This was emailed to me and I thought was very interesting...
Radiant Barriers
What is a radiant barrier?
Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and hence to reduce building heating and cooling energy usage. The potential benefit of attic radiant barriers is primarily in reducing air-conditioning cooling loads in warm or hot climates. Radiant barriers usually consist of a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum, applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials. These substrates include kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, plywood sheathing, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber reinforced to increase the durability and ease of handling.
Radiant barriers can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. However, this fact sheet was developed only for applications of radiant barriers in ventilated attics of residential buildings. For information on other applications, see the references at the end of the Fact Sheet.
How are radiant barriers installed in a residential attic?
Radiant barriers may be installed in attics in several configurations. The simplest is to lay the radiant barrier directly on top of existing attic insulation, with the reflective side up. This is often called the attic floor application. Another way to install a radiant barrier is to attach it near the roof. The roof application has several variations. One variation is to attach the radiant barrier to the bottom surfaces of the attic truss chords or rafter framing. Another is to drape the radiant barrier over the tops of the rafters before the roof deck is applied. Still another variation is to attach the radiant barrier directly to the underside of the roof deck.
How do radiant barriers work?
Radiant barriers work by reducing heat transfer by thermal radiation across the air space between the roof deck and the attic floor, where conventional insulation is usually placed. All materials give off, or emit, energy by thermal radiation as a result of their temperature. The amount of energy emitted depends on the surface temperature and a property called the “emissivity” (also called the “emittance”). The emissivity is a number between zero (0) and one (1). The higher the emissivity, the greater the emitted radiation.
A closely related material property is the “reflectivity” (also called the “reflectance”). This is a measure of how much radiant heat is reflected by a material. The reflectivity is also a number between 0 and 1 (sometimes, it is given as a percentage, and then it is between 0 and 100%). For a material that is opaque (that is, it does not allow radiation to pass directly through it), when the emissivity and reflectivity are added together, the sum is one (1). Hence, a material with a high reflectivity has a low emissivity, and vice versa. Radiant barrier materials must have high reflectivity (usually 0.9, or 90%, or more) and low emissivity (usually 0.1 or less), and must face an open air space to perform properly.
On a sunny summer day, solar energy is absorbed by the roof, heating the roof sheathing and causing the underside of the sheathing and the roof framing to radiate heat downward toward the attic floor. When a radiant barrier is placed on the attic floor, much of the heat radiated from the hot roof is reflected back toward the roof. This makes the top surface of the insulation cooler than it would have been without a radiant barrier and thus reduces the amount of heat that moves through the insulation into the rooms below the ceiling.
Under the same conditions, a roof mounted radiant barrier works by reducing the amount of radiation incident on the insulation. Since the amount of radiation striking the top of the insulation is less than it would have been without a radiant barrier, the insulation surface temperature is lower and the heat flow through the insulation is reduced.
Radiant barriers can also reduce indoor heat losses through the ceiling in the winter. Radiant barriers reduce the amount of energy radiated from the top surface of the insulation, but can also reduce beneficial heat gains due to solar heating of the roof. The net benefits of radiant barriers for reducing winter heat losses are still being studied.
How does a radiant barrier differ from conventional attic insulation?
Radiant barriers perform a function that is similar to that of conventional insulation, in that they reduce the amount of heat that is transferred from the attic into the house. They differ in the way they reduce the heat flow. A radiant barrier reduces the amount of heat radiated across an air space that is adjacent to the radiant barrier. The primary function of conventional insulation is to trap still air within the insulation, and hence reduce heat transfer by air movement (convection). The insulation fibers or particles also partially block radiation heat transfer through the space occupied by the insulation.
Conventional insulations are usually rated by their R-value. Since the performance of radiant barriers depends on many variables, simple R-value ratings have not been developed for them.
What are the characteristics of a radiant barrier?
All radiant barriers have at least one reflective (or low emissivity) surface, usually a sheet or coating of aluminum. Some radiant barriers have a reflective surface on both sides. Both types work about equally well, but if a one-sided radiant barrier is used, the reflective surface must face the open air space. For example, if a one-sided radiant barrier is laid on top of the insulation with the reflective side facing down and touching the insulation, the radiant barrier will lose most of its effectiveness in reducing heating and cooling loads.
Emissivity is the property that determines how well a radiant barrier will perform. This property is a number between 0 and 1, with lower numbers indicating better potential for performance. The emissivity of typical, clean, unperforated radiant barriers is about 0.03 to 0.05. Hence they will have a reflectivity of 95 to 97 percent. Some materials may have higher emissivities. It is not always possible to judge the emissivity just by visual appearance. Measured emissivity values should be part of the information provided by the manufacturer.
A radiant barrier used in the attic floor application must allow water vapor to pass through it. This is necessary because, during the winter, if there is no effective vapor retarder at the ceiling, water vapor from the living space may condense and even freeze on the underside of a radiant barrier lying on the attic floor. In extremely cold climates or during prolonged periods of cold weather, a layer of condensed water could build up. In more moderate climates, the condensed water could evaporate and pass through the radiant barrier into the attic space. While most uniform aluminum coatings do not allow water vapor to pass through them, many radiant barrier materials do allow passage of water vapor. Some allow water vapor passage through holes or perforations, while others have substrates that naturally allow water vapor passage without requiring holes. However, excessively large holes will increase the emissivity and cause a reduction in the radiant barrier performance. The ability to allow water vapor to pass through radiant barrier materials is not needed for the roof applications.
What should a radiant barrier installation cost?
Costs for an attic radiant barrier will depend on several factors, including the following:
Whether the radiant barrier is installed by the homeowner or by a contractor.
