Prepping for Fall

With Labor Day weekend comes the unofficial start to Fall.  Just as you begin to transition your wardrobe (no more wearing white!) - change up your home interior for the season's change with these quick tips below.

1. Update your throw pillows. Use decorate pillows to add pops of color in some of Autumns best hues - orange, gold, red or brown.

2. Bring out the blankets! If you've been storing your blankets and throws - now is the time to freshen them up and put them on display.

3. Light up your candles.  As the days get shorter take advantage of the instant ambiance of candlelight.  Use unlit candles as opportunities to show off more fall colors.

4. Change out your bedding.  Bring out the comforters and layers of blankets in preparation for cooler temperatures.

5. Spruce up the outdoors with seasonal plants.  Decorate your entryway with mums or hydrangeas. Use dried flowers, plants or branches inside to create natural works of art.

What do you do to dress your home up for Fall?

Housing Continues to Recover

According to the Commerce Department, housing starts increased by 15.7% in July - the highest level since November. This is great news for the housing market and overall U.S. economy.

Home construction in general rose 22% this year through July and applications for building permits increased as well - signifying potential improvement in months to come. Permits are up 8.1% which is the largest gain since April of 2013.

The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reports that home builder confidence rose by 2 points. This is the third consecutive month that builder confidence has increased.

If you're looking for another reason to buy now, interest rates on conventional 30 year mortgages have dropped but are expected to rise again in upcoming months.  With rental costs continuing to rise, now is the time to think about whether buying a new home is right for you and your family.

Talk with Coastal Design Builders about building your dream home!

Tips on Choosing a Mortgage Lender

Buying a new home is one of the biggest financial decisions families make in their lifetime. Choosing the right home though is only part of the process. It’s important to spend just as much time finding the right mortgage to ensure you are getting the best deal on your new home purchase.

In the points below, we break down the questions into categories from the legitimacy of the company itself, to the breakdown of rates, and where your money is going.

Questions about Lender:
1.    Are you licensed by the state and whom do you represent (bank, lender, finance company, etc)?
2.    Does your company hold loans or sell them to a third party?
3.    What different loan programs do you offer (VA loans, FHA loans, etc)?
4.    What is the average rate of your standard 30-year fixed loan?
5.    What additional fees does your company collect in addition to loan payments?
6.    How do you keep my personal information secure? Do you sell personal information to affiliates and other third parties? If so, what can I do to limit that sharing?
7.    What separates your company from other lenders in the same field?

Questions about the Loan:
1.    What is the interest rate of my potential loan? What determined that rate is right for me? What is the annual percentage rate (APR) of this loan?
2.    Is this rate fixed or will it change during its lifetime? If it will, by how much could it change? What is the average starting and ending rate for loans of this type?
3.    If my rate is locked, for how long is it locked? Are there additional fees associated with maintaining this lock?
4.    Are the taxes and insurance of my home going to be escrowed? Is this method mandatory?
5.    What are the estimated closing costs of this loan?
6.    When are my monthly payments and how much will they total to?
7.    Are there prepayment fees associated with this loan?

Asking these questions to potential lenders will give you a breakdown of each company and their offerings to ensure you can make an informed decision on your mortgage. Talk with our team of experts at Coastal Design Builders who can help you through the home buying process.

Time for Back to School!

Hard to believe but summer has reached its end and school is back in session!  Here are some tips to organize your new home and help make the transition back to the classroom a little easier.
Set aside room for the paper!  It’s coming – schedules, assignments, handouts – be prepared for the deluge of paper by creating a filing system for each child. Assign different colors to each child.
Designate a drop zone for book bags, shoes, sports equipment. Keep it all in a contained area.
Store snacks at eye level areas in the pantry and refrigerator – to keep a lid on questions and too much rummaging.
Purchase a family calendar and organize all meetings, events and appointments in one spot. This can also be done electronically for automatic reminders.
What back to school organization tips do you rely on?

Housing Market Indicator Numbers In

Numbers are in, and for the first time since January, The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) posted with a score of 53. This meaning that builders in the country overall view the housing market as in a “good” state and builder confidence is rising in the housing market. The HMI surveys builders monthly and posts an average number score that falls into one of three categories: good, fair, or poor.  The HMI states that any number above 50 is deemed a “good” view versus a “poor” one. 

