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For Consumers
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On This Page. . .
21st Annual New Home Expo |
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Sponsored by: DuPont Building Innovations and DuPont Corian Click here for the PowerPoint Presentation from the evening (15MB) Click here for the PDF of the presentation (3MB) |
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Take the 2006 Parade Home on CD New this year! All 12 houses in the 2006 Parade of Homes are featured on this interactive CD that can be viewed on your computer. For only $5, you can view pictures, floor plans and the subcontractor and supplier lists of each house. There are at least 20 photos of the interior and exterior of each house. See a preview of pictures on the CD
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Are you looking for a Builder or a Remodeler? The BIA has a Builders Directory and a Remodelers
Directory available to people who are interested in building a new home or
remodeling their current one. These informational directories list BIA Builders
and Remodelers as well as other helpful tips for consumers. |
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This handy guide is an excellent
reference tool! You'll find out the locations of BIA members' developments all
over central Ohio. |
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The Building Industry Association of Central Ohio (BIA) encourages all Builders and Owners to resolve any disputes in an orderly and timely fashion. The Owner should notify the Builder of any complaints in writing and allow a reasonable period for the Builder to respond. If a dispute cannot be resolved, the complaining party can write to the BIA and must include the following information:
The BIA will write urging the Builder to settle the dispute. If the dispute has not been settled, the Owner may pay a fee and register for a Dispute Settlement Hearing through the BIA's Professional Standards Committee, providing facts underlying the dispute meet the then existing criteria for such hearing. Generally speaking, the following conditions exist:
Once a Hearing is scheduled, the BIA's Professional Standards Committee will meet with the Owner and Builder to inspect the home and report its findings. The hearing is limited to issues listed in the written Dispute Settlement Hearing registration form. After the hearing, the BIA's Professional Standards Committee will notify both the Owner and the Builder of its decision in the case. If the decision calls for repairs by the Builder, the Committee will name a deadline for the repairs. If the Builder fails to comply with the decision, the Builder's membership in the BIA may be suspended or revoked. Send any correspondence to: BIA of Central Ohio, Attn: Bernadine Johnson, 495 Executive Campus Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43082. Questions on the Grievance Procedure can be directed to Bernadine Johnson at (614) 891-0575 or e-mail bernadine@biahomebuilders.com. |
| The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has a wealth of information on their website for consumers. We encourage you to visit www.nahb.org and click on the "Resources" and "For Consumers" buttons at the top of their home page. Information available on NAHB's website includes: Building Your Home, Building a Custom Home, Financing Your Home, Home Maintenance, National Homeownership Month in June, Remodeling Your Home, Preserving Our Environment, Information for the Classroom, and a Schedule of Programs Now Showing on HGTV. |
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Homeownership has long been regarded as the backbone of our diverse and growing American society. As we call attention to the numerous benefits of homeownership during National Homeownership Month in June, we can pause for a moment and appreciate how far we’ve come and reflect on how homeownership has become such a central and vital part of our nation’s growth. Nearly 70 percent of American families own their own home today, compared with 62 percent in 1960, and our population has grown by more than 119 million people in those 45+ years. New home prices increased from $18,000 to $240,000 or about 13 times, roughly during that same time as well. Housing continues to fuel our nation’s economy—the industry accounts for 14 percent of the GDP and employs 7.3 million people. The home has remained the center point of the family and is the largest single investment a family will make in its lifetime. While early in 2006, new home sales and housing starts began to cool down; housing remains a solid, strong investment. And, despite a decade of unprecedented prosperity and recent low interest rates, many communities are seeing a growing gap between the supply of housing and the demand. As the gap grows, millions of people across the economic spectrum are finding it increasingly difficult to find a home they can afford in the communities where they work. That’s why National Association of Home Builders and its 800 state and local affiliates have made more affordable, workforce housing a high priority. Housing for the people who teach our children, keep our streets safe, and provide the services we depend on. Many of these hardworking families are forced to commute long distances, live in housing that does not meet their needs, or pay far too great a share of their incomes for housing. There is a tendency to equate “affordable housing” with “low-income housing.” But the problem is much broader than that. It affects middle-income individuals such as teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants, as well as millions of Americans in the service and retail industries. Recent Census figures indicate that new households are being formed at an annual rate of more than 1 million per year, and that rate is expected to continue for the next decade. To meet this demand, replace homes that are demolished or destroyed and meet demand for second homes, the nation’s builders will need