Whether the radiant barrier will be installed in a new home (low cost) or in an existing home (possibly higher cost if done by a contractor).
What extra “features” are desired; e.g., a radiant barrier with perforations and reinforcements may be more expensive than a “basic” radiant barrier.
Any necessary retrofit measures such as adding venting (soffit, ridge, etc.)
Whether the radiant barrier is installed on the attic floor or on the rafters.
Department of Energy Radiant Barrier Fact Sheet
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
freshening older woodwork prior to your home sale
Cleaning Wood Cabinets & freshening older woodwork prior to your home sale
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Step 1
Wipe down stained woodwork that has been treated with linseed oil or tung oil with a lemon oil polish. Linseed and tung oil dry to form a hard, protective film that is virtually invisible. A soft cloth dampened with lemon oil polish wipes away any surface grime.
Step 2
Use lemon oil polish as well as a mild mixture of white vinegar and water for stained woodwork treated with a wax that can both be felt and seen. Remember to reapply the wax layer after this step of cleaning to protect the wood.
Step 3
Clean wood the same as you would clean painted wood that has a semi-gloss or gloss finish .
Step 4
Use moistened baby wipes to clean woodwork and trim that has been painted or coated in polyurethane or varnish. Purchase a large bag of refillable baby wipes. Do not spend money on the expensive, scented brand names. Instead, buy the fragrance free, discount brand which can often be found in bulk.
Step 5
Wipe along the door frames, baseboards and crown molding with the help of a step ladder or taller ladder for high ceilings. You may be surprised at the amount of dirt you see on the wipe, and if cleaned on a monthly wipes will keep your trim work clean and shiny. These wipes easily remove surface dirt and more stuck on grease and grime without damaging the paint.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Step 1
Wipe down stained woodwork that has been treated with linseed oil or tung oil with a lemon oil polish. Linseed and tung oil dry to form a hard, protective film that is virtually invisible. A soft cloth dampened with lemon oil polish wipes away any surface grime.
Step 2
Use lemon oil polish as well as a mild mixture of white vinegar and water for stained woodwork treated with a wax that can both be felt and seen. Remember to reapply the wax layer after this step of cleaning to protect the wood.
Step 3
Clean wood the same as you would clean painted wood that has a semi-gloss or gloss finish .
Step 4
Use moistened baby wipes to clean woodwork and trim that has been painted or coated in polyurethane or varnish. Purchase a large bag of refillable baby wipes. Do not spend money on the expensive, scented brand names. Instead, buy the fragrance free, discount brand which can often be found in bulk.
Step 5
Wipe along the door frames, baseboards and crown molding with the help of a step ladder or taller ladder for high ceilings. You may be surprised at the amount of dirt you see on the wipe, and if cleaned on a monthly wipes will keep your trim work clean and shiny. These wipes easily remove surface dirt and more stuck on grease and grime without damaging the paint.
Monday, July 6, 2009
I am a Realtor
Dubuque man picks a challenging time to jump into the business, but others say local market is about to take off
BY BEKAH PORTER TH STAFF WRITER
Photo by: Jessica Reilly
James Patterson is a real estate agent, but also works as a bouncer at the Mississippi Moon Bar at the Diamond Jo Casino. Patterson picked a difficult economic time to start that career, but he says he's had some success.
The band blares.
Pumping, throbbing, pulsating -- the music captivates the crowd.
While the audience inside the Diamond Jo Casino's Mississippi Moon Bar sways, one man stands apart.
"I am a bouncer," he said, "but it's my night job."
While James Patterson's eyes remain alert and on the crowd, his mind wanders to his day job.
"I have houses to sell," he said.
'I like a challenge'
In September, America's bubble burst, and the resounding "pop!" echoes across the nation. When the recession struck, it hit the housing market first -- and it hit hard.
A record 1.8 million Americans were ousted from their homes in the first half of this year, according to RealtyTrac Inc. In May alone, officials reported 300,000 foreclosure filings.
That means for-sale houses flood the market in a time of rising unemployment and shrinking incomes.
"Everybody knows the real estate business is tough nowadays," Patterson said.
In October, Patterson completed his classes
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and received the certificate that makes him an official real estate agent.
"What can I say?" he said. "I like a challenge."
'Some interesting trends'
Dubuque real estate agent Rob Cook craved that challenge when he jumped into the industry six years ago, and with each passing day, he notices a shift.
"I won't say that it's a difficult market now, but I will say it's a different market," he said. "Just look at the numbers."
Cook compiles statistics for his real estate blog, riverbankstocornfields.com, and the numbers speak for themselves, he said.
In 2006, Dubuque area Realtors assisted in the sale of 496 homes between January and June. In 2007, that number dropped to 449. Last year, 344 houses were sold in the six-month period, and this year, sales lag with 321 homes in the Dubuque area having been sold so far.
"But they are still selling," he said. "And while they are selling, they are showing some interesting trends."
Sales are down, but the average selling price for a Dubuque home is up. According to Cook's figures, the average sale price increased from $140,798 to $155,285 from June of 2008 to June of 2009 .
"That doesn't mean that house values have gone up that much, but the houses that are selling -- and granted, there aren't many of them -- are selling at a higher price this year," he said.
'Now was the time'
Everybody told him to wait before becoming a real estate agent.
"Even my financial adviser said now was a bad idea," he said.
Some dreams don't die, though.
"I've wanted to do this since I was a kid. Some boys dream of being a fireman or a police officer or a professional athlete. I wanted to sell houses," he said. "So I decided now was the time, and it was just a matter of ignoring the people who told me not to do it. I wanted to prove them wrong, and I'm doing just that."
