Monday, September 1, 2014

Buying a new Home in Thomasville or South Georgia Compare features..

Custom Green Homes from $86/Per Sq. Ft.
We don't build eight minimum code homes at a time we build custom green high-performance homes and we build it right. Don't overpay for a new home with less features and an overpriced H.O.A in South GA, We are the only builder building green homes in South Georgia with Energy bill GUARANTEED!


Capital Home Builders – We are the only true custom home builder in Thomasville, and South Georgia.
CHB
Homes
Other New Homes
All of our homes are built with Florida Code NOT Georgia…. Better Code / Better Homes..
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1) Stronger foundation and Footers - Our Found are built with Wire Mash and Fiber
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2) 2X6 Exterior Walls  - Stronger House and More Wall  Insulation
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3) Continuous load Path - Stronger House (Ask other builders will not know)
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4) Trusses Design with Heel for extra insulation
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5) Titanium Underlayment With Ice & water and installed properly.
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6) Whole House Surge protector
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7) Hole House Wiring For Smart Home
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8) Video Surveillance Monitor on Vacation
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9) Smart thermostat Lower A/C with Smart Phone.
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10) 2.5 Ton 16 SEER A/C unit. For a 2,500 Sq. Ft. Home. Very Energy Efficient
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11) Tankless Water Heater
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12) Top Quality Energy efficient Windows
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13) Advanced Framing - (Ask Other Builders Will not know what that is…)
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14) Insulated Georgia.
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15) No Bath inserts – Top Quality Porcelain Tile
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16) Dual Flush Toilets
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17) Architectural Shingles – NOT three tab shingles other builders use.
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18) 2’ Overhang trusses for more shade – Other builder NO….
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19) 6" Fascia For a better roof look – Other Builders 4” Fascia
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20) High Quality Cement Board Siding.
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21) Driveway has Fiber with Wire mash – Other Builders DO NOT
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22) A/C Unit reviewed by a mechanical Engineer
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23) Our homes are rated by an Energy Smart Rater.
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24) LED and CFLs - All of our homes come with High-End Lighting  
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25) HERS Rating of 54 THAT MAKES OUR HOMES 46% BETTER THAN ANY OTHER.  
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You will not find a better built home in Thomasville and South Georgia
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Thursday, August 7, 2014

CHB is ranked top 1% of builders in the U.S. building high-performance homes with a score of 54.

The home energy rating system (HERS) provides a number rating that makes it easy for consumers to see how same-size homes compare in energy use. The lower the number, the less energy used.

We at capital home builders have been pushing the envelope when it comes to building spec homes with custom features. We have reached a new milestone by building homes with a HERS Rating of 54. We are the only builder in South Georgia and North Tallahassee fl. to achieve a score of 54. Our 2,500 square foot home will have an electrical bill under $100/per month. We are ranked top 1%er of builders in the U.S. building high-performance homes.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index, while a typical new home might rate 100. A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30%more energy efficient than that standard new home, and 60% more efficient than a typical resale.
“A home is one of the largest and most important purchases a family can make but, until recently, buyers have had little information about what their costs to own the home would be long term. When we buy a new car, we know how much mileage we can expect to get. Homebuyers should know the expected performance and monthly energy costs of a home.” We give our home buyers a gift that keeps on giving.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

EFFICIENT HOMES MAY BE MORE VALUABLE THAN OTHERS

We are the first and only builder building energy smart custom home builders. All of our homes are built above minimum code with high-end materials and quality laborers. We GUARANTEE that our homes are more energy efficient than any other new or existing home built in Thomasville, GA. 

You simply can't buy a  NEW HOME and get a better RATING then "GUARANTEED".

