Thursday, May 24, 2007

!!!SOLD!!! Home For Sale in Volga, SD

!!!SOLD!!!
Volga, SD Real Estate List #07-275
List Price $111,900
Sold Price $115,100

What a looker! This charming ranch style home features 3 bedrooms, 1 bath on a beautiful lot in the heart of town. This is a wonderful location to start a family in. Call me today to see this gem.

For more information and a full photo tour visit: www.brookingshomes.com/124.htm

!!!SOLD!!! Spec Home for Sale in Brookings, SD

!!!SOLD!!!

Brookings, SD Real Estate Listing # 06-771
List Price $279,900

This home is nearing completion. It is a very spacious Split-Foyer house featuring over 3000 sq. ft. of finished area. The main level totals 1577 sq. ft., featuring a Master bedroom suite, second bedroom, full hall bath, kitchen, dining area and living room. The lower level will include over 1500 sq. ft. of finish. The lower level finish will offer a large family room, three additional bedrooms, a full bath and utility room.

For more information, room dimensions and progessive pictures visit the following link and click on listing #06-771: http://www.brookingshomes.com/220.htm

Daily Real Estate News | May 24, 2007

American Homes Grow in Size

Despite a decline in the average household size to 2.6 people from 1990 to 2005, according to the Census Bureau, the size of the average U.S. home expanded to 2,434 square feet from about 2,000 square feet over the same time span.

Indeed, about 20 percent of dwellings in 2005 had four or more bedrooms, versus about 17 percent in 1990. The Census report shows that many of these properties are located in Utah, where close to 40 percent boast four or more bedrooms.

In addition to extra bedrooms, today's homes have more bathrooms. Media rooms are also gaining popularity.

Source: Investor's Business Daily (05/24/07)

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Daily Real Estate News | May 1, 2007

Home Owners Take Green to the Next Level

More home owners’ to-do lists are beginning to go green. “After two decades of rising costs, home owners are now putting energy efficiency near the top of their remodeling concerns,” concludes the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University in their 2007 report on the remodeling industry.

From 2005 to 2006, demand for energy management systems jumped to 54 percent from 38 percent, according to a national survey of architects. More than one-quarter of remodeling builders and contractors surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders at the end of 2006 reported increased consumer demand for green remodeling; only 6 percent reported less demand for green projects.

Also fueling demand is an aging housing stock. Homes built before the 1970s’ oil embargo use 30 percent more energy per square foot than those built since 1990, according to the Joint Center.

Whole House Approach

“The only way to bring green into 120 million existing households is through remodeling,” says Mike Nagel, NAHB Remodeler’s Council chair. “Americans spent more than $230 billion last year in home remodeling, with energy efficient and sustainable products representing an increasing share of the market.”

Although a majority of remodeling contractors incorporate energy-efficient projects, such as low-energy windows, insulated exterior doors, upgraded insulation, and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, going green increasingly means more than replacing a component.

“Simply putting in that low E window doesn’t solve the problem,” says Michael Strong, a member of the NAHB Green Building subcommittee. “Home owners need to look at the whole room and eventually use a whole house approach to maximize efficiency.”

Top Green Tips

The top eight considerations for home owners, according to NAHB remodelers are:
  • Installing maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.
  • Installing high-efficiency windows instead of those that just meet the energy code.
  • Sealing all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled.
  • Purchasing only Energy Star–rated appliances.
  • Installing only low-flow water fixtures.
  • Upgrading to an Energy Star–rated water heater or, better yet, a tankless water heater.
  • Purchasing the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

— By Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR Magazine Online

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