Patterson took a position with Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors in Dubuque. On Dec. 15, he closed his first deal, and since starting, he has sold eight houses.
'Your body, your soul'
Being the best takes time, said Dubuque agent Gwen Kosel, of Re/Max Advantage Realty.
"You will most likely lose money the first year," she said. "The second year, you might make a little bit of profit. But around here, people have the idea that you become a real estate agent, and you make a ton of money. That's not the case. You have to figure that there's a five-year ramp, and during those five years, you are going to be pouring into it 24/7 your whole body, your whole soul."
Kosel maintains the career is worthwhile, and those dedicated to it can find success.
'Selling yourself'
Patterson knows the battle will be fought uphill.
According to local real estate agents, 15 percent of homes on the active market are selling monthly. An estimated 370 houses remain unsold in the Dubuque area.
"Nobody's saying it's not hard," Patterson said. "This isn't for everybody. You have to be dedicated, and I mean really dedicated. This is definitely a tough business to be in."
Home values dropped 3.3 percent nationally at the end of last year, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Iowa ranks 11th best in maintaining home values, only having fallen 1.2 percent in the last year.
Another obstacle is finding new clients looking to purchase in the poor economy, but here's where Dubuque differs from other American cities, local Realtors say.
'No matter'
Kosel's and Cook's combined 10 years of experience tell them the same thing: Dubuque's housing market is primed to peak.
Both talk about the one group ready to take Dubuque's market to the next level -- the incoming IBM employees.
"If it weren't for the IBM folks, our housing numbers would be much worse off," Cook said. "Those IBMers are the driving force behind our housing market."
Cook specializes in corporate relocation work, which means he helps business people moving in and out of town buy and sell their houses.
"Right now, I have a couple who wants to move here, and they have even found some houses they absolutely fell in love with," he said. "The problem is that the housing markets are terrible where they live, and they can't sell their houses there."
The problems run deeper than the troubled national economy.
"Good agents recognize that no matter what the economic conditions are, there is still stuff going on," Cook said. "Divorces, deaths, young couples starting families, older couples downsizing -- this happens all the time, no matter what the local or national economy is doing, and we have to be there to help our clients."
'Make it work'
Patterson grasped onto this concept when he signed up for his job.
"I can make a go of this," he said. "You just have to make a plan and stick to it."
But making it takes time. The 31-year-old family man works solely on commission. "You do what you have to do to make it work," he said.
Dubuque man picks a challenging time to jump into the business, but others say local market is about to take off
BY BEKAH PORTER TH STAFF WRITER
Photo by: Jessica Reilly
James Patterson is a real estate agent, but also works as a bouncer at the Mississippi Moon Bar at the Diamond Jo Casino. Patterson picked a difficult economic time to start that career, but he says he's had some success.
The band blares.
Pumping, throbbing, pulsating -- the music captivates the crowd.
While the audience inside the Diamond Jo Casino's Mississippi Moon Bar sways, one man stands apart.
"I am a bouncer," he said, "but it's my night job."
While James Patterson's eyes remain alert and on the crowd, his mind wanders to his day job.
"I have houses to sell," he said.
'I like a challenge'
In September, America's bubble burst, and the resounding "pop!" echoes across the nation. When the recession struck, it hit the housing market first -- and it hit hard.
A record 1.8 million Americans were ousted from their homes in the first half of this year, according to RealtyTrac Inc. In May alone, officials reported 300,000 foreclosure filings.
That means for-sale houses flood the market in a time of rising unemployment and shrinking incomes.
"Everybody knows the real estate business is tough nowadays," Patterson said.
In October, Patterson completed his classes
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} else if ((browVersion>=4)&&(ua.indexOf("mac")==-1)) {
document.write('');
document.write('');
document.write(adcode);
} else if (browVersion>=3) {
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and received the certificate that makes him an official real estate agent.
"What can I say?" he said. "I like a challenge."
'Some interesting trends'
Dubuque real estate agent Rob Cook craved that challenge when he jumped into the industry six years ago, and with each passing day, he notices a shift.
"I won't say that it's a difficult market now, but I will say it's a different market," he said. "Just look at the numbers."
Cook compiles statistics for his real estate blog, riverbankstocornfields.com, and the numbers speak for themselves, he said.
In 2006, Dubuque area Realtors assisted in the sale of 496 homes between January and June. In 2007, that number dropped to 449. Last year, 344 houses were sold in the six-month period, and this year, sales lag with 321 homes in the Dubuque area having been sold so far.
"But they are still selling," he said. "And while they are selling, they are showing some interesting trends."
Sales are down, but the average selling price for a Dubuque home is up. According to Cook's figures, the average sale price increased from $140,798 to $155,285 from June of 2008 to June of 2009 .
"That doesn't mean that house values have gone up that much, but the houses that are selling -- and granted, there aren't many of them -- are selling at a higher price this year," he said.
'Now was the time'
Everybody told him to wait before becoming a real estate agent.
"Even my financial adviser said now was a bad idea," he said.
Some dreams don't die, though.
"I've wanted to do this since I was a kid. Some boys dream of being a fireman or a police officer or a professional athlete. I wanted to sell houses," he said. "So I decided now was the time, and it was just a matter of ignoring the people who told me not to do it. I wanted to prove them wrong, and I'm doing just that."
Patterson took a position with Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors in Dubuque. On Dec. 15, he closed his first deal, and since starting, he has sold eight houses.
'Your body, your soul'
Being the best takes time, said Dubuque agent Gwen Kosel, of Re/Max Advantage Realty.
