NAHB: Cost-Effective Green a Trend to Watch, NAHB Says

Cost-Effective Green a Trend to Watch, NAHB Says

January 21, 2010 – The key to the mainstreaming of green is to make sure that consumers understand the value of green upgrades – and exactly how cost-effective that sustainable construction can be in the long run, according to four green home building professionals who spoke at a press conference on Wednesday at the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show.

Builders, remodelers and product manufacturers are beginning to green their processes and incorporate more energy-, water- and resource-efficient features. They are learning how to reduce waste on the job site to save enough money to pay for these upgrades – and help ensure that the builder makes a profit, said consultant Steve Bertasso, who helps builders achieve these measures.

Green building has truly reached the tipping point because it’s moving out of the custom home market into the realm of high-production homes, he added. “This year is going to be a big change in the production [building] environment,” Bertasso predicted. “Consumers are asking questions they didn’t ask two and a half years ago and contractors are making better decisions.”

The key to reducing the nation’s energy use is to green existing homes, said Philip Beere, who is remodeling distressed properties near Phoenix’s new rapid transit line. Adding insulation, improving the ventilation and air conditioning systems and replacing turf grass with landscaping more appropriate to the Southwest’s desert climate doesn’t cost much more than a traditional remodel, but “retrofitting these homes to be green is a good solution,” he said.

Connecticut home builder Jim Pepitone called himself a “late adopter,” but one who has finally seen the green light – and believes the rest of the industry can’t be far behind. Builders need to educate consumers on air sealing, the importance of right-sized heating systems and good insulation, and the advantages of rooms that can serve more than one purpose so the home can be smaller and less expensive. “We need to make sustainable attainable,” he said.

Related Meetings:

2010 International Builders’ Show 1/19/2010 – 1/22/2010 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, NV

Recommend This: Be the first!

via nahb.org

CVS Pharmacy Coming to the Corner of Webbs Rd & Hwy 16 — Fall 2010

Clearing finally began on the corner of Webbs Rd and Hwy 16 earlier this week.  Argus Properties, the same developer of Byers Creek Shopping Center on Hwy 150 in Mooresville, has announced that they have completed the sale of a 2.3 acre outparcel to CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Webbs Rd and Hwy 16 in Denver NC.  CVS anticipates commencing construction of its store this spring, with the store opening planned for fall of 2010. 

There are three outparcels still available for lease or purchase from Argus Properties.  For more information on these properties you can contact Stanford Garnett at 704.376.9848 x229 or stan@argusproperties.net.

Eventually, they will develop retail shopping with Harris Teeter as the possible anchor grocery store.  

Site Plan for Webbs Rd Project.

Killian Crossing…the place you want to live

<embed src=”http://www.wellcomemat.com/wm_video_1/BDA3757151″ allowScriptAccess=”always” allowFullScreen=”true” quality=”high” wmode=”transparent” pluginspage=”http://www.adobe.com/go/getFlashPlayer” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”400″ height=”333″></embed>

Just when you had given up on finding the perfect lot to build your dream home…you find Killian Crossing.    

New Blog!!!

I have a new Blog!!! Check out http://leslieauton.com. Thanks

Miners Creek — OPEN HOUSE!!!

There will be an open house at 4142 Mineral Lane on Sunday, March 22 from 1pm to 3:30pm.  If you are looking for a new home in the Denver / Lincolnton area please drop by the open house in Miners Creek. 

Directions from Denver (Hwy 150 & 16 intersection) – Hwy 150 West toward Lincolnton; Left at 2nd stop light onto King Wilkinson Rd; Right on Furnace Rd EXT; Right into Miners Creek  community; Left on Mineral Lane; Last house on left. 

Coming Soon….

Please continue to re-visit the site for information about the following new businesses in and around Denver, NC:

1. Family Dough Donuts
2. The Landing Restaurant, Tiki Hut and Marina
3. Giovanni’s
4. NY Bagel’s
5. Gepeto’s

More info coming soon…

James Plantation — Lots for sale!!!

We have three new lots on the market in James Plantation — lot 25, lot 34 & lot 35.   Please see the slide show for pictures of the community.  If you have questions about any of these lots please contact me at leslie@hechtdevelopment.com or 704-809-2503. 

Economic Stimulus Bill — key points!!!

I received the following information from the 2009 NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Chairman, Joe Robson, this afternoon…thought it highlighted many of the points of the new stimulus bill…

 Key Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

  Tax Provisions 

• $8,000 first-time home buyer, true tax credit (no repayment) for the purchase of a principle residence between January 1 and December 1, 2009. Recaptured if home is sold within three years. Removes the restriction on the use of tax credit proceeds with Housing Finance Agency-issued tax exempt mortgage revenue bonds.
• Short-term gap financing for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects:
• 1. Provision allowing states to turn in portion of 2009 LIHTC allocations for cash.
• 2. Special appropriation of $2 billion in HOME funds.
• Up to a ten-year deferral of tax from business debt cancelled as part of a repurchase or restructuring.
• 5-year carryback of 2008 net operating losses for businesses with gross receipts of less than $15 million (three year average).
• Extension of enhanced bonus depreciation.
• Extension of increased small business expensing.
• Enhancements to the section 25C program for energy efficiency remodeling improvements to existing homes.
• One-year patch of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
• Increase New Markets Tax Credit allocating authority for 2008 and 2009.
• Delays for one year the start of 3% government contractor withholding requirement.

Appropriations Provisions

• $2 billion for full year payments to owners of Section 8 project based rental assistance properties.
• $2.25 billion through HOME program and Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to fill financing gaps.
• $1 billion for CDBG.
• $2 billion for Neighborhood stabilization program.
• $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention activities (help with rents, etc).
• $250 million for energy retrofitting and green investments in HUD assisted projects.
• $1 billion for Section 502 direct loans under the Rural Housing Service.
• $10.4 billion for Section 502 guaranteed loans under the Rural Housing Service.
• $27.5 billion for highway spending.

Other Key Provision

• Increases in FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits to 2008 levels.

Lot 20 Miners Creek – $349,900

Waterfront home to be built — under $350K

Check out this waterfront lot with a home to be built under $350,000.   The seller would be willing to sell the lot only for $114,900.