in the same bedroom with her two brothers while the leak was fixed, the mold removed, and the wall repaired. His children were sharing the same room for months before her room was livable again.

A friend of mine bought a new 3 bedroom condominium.  He found it was hard to afford the $175 to $250 electric bill to keep it cool because it was so poorly insulated.
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Comments (9) Jan 17 2009