New Homes Features of
What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes? : ENERGY STAR What is ENERGY STAR? | Newsroom Search What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Benefits of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Homebuyer Resources New Homes Partner Locator For Residential Building Professionals PRODUCTS HOME IMPROVEMENT NEW HOMES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PARTNER RESOURCES -- Home > New Homes > What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes? -- -- What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes? ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy Code or 15% more efficient than state energy code, whichever is more rigorous. These savings are based on heating, cooling, and hot water energy use and are typically achieved through a combination of: building envelope upgrades, high performance windows, controlled air infiltration, upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, tight duct systems and upgraded water-heating equipment. These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution. ENERGY STAR also encourages the use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances, as well as features designed to improve indoor air quality. Here are some questions commonly asked about ENERGY STAR qualified homes: Look for this label when buying your next home. How does a home earn the ENERGY STAR label? The ENERGY STAR label is earned only after the home's energy efficiency is verified, either by an independent third-party such as an accredited home energy rater or Builder Option Package (BOP) verifier , or by adhering to the quality control procedures established for HUD-code manufactured homes . What types of homes can earn the ENERGY STAR label? Any single-family or multi-family residential home that is three stories or less in height can qualify to receive the ENERGY STAR label. This includes traditional site-constructed homes as well as modular, systems-built (e.g., insulated concrete forms, structurally insulated panels), and HUD-code manufactured homes. Can existing homes earn the ENERGY STAR? Yes. Existing homes can be qualified for the ENERGY STAR label if they meet ENERGY STAR's performance guidelines. However, it is not always practical or cost-effective to bring an existing home to this level of efficiency. Nevertheless, the energy efficiency of existing homes can often be greatly improved using cost-effective retrofit techniques. Visit Home Improvement to learn how. Do energy-efficient homes look different? No, builders and developers constructing ENERGY STAR qualified new homes do not have to alter their architectural designs. An ENERGY STAR qualified new home can be built in whatever style the consumer prefers or is most popular in a particular geographic region. Does an energy-efficient home cost more? No. An ENERGY STAR qualified new home actually costs less because you will spend less on your new home's utility bill each month. These energy savings can more than offset any increase in mortgage payments needed for the improved energy features and can result in a positive monthly cash flow. Further, ENERGY STAR financing partners offer special mortgage packages for buyers of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes. How will I know if a home is labeled ENERGY STAR? Look for the ENERGY STAR label, which should be prominently displayed on the circuit breaker box. You can also ask your builder for the home's ENERGY STAR certificate. This optional certificate indicates that the home has been verified to meet EPA's ENERGY STAR qualified new homes performance guidelines. How can I participate in ENERGY STAR as a home industry professional? ENERGY STAR currently partners with four main types of home industryprofessionals: homebuilders, home energy raters, utilities and other sponsoring organizations, and home lenders . After completing and signing a partnership agreement, partners can take advantage of the widely recognized ENERGY STAR name, logos, and a variety of other marketing resources. Other home industry professionals can promote ENERGY STAR as well. Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes > Products | Home Improvement | New Homes | Business Improvement | Partner Resources Newsroom | Privacy | Contact Us | Site Index EPA Home EPA Search DOE Home DOE Search
Real Estate Listing
For Sale By Owner, homes for sale, houses, real estate, for sale - ForSaleByOwner.com Sell a Home Buy a Home Services Mortgages City Profiles Appraisals Service Directory Foreclosures Mortgages Service Providers Appraise Your Home Moving & Relocation Home Improvement Title Company Search Insurance Lawyers Virtual Tours Home Builders Real Estate Agents Research What is FSBO? City Profiles City Comparisons School Reports Crime Comparisons Salary Calculator Cost of Living Comp. Home Sale Prices Tools Free eBook DIY Software Mortgage Calculators Home Selling Guide Home Buying Guide Ad Writing Tips Real Estate Forms Home Buying Checklist Utilities Connections Your Credit Report Glossary Real Estate News Edit Your Ad Modify Your Ad Cancel Your Ad Upload Photos Help/FAQ BUYING A HOME? Search the largest real estate database of For Sale By Owner homes for sale! City State AL AK AB AZ AR BC CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MB MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NB NH NJ NM NY NF NC ND NT NS OH OK ON OR PA PE PR QC RI SK SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY YT Int Zip Listing ID SELLING A HOME? "We sold two homes fsbo with your service (totaling nearly $500,000), which saved us $30,000 in commissions! We owe it to ForSaleByOwner.com - don't change a thing!" - The Chapmans, Virginia Home Selling Testimonials » For Sale By Website "When Chris Gaydos decided to sell his Baltimore home this summer, he didn't want a penny less than $263,000. After a real estate agent said $245,000 was the best he'd get, he bought a FSBO listing at ForSaleByOwner.com . A month later, he got the offer he wanted, and pocketed $7,000 by cutting out the middleman." Why use For Sale By Owner.com? For Sale By Owner makes selling a home on your own easy. We sell the most houses for sale by owner, proving our house selling strategies sell