"You will most likely lose money the first year," she said. "The second year, you might make a little bit of profit. But around here, people have the idea that you become a real estate agent, and you make a ton of money. That's not the case. You have to figure that there's a five-year ramp, and during those five years, you are going to be pouring into it 24/7 your whole body, your whole soul."
Kosel maintains the career is worthwhile, and those dedicated to it can find success.
'Selling yourself'
Patterson knows the battle will be fought uphill.
According to local real estate agents, 15 percent of homes on the active market are selling monthly. An estimated 370 houses remain unsold in the Dubuque area.
"Nobody's saying it's not hard," Patterson said. "This isn't for everybody. You have to be dedicated, and I mean really dedicated. This is definitely a tough business to be in."
Home values dropped 3.3 percent nationally at the end of last year, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Iowa ranks 11th best in maintaining home values, only having fallen 1.2 percent in the last year.
Another obstacle is finding new clients looking to purchase in the poor economy, but here's where Dubuque differs from other American cities, local Realtors say.
'No matter'
Kosel's and Cook's combined 10 years of experience tell them the same thing: Dubuque's housing market is primed to peak.
Both talk about the one group ready to take Dubuque's market to the next level -- the incoming IBM employees.
"If it weren't for the IBM folks, our housing numbers would be much worse off," Cook said. "Those IBMers are the driving force behind our housing market."
Cook specializes in corporate relocation work, which means he helps business people moving in and out of town buy and sell their houses.
"Right now, I have a couple who wants to move here, and they have even found some houses they absolutely fell in love with," he said. "The problem is that the housing markets are terrible where they live, and they can't sell their houses there."
The problems run deeper than the troubled national economy.
"Good agents recognize that no matter what the economic conditions are, there is still stuff going on," Cook said. "Divorces, deaths, young couples starting families, older couples downsizing -- this happens all the time, no matter what the local or national economy is doing, and we have to be there to help our clients."
'Make it work'
Patterson grasped onto this concept when he signed up for his job.
"I can make a go of this," he said. "You just have to make a plan and stick to it."
But making it takes time. The 31-year-old family man works solely on commission. "You do what you have to do to make it work," he said.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
History of Fair Housing in US
On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which was meant as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 1968 act expanded on previous acts and prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, (and as amended) handicap and family status. Title VIII of the Act is also known as the Fair Housing Act (of 1968).
The enactment of the federal Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968 came only after a long and difficult journey. From 1966-1967, Congress regularly considered the fair housing bill, but failed to garner a strong enough majority for its passage. However, when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson utilized this national tragedy to urge for the bill's speedy Congressional approval. Since the 1966 open housing marches in Chicago, Dr. King's name had been closely associated with the fair housing legislation. President Johnson viewed the Act as a fitting memorial to the man's life work, and wished to have the Act passed prior to Dr. King's funeral in Atlanta.
Another significant issue during this time period was the growing casualty list from Vietnam. The deaths in Vietnam fell heaviest upon young, poor African-American and Hispanic infantrymen. However, on the home front, these men's families could not purchase or rent homes in certain residential developments on account of their race or national origin. Specialized organizations like the NAACP, the GI Forum and the National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing lobbied hard for the Senate to pass the Fair Housing Act and remedy this inequity. Senators Edward Brooke and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts argued deeply for the passage of this legislation. In particular, Senator Brooke, the first African-American ever to be elected to the Senate by popular vote, spoke personally of his return from World War II and inability to provide a home of his choice for his new family because of his race.
With the cities rioting after Dr. King's assassination, and destruction mounting in every part of the United States, the words of President Johnson and Congressional leaders rang the Bell of Reason for the House of Representatives, who subsequently passed the Fair Housing Act. Without debate, the Senate followed the House in its passage of the Act, which President Johnson then signed into law.
The power to appoint the first officials administering the Act fell upon President Johnson's successor, Richard Nixon. President Nixon tapped then Governor of Michigan, George Romney, for the post of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. While serving as Governor, Secretary Romney had successfully campaigned for ratification of a state constitutional provision that prohibited discrimination in housing. President Nixon also appointed Samuel Simmons as the first Assistant Secretary for Equal Housing Opportunity.
When April 1969 arrived, HUD could not wait to celebrate the Act's 1st Anniversary. Within that inaugural year, HUD completed the Title VIII Field Operations Handbook, and instituted a formalized complaint process. In truly festive fashion, HUD hosted a gala event in the Grand Ballroom of New York's Plaza Hotel. From across the nation, advocates and politicians shared in this marvelous evening, including one of the organizations that started it all -- the National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing.
In subsequent years, the tradition of celebrating Fair Housing Month grew larger and larger. Governors began to issue proclamations that designated April as "Fair Housing Month," and schools across the country sponsored poster and essay contests that focused upon fair housing issues. Regional winners from these contests often enjoyed trips to Washington, DC for events with HUD and their Congressional representatives.
Under former Secretaries James T. Lynn and Carla Hills, with the cooperation of the National Association of Homebuilders, National Association of Realtors, and the American Advertising Council these groups adopted fair housing as their theme and provided "free" billboard space throughout the nation. These large 20-foot by 14-foot billboards placed the fair housing message in neighborhoods, industrial centers, agrarian regions and urban cores. Every region also had its own celebrations, meetings, dinners, contests and radio-television shows that featured HUD, state and private fair housing experts and officials. These celebrations continue the spirit behind the original passage of the Act, and are remembered fondly by those who were there from the beginning.
The enactment of the federal Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968 came only after a long and difficult journey. From 1966-1967, Congress regularly considered the fair housing bill, but failed to garner a strong enough majority for its passage. However, when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson utilized this national tragedy to urge for the bill's speedy Congressional approval. Since the 1966 open housing marches in Chicago, Dr. King's name had been closely associated with the fair housing legislation. President Johnson viewed the Act as a fitting memorial to the man's life work, and wished to have the Act passed prior to Dr. King's funeral in Atlanta.
