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Department of Veterans Affairs Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program

Looking for a way to make a new or existing home fit a disabled veteran or service member’s needs? The solution might be a Specially Adapted Housing grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA’s Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program provides assistance for construction or remodeling of an accessible home for those veterans who live with serious service-connected disabilities.

NAHB has long supported the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing program. There are two types of grants administered by VA, which are available to assist severely disabled veterans or service members in adapting housing to their special needs. More information about this grant program is available through the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing program Web site

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm

If you need more information and would like to talk with a Specially Adapted Housing agent, contact

Kim Blackburn
VA Regional Office (262)
805 W. Franklin St.
Boise, ID 83702
Email: kim.blackburn@va.gov
(208) 429-2226
Fax: (208) 334-1902

Specially Adapted Housing Fact Sheet
download “Specially Adapted Housing Fact Sheet”
This fact sheet provides information on the Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)

Special Housing Adaptation Fact Sheet
download “Special Housing Adaptation Fact Sheet”
This fact sheet provides information on the Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA) programs.

VA Form 26-4555
download “VA Form 26-4555”
Veteran’s Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. Complete the form and submit it to your nearest

Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing
download “Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing”
Handbook for Design: Specially Adapted Housing

Posted in: Financing

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Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Consumers who install solar energy systems, small wind systems, and/or geothermal heat pumps can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; there is no upper limit.

Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Systems) – Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.

Solar Water Heaters – At least half of the energy generated by the “qualifying property” must come from the sun. The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a comparable entity endorsed by the government of the state in which the property is installed.

Note: The credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs. The water must be used in the dwelling.

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Small Wind Turbines (Residential) – Must have a nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kilowatts.

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Geothermal Heat Pumps Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Because they use the earth’s natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available.

Systems must meet the following requirements:
Closed Loop:
EER = 14.1
COP = 3.3

Open Loop:
EER = 16.2
COP = 3.6

Direct Expansion:
EER = 15
COP = 3.5

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Posted in: Financing, Green Design

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Eco-Cool Remodel Tool

EcoToolFollow this link into your web browser to take a tour through Eco-Cool’s virtual house and find ways to green up your next home remodeling project.

You’ll find tips and resources ranging from selecting healthy paint products, to what you should consider when replacing your furnace, upgrading your kitchen or landscaping your yard.

Green home remodeling creates healthy, comfortable spaces that can save you money, increase your home’s value and help protect the environment.

Posted in: Green Design

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Should I remodel or should I move to a new or newer home?

If you want to change your home, your options are remodeling or finding a new one. More and more American families are deciding to stay put and improve their existing home.

To begin with, make a list of all of the upgrades and improvements you’re considering. Be sure to include and needed maintenance. Maintaining your home in good repair is the most critical of all investments that you can make to your home. The shape it’s in matters as much (if not more than) the other attributes your home may have.

After you’ve completed your list, check out the other homes in your neighborhood. Have the other homes in your neighborhood been upgraded and improved similar to what you’re considering? As a general rule of thumb, any remodeling project that brings your home up to the level of your neighbors’ is a worthy investment. Would your proposed upgrades put your home in a higher price range than the others in your neighborhood? A remodeling investment should not raise the value of your house to more than 10-15% above the median sales price in your neighborhood.

In addition to the potential resale value, you need to consider the intangible value – the pleasure you will derive from making your home a more enjoyable place to live.

When deciding whether to remodel your existing home or move, you also need to consider the costs of selling your existing home and buying a new home. In addition to the cost of any maintenance and repairs that might be needed just to make your existing house saleable, selling your home and moving typically costs about 8-10% of the value of your current home The majority of this goes into moving expenses, closing costs, and real estate commissions – items that have no direct impact on your home’s quality.

Remodeling can be stressful, but few experiences are more stressful than moving.

Do you like your neighborhood and your neighbors? If you decide you love your neighborhood and the upgrades and improvements you’re considering wouldn’t put you over the resale limit, remodeling is probably the way to go.

Each year, Remodeling magazine conducts its “Cost vs. Value” report to assess which remodeling projects create the greatest return on investment. We have included a downloaded copy of their 2010-2011 Report for your use.

Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for Boise, Idaho 2010-11
download “Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for Boise, Idaho 2010-11 “
© 2010 Hanley Wood, LLC. Reproduced by permission. Complete city data from the Remodeling 2010–11 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com

Posted in: Remodeling

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What Home Owners Need to Know About Lead Paint

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enacted a new rule for professional contractors in April 2010 to help keep small children safer from the dangers of lead dust exposure.