When insurance companies offer discounts for lower risk customers, you can bet it’s based on reliable evidence. Think lower car insurance rates for drivers with no speeding tickets, and discounted life insurance for non-smokers.
Genworth, the large private mortgage insurance firm spun-off from General Electric, now offers a discount for buyer of energy efficient houses.  (OK – Genworth implemented this policy in Canada — but reports suggest it’s coming to the US market….
Genworth is validating that the risk of loss to the mortgage lender is lower when the borrower is in a more energy efficient house.
Blue Sky Homes Desert 2
Image via Blue Sky Building Systems
The policy makes a ton of sense.  Attributes of an energy efficient house — better air sealing, more insulation, high performance appliances — are attributes of a well-built house. These measures make a house more valuable. If the borrower gets into income trouble and can’t afford the mortgage payments, a more efficient house will likely hold its value better than a house built to lower standards.
And home value is a strong predictor of lender losses — if a borrower has home equity, default is rare because the house can be sold for more than the mortgage. For more on that, see this paper by economist John Campbell.
A more efficient house also means lower energy expenses, so the borrower might not get into income trouble in the first place. And, these lower expenses are one reason an efficient house is more valuable.
A funny thing about the mortgage market is that this kind of policy can be self-fulfilling. The fact that more energy efficient houses are more valuable is a basis for the Genworth policy to give a discount, but it’s also likely to be an outcome of the policy. That is, the discount on mortgage insurance should allow some borrowers to pay more for energy efficient houses and increase demand for those houses among homebuyers. This effect should remind lenders, investors, appraisers, and others how the current, conventional policy can be self-fulfilling in the opposite direction — loan policies that make it difficult for a borrower to borrow more to pay a premium for a more energy efficient house can inhibit the very evidence needed to support policy correction.
While most U.S. mortgage borrowers don’t get private mortgage insurance, the fact that Genworth has adopted this new policy should be a strong signal to lenders, investors, appraisers, and others to continually assess how the value of energy efficiency is reflected in the property value and the loan.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

“Green” Labeled Homes Worth More on the Real Estate Market, Study Says

Capital Home Builders are the first builders of green smart homes in South Georgia. It looks like the green building trend has not reached the South Georgia area. We think if Thomasville, Georgia can still live in the era of horse and carriage they would, but we are changing the way homes are being built in Thomasville and South Georgia by building better homes above minimum code. Green Homes are built above minimum code non-green homes are NOT.......
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Los Angeles today released a new study on the economic value of green home labels in the California residential marketplace. “The Value of Green Labels in the California Housing Market” is the first rigorous, large-scale independent economic analysis of the value of green home labels in California. The study found that a green home label adds an average 9 percent price premium for single-family homes in California. Based on the average California home price of $400,000, homes with a green label sell for an average of $34,800 more than comparable homes without a green label.
In addition, the study yields two key insights into the effect of green labels on property values. First, the price premium associated with a green label varies considerably from region to region in California, and is highest in the areas with hotter climates. This trend may indicate that residents in these areas value green labels more due to the increased cost of keeping a home cool. Second, the premium is also positively correlated to the environmental ideology of the area, as measured by the rate of registration of hybrid vehicles. The observed correlation suggests that some homeowners attribute value to intangible qualities associated with owning a green home.
Led by researchers Nils Kok, visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Matthew Kahn, professor at the Institute of the Environment, Department of Public Policy and Department of Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, the study examined data on the 1.6 million single-family homes sold between 2007 and 2012 in California. Of these homes, approximately 4,300 were certified with green home labels from Energy Star, GreenPoint Rated, or LEED for Homes.
“In certain regions of the state, we observed a phenomenon we’ve termed the ‘Prius effect’ — a positive correlation between the value of green home labels and environmental ideology, as measured by the rate of hybrid registrations,” said Kok. “In communities with strong environmental values, residents may see green homes as a point of pride or status symbol.”
The estimated $34,800 price premium for green-labeled homes is significantly greater than the price increase associated with other typical home improvements made by homeowners prior to sale, such as home staging. A 2012 survey by HomeGain found that staged homes sold for an average of $2,144 more than non-staged homes, while an upgrade of the kitchen and bathroom was found to increase the sale price by $3,254.
“Environmental ideology was not as strong in some other areas, and yet we still saw a high value placed on homes with a green label,” said Kok. “It appears that a hotter local climate also provides a practical reason to value green homes. With both ideological and pragmatic reasons to go green, it’s no surprise that the popularity of these labels is rising.”
The benefits of green homes include:
  • Lower operational costs than conventional homes due to greater energy and water efficiency, which can result in lower utility bills;
  • High quality construction, since green label requirements for building materials and techniques often go beyond standard building codes;
  • More comfortable and stable indoor temperatures;
  • Healthier indoor air quality; and
  • Other features that reduce environmental impact such as proximity to parks, shops and transit.
“Increasingly, homeowners who are planning to sell their home are looking for innovative ways to make their home more attractive to potential buyers,” said Robin Gaskins, a realtor who has worked for 10 years in Alameda County. “Particularly if a home already has a number of green or energy-saving features, it really does pay to go the extra mile and get a green label.”
Growing awareness about global warming and the extent of greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector has increased attention to green building in recent years. Previous research has shown the value of green labels and certifications in the commercial real estate sector. “The Value of Green Labels in the California Housing Market” confirms that the same trend applies to single-family homes.
“The Value of Green Labels in the California Housing Market” has been submitted for presentation at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Economic Association and will be submitted to a scientific journal in fall 2012.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