Another significant issue during this time period was the growing casualty list from Vietnam. The deaths in Vietnam fell heaviest upon young, poor African-American and Hispanic infantrymen. However, on the home front, these men's families could not purchase or rent homes in certain residential developments on account of their race or national origin. Specialized organizations like the NAACP, the GI Forum and the National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing lobbied hard for the Senate to pass the Fair Housing Act and remedy this inequity. Senators Edward Brooke and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts argued deeply for the passage of this legislation. In particular, Senator Brooke, the first African-American ever to be elected to the Senate by popular vote, spoke personally of his return from World War II and inability to provide a home of his choice for his new family because of his race.
With the cities rioting after Dr. King's assassination, and destruction mounting in every part of the United States, the words of President Johnson and Congressional leaders rang the Bell of Reason for the House of Representatives, who subsequently passed the Fair Housing Act. Without debate, the Senate followed the House in its passage of the Act, which President Johnson then signed into law.
The power to appoint the first officials administering the Act fell upon President Johnson's successor, Richard Nixon. President Nixon tapped then Governor of Michigan, George Romney, for the post of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. While serving as Governor, Secretary Romney had successfully campaigned for ratification of a state constitutional provision that prohibited discrimination in housing. President Nixon also appointed Samuel Simmons as the first Assistant Secretary for Equal Housing Opportunity.
When April 1969 arrived, HUD could not wait to celebrate the Act's 1st Anniversary. Within that inaugural year, HUD completed the Title VIII Field Operations Handbook, and instituted a formalized complaint process. In truly festive fashion, HUD hosted a gala event in the Grand Ballroom of New York's Plaza Hotel. From across the nation, advocates and politicians shared in this marvelous evening, including one of the organizations that started it all -- the National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing.
In subsequent years, the tradition of celebrating Fair Housing Month grew larger and larger. Governors began to issue proclamations that designated April as "Fair Housing Month," and schools across the country sponsored poster and essay contests that focused upon fair housing issues. Regional winners from these contests often enjoyed trips to Washington, DC for events with HUD and their Congressional representatives.
Under former Secretaries James T. Lynn and Carla Hills, with the cooperation of the National Association of Homebuilders, National Association of Realtors, and the American Advertising Council these groups adopted fair housing as their theme and provided "free" billboard space throughout the nation. These large 20-foot by 14-foot billboards placed the fair housing message in neighborhoods, industrial centers, agrarian regions and urban cores. Every region also had its own celebrations, meetings, dinners, contests and radio-television shows that featured HUD, state and private fair housing experts and officials. These celebrations continue the spirit behind the original passage of the Act, and are remembered fondly by those who were there from the beginning.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Great Book
This is a fantastic book for those like minded people that are looking for a project home.
The preservation of historic architecture By Department of Interior, United States. Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation. Technical Preservation Services Division
The preservation of historic architecture By Department of Interior, United States. Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation. Technical Preservation Services Division
Hormel & IBM more Great Reason to purchase a new home in Dubuque Iowa!
Our Dubuque Iowa housing market is going strong. With the large companies like IBM and Hormel making Dubuque their home this year, it is boosting our local economy. We have a lot of relocation purchasers as well as new renters in our market place. Great news if you are a seller. If you are a buyer there is a lot to choose from in any of the pricing categories that we have to offer. See more & photos at GetMovingDBQ.com. If you are new to the real estate market in Dubuque and are getting a job and relocating to our market, you may want to consider purchasing a small house rather than renting. Rental prices have seen an increase of 20% first quarter of 2009. We are anticipating a short lived shortage of urban housing. Meanwhile you can still get a great value on smaller homes and pay far less than current rental rates. Maybe get a co-worker as a roommate. Some of our relocation people need short temp housing while their current home is for sale in another marketplace. Let them help you make your house payment! Rest assured we have some great multi-family homes available too for that savvy investor that wants to capitalize on our market.
--------------
If you're like most first-time home buyers, you've probably listened to friends', family's and coworkers' advice, many of whom are encouraging you to buy a home. However, you may still wonder if buying a home is the right thing to do. Relax. Having reservations is normal. The more you know about why you should buy a home, the less scary the entire process will appear to you. Here are eight good reasons why you should buy a home.
Pride of Ownership
Pride of ownership is the number one reason why people yearn to own their home. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, turn up the volume on your CD player, attach permanent fixtures and decorate your home according to your own taste. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.
Appreciation
Although real estate moves in cycles, sometimes up, sometimes down, over the years, real estate has consistently appreciated. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight tracks the movements of single family home values across the country. Its House Price Index breaks down the changes by region and metropolitan area. Many people view their home investment as a hedge against inflation.
Mortgage Interest Deductions
Home ownership is a superb tax shelter and our tax rates favor homeowners. As long as your mortgage balance is smaller than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Interest is the largest component of your mortgage payment.
Property Tax Deductions
IRS Publication 530 contains tax information for first-time home buyers. Real estate property taxes paid for a first home and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes. In California, the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 established the amount of assessed value after property changes hands and limited property tax increases to 2% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
Capital Gain Exclusion
As long as you have lived in your home for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple of profit from capital gains. You do not have to buy a replacement home or move up. There is no age restriction, and the "over-55" rule does not apply. You can exclude the above thresholds from taxes every 24 months, which means you could sell every two years and pocket your profit--subject to limitation--free from taxation.
