The Southern Designer

Southern Comfort

2009-10-08T09:36:00.005-05:00

One of our best selling homes, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath traditional country plan features a spacious split bedroom floor plan with vaulted ceiling and fireplace in the den, eat-in kitchen and ample storage space. Simple yet comfortable, this 1237 square foot home is sure to please!

Living area: 1237 Total Area: 1691
Designer: Rick Garner
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HOME BUYERS COULD MISS $8,000 OPPORTUNITY

2009-04-14T09:07:00.000-05:00

HOME BUYERS COULD MISS $8,000 OPPORTUNITY

WASHINGTON, April 13--The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is doing everything possible to make sure that first-time home buyers--who make up more than half of American adults planning to buy a home in 2009, according to a recent Move.com survey--know they may qualify for up to an $8,000 tax credit.

"We are pulling out all the stops to let potential buyers know they are in the midst of a true buyer's market," said Joe Robson, chairman of the NAHB and a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. "With the first-time home buyer tax credit, historically low mortgage rates, very affordable home prices and the great selection of homes to choose from, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for many Americans."

Out of all the 2008 tax returns already filed as of March 6, nearly 568,000 have claimed a first-time home buyer credit according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which audits the IRS.

NAHB has created a number of resources to help Americans understand current conditions in the housing market and the advantages of homeownership. The cornerstone is the www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com Web site, which provides detailed information about the tax credit and has received more than 1.3 million visits in less than two months.

An in-depth video interview with NAHB's staff tax specialist that provides answers to the most frequently-asked consumer questions about the credit has been viewed on YouTube more than 13,000 times since it was posted March 5.

"The rapidly growing popularity of social networking Web sites makes YouTube, Facebook and Twitter ideal communication vehicles to reach technology-savvy first-time home buyers," said Robson.

A brochure for consumers entitled "Opportunity Knocks for Home Buyers" explains the long-term advantages of buying a home, and provides charts showing examples of typical federal income tax savings through the first five years of homeownership. The brochure can be downloaded from NAHB's Web site at www.nahb.org/opportunityknocks.

Eager buyers who don't want to wait for a brand new home to be built have the opportunity to move in much more quickly than in the past, due to a 12.2 month inventory of new homes on the market. But they need to act quickly. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that sales of newly built, single-family homes showed a 4.7 percent gain in February, rising for the first time in seven months.

Another reason buyers need to act soon is the limited time frame of the credit. Qualified buyers must buy the home on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. To learn more about the $8,000 tax credit, go to www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for 2009.

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1201 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005
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European Country Styling with Upscale Features!

2009-03-24T10:36:00.004-05:00

This inviting home has European Country styling with upscale features. The front and rear covered porches add plenty of usable outdoor living space, and include that much-requested outdoor kitchen. Expansive great room includes a beautiful trayed ceiling and features built-in cabinets and a gas fireplace. The spacious kitchen features an oversized island with a large eating bar and breakfast area. The hall bath is equipped with dual lavatories for convenience. The master bedroom has a raised ceiling and opens into the well-equipped bath with dual lavatories, oversized corner jet tub, and large his and her walk-in closets. There is a storage area off the garage for projects and storage. The media/hobby space could be used as a home office, dining room, or playroom. This is a very flexible home with plenty of options to choose from. Make this your family's next home!
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Welcome back to porch swings and yesterday!

2009-03-24T10:21:00.010-05:00

Home Again! Welcome back to porch swings and yesterday with this classic southern country design! Wrap around porches and dormers give this home just the right touches to make you feel at home. BUT step inside and you will know that this home is designed for TODAY. The Huge Great Room boasts a 10'-0" celing and a wall of windows looking onto the rear covered porch. From the Great Room a 5'-0" high wall seperates the angled bar kitchen from the guests view without closing off the cook. The island holds a drop in downdraft range and built-in convection/microwave combo. A 42" high raised snack bar gives an extra eating area to the Dining Area. The Master Bedroom has french doors looking out onto the rear porch. A spa style bath holds dual sinks, a whirlpool tub and a large custom shower. His and Her closets give this home tons of storage! A wonderful walk-in pantry holds a freezer and all the room you need to store extra grocerys, towels, or extra items for the kitchen. A cute 1/2 bath is tucked close to the laundry room and near the side door for guests. Bedrooms 2 and 3 share a nice size bath. Home Again Welcome back to porch swings and yesterday with this classic southern country design! Wrap around porches and dormers give this home just the right touches to make you feel at home. BUT step inside and you will know that this home is designed for TODAY. The Huge Great Room boasts a 10'-0" celing and a wall of windows looking onto the rear covered porch. From the Great Room a 5'-0" high wall seperates the angled bar kitchen from the guests view without closing off the cook. The island holds a drop in downdraft range and built-in convection/microwave combo. A 42" high raised snack bar gives an extra eating area to the Dining Area. The Master Bedroom has french doors looking out onto the rear porch. A spa style bath holds dual sinks, a whirlpool tub and a large custom shower. His and Her closets give this home tons of storage! A wonderful walk-in pantry holds a freezer and all the room you need to store extra groceries, towels, or extra items for the kitchen. A cute 1/2 bath is tucked close to the laundry room and near the side door for guests. Bedrooms 2 and 3 share a nice size bath.

