Home Building Articles
TRCC Sunset: What It Means For You
- October 27, 2009
- With the iminent sunset of the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) on August 31, the Government Affairs Department has had a busy month! So what does this mean for builders? No TRCC means that there will no longer be statutory warranties and performance standards in Tesas. However, all Texas contractors are encouraged to add these provisions to your contracts right...... Read More
Lending in our brave new world
- August 18, 2009
- Everyone has heard of the “credit crisis”. No money for anyone. WRONG!! The only change in lending is the rules have tightened up. In too many cases, people who cold not qualify or afford a mortgage before were still approved for loans they could not qualify or afford. That has changed. Monies for construction loans or mortgage are still readily...... Read More
Red tape is strangling closings on homes
- August 6, 2009
- Mortgage firms’ increased scrutiny is killing deals, delaying the sales processThe days of being able to sign a contract on a house and then pick up the keys in a matter of weeks — or even days — are fading.From start to finish, the time it takes to close a home has gone from less than 30 days to upward of 45, according to real estate brokers, who blame the delays on more rigid...... Read More
Exterior Brick Applications
- July 8, 2009
- A brick exterior adds value and beauty to a new house, but it can also bring some unexpected problems. Brick is thought of as being extremely weatherproof, so it's often used as the exterior finish for high-end homes. However, brick is porous, and it absorbs moisture. This can lead to structural damage and mold growth.Builders typically do not include a drainage plane or weep holes to drain and...... Read More
Protecting Homes from Hurricanes
- July 8, 2009
- Hurricanes are one of nature's most destructive forces, as witnessed in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast. FEMA estimates that Katrina killed over 1,300 people, displaced 450,000 people, and wrecked over 300,000 single-family homes throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Most of the havoc caused by Katrina was flood-related, due to levee failures in New Orleans. Storm surges...... Read More
Windows 101
- July 8, 2009
- Window shopping is easy when you know what to look for. You’ll find many styles, shapes, features and glass packages when looking for windows and doors. But deciding on the perfect choice for your home and family is simple. Just take your time and assess your needs. Consider which style will best suit your home and your family, what thermal performance features will be ideal for your...... Read More
Soil Quality
- July 8, 2009
- You may recall the story of the statue built with clay feet. Even though the head, chest, and legs of the statue were made of strong metals, it only took a single stone to bring the statue down. The same concept is true of new homes. All the best practice building in the world won't make a home durable, comfortable, or safe if the soil beneath it is unstable. Poor quality soil is a real issue...... Read More
LED Lighting Saves Electricity
- July 8, 2009
- Led lights also generate very little unwanted heat. The energy savings may be doubled in air-conditioned environments where each watt of incandescent lighting can add another watt or more to the power needed for air conditioning. The EPA encourages the use of innovative light source technologies such as led light bulbs. Led lighting instantly achieves full brightness with no warm up time....... Read More