How to Identify a High Energy Performance Home

Capital Home Builders is the only and first custom and energy smart home builder in South Georgia. Our homes come with more features then any other home built in Georgia and South Georgia. We are also the only builder offering Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rated homes. We are the only builder with Residential Energy Guarantee. We will guarantee your electrical bill for Two Years and if you go over we will pay you back the difference. NO other builder in South Georgia will stand behind their homes like we do. We do not believe in building to minimum code and our homes are proof of that. You may pay 5% to 10% more for a High-Performance home, but with all of the energy savings you will make it back the first 2 years. 

So you’re looking to buy a new home…but not just any home. You want one that’s easy on the environment and uses less energy. A comfortable home that saves you money while reducing your carbon footprint.
In other words, what you want is a high energy performance home.
But how do you know when you’ve found one? I mean, how can you tell if the house you’re viewing is actually a high energy performance home? Is there a way to differentiate between a home that’s energy efficient from one that’s not?
Luckily there is and increasing numbers of builders are using it to market energy efficient homes. It’s called a HERS Index score and hopefully one day soon every house will have one.

Energy Performance and the HERS Index Score

So what is a HERS Index score anyway? The home energy rating system (HERS) was developed by RESNET to help homebuyers compare homes based on their energy performance. For example, when a certified RESNET Home Energy Rater does a home energy rating, they’ll give the home a HERS Index score based on its energy performance.

A standard new American construction home that adheres to current energy guidelines is awarded a default HERS Index score of 100, which serves as a benchmark against which all other homes are measured. A higher HERS Index score translates into a less energy efficient home, and vice-versa. A typical American resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index, making it 30% less energy efficient than a new construction home. On the other hand, if a house gets a HERS Index score of 50, it means that it’s 50% more energy efficient than a standard new construction home. And in Thomasville, GA. a typical new home has a score of 130.

Why the HERS Index Score is Important to Builders

Thanks to the HERS Index and HERS Index scores, for the first time homebuyers can actually get an true understanding about how energy efficient a home really is. This naturally changes the way people are viewing homes they’re interested in and builders have been quick to understand that. Consequently, many are now actively marketing their homes using HERS Index scores to advertise potential savings that homebuyers could enjoy when purchasing a high energy performance home.
In addition to this, utility companies too are jumping on the bandwagon by offering builders rebates on energy costs based on their homes’ HERS Index scores. In fact, LG&E and KU Energy, a utility company based in Louisville, Kentucky, recently had their Energy-Saving New Homes Program recognized as a RESNET Energy Smart Program. The program rewards enrolled builders with rebates based on the HERS Index scores of their houses. For example, single family dwellings with HERS Index scores of 85 are eligible for a rebate of $440, and it increases up to $1,200 for homes that score 50 or lower. LG&E and KU Energy are the first utility in the U.S. to earn this designation from RESNET.

What Does All This Mean to Homebuyers?