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New Charming Craftsman Style Home!

2009-03-24T10:12:00.005-05:00

Craftsman Charm!

The shake siding and stacked columns give The Holly character that surpasses all others. A charming porch grants you shelter from the storm and welcomes you home. This is an open floor plan with a large Great Room that shares a raised snack bar with the Kitchen/Dining area. The Kitchen has loads of cabinets and you have a place for everything. The Master Bedroom has options galore. Keep the plan as it is and have two walk-in closets and a private bath or use the Optional Master Bath layout that comes with the plan. The Optional Master Bath plan removes one of the walk-in closets and replaces your smaller private bath with a luxury bath. Dual sinks, corner shower and whirlpool tub round out this option. Bedrooms 2 and 3 are nice sized and have lots of storage. The Laundry room is located next to Bath 2, making cleanup a breeze. This home has true star quality with down home charm.

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New Townhouse Plan!

2009-02-04T13:04:00.004-06:00

A Break From The Ordinary!

Unique exterior styling offers exception from the start! This 4 unit townhouse plan features spacious living area and closet space as well as an upstairs split bedroom plan. An exceptional bonus is the third story loft! This space can be used for anything from family gathering to office space. Click the image below for more information

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Building a New Home

2008-11-17T11:25:00.002-06:00

Preparation and Planning to Build A New Home

The Southern Designer, LLC would like to provide you with some valuable resources you may find helpful when building your new home. First, we suggest visiting our website, offering over 9000 quality, professionally designed house plans at www.southerndesigner.com! Once you find the plan you like, here are some links and articles that may assist you in the building process:

Federal Housing Tax Credit For First Time Home Buyers

Home Buyer "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure

Find A Builder

If you are shopping for a new home, how can you be sure that it was built so that it does not cause health or safety problems for the members of your household? The answer can be given in two words: building codes.

A building code sets forth requirements to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to construction and the occupancy of a building. These codes include specific requirements for building materials, fire protection, structural design, light and ventilation, heating and cooling, sanitary facilities and energy conservation.

There is no national building code enforced by the federal government. Different areas of the country have different construction methods; the techniques used to build houses in a cold climate will be different than those used in a warm climate. Most construction in the United States is regulated at the local level. Only a few municipalities (mostly major cities) write and revise their own codes. Some states have mandatory statewide building codes.

Building homes is a complicated process, so building codes are often long and complicated. To prevent each local jurisdiction from having to develop its own complicated codes from scratch, there are several major model code organizations that draft codes that local areas can adopt.

The local area has total authority for adoption and enforcement. It may adopt a model code as is, adopt only specific portions, or add some of its own changes.

Code writing is a dynamic process, involving constant interaction between the public and private sectors of the construction industry. Federal, state and local governments and individuals involved in code writing and revision represent the views of labor, management, manufacturers and trade associations, contributing much time and technical expertise to the process.

Building codes do not deal with issues such as the quality of the workmanship and materials.

Consumers are protected in these areas through their warranties. For instance, if a building code inspector is examining a home and sees a gouge in a kitchen floor or counter top, that would not be an item affecting health or safety, and as such would not be covered by a building code.

However, it would be covered in the warranty on workmanship and materials.

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If you're in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home. Whether you are buying a condo, a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom built house, you want to know that you are buying a good quality home from a reputable builder. Here are a couple of tips to help you choose a builder.

Make A List of Possible Builders
Once you have thought about the type of house you want, you will need to find a builder.

Contact your local home builders' association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in your area. You can also look on Move.com, NAHB's official new homes listing Web site.

Look in the real estate section of you local newspaper for builders and projects. Looking through the ads and reading the articles can help you to learn which builders are active in your area, the types of homes they are building, and the prices you can expect to pay. Make a list of builders who build the type of home you're looking for in your price range.

Local real estate agents may also be able to help you in your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder.

Do Your Homework
Once you have a list of builders, how can you find out about their reputations and the quality of their work? The best way to learn about builders is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners.

