Real Estate Listings

Archive for June, 2009

Be Your Own Modular Home Builder

Because about 85 percent of a modular home is built in the factory before it arrives to your lot many homeowners opt to be their own general contractor. This indeed has many advantages in additional cost savings and as well as control. By applying for a “sweat equity” finance loan there is a degree of savings and overall being your own contractor can save you 10 to 30 percent in expenses. This makes this option attractive for some.

However you will be earning your savings as you handle the tasks for which the builder is responsible. You will either complete or arrange subcontractors to complete several components of the site work and finishing work for your modular home. The following items are areas that will deserve your attention:

Land/Lot Finding a lot for building is one of the earliest steps but additional factors are required as well regarding the lot. This includes finding a surveyor to survey the lot as well as an excavation crew to mold the lot according to where drainage patterns and clearing must occur. Also a site plan drawn up by an engineer will be needed so that building permits can be obtained. This encompasses soil samples as well as drainage grades as well.

Foundation Either a structural or foundation engineer will need to be contracted to assist with accurate foundation plans. Once designed concrete services and framing will be needed to form the foundation accordingly. This is an important step particularly for modular homes.

Permitting A laundry list of permits are needed including a building permit electrical permit foundation permit etc. In addition before completion pest company evaluation of the soil and structure is needed as well as a department of health inspection for many towns.

Crane and Set Crew These may be provided by the manufacturer but you are still responsible for overseeing their work and making sure they are available for the setup process. You may decide to hire them outside of the manufacturer as this could save additional money; but be sure they are experienced in modular homes.

Connections and Finishing Work Here you will need several subcontractors to assist with necessary items in completing your home after arrival. Subcontractors include electricians plumbers HVAC personnel painters flooring specialists drywall repair experts countertop installers and possibly roofers. While the button up and tie in work is not vast it is varied enough that an array of specialists are required.

Landscaping This includes both “soft” landscaping such as plants lawn and trees as well as “hard” landscaping such as driveways walkways decking and patios. Asphalt specialists may be needed for driveways as well as concrete or masonry specialists for other areas.

While this list is not entirely complete it does cover the major areas. Compared to a sitebuilt home the task of being your own builder is far less challenging. Modular homes do facilitate your own involvement in being the builder which can save you a great deal of money in the end.

About the writer:  Buying Greenville real estate http://remaxmississippi.com/ is the blues fan’s ticket to a lifetime of the best blues music in the country. The author Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Bermuda Real Estate

Bermuda is known officially as the Bermuda Islands. This place is located just off the eastern part of the coast of the United States. The territory of Bermuda consists of 138 islands. This place has an economy that is thriving. It has one of the biggest finance sectors in the world and its tourism industry is booming.

The tourism business of Bermuda resulted in the increase of tourists flocking in the country as well as an increase in GDP capita one of the highest increases in the world during 2005. The place has a climate that is quite common in the subtropics. It offers beaches with pink sand and oceans with colors that are a magnificent combination of deep blue and green.

The place is also known for its historical beauty. When you purchase Bermuda real estate you are investing in a location which is among the most popular holiday destinations of tourists. The Bermuda Isles have been regarded as one of the World Heritage sites.

Booming tourism industry

Colonists who had been shipwrecked were the original settlers of Bermuda since the year 1609. Since those times the islands have been developed to what it is now a haven of stressed souls all over the world. From the Victorian Age until recent times the economy of Bermuda was led by the tourism business. If you want to be a part of the booming tourism businesses in the place invest in Bermuda real estate.

The successful growth of the economy over the past years has caused an accumulation of wealth. This is because of the many Bermuda real estate residential properties that always attract property seekers. Several people have been opting to own a home in Bermuda because of its natural beauty and the great investment opportunities that it has to offer.

Why should you invest in Bermuda real estate?

Today the market of Bermuda real estate has been offering several great investment possibilities to many worldwide investors. Most of the real estate properties in Bermuda however are quite expensive because of the increasing demand of property lookers as well as the scarcer real estate properties on sale.

A lot of aspects will affect the value of Bermuda real estate. These aspects may include the location of the property similar properties in the market and the overall financial condition at the time that you purchased the property. The sale of a Bermuda real estate property is regulated by a governing body in Bermuda. Appointed officials ensure that necessary protection is extended to Bermuda residents as well as foreigners who own Bermuda real estate properties.

With the great demand for real estate properties in Bermuda you should not waste a moment. Purchase a Bermuda real estate property before you run out of properties that are good for investment.

Investing your money in real estate properties in Bermuda will provide you of economic returns you don’t normally get in other property investments. After all you can have the option of having your own vacation house once you decide to stay in Bermuda or you can have the place up for rent for other tourists who’d like to simply savor Bermuda’s natural gifts

About the writer:  John Hicks lives in Los Angeles California. To find out more information on Los Angeles apartments for rent and Yuba City CA apartment search please visit www.caliapartments.net

Asbestos In The Home

Many building products over the years have contained asbestos. Many of these products are still present in homes that were built prior to the mid1980s. So What exactly should you know about asbestos? Take a look.

Homeowners fear the word asbestos. The most common places to find asbestos are probably old asbestoscement siding old asbestos flooring or asbestos that was used as insulation on heating ducts and heating systems. The general guideline is that as long as asbestos is confined so the fibers cannot escape and become airborne it is not much of a problem. Of course if down the road a remodel is in order any asbestos material has to be treated as hazardous waste.

There are two very common household products that might or might not contain asbestos. It is hard to guess. Those products are vermiculite attic insulation and popcorn textured ceilings. While vermiculite is a mineral that is different than asbestos the problem is that vermiculite mined prior to 1991 came from a mine near Libby Montana. The mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which tainted some of the vermiculite with asbestos fibers. While it is not for sure that all of this insulation will have asbestos fibers it is considered likely that it will. Basically the EPA suggests that if you have older vermiculite leave it alone and do not disturb it. Modern vermiculite since 1991 comes from three other facilities and is considered to have a low potential for asbestos contamination. Popcorn textured ceilings installed up into the mid 1980s might have asbestos fibers present.

If vermiculite insulation or popcorn ceilings are present in the home to establish whether or not they contain asbestos one must collect samples and send them off to a lab. Inexpensive lab tests will confirm the presence of any asbestos. For further information on asbestos or asbestos testing you should visit the EPA website. The site is very helpful and has a number of guidelines and suggestions regarding general safety and the use or cleanup of asbestos building materials. Never take a chance on asbestos a small test can make a huge difference in your health.

About the writer:  This article was produced by the writing team of Eric Badgley Angee Gardner; specializing in Lynden Real Estate and Bellingham Real Estate along with Mt. Vernon Home Inspectors. Making sure buyers are protected.