Thanks to increased efforts and awareness, it’s now getting easier for homebuyers to identify and buy high energy performance homes. As the popularity of HERS Index scores continues to grow, and with builders actively promoting energy efficient homes via their scores, the future is starting to look a little…well…greener than it once did!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Never Agree to Dual Agency

CAARE


Dual Agency is a conflictive relationship that strips buyers and sellers of service to a level that can best be described as abandonment. Dual agency arises when the real estate broker is representing both the buyer and the seller. It is illegal in every other fiduciary profession except under the most extreme circumstances. It is routinely practiced in residential real estate where there is the least amount of training. When a real estate broker engages in dual agency they may not work to the advantage or the detriment of the buyer or seller. In other words, all the reasons you hired your broker vanish - often with little warning.

Dual agents are legally prevented from negotiating price or terms (two of the most important reasons consumers hire Realtors). And perhaps the biggest problem with this betrayal is that it usually presents itself with little warning to the client - it is a bait and switch. The broker could be acting in the client's best interests all the way up to finding the house that creates a dual agency. At that point the buyer or seller are on their own.

In a dual agency, brokers don't have to share the commission with other brokers so they make twice as much money. They profit greatly from this practice. Realtors, who typically have no understanding of the legal ramifications of their own fiduciary relationship with their clients, often illegally counsel their clients of the so-called "benefits" of dual agency. We're here to tell you that there are NO benefits and that you should NEVER agree to dual agency. Find a small brokerage firm with highly qualified real estate agents and demand that they not engage in dual agency. The likelihood of dual agency arising with a smaller firm is far less than with a large firm. For more on this topic click here.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dual Agency Should Be Illegal! - Georgia is a Dual Agency State


According to the National Association of Realtors, “As a customer, a buyer is not represented by an agent… the agent cannot negotiate on the buyer’s behalf nor reveal to the buyer any confidences of the client, the client is the seller.” Without the benefits of using a Buyer Representative, you become just a customer to the seller and their agent.


The seller’s agent is legally obligated to get the most money for the seller. Can the Seller's Agent who is contracted to work in the best interest of one party also work in the best interest of the Buyer? They can not. A seller’s agent, by law, must work in the best interest of their client, including giving information about the buyers to the sellers. Buyers Agents work in your best interest. The goal is to get you the best price and the most savings possible.

This is not Real Estate for Dummies. But, it probably should be. The basic definition of dual agency is “The same real estate agent is representing both buyer and seller in the same transaction”. Dual agency is the single worst issue involved in real estate. The average “Joe” out of the street easily understands that dual agency is WRONG. This seems like common sense to the regular guy. So, why can’t the politicians and many real estate agents & brokers understand this simple terrible concept? The main reason why dual agency exists is because of the glorious MOOLAH. Real estate brokers and agents have a huge financial incentive to be involved in a dual agency transaction at the detriment of their buyer or seller. Dual agency has no benefits to protect the consumer (buyer or seller). One of the simplest and best examples that I’ve ever read about the problems of dual agency actually came from a traditional real estate agent (Matt Difanis) in Illinois and not an Exclusive Buyer Agent. A few years back, Matt had a sent this letter to the Realtor Magazine.

Here is another real simple definition; agency is when a real estate broker discloses “who” & “how” they are going to represent a buyer or seller. Home buyers need to STOP spending all their time on the Internet looking at pretty pictures of potential homes and START spending more time fully understanding all types of agency (dual, single, transactional, limited or designated). Understanding agency is definitely not the most exciting part of the home buying process. As a matter of fact, it is down right boring. But, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE; before you start down the path of buying a home make sure you spend time fully researching everything. As with many major financial decisions (car, home, vacation, etc.) most of us end up rationalizing decisions based on emotion, don’t make a decision based on emotion!!

Non-disclosed dual agency is ILLEGAL in all 50 states. But, only a few states have made (disclosed) dual agency illegal. Dual agency should be”outlawed” and made illegal in all 50 states. If you are a buyer or seller involved in a dual agency transaction and you don’t completely understand dual agency than you should immediately contact or RUN to your nearest real estate attorney.

A TRUE AGENT is one who provides 100% loyalty to his/her clients 100% of the time. No dual agency; no "designated agency", no "transaction brokerage;" no "Chinese walls;" no weasel clauses! - International Real Estate Directory

Buyers Agent: Representing People, Dual Agency: Commission
http://mybuyerbrokerblog.com/2007/10/28/dual-agency-should-be-illegal/