Preferential Tax Treatment
If you receive more profit than the allowable exclusion upon sale of your home, that profit will be considered a capital asset as long as you owned your home for more than one year. Capital assets receive preferential tax treatment.
Morgage Reduction Builds Equity
Each month, part of your monthly payment is applied to the principal balance of your loan, which reduces your obligation. The way amortization works, the principal portion of your principal and interest payment increases slightly every month. It is lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment. On average, each $100,000 of a mortgage will reduce in balance the first year by about $500 in principal, bringing that balance at the end of your first 12 months to $99,500.
Equity Loans
Consumers who carry credit card balances cannot deduct the interest paid, which can cost as much as 18% to 22%. Equity loan interest is often much less and it is deductible. For many home owners, it makes sense to pay off this kind of debt with a home equity loan. Consumers can borrow against a home's equity for a variety of reasons such as home improvement, college, medical or starting a new business. Some state laws restrict home equity loans.
This information courtesy of about.com
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If you're like most first-time home buyers, you've probably listened to friends', family's and coworkers' advice, many of whom are encouraging you to buy a home. However, you may still wonder if buying a home is the right thing to do. Relax. Having reservations is normal. The more you know about why you should buy a home, the less scary the entire process will appear to you. Here are eight good reasons why you should buy a home.
Pride of Ownership
Pride of ownership is the number one reason why people yearn to own their home. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, turn up the volume on your CD player, attach permanent fixtures and decorate your home according to your own taste. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.
Appreciation
Although real estate moves in cycles, sometimes up, sometimes down, over the years, real estate has consistently appreciated. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight tracks the movements of single family home values across the country. Its House Price Index breaks down the changes by region and metropolitan area. Many people view their home investment as a hedge against inflation.
Mortgage Interest Deductions
Home ownership is a superb tax shelter and our tax rates favor homeowners. As long as your mortgage balance is smaller than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Interest is the largest component of your mortgage payment.
Property Tax Deductions
IRS Publication 530 contains tax information for first-time home buyers. Real estate property taxes paid for a first home and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes. In California, the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 established the amount of assessed value after property changes hands and limited property tax increases to 2% per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
Capital Gain Exclusion
As long as you have lived in your home for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple of profit from capital gains. You do not have to buy a replacement home or move up. There is no age restriction, and the "over-55" rule does not apply. You can exclude the above thresholds from taxes every 24 months, which means you could sell every two years and pocket your profit--subject to limitation--free from taxation.
Preferential Tax Treatment
If you receive more profit than the allowable exclusion upon sale of your home, that profit will be considered a capital asset as long as you owned your home for more than one year. Capital assets receive preferential tax treatment.
Morgage Reduction Builds Equity
Each month, part of your monthly payment is applied to the principal balance of your loan, which reduces your obligation. The way amortization works, the principal portion of your principal and interest payment increases slightly every month. It is lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment. On average, each $100,000 of a mortgage will reduce in balance the first year by about $500 in principal, bringing that balance at the end of your first 12 months to $99,500.
Equity Loans
Consumers who carry credit card balances cannot deduct the interest paid, which can cost as much as 18% to 22%. Equity loan interest is often much less and it is deductible. For many home owners, it makes sense to pay off this kind of debt with a home equity loan. Consumers can borrow against a home's equity for a variety of reasons such as home improvement, college, medical or starting a new business. Some state laws restrict home equity loans.
This information courtesy of about.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Dubuque Iowa has Many Victorian Homes on the Market
Dubuque Iowa on the Mississippi River boasts a lot of Victorian Homes. I have several of these home currently on the market here in Iowa you can check out pictures of them at http://www.getmovingdbq.com/.
Victorian StyleVictorian architecture dates from the second half of the 19th century, when America was exploring new approaches to building and design.Advancements in machine technology meant that Victorian-era builders could easily incorporate mass-produced ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles. The last true Victorians were constructed in the early 1900s, but contemporary builders often borrow Victorian ideas, designing eclectic "neo-Victorians." These homes combine modern materials with 19th century details, such as curved towers and spindled porches. A number of Victorian styles are recreated on the fanciful "Main Street" at Disney theme parks in Florida, California, and Europe.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
England; c. 1880-1910This style was largely inspired by the Utopian ideals of two Englishmen, John Ruskin and William Morris, during the late 1800's to 1910, who believed that living among handmade objects of natural materials would have a humanizing effect on society. These two architects were influential in the Craftsman, Mission, and Rustic styles and Frank Lloyd Wright’s early works. Their principal tenets of functionality and organic, sustainable methods and materials are still highly influential today.The notable features of this style included the use of local stone and brick, Rustic, stone-dressed doorways and windows; Open porches; Projecting eaves; Overhanging rafters; Large windows with leaded-glass decoration, Large, square chimneys; Exposed construction; Intricate, crafted joints; Asymmetrical plans.
CARPENTER GOTHIC
United States; c. 1840-90This style flourished in mid-nineteenth century America, made possible by the advent of the steam-powered scroll saws that were used to create the elaborate ornamental woodwork. Notable features include pointed, steep intersecting Gothic gables; Pointed-arched windows; Cupolas and towers, Asymmetrical floor plan; Large verandahs; Opulent applique work, scroll work, pinnacles, finials, barge boards, moldings, balustrades, and stick work: Intricate paintwork.The Carson House in Eureka, CA is said to be the most photographed Victorian House of this style in the United States.
