Full Article: October 18, 2012 – Richmond Times Dispatch, http://bit.ly/TwEceH The nationwide housing improvement is felt here in Richmond, Virginia. Co-owner of Homeplaces LTD, Sarah Kellam, states that they are meeting with more clients and seeing more consumer confidence in the market. This falls in-line with the reported 11% increase in single family …
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The housing recovery blossomed in September, as the pace of home building surged to a four-year high, accordingto a government report issued Wednesday. –Builders Started work at an annual pace of 872,000 homes last month, up 15% from the pace in August. They also filed for permits to build …
The latest report on the residential market shows greater emphasis on green features by both consumers and construction pros alike. They’re of higher quality and they save consumers money. Those are the two key factors contributing to the green-home market growth, according to the latest, “SmartMarket Report” from McGraw-Hill Construction, released at the …
2011 was a big year for EarthCraft as we certified over 1,000 projects (single family and multifamily) in Virginia. Much thanks goes out to our builders, developers, and all other involved professionals for your work and dedication to green building. Certified 1,600 total Single Family Homes to date Certified 6,232 total Multifamily units date …
The Virginia Housing Coalition has initiated a campaign for a Virginia Housing Trust Fund to be created by the General Assembly. The housing industry is a critical part of our local economy in Virginia. The collapse of the home ownership market has had profound economic impact – including the loss of jobs in the …
Construction spending in the U.S. rose in December at the fastest pace in four months, reflecting broad- based gains that signal the industry is stabilizing. Building outlays increased 1.5 percent, the biggest gain since August, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 51 economists in a Bloomberg survey called for a …
The three-page Appraisal Institute form should guarantee at the minimum that an appraiser will take notice of a home’s energy improvements and seek to come up with a value adjustment for local market conditions. Read More
Today’s educated consumers are aware of the impact of their decisions on future lifestyle. For those exploring myriad options in building a new home, local “green” builders share strategies that can improve quality of life for homeowners while conserving our planet’s valuable resources. A tour by EarthCraft-certified builders Guy Sorensen, a partner at …
For several years, the terms “green building” and “LEED” have been all but synonymous. Considered the gold standard (or, in some cases, platinum) for sustainable design, the LEED program has made inroads nationally, with lots of local buildings now LEED-certified. Many others are recognized under EarthCraft, EnergyStar, and other programs. Read More