Brentwood Manor New Homes in Vancouver WA from $145,900

http://www.mymanorhome.com/brentwood/

Brentwood Manor at a Glance

Brentwood Manor is, a quiet community you can call home in the heart of Vancouver WA. Just minutes I-5 and 205. 5 minutes from the Vancouver Mall and a variety of restaurants. Walking distance to schools, parks and many other activities. Choose from 4 floor plans, each with exceptional standard features that add value to your home with long lasting energy saving benefits. Our Homes feature open floor plans along with usable living space, all starting at just $145,900.
Homes & Plans


Brentwood Manor Plans and Prices Model Bedrooms Bathrooms Sq. Feet From

Model 1397 $145,900

Model 1574  $157,900

Model 1634  $159,900

Model 1727  $165,900

The Villas at Salmon Creek 55 and older community!

The Villas at Salmon Creek at a Glance


The Villas at Salmon Creek is Vancouver Washington’s Premier 55+ Gated Community. They are located in the heart of Salmon Creek with 5 minute access to I-5 and I-205. These paired homes are the right size for a home buyer looking to down-size, with many restaurants, shopping and grocery stores within walking distance. They are low maintenance, too! All exterior home maintenance, front and rear mowing, and exterior building insurance is covered by the HOA. Each home shares one common wall with one other plan. Plus, double sinks are standard in the master bath.

http://www.mymanorhome.com/villas/

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended For Armed Service Members

by Carla L. Davis
The expiration date of the $8,000 first-time home buyer may have already passed for most, but there are some potential homebuyers who can still take advantage of this great opportunity.
For those who are qualified service members, you have an extra year to cash in on the credit. Your new deadline is April 30, 2011. The government defines "qualified service member" as a member of the uniformed services of the U.S military, a member of the Foreign Service of the U.S., or an employee of the intelligence community."
The reasoning behind this extension is simple. National Association of Home Builders Chairman, Bob Jones, says, "Congress recognized that many service members may have missed out on the home buyer tax credit due to being posted overseas. It is only fitting that they be given another year to take advantage of this opportunity in appreciation of the sacrifices they have made serving our country."
There has been another modification to the credit for members of the armed service. Currently, a buyer must repay the credit if they move out of their new home within three years. This particular contingency has been waived if the move is due to government ordered extended duty service.
Buyers must meet the other qualification for the credit, however, including the income limits. These limits are set at $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.
You must be a first-time home buyer, which is defined as "a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse."
If you don't fit under this definition, then be sure to check into the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit.
To get the first-time home buyers credit, you will need to claim it on your federal income tax return. There is a specific form (IRS Form 5405) that helps you determine how much the credit will be. Be sure to talk to your tax professional about the credit to ensure it is submitted correctly.
For those interested in the credit, you can visit FederalHousingTaxCredit.com to find out more information.

Published: May 4, 2010

EPA Announces New Guidelines for Energy Star Homes

EPA Announces New Guidelines for Energy Star Homes

Release date: 04/19/2010
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing new, more rigorous guidelines for new homes that earn the Energy Star label. Compared to the current Energy Star guidelines, the new requirements will make qualified new homes at least 20 percent more efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – slashing utility bills for qualified homes by 15 percent compared to IECC code-built homes.
The updated requirements will ensure that the government’s Energy Star label continues to deliver a significant increase in energy efficiency over homes that are built to code and standard builder business practices. These guidelines will go into effect in January 2011, although some builders may choose to adopt the new requirements earlier.
Key elements of the new guidelines for Energy Star qualified homes include:

 A Complete Thermal Enclosure System: Comprehensive air sealing, properly insulated assemblies and high-performance windows enhance comfort, improve durability and reduce utility bills.


 Quality Installed Complete Heating and Cooling Systems: High-efficiency heating and cooling systems engineered to deliver more comfort, moisture control and quiet operation, and equipped with fresh-air ventilation to improve air quality.


A Complete Water Management System: Because Energy Star homes offer a tightly-sealed and insulated building envelope, a comprehensive package of flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy-duty membrane details is critical to help keep water from roofs, walls, and foundations for improved durability and indoor air quality.


 Efficient Lighting and Appliances: Look for Energy Star qualified lighting, appliances and fans helping to further reduce monthly utility bills and provide high-quality performance.


Third-Party Verification: Energy Star qualified homes require verification by independent Home Energy Raters who conduct a comprehensive series of detailed inspections and use specialized diagnostic equipment to test system performance.

The recession may have you staying put instead of moving up. Let's look at what the experts say are some of the green design trends for your home in 2010.

The American Institute of Architects reports that "without the rapid appreciation in home values seen between 1995 and 2005, design of kitchens and bathrooms has recently been somewhat more modest. Functionality is now preferred to more and larger kitchens and bathrooms within U.S. homes. Households are placing a premium on products and features that promote energy efficiency, and adaptability in the use of space for seniors and those with accessibility concerns. ... Integrating kitchens with family space remains a design priority, as does including areas devoted to recycling, pantries, computer workstations, and spaces devoted to recharging laptops, cell phones and PDAs.”
This kind of "reverse growth" is a blessing when it comes to cost savings. The average U.S. household spends around $1,900 a year on utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy says green ways can cut your bills by up to 25 percent. Functional design is a good place to make big changes.
Some other popular green trends include:
•LED lighting: The abbreviation for "light-emitting diode," these environmentally friendly lights give off the same light as regular 40 watt bulbs, but they last 50 times longer, making them a cost-effective option for lighting your home.
•Water saving toilets: Low flush toilets use only 1 to 2 gallons of water per flush compared to the usual 3 to 5 gallons.
•Renewable flooring: All renewables are not made the same, and a savvy homeowner should explore what option best fits their needs. You can choose from bamboo, natural linoleum, cork flooring, and even wood floors.
Other design trends take us to color. Following the green movement, color choices for 2010 reflect the return to an earthy mentality. Earth tones are very popular, using less dye and chemicals to produce. And while global colors are also popular for design, such as yellow, orange, green, and plum, there is another issue to take into consideration when choosing them.
Green hues may be optimistic and uplifting, but recent studies have shown that the color green --outside of natures -- can itself be toxic. According to the New York Times article, The Toxic Side of Being, Literally, Green, "Take Pigment Green 7, the commonest shade of green used in plastics and paper. It is an organic pigment but contains chlorine, some forms of which can cause cancer and birth defects. Another popular shade, Pigment Green 36, includes potentially hazardous bromide atoms as well as chlorine; while inorganic Pigment Green 50 is a noxious cocktail of cobalt, titanium, nickel and zinc oxide."
The best alternative to chemicals, when it comes to paint, could be low and zero voc. As well, a wealth of organic upholstery fabrics are found on the market today. Go green!
Published: April 6, 2010

http://http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jan/08/home-builders-foresee-improvement/

Move-Down Buyers Can Be Eligible For Tax Credit Too

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20091222_movedown.htm