Ask builders on your list for the addresses of their recently built homes and subdivisions. Builders may even be able to provide names of some home owners who would be willing to talk with you.

Drive by on a Saturday morning when home owners may be outside doing chores or errands. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Talk to several owners, and try to get a random sample of opinions. The more people you talk with, the more accurate an impression of a builder you are likely to get. At the very least, drive by and see if the homes are visually appealing.

When you talk to builders and home owners, take along a notebook to record the information you find and your personal impressions about specific builders and homes. Doing so will help you to make comparisons later. Some questions you can ask people include: Are you happy with your home? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you buy another home from this builder?

Usually, people tell you if they are pleased with their homes. And if they are not, they'll probably want to tell you why.

Shop For Quality and Value
Look at new homes whenever you can. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to look at homes. Model homes and houses displayed in home shows are often furnished to give you ideas for using the space. You may also ask a builder to see unfurnished homes.

When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trimwork, and paint. Ask the builder or the builder's representative a lot of questions. Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers verbally rather than in writing, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer.

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ARM? GPM? PITI? You’d have to be a cryptologist to figure out some of the terms buyers encounter during the home buying process. Doing research on how to buy a house before beginning the process can greatly improve your experience and prepare you for the exciting course ahead. And with this glossary of home buying terms at your side, you can rest easy that your new home won’t get lost in translation.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). A loan whose interest rate is adjusted according to movements in the financial market.

Amortization. A payment plan by which a borrower reduces a debt gradually through monthly payments of principal and interest.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The annual cost off credit over the life of a loan, including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, mortgage insurance, and other items.

Appraisal. An evaluation to determine what a piece of property would sell for in the marketplace.

Appreciation. The increase in the value of a property.

Assessment. A tax levied on a property or a value placed on the worth of property by a taxing authority.

Assumption. A transaction allowing the buyer of a home to assume responsibility for an existing loan on the home instead of getting a new loan.

Balloon. A loan which has a series of monthly payments (often for 5 years or less) with the remaining balance due in a large lump sum payment at the end.

Binder. A receipt for a deposit paid to secure the right to purchase a home at terms agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

Buydown. A subsidy (usually paid by a builder or developer) to reduce the monthly payments on a mortgage loan.

Cap. A limit to the amount an interest rate or a monthly payment can increase for an adjustable rate loan either during an adjustment period or over the life of the loan.

Certificate of Occupancy. A document from an official agency stating that the property meets the requirements of local codes, ordinances, and regulations.

Closing. A meeting to sign documents which transfer property from a seller to a buyer. (Also called settlement)

Closing Costs. Charges paid at settlement for obtaining a mortgage loan and transferring real estate title.

Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CC and Rs). The standards that define how a property may be used and the protections the developer has made for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision.

Condominium. A home in a multi-unit complex; each purchaser owns an individual unit, and all the purchasers jointly own the common areas, such as the surrounding land, hallways, etc.

Conventional Loan. A mortgage loan not insured by a government agency (such as FHA or VA).

Convertibility. The ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate schedule to a fixed rate schedule.

Cooperative. A form of ownership in a multi-unit complex; the purchasers own shares of the entire complex rather than owning individual units.

Credit Rating. A report ordered by a lender from a credit bureau to determine if the borrower is a good credit risk.

Default. A breach of a mortgage contract (such as not making monthly payments).

Density. The number of homes built on a particular acre of land. Allowable densities are usually determined by local jurisdictions.

Downpayment. The difference between the sales price and the mortgage amount on a home. The downpayment is usually paid at closing.

Due-on-Sale. A clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the property. A mortgage with a due-on-sale clause is not assumable.

Earnest Money. A sum paid to the seller to show that a potential purchaser is serious about buying.

Easement. Right-of-way granted to a person or company authorizing access to the owner’s land; for example, a utility company may be grated an easement to install pipes or wires. An owner may voluntarily grant an easement, or in some cases, be compelled to grant one by a local jurisdiction.

Equity. The difference between the value of a home and what is owed on it.

Escrow. The handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf of the buyer and/or seller.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA). A federal agency which insures mortgages that have lower downpayment requirements than conventional loans.

Fixed Rate Mortgage. A mortgage whose interest rate remains constant over the life of the loan. The payments are not necessarily level. (See Graduated Payment Mortgage and Growing Equity Mortgage).

Fixed Schedule Mortgage. A mortgage whose payment schedule for the life of the loan is established at closing. The payments and interest rate are not necessarily level.

Graduated Payment Mortgage (GPM). A fixed-rate, fixed-schedule loan which starts with lower payments than a level payment loan; the payments rise annually over the first 5 to 10 years and then remain constant for the remainder of the loan. GPMs involve negative amortization.