more homes than any site in home selling. Moreover, your home's selling price is determined by you, not a real estate broker who takes a 6% fee for selling your home. Proven Home Selling Record Since 1997, For Sale By Owner has helped sell thousands of houses, saving home owners billions of dollars in real estate commissions. ( click here for more details ) Unparalleled Exposure We are among the top-five most visited real estate sites in the world and the largest "For Sale By Owner" homes for sale site. ( For Sale By Owner.com statistics ) Easy to Use For Sale By Owner makes home selling a sellers dream. We provide the best customer service in the industry with 24/7 support and a comprehensive "Home Selling" guide for selling a home yourself. ( for a guide on selling your home click here ) Affordable Prices For Sale By Owner provides several packages to suit your individual needs. List your home for sale with markets starting at only $89.95. ( for prices in your area click here ) Sell Your Home Guaranteed Home Owner; if your home doesn't sell, we'll give you your money back. That's correct. Your house will sell or you'll receive a full refund! ( For Sale By Owner house selling guarantee ) Act now, and start selling your house on your own in the largest For Sale By Owner site (with up to 6 color home photos and a 1,000 word house description - try buying that in a newspaper ad). Sell your home for sale by owner and market your fsbo home to millions of home buyers that might be looking to buy a home just like yours. Want to see what your home could look like on For Sale By Owner.com ? Check out our featured Home click here What Will I Save? Calculate your savings when you use us! You save ! City Profiles Find Out more about your new location! 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new home or remodel
EERE Consumer's Guide: Designing and Remodeling a Home Search Help More Search Options Search EERE Information Center Professional Services Find an Architect American Institute of Architects Federal Government Resources Energy-Efficient Rehab Advisor U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Related Links A Construction Technology Showcase Homes Across America Energy & Environmental Building Association Decisions for Environmental Buildings Green Tree Green Building Home Guidelines National Association of Home Builders Research Center Reading List Related Publications Printable Version Designing and Remodeling a Home Before you design a new home or remodel an existing one, you should consider investing in its energy efficiency. You'll save energy and money in the long run. It's also a good time to invest in a renewable energy system that will provide your home with electricity , water heating , or space heating and cooling . If you'd like to design an energy-efficient home, no matter what type of design, you should use what's called the whole-house systems approach . If you're remodeling a home, conduct an energy audit to help you determine what energy efficiency improvements should and can be made to your home. Learn how to optimize energy efficiency with the following home designs and construction techniques: Advanced House (Wall) Framing Techniques Reduce lumber use and waste—improving energy efficiency—in the construction of a traditional wood-framed house. Earth-sheltered Homes Incorporate earth into their structure and design for durability and energy efficiency. Log Homes Use wooden logs to provide structure and insulation. Manufactured Homes Feature energy-efficient options for new homes and improvements for older homes. Passive Solar Homes Take advantage of climatic conditions, especially the sun, for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Straw Bale Homes Use straw bales to provide all or part of their structure and insulation. Zero Energy Homes Produce more energy than they use. You should also explore your options for financing an energy-efficient home or improvements . Printable Version Skip footer navigation to end of page. Webmaster | Security & Privacy | Consumer's Guide Home | EERE Home U.S. Department of Energy Content Last Updated: September 12, 2005
Land Loan Tools
-- Indymac Bank Construction Lending Indymac Bank home | about us | contact us | privacy | ID notice | security | careers 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) HCL for Individuals Main Page Get To Know Us Get Started Now! My Project Application My Loan Information Loan Products · Construction-to-Permanent Loan · Remodeler Loan · Bridge Loan · Lot/Land Loan Tools · Line Item Budget Calculator Find A Builder -- · Cost To Build Calculator -- Event Calendar -- Help · FAQs · Glossary Customer Service -- · Contact Us Lot/Land Loan Found the perfect location to build your dream home ...and now you need the perfect loan? Our Lot Loan is the right loan if you're looking to purchase a residential lot to build your primary residence or second home. Once you have purchased your land, you will have time to design your new home and choose a contractor. Best of all, Indymac Bank will fund your Construction-to-Permanent Loan once you're ready to build. · Loans to $500,000. -- Frequently Asked Questions Check to view all answers. Q. How do I know where I should build my home? A. Location may be one of the most important factors to consider. Although many people have a geographic location in mind, some are open to alternatives. It's important to consider your lifestyle (and those you'll be living with) as well as the cost. If you're planning a family, schools will be important. If not, you may want to consider other factors such as proximity to work, or accessibility to the beach, the mountains or leisure activities. Q. What is a "finished lot"? A. A "finished lot" refers to a portion of land that already has road access and utilities in place to the lot boundary. Additionally, it has been approved by the city or county as a separate parcel of land on a parcel map. Q. Can I buy a piece of land that is not a finished lot and save some money? A. While it may be possible to purchase an unfinished lot, generally this is not advisable for an individual building their own home. The costs of bringing roads and utilities to the first lot in a new area are usually very high. Typically, the