to construct about 1.8 million new homes and apartment units each year of this decade. In many communities, the housing affordability problem is made worse by a shortage of buildable land. The land-supply shortage is often the product of policies established by local governments, including large-lot zoning and urban growth boundaries. Restrictions on multifamily housing development also contribute to the problem. Communities that really want to promote affordable housing should consider policies that encourage builder investment, such as streamlined development approvals for multifamily developments and public investment in infrastructure for affordable housing. Let’s shine a light on the need for more affordable housing and fewer regulatory barriers during National Homeownership Month—a time when we can take stock in how our communities address the growing need for housing and collaboratively develop plans and solutions to improve the state of housing in our own backyards. |
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Childproof to Prevent Common Home Injuries According to recent studies, more babies are born in late summer than in any other time of year, making now a popular time to invest in home child safety devices. Whether you are looking forward to a summertime delivery, or your brood is simply anticipating their summertime vacation, childproofing your house can be relatively simple and inexpensive. Many common home injuries easily can be prevented with the proper child safety devices. Make sure that devices are installed correctly according to instructions and remind older children of the importance of re-securing any safety devices they’ve used. To the relief of many cash-strapped parents, it is possible to childproof your home for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional to do it for you. And child safety devices are conveniently found in local hardware stores, supermarkets, drug stores, baby equipment stores and online. Here are just a few child safety devices that will make your summer a safer one. · Lock Out Common Accidents: One of the easiest ways to prevent injuries is with a simple and inexpensive—you can find these for less than $2—safety lock or latch. The best kind can be installed easily or used by adults but sturdy enough to handle the wear, tear and pull of little fingers. Securing cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas can prevent access to sharp objects or poisonous cleaners. It’s also a good idea to get a child’s eye view of things. Sit on the floor and see what you can reach or access from the ground. You may be surprised at what your child can get into from such small heights. · Gates Make Safety Simple: Using safety gates throughout your home can prevent painful falls and keep children out of specific areas of the house, such as the kitchen when you are cooking. For areas near the tops of stairs, use safety gates that screw to the wall for more security. Check that the safety devices meet the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) requirements. There also are new safety gates that fit around fireplaces to prevent burns and custom gate systems to fit any odd-sized areas in your home. A typical safety gate ranges in price from $13 to $100. · Detection Equals Protection: For less than $10, a smoke detector is essential for protecting your family from a fire. The alarms should be located on every level of your home and outside bedrooms. Check your smoke detector monthly to ensure that it’s working properly. For a little more ($30-$70), a carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. CO detectors should be placed near sleeping areas, in homes that use gas or oil heat, and in homes with attached garages. · Cover it Up: Little fingers attached to curious bodies can lead to trouble. Protect your child from electrical shock by installing child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets. You can find these devices in any local hardware store for less than $2. Make sure that outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by your child and that they are too large to be put into interested mouths. · Turn Down the Heat: Help prevent painful burn boo-boos by installing anti-scald devices in shower heads and faucets. These safety devices typically run from $6 on up. Set your water heater to as low a temperature as possible (120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), and always test bath water before putting your child into the tub. Never leave a child unattended in the bath tub, not even for a minute. · Soften the Blow: Ever hit your knee on a corner table while not paying attention? Ouch! Now imagine being a toddler. Your home is filled with sharp angles in the guise of tables, chairs and fireplace hearths just itching to be bumped. Corner and edge bumpers can prevent injuries from falls or help soften the blow against sharp furniture or rough edges. Look for corner and edge bumpers that stay secure on furniture and hearth edges; they run about $30 and up each. · Remember Window Safety: Particularly if your child’s bedroom is located on a second level, open windows can pose a potential hazard for young children. Window guards and safety netting can help prevent falls from windows, decks, landings and balconies, because window screens alone will not protect children from falling. Make sure at least one window in each room can easily be used as an escape route in case of fire. Follow installation instructions carefully and check that there is no more than four inches between bars of the window guards. Window safety devices range from a few dollars to $40 and up. · Prevent Access: One of the easiest ways to prevent accidents from happening in certain areas of your home is to prevent access to them. Door knobs and covers can stop children from entering areas such as kitchens and swimming pools. Make sure door knob covers are sturdy enough to resist children’s tugs but allow easy entrance to adults in case of emergency. Place door locks high and out of the reach