If you live in a home built before 1978 and you’re contemplating any work that will disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square feet on the exterior of the home – for example, replacing a window, installing cabinets, or adding on to your home – the contractor you hire is required by law to be trained and certified by the EPA.

Keep your family safe from the dangers of lead exposure by hiring an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator.

Tips for Home Owners

1. Hire an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator for your home remodeling project.
Professional remodelers who have achieved EPA Lead-Safe Certification are trained and prepared to work in pre-1978 homes for minimizing dust and potential lead paint exposures. These workers also have certified their firms and will carry an EPA seal verifying their qualifications to follow lead-safe work practices. Certified Renovators have the knowledge and tools to contain dust and keep your family safe. Do not attempt remodeling work yourself or hire an uncertified remodeler as this puts you at risk of lead poisoning. Use the search tool on the EPA website to find a Lead-Safe Certified Renovator near you or call your local home builders’ association for a list of certified remodelers.

2. Read Renovate Right.
Your Certified Renovator will provide you a copy of the Renovate Right brochure produced by the EPA. This brochure describes the dangers of lead poisoning and how the practices of the remodeler will be employed to contain dust, clean, and minimize the dangers of lead paint exposure.

3. Pay attention to warning signs and do not enter containment areas.
The Certified Renovator will post warning signs and set up areas of containment using plastic to keep dust under control. Pay attention to these notices and stay away from these areas. The remodeler uses these techniques and lead-safe work practices to minimize lead dust exposure.

4. Consider testing for lead.
You may ask the Certified Renovator to use LeadCheck or D-Lead test kits for testing certain surfaces for lead. If the test comes back negative, the remodeler will not need to use lead safe work practices because the component has tested lead-free. Alternatively, a home owner may choose to hire a certified risk assessor or lead inspector to conduct testing in the home for lead. Any pre-1978 home can be tested for lead and if the results are negative, the EPA lead rule does not apply.

5. Maintain records about your home remodel.
After the remodeling job is complete the EPA Certified Renovator will share records with you, such as a checklist describing the work practices used and any results from lead testing. Be sure to keep these records and share them with the next home owner if you should sell your home.

Learn more about EPA’s lead paint rule by visiting http://www.leadfreekids.org/ or by downloading the pamphlet Renovate Right.

Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right
Download “Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right”
This brochure describes the dangers of lead poisoning and how the practices of the remodeler will be employed to contain dust, clean, and minimize the dangers of lead paint exposure.

Posted in: Safety Information

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What Is Keeping You from Buying A Home?

A recent survey conducted by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, LLC offered some insight into why prospective shoppers are reluctant to purchase.  Of the more than 20,000 people who had recently visited a new home community and responded to the survey questions, 75% were current homeowners, 20% were renters, and 3% were living with their parents.

98% prefer ownership over renting for their next home. Although 20% of those who took the survey are currently renting, only 2% of them prefer to rent today.  2% said they wanted to rent for their next move but 68% of that 2% want to buy a home in the future.

Young couples and families were the most likely to choose homeownership over renting for next move.

75% said they would move for the right opportunity, 32% expect to move in the next year, and 25% do not know when they will move.  Only 24% said they are very satisfied with their current home and have no desire to move.

64% responded “yes” or “maybe” to “What obstacles? It’s a great time to buy!”

When asked about the obstacles to buying a home today, the top three obstacles cited were:

  1. Bad time to sell
  2. Down payment
  3. Lack of confidence in the market

Only 23% said qualifying for a home was a potential obstacle.  50% cited some lack of confidence in the market and, although lack of confidence in the market was most common among the older, more mature buyers; the more mature, experienced buyers were also the ones most likely to recognize that now is the right time to buy a home.

Take Our Poll
43.724939-116.26148

Posted in: building, economy, home building, homeownership, real estate

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The economic impact of foreclosures

It was no surprise that one of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) major advocacy issues discussed at the Board of Directors meetings last week in Orlando was home foreclosures and their continuing significant negative impact on the housing market and economy.  We are all well aware of the impact of short sales and foreclosures on property values.  But there’s more to the story.