GOTHIC REVIVAL STYLE
North America, 19th Century
The influence of English romanticism and the mass production of elaborate wooden millwork after the Industrial Revolution fueled the construction of Gothic Revival homes in the mid-1800s. These picturesque structures are marked by "Gothic" windows with distinctive pointed arches; exposed framing timbers; and steep, vaulted roofs with cross-gables. Extravagant features may include towers and verandas. Ornate wooden detailing is generously applied as gable, window, and door trim. Other notable features include: Pointed arches over doors and windows; Interior Vaulting; Tall Turrets; Pinnacles; Leaded Glass. American architects Alexander Jackson Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing championed Gothic in domestic buildings in the 1830s. Most Gothic Revival homes were constructed between 1840 and 1870 in the Northeast.
ITALIANATE STYLE
Western Europe & United States; c. 1840-1885
Italianate homes, which appeared in Midwest, East Coast, and San Francisco areas between 1850 and 1880, can be quite ornate despite their solid square shape. Features include symmetrical bay windows in front; small chimneys set in irregular locations; tall, narrow, windows; and towers, in some cases. The elaborate window designs reappear in the supports, columns, and door frames.More notable features: Overhanging eves with decorative brackets; Windows arched or curved at the top; Windows aligned in threes; Low pitched or flat roofs; Center front facing gables; Arcaded porches with balustrade balconies.
QUEEN ANNE STYLE
North America; c. 1850-1900
A sub-style of the late Victorian era, Queen Anne is a collection of coquettish detailing and eclectic materials. Steep cross-gabled roofs, towers, and vertical windows are all typical of a Queen Anne home. Inventive, multistory floor plans often include projecting wings, several porches and balconies, and multiple chimneys with decorative chimney pots.Wooden "gingerbread" trim in scrolled and rounded "fish-scale" patterns frequently graces gables and porches. Massive cut stone foundations are typical of period houses. Created by English architect Richard Norman Shaw, the style was popularized after the Civil War by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and spread rapidly, especially in the South and West.Other notable features include: Large porches along exterior walls and many overhangs and wall projections.
SECOND EMPIRE STYLE
Western Europe & North America; c. 1855-1885
Popular in the Midwest and Northeast, this Victorian style was fashionable for public buildings during Ulysses S. Grant's presidency, but its elaborate, costly detail fell out of favor in the late 1800s for economic reasons. Second empire homes feature windows, molded cornices, and decorative brackets under the eaves, balconies and bays. One subtype sports a rectangular tower at the front and center of the structure.Notable features include high mansard roofs with rounded cornices, wrought-iron cresting, dormer windows projecting from the attic, cupolas, patterned slate roofs, classical pediments and paired columns, and small entry porches.
SHINGLE STYLE
North America; c. 1880-1900s & 1900s - present day
This American style originated in cottages along the trendy, wealthy Northeastern coastal towns of Cape Cod, Long Island, and Newport in the late 19th century. Architectural publishers publicized it, but the style was never as popular around the country as the Queen Anne. Shingle homes borrow wide porches, shingles, and asymmetrical forms from the Queen Anne.They're also characterized by unadorned doors, windows, porches, and cornices; continuous wood shingles; a steeply pitched roof line; and large porches. The style hints at towers, but they're usually just extensions of the roof line.
STEAMBOAT GOTHIC
North America; c. 1850-1890
A steamboat Gothic house is resplendent with gingerbread scroll work, latticework, and trellises - like the fancy steamboats that were once a frequent sight on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.Notable features include Pointed, steep intersecting Gothic gables; Cupolas and towers; Battlements; Asymmetrical floor plans; Opulent applique work, finials, barge boards, balustrades, stick work, and moldings; Gingerbread scroll work, lattice work, and trellises; Intricate paintwork; Emphasized verticality; Grand wrap around porches and verandahs; Metal “smokestack†chimneys.A fine specimen of Steamboat Gothic is the Mark Twain House, Hartford Connecticut..
STICK STYLE
United States; c. 1860-1880
A member of the Victorian family, the Stick house boasts a lot of detailing. However, few Stick homes incorporate all the possible features. Typical characteristics include gabled, steeply pitched roofs with overhangs; wooden shingles covering the exterior walls and roof; horizontal, vertical, or diagonal boards--the "sticks" from which it takes its name--that decorate the cladding; and porches.You'll find traditional sticks in the Northeast and their sister, the Western Stick, in California. The Western Stick is rectangular with sliding glass doors, a small chimney, and large panes of glass.
TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE
North America, Europe; c. 1880-1940s, 1970-1985
This architecture style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s and continues to be a mainstay in suburbs across the United States. The defining characteristics are half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors, and facades that are dominated by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls are common, as are rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys. A subtype of the Tudor Revival style is the Cotswold Cottage. With a sloping roof and a massive chimney at the front, a Cotswold Cottage may remind you of a picturesque storybook home.
Victorian StyleVictorian architecture dates from the second half of the 19th century, when America was exploring new approaches to building and design.Advancements in machine technology meant that Victorian-era builders could easily incorporate mass-produced ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles. The last true Victorians were constructed in the early 1900s, but contemporary builders often borrow Victorian ideas, designing eclectic "neo-Victorians." These homes combine modern materials with 19th century details, such as curved towers and spindled porches. A number of Victorian styles are recreated on the fanciful "Main Street" at Disney theme parks in Florida, California, and Europe.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
England; c. 1880-1910This style was largely inspired by the Utopian ideals of two Englishmen, John Ruskin and William Morris, during the late 1800's to 1910, who believed that living among handmade objects of natural materials would have a humanizing effect on society. These two architects were influential in the Craftsman, Mission, and Rustic styles and Frank Lloyd Wright’s early works. Their principal tenets of functionality and organic, sustainable methods and materials are still highly influential today.The notable features of this style included the use of local stone and brick, Rustic, stone-dressed doorways and windows; Open porches; Projecting eaves; Overhanging rafters; Large windows with leaded-glass decoration, Large, square chimneys; Exposed construction; Intricate, crafted joints; Asymmetrical plans.
