The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched the National Green Building Program in February 2008 - an education, verification and certification initiative for builders located anywhere in the United States. For a home to qualify, an independent home energy rater must verify that it adheres to the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard, which award point values across a range of categories, including lot and site development; resource, energy, and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and homeowner education.
The NAHB website features an interactive scoring tool that helps homebuilders and homeowners alike guage how a home will score according to the Guidelines and Standard. The scoring tool also provides continual feedback, helping those who use it to understand what steps they can take to make a home more green.
Both single- and multi-family homes, including renovations, are eligible for certification through the NAHB program. To locate an accredited National Green Building Program verifier, use the state-by-state listing on the NAHB website or call the National Green Building Hotline at (877) NAHB-GRN.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
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Provided your home meets a minimum threshold for energy efficiency, you may be eligible for certification under a range of national and regional energy-efficiency certification programs. Even if you don't already meet required thresholds, a few inexpensive improvements may be all that stand in your way.
Certification through programs such as ENERGY STAR, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program, LEED for Homes and others can show potential buyers that a home promises significant utility cost savings over homes without certification - a major selling point in today's economy. Certification also helps ensure that homebuyers and sellers alike are making greener choices that reduce overall environmental impact.
Read on to learn more about a range of energy-efficiency certification programs and how to participate.
ENERGY STAR
To qualify for certification under the ENERGY STAR program, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency as set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Homes must be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and typically include energy-saving features that make them as much as 20 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes. Some of these features include effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and energy-efficient appliances.
According to ENERGY STAR, homes certified through its program use substantially less energy for heating, cooling and water heating, resulting in average savings of $200 to $400 annually. Additional savings on maintenance can also be significant, and ENERGY STAR homes are eligible for financing through energy-efficient mortgages.
The EPA reported in July 2009 that nearly 17 percent of new homes built in 2008 earned the ENERGY STAR label, up from 12 percent in 2007. According to the EPA, American families living in ENERGY STAR homes slashed more than $250 million in annual utility bills in 2008 alone, saving enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
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When you're trying to sell a home, beautiful bathrooms can go a long way toward winning over buyers. In some cases - especially in older homes with bathrooms that have undergone little or no updating - a complete bathroom remodel is the way to go. If you have the money up front to put into such a project, it could offer a higher selling price in the end. But if you are working within a limited budget, there are still ways to give an affordable facelift to your home's bathroom without breaking the bank.
Follow these five easy steps to a more beautiful bathroom, and you may be surprised at how quickly you can transform a tired, overworked space into a spa-like retreat that will have you wanting to draw a relaxing bubble bath for yourself.
Fresh Paint
Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint for instantly updating a room and bathrooms are no exception. In fact, because they are usually smaller spaces with tiling and mirrors over some of their surfaces, bathrooms constitute one of the easiest paint jobs in a house, perfect for even the least experienced painter.
In terms of paint, select a durable semi-gloss, which will stand up well to moisture. In terms of color, draw inspiration from exclusive spas at chic hotels or the pages of magazines, like Better Homes and Gardens®. As you'll probably notice, cooler colors and lighter hues can help convey a sense of relaxation and calm while also adding the illusion of spaciousness to smaller rooms. If you are unsure of a color choice, purchase the smallest quantity available and try painting a small area on one wall to get a feel for it before you commit to the entire room.
Tub or Shower Resurfacing
Bathtubs and showers get a lot of use, so it's no surprise that they can show a lot of wear. Whether yours is an antique porcelain claw-foot or a five-year-old fiberglass whirlpool, you could be plagued with knicks, cracks, chips and other damage - or just stuck with an outdated color or drab, dull finish. If pulling out the whole thing and replacing it is not an option, consider the more affordable alternatives of tub refinishing or relining.
Fixture Updates
What better way to add a little sparkle to your bathroom than through shiny, new fixtures? You can select fixtures yourself at a home repair store, choosing from a wide range of styles from classic to modern. Replacing a sink faucet makes a good DIY project. Just remember to turn off the water supply at the valves beneath the sink or at the main water-supply valve. Then follow the directions provided with the new fixture to remove the existing fixture and pop-up drain, secure the new faucet, attach the drain housing and flange, install the new pop-up drain, and clean the supply tubes and test for leaks.