At one of the meetings I attended, NAHB’s Chief Economist, David Crowe, noted that for every $100 loss in the value of their property, consumers spend an average of $3 to $5 less.  The estimated loss in property value in theU.S.as a result of the housing crash is $6.5 trillion dollars.  That’s $6,500,000,000,000. If my math is correct (I’m not use to working with such large numbers), the loss in property value has resulted in a drop in consumer spending of between $195 billion ($195,000,000,000) and $325 billion ($325,000,000,000).

The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis recently reported thatU.S. current-dollar GDP increased 3.9 percent, or $561.2 billion, in 2011 to a total of $15,294.3 billion.  So the drop in consumer spending equates to a decrease of between 1.3% and 2.1% in U.S. GDP.

According to Andrew Abel and Ben Bernanke, every 2% decrease in GDP results in a 1% increase in unemployment.

So home foreclosures and short sales impact much more than property values.

43.724939-116.26148

Posted in: Uncategorized

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Are you a savvy homeowner?

Your home is an investment, and the value of that investment is determined by the housing market.  According to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, nearly two-thirds of homeowners say they will invest in renovation projects this year. You can increase the value of your home as an investment by increasing its energy efficiency. Energy efficiency equates to lower operating costs. Lower operating costs mean savings and that savings makes a home more desirable to potential buyers.

Research shows that eco-friendly homes are selling faster and for more money than traditional homes. In 2010, certified green homes spent an average of 97 days on the market, compared with 123 for traditionally remodeled homes. And although the numbers vary, in general they sell for 8% to 30% more.

Despite the sluggish economy and anxiety about price, “savvy” homeowners that are aware of the benefits of sustainable building solutions are willing to pay for them. Who are the “savvy” homeowners?  Savvy homeowners are the ones who know how to protect their investment. Whether purchasing or improving a home, you should realize you are making an investment with the objective of making a profit — at some point.

In an economy that’s made money a little tighter for everyone, are green improvements really necessary?  The answer to this question is “Yes.”  Homeowners should take note of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the impending 2012 residential changes to that code because it is about to have a substantial impact on the value of your investment.

You might have heard of Bill H.R.2454 – American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.  H.R.2454 contained a provision that would have mandated energy audits and labeling before any home – new or used – was sold. The bill passed in the House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate because it was viewed as too stringent.  Since the “powers that be” cannot agree on how and where to build new energy plants to increase supply or even what types of plants to build, their only option is to decrease consumption.  So predictions are that mandated energy audits and labeling of homes will  eventually pass because of the International Energy Conservation Code and the 30 percent Energy Savings Goal changes to be enacted in 2012.

Regardless of what the federal government might mandate, the Idaho Building Code Act (Title 39 Chapter 41) requires all local governments in the State that issue building permits to adopt the most recent version of the International Building Code by January 1st of the year following its adoption by the Idaho Building Code Board.  And the adoption of the IECC 2012 code changes will eventually force you and other homeowners to incorporate green into your remodel projects or take a loss on your investment.

If you’re like most consumers, you are spending smart and looking for a greater ROI when it comes to home renovation.  Right now, it makes more sense to invest in your home than it does an IRA.  As a National Association of Home Builders Certified Green Professional, a U.S. Department of Energy Building America Builder’s Challenge Partner, and an Energy-Star 100% Builder Partner, I can help you protect your investment.   Call me at (208) 571-0755 or email me at chuck@chuckmillerconstruction.com.

43.724939-116.26148

Posted in: building, energy codes, energy-efficient remodeling, green building, green remodeling, home building, real estate, Remodeling, sustainable building, sustainable development

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Are you ready to buy or build a new home?

Are you ready to buy or build a new home?  If so, you probably read all the news stories and predictions that the market has a long way to go before it starts to recover and that home prices will continue to fall for months or years to come.  If you waiting for the market to improve before you buy or build your Dream home, remember that, despite all their claims to the contrary, no one can predict precisely where the market is going.  Trying to time your home purchase with the bottom of the market is futile. If you’re financially and emotionally ready to be a homeowner, it’s always a good time to buy.   All the time you spend procrastinating on purchasing or building a home, you could be building equity, getting tax deductions and enjoying the many other benefits of homeownership!

Or maybe you’re just not sure if you are financially ready.  Here’s a little quiz that might help.

Which one of the following do you NOT need to purchase a home:

  1. A decent credit record.
  2. A big down payment.
  3. Enough money to make monthly mortgage payments.
  4. Enough income to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
  5. The ability to maintain the property.

Check back in a few days for the answer.

Chuck Miller

43.724939-116.26148

Posted in: building, cost of building, home building, real estate

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