Growing Equity Mortgage (Rapid Payoff Mortgage). A fixed-rate, fixed-schedule loan which starts with the same payments as a level payment loan; the payments rise annually, with the entire increase being used to reduce the outstanding balance. No negative amortization occurs, and the increase in payments may enable the borrower to pay off a 30-year loan in 15 to 20 years, or less.

Hazard Insurance. Protection against damage caused by fire, windstorm, or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers to carry it in an amount at least equal to the mortgage.

Housing Finance Agency. A state agency which offers a limited amount of below-market-rate home financing for low-and moderate-income households.

Index. The interest rate or adjustment standard which determines the changes in monthly payments for an adjustable rate loan.

Infrastructure. The public facilities and services needed to support residential development, including highways, bridges, schools, and sewer and water systems

Interest. The cost paid to a lender for the use of borrowed money.

Joint Tenancy. A form of ownership by which the tenants own a property equally. If one dies, the other would automatically inherit the entire property.

Level Payment Mortgage. A mortgage whose payments are identical for each month over the life of the loan.

Mortgage Broker. A broker who represents numerous lenders and helps consumers find affordable mortgages; the broker charges a fee only if the consumer fins a loan.

Mortgage Commitment. A formal written communication by a lender, agreeing to make a mortgage loan on a specific property, specifying the loan amount, length of time and conditions.

Mortgage Company (Mortgage Banker). A company that borrows money from a bank, lends it to consumers who want to buy homes, then sells the loans to investors.

Mortgagee. The lender who makes a mortgage loan.

Mortgage Loan. A contract in which the borrower’s property is pledged a s collateral and which can be repaid in installments over a long period. The mortgagor (buyer) promises to repay principal and interest, to keep the home insured, to pay all taxes, and to keep the property in good condition.

Mortgage Origination Fee. A charge by a lender for the work involved in preparing and servicing a mortgage application (usually 1 percent of the loan amount).

Negative Amortization. An increase in the outstanding balance of a loan when a monthly payment is not large enough to cover all of the interest due.

Note. A formal document showing the existence of a debt and stating the terms of repayment.

PITI. Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (the 4 major components of monthly housing payments).

Point. A charge of 1 percent of the mortgage amount. Points are a one-time charge assessed by the lender at closing to increase the interest yield on a mortgage loan.

Prepayment. Payment of all or part of a debt prior to its maturity.

Principal. The amount borrowed in a loan, excluding interest and other charges.

Property Survey. A survey to determine the boundaries of your property. The cost will depend on the complexity of the survey.

Rapid Payoff Mortgage. (See Growing Equity Mortgage).

Recording Fee. A charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid to a city, county, or other appropriate branch of government.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). A federal law requiring lenders to provide home buyers with information about known or estimated settlement costs. The act also regulates other aspects of settlement procedures.

R-Value. The resistance of insulation material (including windows) to heat passing through it. The higher the number, the greater the insulating value.

Sales Contract. A contract between a buyer and seller which should explain, in detail, exactly what the purchase includes, what guarantees there are, when the buyer can move in, what the closing costs are, and what recourse the parties have if the contract is not fulfilled or if the buyer cannot get a mortgage commitment at the agreed-upon terms.

Settlement. (See Closing).

Shared Appreciation Mortgage. A loan in which partners agree to share specified portions of the downpayment, monthly payment, and appreciation.

Tenancy in Common. A form of ownership in which the tenants own separate but equal parts. To inherit the property, a surviving tenant would either have to be mentioned in the will or, in the absence of a will, be eligible through state inheritance laws.

Title. Evidence (usually in the form of a certificate or deed) of a person’s legal right to ownership of a property.

Transfer Taxes. Taxes levied on the transfer of property or on real estate loans by state and/or local jurisdictions.

Veterans Administration (VA). A federal agency which insures mortgage loans with very liberal downpayment requirements for honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses.

Walk-Through. A final inspection of a home before settlement to search for problems that need to be corrected before ownership changes hands.

Warranty. A promise, either written or implied, that the material and workmanship of a product is defect-free or will meet a specified level of performance over a specified period of time. Written warranties on new homes are either backed by insurance companies or by the builders themselves.

Zoning. Regulations established by local governments regarding the location, height, and use for any given piece of property within a specific area.

Add a Garage!

2008-07-09T15:35:00.006-05:00

The Southern Designer offers a variety of garage plans, storage, workshop and RV storage plans. From storage to garage apartments, we have it all! Be sure to visit us when you are ready to add a garage to your home! lick the images to view the plan pages. Click here for our entire garage plan collection.