first person to build pays for others who will build later. There are land developers who specialize in preparing lots for building (this may include zoning and/or soils issues, as well as bringing roads and utilities to the site, and creating a building pad). Often, these lots are in a planned community. Q. What do you mean by "planned community"? Aren't all communities planned? A. No, many older communities were not planned; they evolved. Certainly, as a city has grown, plans have taken shape. But in many cases the nucleus of a community was started many years before the community or city planning existed. In many instances, it is this unplanned characteristic that gives a community its charm. A planned community, in contrast, generally offers a specific style and certain amenities at a package price. Depending on the size and location of the community, these amenities may include greenbelts, landscaping, biking trials, swimming pools, even schools and shopping centers. Some amenities, such as the community pool and greenbelts, are paid for through a homeowners' association. Others are paid through taxes or mello roos. Still others are design enhancements intended to encourage potential buyers to purchase in an area or to attract more commercial business. Many of the more costly amenities included in a planned community may not be affordable for a homeowner on an individual basis. However, some of these amenities may not be important to you. After all, priorities, like lifestyle, vary. If you select a home in a planned community, you'll generally have a more structured community where decisions are made jointly rather than by the individual homeowner. These community decisions include individual home design and landscaping. While some homeowners may consider this an acceptable trade-off to ensure an attractive environment, others may consider it an infringement on their rights. It's important that you know how you feel before selecting the type of lot you want. Q. Can tax bases differ within the same community? A. Yes, they can. While some cities already have parks, schools, and streets, newer communities built within the same city may have special assessments that cover the costs to develop or maintain new or existing parks, schools, streets, etc. These assessments may be for a prescribed period of time or may continue indefinitely. A little research goes a long way. Here again, a good real estate agent or title company officer can often provide you with this information. Q. I've found the perfect location, but I'm not ready to build my dream home. Can I obtain financing for the land only? A. Yes, you can obtain a Lot Loan. Typically, this is short-term financing for the purchase of a residential lot suited for future construction. This loan allows you time to select an architect, builder, and design your dream home. IndyMac Bank's Lot Loan program allows you to finance up to 50 acres. And when you're ready to build, we offer a one-time close Construction-to-Permanent Loan. ^ back to top Still have questions? Call toll-free 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) to speak with a construction loan specialist, or downloada copy of our booklet (pdf) that answers the most frequently asked questions about building your own home. Information Center · Glossary · FAQs -- FAQs · Get To Know Us · Building Your Dream Home Magazine (pdf) · Owner Builder Guide (pdf) Consumer Guide to Construction Financing (pdf) Did You Know A Construction Loan Is A Reimbursement Loan? (pdf) subscribe now -- Get Started Now! Apply online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and get a loan approval in minutes! get started -- e-mail/mail us | 1-800-HCL-LOAN (425-5626) Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- Licensing | Terms of Use | Site Feedback -- ©2005 IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. Registered trade/service marks are the property of IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. and/or its subsidiaries.
Florida real estate info.
Sarasota Florida real estate K Beavers REMAX Properties * Sarasota Florida real estate. Siesta Key real estate. Longboat Key real estate. Lakewood Ranch real estate. * Kathy Beavers 2000 Webber Street, Sarasota, Florida 34239 Direct Line: Toll-Free: E-Mail: (941) 308-3826 (800) 966-2334 kathy@propertiesofsarasota.com You're visiting www.propertiesofsarasota.com Search the Sarasota MLS for Your New Home Add This Page to your Favorites and come back often for the latest Sarasota Florida real estate info. Find your perfect golf or waterfront Sarasota real estate property in our paradise of white sands, warm water and delightful golf courses. Enjoy exceptional Sarasota Florida real estate service from a REMAX Properties realtor® with over 15 years of experience. Our Sarasota real estate properties listings are updated daily. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced investor, you will find on this website useful Sarasota real estate information on choosing the "right" property, making an offer, mortgage rates, moving and everything else involved in making an informed Sarasota real estate decision in today's market. Search Sarasota MLS Intro to Sarasota Meet Kathy Request Free Info School Info Golf Courses Area Weather Real Estate Articles Consumer Info Site Map This Sarasota real estate website visited times since May, 2002 FastCounter by bCentral Sarasota real estate properties by REMAX Properties ' Kathy Beavers. Info provided here is thought to be accurate and timely but not warranted. © 2002 - 2005. All names & logos are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This Sarasota Florida real estate website design by BerStan Web Creations Other Real Estate Resources: Real Estate Resource Directory Real Estate Resources AL - AR Real Estate Resources - CA Real Estate Resources CO - DE Real Estate Resources FL - GA Real Estate Resources HI - MO Real Estate Resources MN - SC Real Estate Resources SD - WY Mortgage & Int'l Real Estate Resources Other Real Estate Resources Reals.com Florida Realtors Link Partners.com My Other Website National REALTOR Directory Best Realtors in Florida InternetRealtyNetwork.com Click on the graphic below to vote for this page as a "Starting Point Hot Site."