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Less new homes have been sold in the last year or so, due to home buyers finding foreclosed homes more affordable in light of the recent recession. Research in the property market has however established that buyers now prefer ‘green’ homes to luxury homes with non-green additions.

Forty nine percent of those looking to buy homes, preferred homes containing devices which aid energy saving such as solar panels over luxury features. Only 31 percent of those interviewed preferred luxury features.

The neighborhood, in which the new home is located, is also an important consideration. People prefer their new homes to be in areas with low crime rates and in close proximity to their place of work. Only 6% of respondents would be prepared to sacrifice their proximity to shopping malls, whilst 3% of people would sacrifice their proximity to public transportation, such as bus routes.

Significantly more respondents, compared to previous surveys are prepared to sacrifice personal comfort in order to be able to afford a new home.

Despite the financial difficulty a new home purchase would bring, 81 percent of people interviewed still want to purchase new homes. After the elections in the US, researchers predict a hike in the property industry.

Many respondents wish to buy a new home in the next 5 years and with the recession coming to an end; it may now be time to do just that

Purchasing your own home is an incredible feeling and even better is to buy ‘off the plans’ which enables you to choose your own designs within a custom set as well as your own fixtures such as wardrobes and tiles.

Developers that specialize in developing new homes prefer hiring in-house real estate agents which they pay a commission to in order for the agent to represent them. However, with the high volume of new home developments all over the world, real estate agents that sell new developments earn a lower commission on new home sales than on typical home sales. Due to this, some of them pressurize buyers into signing. It is always a good idea to carefully select your own real estate agent who will disclose drawbacks about your new home before you sign anything.

This may not be the case when you use a developer’s agent.

The developer may also want to use his or her own lender for financing, as this allows the developer to stay informed as to the progress of your loan application. Your lender should be reputable and you should feel at ease around him or her.

‘Green’ homes are preferable to many. Select a real estate agent interested in green issues and the environment. This will ensure that your green home will be perfect for you.

Be sure to find a house of the right size for your family, as green homes are generally smaller than conventional homes.

Green homes use solar power to generate energy and low flow toilets which save on water. Double paned windows and other building materials are manufactured from materials that are environmentally friendly and don’t have negative effects on our environment.

Invest in your family’s future by buying your own residence.

Buying a new house is often a convenient reason for relocation. As such, prospective buyers may be interested in finding a Guelph home or a Kitchener new home.

Comments (0) Jan 30 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

We all want to become more energy efficient. This saves your family money and has a significant positive impact on the environment. No matter what your reason, purchasing a newly built Energy Star qualified new house helps ensure great energy efficiency.

What exactly is an Energy Star home? Is all new construction “green” and good for the environment? How do I know whether the house that I’m purchaseing is truly energy efficient?

The U.S. government has defined standards as to what qualifies as an Energy Star rated house. This is relevant because buzz words such as “green” have no clear definition. Is a new housebuilder claiming to be green simply because he used energy-efficient lighting? Is it really “green” just because she added extra insulation? While are good things, it does not make your house “green.”

To be sure that your new home you’re looking at is really energy efficient, look for the official “Energy Star” certification that is only given to certain qualified houses.

Government rules at www.energystar.gov, identify the criteria a house should meet to become Energy Star rated:

First, the house must make use of quality insulation that is both properly installed and inspected. Insulation should be used in the floors, walls and attics to ensure level temperatures throughout the home. This will drastically reduce energy use and provide greater comfort in your home as it maintains level temperatures.

Next, the house should be built with tight construction and well fitting duct work. Small cracks and holes can cause cold air in and warm air to escape, greatly reducing the energy savings of your home. An opening the size of a quarter can be a problem.

Third, the new home should use high efficiency windows with protective coatings and improved window frames. The goal here is to prevent cold air from coming in in the winter and to keep the heat out in the summer. A good UV coating on the windows also prevents fading of furniture, carpets and paint in your new house.

Fourth, only Energy Star appliances should be used in the new home. These appliances use less gas, oil and electricity and produce reduce waste vs. non-rated appliances.

Next, Energy Star rated appliances should be used in the house, including lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, fans, appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers and washing machines. The more energy efficient appliances you have, the lower your electric costs will be.

Finally, Energy Star contractors can go through a third-party verification process to verify that the homes built meet these standards. This is done to ensure that builders are reputable and deliver on their energy-efficient promises.

Craig Axelrod is one of the executives from Emmy Homes. Emmy is one of Long Island’s premier home developers. Emmy’s Commack real estate features new construction in Commack. Visit EmmyHomes.com for more information.

Comments (2) Nov 17 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