|  | New Home Construction and Development | Stay informed about new home construction and development in Bowie, Crofton, and Annapolis Maryland. Check here for new construction and development updates in these communities. | |
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| | May 31, 2008 | | What's up top does make a difference | In Maryland it seems we go from spring to summer overnight. One night you need an extra blanket, and by the following afternoon you're turning on the air conditioning. With the cost of energy always a concern, consider how what's on your roof can help you keep cool and save money. Replacing your roof is not something you do only to save energy costs, but if the time for a new roof is near, here are some things to consider: Clay and concrete tiles have been around for thousands of years for a good reason. They are a green products because they come from the earth, not from petroleum like asphalt tiles. Roofing tiles contain natural thermal resistance in the raw materials, and the installation of the individual tiles creates a natural airspace around the tiles allowing for ventilation that helps cool air to circulate through the roof. While only eight percent of US homes use concrete and clay roof, these roofs are becoming more popular quickly as the cost of more traditional materials rises rapidly. If you think all roof tiles are red, round, and heavy, think again. Tiles come flat and in many colors: blues, greens, browns, and blacks. You can get a concrete and clay roof tile in round and flat and any color that you want. Roofing tiles on average come with a 50-year warranty, and a reputable roofing contractor should give you at least half that time as a warranty on labor. Compare this to the typical 20-year limited warranty on asphalt-based shingle roofing products.
As the cost of energy rises, we need to look at alternatives to the way we've always done things, whether in our cars or our homes. For more information on tile roofing materials, visit http://www.tileroofing.org/. And when it's time to buy or sell a home, call on the "Special" Ed Haraway Team. We’ve earned the title of "The Realtors Who Treat You Special!" | |
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| | June 10, 2007 | | How you can save money on new construction with a Realtor | That's right – there are many reasons to use a Realtor®, but most people don't realize that you can actually SAVE money on a new home by working with a Realtor. Here's why. When you see a new home development, you expect to see a sales office where you can view floor plans and probably look at a few model homes. What you don't realize is that the “friendly” new home model host is working for the builder, and is protecting the builder, not you. The builder has already included the real estate commission into the price of his new homes. Builders know they will sell a certain number of homes through the assistance of a Realtor, and have factored that into their pricing. Suppose you go to look at a new development with your Realtor, and the price of the house you like is $650,000. What do you suppose the price would have been if you had gone alone and were not working with a real estate agent? That's right - $650,000. Just because he doesn't have to pay a commission, the builder is not going to reduce his price. So how can you save money by working with a professional Realtor? Easy – you can save on that built-in commission. Many Realtors will give a reduced commission on selling your existing home if they handle the purchase of the new one, so the result is that you will have more cash to use for the purchase of your new home. Plus, you have someone representing you on both the sale of your existing home as well as on buying your new home. REMEMBER… the builder’s sales person represents the builder’s best interests - not yours. Here's the important thing, though. To get the savings, your first visit to the builder must be with your Realtor. Otherwise, the builder won’t recognize the Realtor as your representative. Then with a professional on your side, you will be protected on the purchase of your new home. Call me first - I'll gladly answer your questions.
301-262-5255 - Office
800-999-2319 - Toll Free
240-375-2871 - Cell Phone | |
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| | May 15, 2007 | | City seeks zoning amendment to ease the headaches all around | Whether you plan to sell soon or just stay and enjoy the change, adding on to your home with a deck or patio can increase your home's value and livability. For some Bowie homeowners, though, it's not as simple as drawing up the plans, buying the materials, and rounding up some willing workers. About 1,000 homes are in the residential-rural (R-R) zoning area that has stricter limits on "lot coverage" (the amount of roofed structures and parking on a property) than the rest of the city. These limits have forced homeowners to go through the long and often fruitless process of requesting a zoning variance. If the City of Bowie has its way, that will change. The city has requested County Councilwoman Ingrid Turner to propose a zoning text amendment that would make the permitted lot coverage in the city uniform. Most of Bowie is covered by two zoning designations that allow 30 percent lot coverage, but the R-R area allows only 25 percent. Removing the discrepancy will reduce headaches for the Bowie Advisory Planning Board, and they hope it will also reduce the number of variance requests. Before the change can occur, the county will have to review the impact of the change. But city officials believe it will be easier to get a zoning amendment than a revision of the entire code. If they are right, that new patio or widened driveway may be an achievable dream for more Bowie homeowners. | |
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