CARPENTER GOTHIC
United States; c. 1840-90This style flourished in mid-nineteenth century America, made possible by the advent of the steam-powered scroll saws that were used to create the elaborate ornamental woodwork. Notable features include pointed, steep intersecting Gothic gables; Pointed-arched windows; Cupolas and towers, Asymmetrical floor plan; Large verandahs; Opulent applique work, scroll work, pinnacles, finials, barge boards, moldings, balustrades, and stick work: Intricate paintwork.The Carson House in Eureka, CA is said to be the most photographed Victorian House of this style in the United States.
GOTHIC REVIVAL STYLE
North America, 19th Century
The influence of English romanticism and the mass production of elaborate wooden millwork after the Industrial Revolution fueled the construction of Gothic Revival homes in the mid-1800s. These picturesque structures are marked by "Gothic" windows with distinctive pointed arches; exposed framing timbers; and steep, vaulted roofs with cross-gables. Extravagant features may include towers and verandas. Ornate wooden detailing is generously applied as gable, window, and door trim. Other notable features include: Pointed arches over doors and windows; Interior Vaulting; Tall Turrets; Pinnacles; Leaded Glass. American architects Alexander Jackson Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing championed Gothic in domestic buildings in the 1830s. Most Gothic Revival homes were constructed between 1840 and 1870 in the Northeast.
ITALIANATE STYLE
Western Europe & United States; c. 1840-1885
Italianate homes, which appeared in Midwest, East Coast, and San Francisco areas between 1850 and 1880, can be quite ornate despite their solid square shape. Features include symmetrical bay windows in front; small chimneys set in irregular locations; tall, narrow, windows; and towers, in some cases. The elaborate window designs reappear in the supports, columns, and door frames.More notable features: Overhanging eves with decorative brackets; Windows arched or curved at the top; Windows aligned in threes; Low pitched or flat roofs; Center front facing gables; Arcaded porches with balustrade balconies.
QUEEN ANNE STYLE
North America; c. 1850-1900
A sub-style of the late Victorian era, Queen Anne is a collection of coquettish detailing and eclectic materials. Steep cross-gabled roofs, towers, and vertical windows are all typical of a Queen Anne home. Inventive, multistory floor plans often include projecting wings, several porches and balconies, and multiple chimneys with decorative chimney pots.Wooden "gingerbread" trim in scrolled and rounded "fish-scale" patterns frequently graces gables and porches. Massive cut stone foundations are typical of period houses. Created by English architect Richard Norman Shaw, the style was popularized after the Civil War by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and spread rapidly, especially in the South and West.Other notable features include: Large porches along exterior walls and many overhangs and wall projections.
SECOND EMPIRE STYLE
Western Europe & North America; c. 1855-1885
Popular in the Midwest and Northeast, this Victorian style was fashionable for public buildings during Ulysses S. Grant's presidency, but its elaborate, costly detail fell out of favor in the late 1800s for economic reasons. Second empire homes feature windows, molded cornices, and decorative brackets under the eaves, balconies and bays. One subtype sports a rectangular tower at the front and center of the structure.Notable features include high mansard roofs with rounded cornices, wrought-iron cresting, dormer windows projecting from the attic, cupolas, patterned slate roofs, classical pediments and paired columns, and small entry porches.
SHINGLE STYLE
North America; c. 1880-1900s & 1900s - present day
This American style originated in cottages along the trendy, wealthy Northeastern coastal towns of Cape Cod, Long Island, and Newport in the late 19th century. Architectural publishers publicized it, but the style was never as popular around the country as the Queen Anne. Shingle homes borrow wide porches, shingles, and asymmetrical forms from the Queen Anne.They're also characterized by unadorned doors, windows, porches, and cornices; continuous wood shingles; a steeply pitched roof line; and large porches. The style hints at towers, but they're usually just extensions of the roof line.
STEAMBOAT GOTHIC
North America; c. 1850-1890
A steamboat Gothic house is resplendent with gingerbread scroll work, latticework, and trellises - like the fancy steamboats that were once a frequent sight on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.Notable features include Pointed, steep intersecting Gothic gables; Cupolas and towers; Battlements; Asymmetrical floor plans; Opulent applique work, finials, barge boards, balustrades, stick work, and moldings; Gingerbread scroll work, lattice work, and trellises; Intricate paintwork; Emphasized verticality; Grand wrap around porches and verandahs; Metal “smokestack†chimneys.A fine specimen of Steamboat Gothic is the Mark Twain House, Hartford Connecticut..
STICK STYLE
United States; c. 1860-1880
A member of the Victorian family, the Stick house boasts a lot of detailing. However, few Stick homes incorporate all the possible features. Typical characteristics include gabled, steeply pitched roofs with overhangs; wooden shingles covering the exterior walls and roof; horizontal, vertical, or diagonal boards--the "sticks" from which it takes its name--that decorate the cladding; and porches.You'll find traditional sticks in the Northeast and their sister, the Western Stick, in California. The Western Stick is rectangular with sliding glass doors, a small chimney, and large panes of glass.
TUDOR REVIVAL STYLE
North America, Europe; c. 1880-1940s, 1970-1985
This architecture style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s and continues to be a mainstay in suburbs across the United States. The defining characteristics are half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors, and facades that are dominated by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls are common, as are rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys. A subtype of the Tudor Revival style is the Cotswold Cottage. With a sloping roof and a massive chimney at the front, a Cotswold Cottage may remind you of a picturesque storybook home.
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