Jaffa News

Homebuilder Confidence Heats Up in August

U.S. homebuilders are feeling more confident in their sales prospects headed into next year, a sign that home construction and sales of newly built homes may pick up after stalling this summer.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Monday rose this month to 55, up two points from a revised reading of 53 in July.

The latest reading is the third monthly increase in a row and the highest since January, when it was 56. Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales conditions as good, rather than poor.

Rethink Wallpaper

Wallpaper is not an old fashioned concept anymore. With more interesting and contemporary patterns becoming readily available it can be used to invigorate a space with color and texture. It creates a mood in the room from which the rest of the furniture pieces can play off of. In our recent home in the colony, Lot 172, we used wallpaper in the guest rooms to provide a huge impact to the design of the space. In this guest room you will find a whimsical wall paper that looks like books stacked on the shelf. The wallpaper positioned behind the bed adds depth to an otherwise flat wall. The wallpaper is an art piece that makes the wall feel complete without distracting from any of the other art in the room. The wallpaper creates an impact that no guest will quickly forget.

Architectural Feature

Breathing Easy in LEED Housing

A new study finds that asthma symptoms recede for residents of a LEED-certified building with indoor air quality measures.

Researchers gathered data from a sample of low-income residents who had experienced asthma symptoms and who were moving to Melrose Commons V, a LEED Platinum affordable housing development in the South Bronx. The residents received green cleaning products upon move-in and later learned how to avoid asthma triggers through a health education program. The education included advice about removing carpets from bedrooms, cleaning frequently, and using bed linens designed to prevent exposure to dust mites.

Green Product / Recycle News

Choosing Green Windows

by Marcus Pickett

Few home improvements do more for your home from a green perspective than installing new, green windows. Poor windows can heat up your home like an oven in the summertime, and they can account for as much as 25 percent of your home's heat loss in the winter. On the other hand, energy-efficient windows and designs can drastically improve your home's energy efficiency in all seasons, as well as improve your home's looks, resale value, and overall comfort.

Testimonial

“I really can't say enough good things about Scott and Richard. Thoughtful and comprehensive design skills to really customize the homes they built for us. Classy yet current taste that exudes warmth and style in nearly every single feature. No short cuts taken. Intense, ever watchful and insight construction management. Would I recommend them or use them again? You bet: they've built two houses for us, remodeled a third. But then when a freak flood nearly wiped out our Deer Valley home and all the possessions, even before I got the first call, it was Richard and Scott who were both on site calling in the disaster recovery and protecting our investments. And of course, in their talented and caring hands they brought our home back to a new and even better life. I've built or remodeled a total of nine homes...Scott and Richard are the best team I've ever had.”

~ Hal Hinkle