New shower fixtures - especially ones with luxury features such as a large-diameter full-flow rain shower, multiple showerheads, or adjustable-flow, multi-speed massage options - are another way to add a degree of pampering while staying within your budget.
Lastly, consider replacing your straightforward, utilitarian shower rod with an updated sweeping curved one. Available for just $35 to $50, they replicate the look of a fine hotel while adding as much as half a foot of extra elbow room in the shower.
Organization
Organization is key in most rooms and the bathroom is no exception. Take the time to neatly fold or roll towels - clean, fresh ones that match the colors of the room - and create an attractive display in shelves adjacent to the shower or tub. Remove any personal toiletries from site, keeping counters and surfaces clean and uncluttered. And bring order to the insides of cabinets and cupboards, since prospective buyers may open them up to assess storage space. Finally, stow any bathroom cleaning products in a closet or separate utility room.
Final Touches
Here's your opportunity to complete the spa theme. Replace worn bathmats and shower curtains with fresh ones in soothing colors to match the rest of the room. Add accent color with coordinating accessories such as a soap dispenser, tissue box, water glass, and hand towels. Arrange a few current magazines artfully in a rack or basket. Finally, strategically place a few elegant candles or a simple vase filled with cut flowers on the back of the toilet for a final splash of color and pleasing aroma.
Important Links
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
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Choosing quality carpet for an existing or new home is challenging due to the wide variety of carpeting choices available today.
You want the most value for your money, so how do you choose which carpet will wear the best for your home and lifestyle?
High or low traffic?
The key to carpet durability comes from selecting the right style and fiber, suggests the Carpet and Rug Institute, http://www.carpet-rug.org.
Buyers can choose carpets appropriate for particular rooms, based on whether the room is formal or casual, and how much traffic it will endure. This will tell you whether you want a smooth or textured pile.
Pile is comprised of the fibers. A thick pile is more durable, and provides more cushion under the feet. Thicker pile is also more costly, as there are more fibers per inch to create a denser product.
Types of carpet
There are several types of carpet available, including:
Textured - carpet in which the fibers are cut at various lengths. Textured carpets bear high traffic areas well. Textured carpets include Frieze (knobby appearance), l Looped (Berber), Cable (dense, soft, looped) and Cut and Loop (varied textures.)
The trendy Cut and Loop can be put in any room. The variation of surface textures in a cut and loop style creates a variety of pattern effects and design options in contemporary, casual, and traditional decors.
Saxony or Plush - dense, plush carpet with an even pile height, Saxony carpet is ideal for formal living and dining areas and master bedrooms.
Fiber quality
The next key to carpet selection is fiber. Quality can be enhanced by the twist and heat set of the fibers, as well as the density of the tufts.
Generally, "the shorter, the tighter the twist, the denser, the better the carpet", goes an old saying in the carpet business, as quoted by Carpet Guru, http://www.carpetguru.com.
Synthetic fibers make up over 90% of today's carpets, according to the World Floor Covering Association, http://www.wfca.org.
Nylon is the leader for appearance, fade and heat resistance and soil and stain resistance, with the most variety in color and styling options. Other synthetic options include those made of olefin or polypropylene (most often used in loop pile construction), and polyester (luxurious, soft texture).
The most expensive fiber is wool. Also soft and high in density, the WFCA states that wool cleans well, but doesn't stand up to abrasion and moisture as well as synthetics.
Which carpet is better?
Major carpet manufacturers such as Mohawk, Karastan, and Shaw take the guesswork out of carpet comparisons by offering performance ratings on their products.
Once you've determined the purpose, traffic patterns and performance expectations of the carpet, your selection can easily be narrowed by consulting the rating found on the manufacturing label. A lower rating, however, may not mean a lesser quality carpet, but one that is not expected to compete with the top end carpet sold by the brand.
Manufacturers today also have carpet pad guidelines, advises the Carpet Guru, and if not followed, will void the carpet warranty. Again, consult the manufacturer's label on guidelines.