of small toddlers. Use fences and alarms in addition to locks for extra protection. Sliding glass doors with locks that must be re-secured after opening are often not an effective deterrent for inquisitive children wanting a peek at outside swimming pools, so use safety gates and other barriers with sliding doors. A door knob cover will cost you $2.50 and up; a door lock can run as low as $5. · Guard Busy Hands: Busy hands reaching up for pots and pans can easily end up burned. Prevent stovetop accidents with a stove guard, a device that prevents tots from reaching hot burners, pot and pan handles and utensils placed on the stove top. Made of heat-resistant plastic and running around $30, a stove guard mounts to the front, side or top of your stove with special high-temperature adhesive. Stove knob covers keeps children from being able to turn on both gas and electric stoves, while allowing easy removal by adults. Stove knob covers run between $7-$10. · Make it Cordless: Once baby takes his or her first step, the whole house becomes theirs for the exploring. Cordless phones allow you to answer phone calls without having to leave the room and take your eyes off your young Magellan. Cordless phones cost $30 and up and are especially useful around bathtubs and swimming pools. These are just some of the home safety devices available on the market today. For more suggestions, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov. |
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Tips (and Tales) for a First-Time Home Buyer For many people, buying a first home is a rite of passage and ownership in part of the American dream. And while many excited hours are spent planning interior color schemes, choosing new furniture and dreaming of moving day, many first-time buyers spend equal amounts of time fretting and fearing the home buying process. Let’s face it, if you’ve never purchased a home before, the prospect can seem downright intimidating. There are many decisions to make—legal, financial and emotional, just to name a few. Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure an enjoyable experience. Do Your Research Information is essential. Being an educated consumer puts you on the best track when you do start searching for a home. For example, many first-timers think that it’s cheaper to rent than to buy or that you have to be a permanent resident of the United States to buy a home. In reality, you only need a work permit to be a homeowner and in some cases, the down payment for a new home can be the same as the starter costs for renting. Not only do first-time buyers need to be informed about the home buying process and requirements, it is crucial to audit needs and wants as well before beginning the process. Determine parameters ahead of time and make sure you know the difference between what you need in a home and what you want. Many first-timers misinterpret a want as a need and as a result dismiss homes that perfectly fit their needs during their search. Examples of needs include square footage, number of bedrooms, garages, adaptation for the handicapped or school proximity. Examples of wants include wood floors, skylights, paint color and specific brands of appliances. Talking with those who have recently been through the process, attending home buying seminars, visiting a local realtor for information (this should not be a meeting that ends in agreement for representation) or talking with a builder sales agent at a new community are all good ways to do your research. Remember, home buying processes where you live may work differently than in other states, so avoid relying solely on an out-of-state relative’s advice. Focus on Your Financials One of the first things a first-time buyer should do before beginning the process is to get a good financial picture in order. Developing a home buying budget will save you surprises later in the process. New home sales and marketing professionals are excellent resources for getting home finance information. Their job is to educate consumers about home purchasing and finance options. You can locate one of these professional through the Institute of Residential Marketing Directory at www.nahb.org or by contacting the Sales and Marketing Council of your local home builders association. Lenders also can help you gain an understanding of how a home is financed. And don’t forget to regularly review your credit reports from the three top credit scoring companies. “I definitely would emphasize reviewing your credit reports before beginning the home buying process,” said Shane Maguire, a 27 year old first-time homeowner in the Rancho Penasquitos area of San Diego, Calif. “My wife and I have excellent credit but, after consolidating some student loans, there was a mistake on my report due to the length of time it took to process the consolidation. It took several hours to straighten that up for the lender.” There are four crucial financial elements to be aware of when buying a home: mortgage pre-approval, down payment, mortgage options and closing costs. Investigate the costs for each of these elements and make sure to always get comparison offers from lenders. “I looked at all the rates and options to figure out what I could afford,” said Ann Michelle Pflueger, a 27-year old Fort Lauderdale, Fla. resident who bought her first home three years ago. “You have to be comfortable with paying a certain amount for a mortgage, but be aware that there also are extraneous costs to remember including insurance, taxes and homeowner’s association dues.” Find Good Representation Having a representative you can trust to help you through the process can make a huge difference to the first-time home buyer. In the world of real estate, it may be easy to think everyone carries more weight than you in the process, especially if it’s your first time. But the truth is that the consumer is the most important person in the process. If you decide not to buy, the entire process stops. So flex your consumer muscle. Demand good representation, whether it is your