New Lead Paint Law Effective April 22, 2010
Home Construction and Improvement
“The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has new lead paint laws going into effect on April 22, 2010. The new lead paint laws require any renovation work performed on houses built before 1978 to be performed by a certified contractor. Obviously his new law is causing some serious moans and groans from both home owners and contractors. Contractors will be required to provide home owners the Renovate Right Brochure which contains useful information about the new law.”
The Home-Buyer Tax Credit Countdowns Begin
WSJ.com Developments blog
“Time is almost up on the federal home-buyer tax credit, the government’s gift of up to $8,000, crafted to jump-start a stalled housing market. Just about six weeks remain for buyers to get those contracts inked. Home builder Lennar has a bright countdown on its Web site. “TIME IS RUNNING OUT,” warns KB Home (yes, it is in all caps), which is tracking the expiration to the millisecond. …
In honor of the countdown, here are six things to keep in mind:”
How Economic Downturn Can be a Driving Force for Sustainability
Inhabitat
“The world is currently experiencing an economic downturn or recession, but by examining The Great Depression in the 1920-30’s, one may find clues as to what lies ahead for the future of design. Like The Great Depression, this recession began with a market crash, affected almost every country, caused personal income and interest rates to drop and unemployment rates to soar. However the past is filled with examples of successful, efficient designs that flourished during trying times.”
Are Tough Appraisal Rules Holding Back Housing?
WSJ.com Developments blog
“Our story on Page One today takes a look at how folks who want to build or buy homes with unusual materials are having a lot of trouble getting financing because underwriting standards are much tighter today. The problem: homes made of tires or houses caved into mountainsides don’t have any comparable sales. Without “comps,” banks won’t lend.
Even home buyers living in regular homes might be more familiar with these struggles. Appraisals have emerged as a big obstacle for homeowners of all types during the housing downturn because with fewer transactions and rapid fluctuations in prices, putting a value on homes is more difficult. In some markets, prices are falling so fast that lenders won’t accept comparable sales that are more than three months old. And reeling from rising losses, lenders have urged appraisers to be conservative.”