Duplex Living-New Plan!

2008-07-09T15:22:00.004-05:00

Craftsman Country Duplex Living

This charming duplex features three bedrooms and two full baths with one half bath. The Large Living Room flows into the Dining area and is located in the rear of the unit, giving a private but open living space. The U-shaped Kitchen with Island opens to the Dining area and a half bath is located on the first level. The Master Bedroom features a luxury bath and a large walk in closet.

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Craftsman Comfort in Style!

2008-07-09T15:10:00.004-05:00

This inviting Craftsman home is packed with great features. The front and rear covered porches add plenty of usable outdoor living space. Expansive great room includes a beautiful trayed ceiling as well as built-in cabinets and a gas fireplace. The spacious kitchen features an oversized island with a large eating bar and breakfast area. The hall bath is equipped with dual lavatories for convenience. The master bedroom has a raised ceiling and opens into the well-equipped bath with dual lavatories, oversized corner jet tub, and large his and her walk-in closets. There is a workshop area off the garage for projects and storage. The media/hobby space is perfect for a home office. There is also a full basement option that could be used for additional storage or future expansion. This is a very flexible home with plenty of options to choose from. Make this your family's next home!

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A Guide to Buying Eco-Friendly Homes

2008-06-26T10:32:00.001-05:00

A Guide to Buying Eco-Friendly Homes
By Kelli B. Grant
Article From Smart Money

WITH HOME PRICES falling and energy costs soaring, buying green real estate has never made more sense — or been so affordable.

Five years ago, anyone who wanted to build an environmentally-friendly home could expect to pay a premium of 11% to 25%, depending on just how green they wanted to go. Now, they'd pay just 3% to 5%, says Jim Amorin, vice president for the Appraisal Institute, a professional trade organization. Those extra costs can easily be offset by the long-term savings1 on electric and other utility bills these homes offer. Just using an energy-efficient furnace or boiler could save you $570 annually, according to the Department of Energy.

Another selling point: While the average U.S. home lost 5.7% of its value in 2007, eco-friendly homes have held their value, even appreciating in price. Come sale time, a green property typically appraises for 10% to 15% higher than comparable conventional homes, depending on region and which upgrades were made, says Amorin.

All these factors have made buying an eco-friendly home much more attractive to prospective buyers. Green homes are expected to account for 10% of new home construction in 2010, up from 5% in 2005, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a market researcher.

From the use of recycled materials in the flooring to the mere installation of a water-saving toilet, what qualifies as "green" will vary by consumer, neighborhood and home builder. "There are some builders who claim a property is a green home because they've increased the energy efficiency by 5%. That doesn't excite me," says Alex Pettitt, a green builder and host of Mainstream Green2, a web TV show. Consumers can save that much on monthly utility bills just by switching to Energy Star appliances.

Here are four things you should do while shopping for an environmentally-friendly home:
Be skeptical"The green craze is like when everything was pitched as low fat," says William Hallisky, a vice president with Meridian Design, a New York-based architectural firm. "Sure, something may be energy efficient or eco-friendly, but compared to what?" Before you ooh and aah over the new low-flow toilet or compact-fluorescent lighting touted in a listing, consider if it's really an upgrade and worth the added expense. "You can't even buy a toilet that isn't low-flow anymore," he points out.

Uphold standardsPlenty of home builders will tout their environmental standards when selling you an eco-friendly home. But if you want to compare to the ultimate brass ring in green building, rank the home against the so-called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, says Michelle Mathews, vice president for green housing specialist KJM Real Estate in Los Angeles. The U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, developed LEED to encourage sustainable building practices. To be certified, new homes must be created with minimal impact on the environment and its resources. That includes producing less wasted building materials, using less energy and releasing fewer toxins and pollutants. Although it's unlikely you'll own a LEED home in the near future — there are just 400 certified nationwide — the guidelines make for a handy comparison reference against builders' own certification programs or individual properties.

Know the local building codesWhen hunting for a green home, talk to someone from the buildings department of the city or town that the home is located in. Local codes may require all renovated or newly built homes to incorporate certain green features, such as passive solar lighting (south-facing windows), insulated heating pipes or drought-resistant landscaping. Sarasota County in Florida, for example, requires all new homes to be built to rigorous LEED standards. Knowing the required minimum will help you know what to expect and whether features are truly an upgrade worthy of an elevated price.

Employ specialistsLook for a real estate firm or individual broker specializing in eco-friendly properties. They can help you cut through the hype and accurately assess how valuable the home's green features are in comparison with those available in other properties nearby. To find one, use the search feature at EcoBroker.com3, a realtor certification program. "That designation tells you they understand what a green home is, what features to look for and what questions to ask," says Pettitt.

