Skip to main content

California Leads Nation with Green Building Code Requirements for 2011

California is again paving the way toward sustainable development. The state is adopting a new Green Building Code that puts percentages on improvements in water use efficiency, energy consumption, and water conservation. After 2010, all new construction must meet the code’s requirements. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California Business Properties Association, Sacramento, as well as local branches of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, NAIOP SoCal and NAIOP California State Council, support the green code. California is the first state to establish its own green code, the situation will not stay unique. “The International Code Council has been working with the National Association of Home Builders to develop a national standard for Green Homes, and the American National Standards Institute also is working on a standard as well,” the article states. Read the article at http://www.globest.com/news/1207_1207/sacramento/172819-1.html
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What to look for in a real estate agent

There's a common saying in the real estate industry regarding the vast number of agents in the business: "If you don't have any friends who are agents, then you probably don't have any friends at all." With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests. Demand Experience Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate. Look for Commitment Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part-time and recreational salespeople. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of f...
Post a Comment
Read more

Getting the Best Tax Break When Selling Your Primary Residence

Getting the Best Tax Break When Selling Your Primary Residence When you sell your primary residence, you may be able to save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of one of the best available tax breaks.  Provided that you have lived in the home as your primary residence and owned it for at least two of the past five years, when you sell your home, you can exclude from income up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly).  This tax benefit can be used once every two years.  Did you know that a married couple can qualify for the entire $500,000 exclusion even if only one spouse has owned the property for two years?  Or that you don’t need to own the home and use it as your primary residence the same two years?  Read on for a few pointers that may help you take advantage of this tax benefit when you sell your primary residence.  Pointer One - $500,000 Exclusion for Married Couples Available Even if Only One Spouse Owns Home for...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Down Payment Anomaly

Despite home buyers being advised to issue down payments of at least 20 percent, many home buyers are finding that smaller down payments result in better interest rates—but also higher payments. Rules put in place in late 2008 by Fannie Mae and similar rules adopted by Freddie Mac are less favorable to borrowers who put down 20 percent to 25 percent--partially because the GSEs consider these borrowers to be more of a credit risk since they are not required to purchase private mortgage insurance. According to Fannie Mae, borrowers benefit from this industry practice because they are able to leave themselves a financial cushion by not issuing larger down payments, and can instead save the extra money for emergencies. It is important to note though that smaller down payments mean higher monthly payments because the loan itself will be larger. To read the full story, please click here Message David Hoshaw Broker, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Weichert, Realtors - Hos...
Post a Comment
Read more