In fact, single-family home permits, which is viewed as a more stable indicator of new homebuilding activity, stayed flat for the month. Again, however, economists noted that the figures alone did not tell the whole story.  They said that staying flat in this case could be seen as positive news.  Given the harsh winter weather, making new construction more challenging, some experts had predicted a decline in new building permits.

Building Permits on the Rise

In addition, future housing permits declined 10.4% from last month to 562,000 falling short of the 575,000 figure that a national survey had predicted. Once again, however, economists qualified the numbers by saying that the December future housing permits were perhaps artificially high as people hurried to beat more stringent building restrictions anticipated for 2011.  For more information, please contact Greybeard Realty.

Whether it’s a choice to bring sustainability and healthy living indoors or the desire for energy efficiency, there are countless reasons to buy “Green.” For a home to be certified requires third party verification. ENERGY STAR homes have met the requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes have energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. Benefits for homebuyers and New Home Features can be found at www.energystar.gov. By clicking on the “Take the Tour” icon at the bottom of the page you can actually look behind the walls of an Energy Star home.

An Energy Star townhome in Black Mountain, NC

NC HealthyBuilt Homes have met criteria established by ENERGY STAR plus additional requirements which can be seen at http://wncgbc.org/healthybuilt/checklist.php. Points are awarded for builders completing the various items on the checklist. There are four levels of certification depending on how many features the home has. For a list of homeowner benefits go to http://wncgbc.org/healthybuilt/benefits.php.

Modular constructions provides other advantages, including a more environmentally-friendly building process that helps minimizes construction waste.

Some modular companies are North Carolina-based, like the Discovery Custom Homes plant in Albemarle, NC. Building homes indoors protects the home from inclement weather during construction and reduces construction time at the site. David Rand of DRA Living in Asheville, a modular home specialist, estimates 3-4 months to complete a new home. “We have two new subdivisions in Black Mountain that feature modular construction, and we can usually have someone in their new home with 3-4 months,” says Rand. “But we can also build homes for customers on their land, what we call ‘scattered site’ builds.”

One of Rand’s developments, The Hamlets at Rustling Pine Trail in Black Mountain, features Energy Star-ready homes with 2×6 walls and Superior poured-concrete basement walls.  “The thicker walls make the home much more efficient in terms of heating and cooling, and the Superior walls are excellent at sealing a basement,” according to Clint Farish, Business Development Manager for DRA Living.

Modular construction also lends itself to “systems building,” according to Charlie Sparks, owner of Black Mountain Bungalow Company. Sparks has several decades’ experience as a “stick-built” home-builder in Florida and Black Mountain, and is now offering this modular spec home on West Cotton Avenue in Black Mountain.

“Modular construction allows the manufacturer to perform more rigid quality-control inspections before the home even reaches the customer’s lot. Modular homes always meet and many times exceed local and state building codes,” says Sparks.