Consider locationGoing green doesn't stop at your front door. You're less likely to use that greenhouse-gas-emitting car if you're within easy distance of restaurants, stores, schools and other services. Type an address into Walkscore.com4 to see how friendly your neighborhood is to walkers, bikers and public-transportation devotees. The Environmental Protection Agency's "Where You Live5" feature alerts you to problems within your zip code, from toxic chemical soil contamination to air and water pollution.

Getting Green to Go GreenMore often than not, a home that's eco-friendly will be pricier than its traditional counterpart. But if you're determined to go green, a so-called energy-efficient mortgage can help finance the purchase.

Energy-efficient mortgages are federally recognized loans that increase buyer borrowing power in exchange for committing to energy-saving measures. These mortgages tend to be for larger amounts than what might otherwise be offered, with the idea that lower energy bills more than offset the increased monthly mortgage payments. "You pay as you save," explains Doris Iklé, founder of CMC Energy Services, an energy audit company. If the home is already energy efficient, these loans stretch your debt-to-income borrowing ratio and increase your maximum loan amount. If you're planning to upgrade an inefficient home, you can build the project costs into your mortgage.

Qualifying for an energy-efficient mortgage is another matter, cautions Iklé. For starters, you'll need to obtain your mortgage through specific affordable-housing lenders: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Administration or the Veteran's Administration. You must also secure a Department of Energy Home Energy Rating (average cost: $100 to $300) that documents the potential for significant savings with improvements. Check the yellow pages for an energy audit company certified in the rating system.

Using Natural Light

2008-06-26T10:27:00.003-05:00

Using Natural Light
By Josh Peterson

Article from Planet Green

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The sun is the source of life. It thanklessly powers the planet. Almost every creature on earth is dependent on the sun. There are some weirdo animals that live in the ocean that survive off of geothermic energy, but they just do that to be different. Humans, however, even the melancholy ones that listen to goth rock, need sunlight. On Renovation Nation, we have seen plenty of homes that utilize natural lighting.

The benefits of natural lighting are many. It increases the aesthetic beauty of a home, decreases energy costs and the stuff is healthy. It literally contains a vitamin. A vitamin that falls out of the sky, you can't beat that.

Sunlight provides vitamin D. That's just great. Vitamin D prevents many types of cancers, helps with depression, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. You only need like fifteen to thirty minutes of sunlight a day to give you the health benefits; so it is also convenient.
Natural lighting can also decrease your energy costs. By lighting a room with natural light, you can decrease your heating bills. Letting more light in inevitably lets more heat in. If you want to get fancy, you can buy windows that have heat-trapping or heat-reflecting glazes. This allows you to let light in and control where the heat goes.

Natural light looks nice. Not only is it practical and economical to rely on natural lighting, it also pretty. You can't go wrong. The next time you renovate or remodel, keep natural light in mind.

Garage Apartment Plan!

2008-06-26T09:39:00.003-05:00

The perfect garage apartment plan!

Featuring 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, spacious living area and kitchen, this above garage apartment is perfect for the child starting college who wishes to be closer to home or for those times when family and friends come for a visit! Below the apartment is parking for two vehicles. This can also be modified to a workshop, storage or for any other use you may have!

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Elegance under 1500 Square Feet!

2008-05-22T11:34:00.005-05:00

Colonial flair and cost efficient design give this plan the perfect touch! This home features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, spacious great room with fireplace and a secluded master suite. Click the images to view the main plan page.

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Cabin Living

2008-05-21T14:50:00.005-05:00

The charm of a cabin in a full sized home plan loaded with aminities!Click Image Above for Complete Information

Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this ICF home offers spacious living areas like the recreation room and living room as well as a safe room located on the basement level. Enjoy relaxing in the sunroom or tend your plants in the greenhouse. The wrap around porch is perfect for entertaining and adds a country charm that says, "Welcome Home".

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A CFL House

2008-04-24T14:05:00.001-05:00

Using those spiral light bulbs and how they save you money and help save our environment!