Shop for value
Before you buy, make sure you are paying for density. Dig your fingers into the pile. If they reach the backing quickly, the carpet isn't packed densely enough with fibers.
Look for tight tuft twists. Lower-priced carpets will have loose tuft twists in the fibers.
Comparison shop for the best price. One store may charge much more for the same carpet, more for the pad, or more for the installation.
Buying better quality pays in the long run. A good carpet can last you 10 to 20 years, while a cheap carpet can wear out quickly.
Important Links
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
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Anthony Stokes Pereira, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty is pleased to present this compilation of autumn events, including Harvest celebrations, farm stand listings, and foliage tours. We Hope that you enjoy the festivities and foliage of the lovely Hudson Valley!
ORANGE, NY COUNTY COMMUNITY EVENTS
Monroe, November 15, 12:30 PM, November 16, 3:30 PM - 20th Century Thanksgiving. See and taste a traditional dinner prepared over an open hearth. Crafts and activities for children. Museum Village. (845) 782-8247. www.museumvillage.org
Important Links
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
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I am always available to assist my clients in discover the Greater Hudson Valley. Being a full time sales associate, I stay diligent giving each of my clients' individual and professional service.
Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Rand Realty
Anthony Stokes-Pereira - Provides Personal Service With A Difference!!
When thinking of buying or selling Real Estate, having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy or sell your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This means also to help you in understanding each step of the buying or selling process. This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results.
Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping my clients meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what's in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home or get the best offer for your property. Therefore I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals.
I am fully committed to providing you with a noticeably higher level of service at all times while demonstrating knowledge, friendliness and professionalism throughout the transaction. The blending of my experience and strength of Prudential Rand Realty assures you the competitive edge in today's real estate market. My pledge to you is to use all resources available to benefit you that will make your real estate experience as easy and as stress-free as possible.
I am proud to be part of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Rand Realty team of real estate professionals. Backed by the strength and support of the entire Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Rand Realty organization, I pledge to serve you with the highest standards of professionalism, courtesy, and responsiveness. Through years of innovation, service and support, Rand Realty has become a leader in the real estate industry. It will be my privilege to carry on these same traditions while working on your behalf.
Specializing In:
All of Rockland and Orange Counties
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please call or visit me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
For more information please visit me at:
Anthony Stokes Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Rand Realty
Office: (845) 770-2188
Cell: (845) 538-7021
Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com
Website: www.anthonystokespereira.com
Below you can read a small selection of the many positive comments and remarks that I regularly receive from my clients
- Garnerville, New York
Anthony thank you for taking such good care of me and the sale of my house. This could have been a very difficult and frustrating experience had it not been for your expertise and persistent hard work. I was impressed with your micromanagement of the details which I know facilitated the whole process in the most painless manner possible. Your advice was sound and the results are 'in the pudding', or in this case, the offer. Thanks again - since you were also the agent helping me find my dream home, I'll be sure to contact you if I want to sell or buy again.... With warm regards and wishes for your continued success!"
- Spring Valley, New York
Thanks for all your help in preparing, readying and eventually selling our Co-Op in Hillcrest Point, Spring Valley, New York. I think and I'm not alone in this, we definitely chose the right agent, you, in taking on that challenge. I don't believe any other agent would have been so focused and motivated in so many tasks. Thanks again for keeping us motivated from start to finish. Well done Mr. Anthony Stokes Pereira!. Especially in the market we were dealt with!"
- Pomona, New York
Anthony was extremely warm, pleasant and professional. I think he showed me about 50 homes in about two years and he did not walk away from me, he always told me to be calm and to stay focus. If I need to buy or sell again, he will always be my agent
- Hillcrest, New York
Anthony is an honest, realistic, and professional Agent. With so many emotions involved in buying your first home, it's important to have someone like Anthony to keep you on the right track. He is capable of keeping you very calm, even during the very difficult and stressful times of the transaction. More importantly, he is very responsive, answering all of the little questions that we had - this made the whole deal seem effortless and easy. Thank you Anthony
- Spring Valley, New York
Anthony was extremely warm, pleasant and professional. When ever I need to buy again or sell, he will be the person I call.
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