            The Chief Economist of the NAHB David Crowe attributes this score to the recent growth in the labor market. “As employment increases and those with jobs feel more secure about their own economic situation, they are more likely to feel comfortable about buying a home.” Builders have definitely picked up on that tidbit and are planning for an even bigger increase throughout the rest of the year. The survey, along with collecting builder confidence, also asks builders to rate their expected traffic and future sale expectations. All numbers posted a gain in all sectors of the country (Northeast, South, West, and Midwest.) This overall growth in confidence parallels the success in other markets (retail, food, etc) and could be a sign that the country is beginning to truly shake off hesitations brought on by the economic downtown. The numbers have posted small but steady gains throughout the year and it is expected to only continue. 

            Now is your time to act and take advantage of the market before it hits its full swing. House prices are the lowest now they will ever be as long as the market continues at the rate it is. Act while you can! Now is a great time to build with Coastal Design Builders. Start work on your Charleston dream home today!

The Light Bulb 411

Light bulbs – always there but never acknowledged. They provide the light for us to see, yet do we really see the effects our light bulbs have on our environment and us?  Below is a list and brief explanation of the most common types of light bulbs you will encounter and which one works best for which task:

Incandescent:

            Incandescent bulbs are the prototype light bulb that pops in your mind when you hear “light bulb.” These bulbs are characterized by a usually semi-spherical shape and consist of a filament that illuminates when an electric current is passed through it. Incandescent bulbs have dominated the residential light bulb market for most of the light bulb’s history. However now, incandescent bulbs have fallen out of favor with their poor energy efficiency. Incandescent bulbs’ energy is 90% heat, 10% light. In other words, an incandescent bulb acts as a better mini-heater than illuminator.  That being said, efforts have been made to produce a more energy efficient incandescent (coating around filaments to reduce heat production), but even with “green” changes, the incandescent still is not considered the best choice if energy efficiency is your goal.

Fluorescent:

            Fluorescent bulbs are considered more energy efficient than their incandescent counterpart using about 1/3 as much energy to power and lasting up to 20x longer!! Fluorescents had a negative rap for a long time, despite their energy-conserving prowess. Their lack of pleasing light colors and intensities left the fluorescent to be used almost exclusively in offices and commercial buildings, but with the advancements in technology today, many fluorescents match and even surpass the incandescent with light intensities and now being able to produce the “warm” light glow that many seek in their houses. Another issue that held fluorescent bulbs back was their shape. The long, slender bulb had no place in the residential household and smaller scale fluorescents were increasingly hard to find. Thankfully now, there is a fluorescent that provides the excellent energy conservation whilst still retaining a usable size for households. The Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) now allows for fluorescent bulb usage throughout the home. The CFL is designed to replace the traditional incandescent, and with the development of the CFL, fluorescents just might have a shot at doing so.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS)

            LEDS employ photons to produce light. Currently, these types of lights produce the best “bang for your buck” giving up to 50,000 (that’s right 50,000!!) hours of light time before being replaced. LEDs use mini reactions internally, causing electrons to combine and produce light. LEDs are extremely small, so several are often used in the production of LED lights. LEDs are just now starting to be used and will eventually become the new “standard” when it comes to light bulbs. LEDs take very little energy, about 20x less than an incandescent, and produce about 25x more light than the incandescent. The only drawback to LEDs is currently the price. LEDs are the most expensive form of light bulb on the market, simply because of a lack of real competition (compared to incandescent and fluorescent.) Analysts predict the price of the LED will drop as more companies start shifting their productions to make more LEDs. But even with their current price, LEDs still offer amazing savings in the long run if you are willing to shell out the extra few bucks at the beginning.

High-Intensity Discharge (HIDs)

            HIDs are similar to LEDs as far as performance goes. They are extremely energy efficient and last an overwhelmingly long time, however, HIDs employ powerful metal halides (bulb filaments are coated in them to allow for longer use). These halides burn excessively bright and hot, making indoor use for them impractical, but they make excellent floodlights or motion lighting for security areas.

            Overall, the light bulb has come a long way from the days of Edison. Today, the choices are quite varied and tailored to suit individual needs, but all are pushing for a more energy efficient method of illuminating the world. When it comes to what you can do to reduce your environmental footprint, make sure to always look for the Energy Star logo when purchasing light bulbs (or any appliance/electronic). These products have been specifically designed to not only save energy, but save you money! Using Energy Star products can save hundreds of dollars a year (even just switching light bulbs equates to about $50-$75 in savings a year). Now’s your time to act and make the switch to a more energy efficient life! One light bulb change at a time will bring you closer to the green lifestyle we all need. Do your part now, and begin changing those bulbs today!