BUILDERS LEAD THE WAY IN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING, CONGRESS TOLD

2008-04-24T11:39:00.003-05:00

BUILDERS LEAD THE WAY IN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING, CONGRESS TOLD

WASHINGTON, April 24 - Calling green building "the next evolution in residential construction," the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that the best way to help small home builders promote residential energy efficiency and sustainability technology in home construction is by extending tax incentives for new energy-efficient homes.
Testifying before the House Small Business Committee, Michael Hodgson, president of the Stockton, Calif.-based energy consulting firm ConSol, said these incentives dovetail with the normal supply and demand for home construction. "A tax credit program leaves important production decisions in the hands of builders, buyers and home owners and does not require expensive administrative oversight that is usually associated with a mandate," he said.
Under current law, builders who construct a home certified to achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy use are eligible to receive a $2,000 tax credit. That credit is set to expire at the end of this year, and although pending legislation in the House and Senate would extend it, there is still no agreement between the two chambers over the appropriate budgetary offsets.

"Unless Congress can end the political debate and extend this credit soon - with or without offsets - it will be a tremendous loss for my business and will eliminate the only federal incentive for efficiency in new homes," said Hodgson. He also urged Congress to increase the dollar amount of the credit, because achieving the 50 percent threshold required by statute is costly, especially for small builders.

Hodgson said that the housing industry is committed to the advancement of green building techniques that reduce energy consumption, improve indoor and outdoor air quality and conserve water and natural resources in both new and existing homes - all hallmarks of the NAHB National Green Building Program.

"NAHB members are leaders in the green building movement and were active on this effort long before the recent media interest in climate change and global warming," he said. "In fact, NAHB will be hosting its 10th annual National Green Building Conference in New Orleans next month and has consistently been ahead of the curve in promoting and developing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction techniques for the mainstream home builder."

NAHB and the International Code Council are awaiting final approval by the American National Standards Institute for the National Green Building Standard. The goal is to offer local jurisdictions an "off-the-shelf" green building program for all new homes and remodeling projects that is consensus-based and truly green, but flexible, said Hodgson.

"Green building means making intentional decisions that positively impact energy efficiency, resource conservation and indoor environmental quality throughout the entire design and construction process," said Hodgson. "Green means doing the right thing for the builder, the home owner, and, most importantly, the environment."

With the economy teetering on the edge of recession, Hodgson also called on Congress to move quickly to enact a housing stimulus package that will jump-start housing, save jobs and restore consumer confidence.

Specifically, NAHB urges Congress to include the following tax initiatives in the bill:
- A temporary home buyer tax credit. Hodgson noted that a provision in House bill H.R. 5720 could shore up home prices by stimulating sales and reducing excess inventory in housing markets.
- A net operating loss deduction carryback expansion. Allowing companies to carry back net operating losses beyond the current two years would help all hard-hit businesses -- including financial institutions and manufacturers -- to weather the economic storm, make their payrolls and emerge from this downturn in a position to grow.
- Expansion of the mortgage revenue bond program. This would help struggling home owners seeking to refinance their loans and would be especially useful for communities trying to avoid a wave of foreclosures or an extreme excess of inventory.

NS2008-069
ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 235,000 members involved in residential building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct 80 percent of the more than 1.08 million new housing units projected for 2008.

Contact: Calli Schmidt
(202) 266-8132
cschmidt@nahb.com
http://www.blogger.com/www.nahb.org
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1201 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005
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Duplex Living

2008-04-24T11:22:00.008-05:00

Traditional styling and a convenient floor plan makes this duplex design functional and affordable to build! Featuring 2 bedrooms, one bath and spacious living area, this plan is a sure winner. Aminities include a fireplace in the living area, optional bay window in the eat-in kitchen, rear patio and ample closet space.

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Cottage Living

2008-04-24T11:11:00.005-05:00

This charming cottage is a perfect addition to your existing home for guest or live-in parents. It is also ideally suited for commercial use as rental accommodations. The wrap-a-round porch creates a warm and inviting entry and it is a great place for spending a relaxing evening. The open living and dining room provides a functional and spacious interior. Louver bi-folding doors open to the bedroom to further expand the openness of the plan. There is abundant storage space supplied by two king size walk-in closets. Typical ceilings are 10' high. The master bedroom has a tray ceiling for added interest. Operable wood shutters, columns, window and door transoms and arched door trim provide interesting detail to the exterior.

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Big Living Narrow Lot Design!

2008-04-23T14:30:00.005-05:00

Big living on a narrow lot. Family friendly home has a flex room for formal dining or tv room. Spacious kitchen has a walk-in pantry & wrap around bar. Utility room is even oversized. Upstairs, the master suite has a large closet, 2 vanities & garden tub. 2 kids bedrooms share Jack-n-Jill bath, & a game area. Rustic elevation offers old world charm on a shoestring budget.

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Today's Pick-The Manship Collection

2008-04-22T10:22:00.005-05:00

Make a grand statement with this beautiful French Tuscany 2 story home featuring spacious living area, overlook from upstairs in to the den, large utility room and secluded master suite. Enjoy those beautiful days outdoors on the covered rear porch!

The Manship Collection
Narrow Lot French Elegance! Choose from one of these sophisticated yet comfortable home designs featuring open living areas, spacious bedrooms, kitchens with eating bar, pantry, and more! Experience French Tuscany at its finest!
SD-7753-42

SD-7754-42

SD-7756-42

SD-7752-42

SD-7761-42

SD-7767-42

SD-7770-42

SD-7829-42

SD-7828-42

SD-7830-42

Country Style New House Plan!

2008-04-21T13:26:00.004-05:00

What a beauty! This new country styled plan features elegant styling paired with a cost-efficient floor plan. Check it out online!
SD-7924-69

View all of the new plans uploaded today here!

Have a Blessed and Wonderful day-

The Southern Designer Team

Featured Apartment Plan

2008-04-17T12:14:00.006-05:00

Beautiful Southwest Contemporary styling coupled with functionality offer residents the style and comfort of home. This plan has 8 units per building. Units are one-two bedroom and offer patio/balcony access, private laundry, open living areas and much more.

Click any of the images above to view larger floor plan and details

Green Innovation Plays in the Key of the Future

2008-04-17T12:13:00.000-05:00

Green Innovation Plays in the Key of the Future
by Elaine Ireland

As we addressed topics and articles for this issue, I found myself stepping back to observe myself and what it is I do to make sense of the world. I'm doing it again just so automatically: I find commonalities, organize, and connect the dots. Its my process for compartmentalizing and structuring the pieces while keeping sight of the whole — the whole being greater than the sum of its parts and non-existant without them. And the parts not so gratifying without the whole.

When I stop to think about it, finding the commonalities and connecting the dots is how GreenSage came about — one of the first green websites (launched in 1999) and the very first, original to connect the dots online among green products, green experts and authentic information.

At that time this green movement was in the awareness-building phase. Pinpointing and demystifying some of the issues and pointing out their relationships to greener products and experts has been an amazing journey — an approach intended to spark creative thinking for even better and greener solutions and products. The dots are indeed connected whether we are conscious of it or not — not unlike the butterfly effect or the hundredth monkey.

Its a huge job to try and shift our entire thinking framework from one of excess to one of harmony, as in 'living in harmony with the laws of nature' — but so compelling and intriguing. How are we going to do this? As a nation? As a planet?

And now we're here — the next phase. The part I am attracted to most, and what I love so much about this "Green Movement" — the incredible, creative innovation now going on in this solutions-oriented phase that we've entered. The awareness-building gestation period is over. The birth has happened. Now, a plethora of new innovative approaches and products are being created to help us see the possibilities of our destiny.

True, that for the most part I've always been the penultimate optimist — an idealist that usually sees the potential. Forget the nay-sayers and the ain't it awful folks. Don't pay any attention. Just start thinking creatively. Innovation has always come to the rescue of our problems, of our needs, if we just let it. Green innovation is now coming from all over the world. People everywhere unabashedly taking on a piece of these issues. Americans especially are quite brilliant at it. Which is good because we're such a major contributing factor to the current problems. But it was a French writer, of the Renaissance period actually, Michel de Montaigne, who is supposed to have said, "A strong imagination begetteth opportunity."

I can't wait to see which green products get created next, and which issue they solve and what makes them green. I'm impatient to see which companies succeed and sustain their momentum. There are challenges, of course, in undertaking to resolve such huge world problems. There are hurdles to be jumped — making a new product where the entire manufacturing process also needs to shift to green; and selling that product while cultivating this new market category.

Consumers and many businesses alike adapt relatively slowly when it comes to plunking down their hard earned cash. They're a bit hesitant around that old nagging notion that green just automatically costs more. While there are still limited choices (comparatively few green manufacturers), lower volumes and limited supplies, basically, most products are a shade of green — evolving, becoming better and greener. But the important thing is that so many are trying, are innovating.

We're not too worried about 'green-washing.' This market is already fairly sophisticated about what makes a product green. We just have to keep on our toes and make the conscious choices.

Building this green movement as a solution to the problems facing us requires a commitment that's authentic, something more than just style. Its now about the power of positive thinking. Of creative breakthroughs. Some of them we've featured in this issue, like turning CO2 into useful products and shifting to green chemistry.

The awareness has been built. Some innovative, creative folks have put their dreams of a better world into gear so that we might all start living in harmony with the air we're meant to breathe and the water we're meant to drink, and the earth we're meant to live with.

Personally, I'm quite hopeful about the future. As Albert Einstein said, "Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions."

Insulation

2008-04-16T20:59:00.000-05:00