builder, your realtor or your mortgage lender. Make sure your questions are answered and that you fully understand each step in the process. “Our first experience buying a house worked out great,” said Leocadia Conlon, a 31-year old from Alexandria, Va. who bought her first house when she was 28 and her husband was 29. “One of the main reasons for that was that we had a great realtor who walked us through absolutely everything, was sincere and genuinely wanted to help us.” Pflueger didn’t have that same experience with her first home and, looking back, would place more emphasis on finding good representation. “The realtor I worked with was not much help at all. Having someone you trust to help you through the process—no matter if it’s from a realtor point of view or a financial one—can really make things easier.” If you are building a new home, talk with your builder and his or her sales staff about who they have worked with in the past. Word-of-mouth recommendations tend to be the best way to find a great representative, such as an attorney to review your purchase contract. Ask the Right Questions Having good representation in your corner is important, and one of the signs of good representation is that they ask you numerous questions. But what kind of questions should you ask them? When you meet with potential realtors, lenders or builder sales agents, make sure to spend at least 15-30 minutes discussing what to expect when you’re buying a home. If you are working with a builder, ask them for some guidance. They’ve been through the process of selling a home plenty of times; all that experience is sure to help you out. If you decide to work with an agent or realtor, who helps put together the offer? What kind of disclosures are sellers required to give buyers in your area? Who does the title search? What types of home inspections are standard in your area? How much can you expect to pay for closing costs? There are various types of mortgage products out there; how do you know which is the best one for you? There is an abundance of online resources to help you determine the right questions to ask. Remember, don’t be shy. You should always demand a full and complete explanation from any professional working on your behalf. Keep a Cool Head With all the details that are involved with buying your first home, simple problems can easily seem like bigger ones when you over-react. Remember to keep a cool head and be patient with the process. Unexpected events can move your closing date or add extra steps. Expect that this can happen going in and you’ll save yourself undue stress. “We were unable to purchase homeowner’s insurance initially because there were hurricanes out in the oceans for weeks,” said Pfleuger. “Even though you have a closing date, there are many factors that may cause that date to get pushed back. It’s important to be flexible, remain calm and remember, it all will get done, just perhaps not on the timeline you initially planned.” Avoid Shortcuts Once you decide to buy a home, particularly if it’s your first, it’s easy to let emotions overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and realize that becoming a first-time homeowner is not an overnight process and by taking all the necessary steps, you will limit any potential regrets. There are no absolute time-frames for buying a home (some buyers find their “perfect home” the first day, for others it may take several months). By being prepared, doing your research, talking with builders, lenders and realtors about what to expect and what you need, you can expedite the process, but don’t rush it. For example, never shortcut the inspection process. You may save a relatively small amount of money upfront, but you run the very real risk of not exposing potentially expensive defects in the property. Always hire an experienced professional for inspection; asking a relative with limited experience to conduct your inspection can be as risky as skipping the inspection process completely. Have a Plan B Many first-time buyers make the mistake of thinking that if they look long enough, they will find a home that is 100 percent perfect for them. With the thousands of possibilities in home design, location, amenities, etc., this is a pretty unrealistic expectation. What is more common is that buyers will pass on homes that meet 90 percent or more of their requirements only to later give up from sheer exhaustion or because of rising market prices. At the same time, it is important to know that while being flexible, it’s okay to have a fall-back plan. “Don’t rush into buying something if you find yourself thinking, this would be my ideal home if we renovated the entire thing—unless of course, that’s what you’re setting out to do,” Conlon said. “Be prepared to have a Plan B, such as renting a bit longer, if you don’t find what you’re looking for right away. We took our time in deciding what we wanted, what we were willing to give up, and to find a house with the ‘wow’ factor. Knowing we had other options relieved the pressure to make a decision.” By keeping in mind these tips, you’ll find your first time is a great time. For more first-time homeowner advice, visit www.nahb.org/forconsumers. |
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What the First-Time Condo Buyer Needs to Know Everyone knows that there’s a big difference between renting an apartment and buying a house. But not everyone realizes that buying a condo is significantly different from buying a single-family home. There are many good reasons to want to live in a condominium, but the buying process can be a minefield of potential disasters to the unprepared. Gennifer Grogg has seen lots of delighted condo residents, but she’s also heard the horror stories. She is vice president of Condo Lane, the condominium arm of the Lane Company, a nationwide multifamily builder, and she has some sound advice for potential condo buyers. “The most important difference between a condo and a single-family home isn’t the price,” she said. “It’s the lifestyle.” While most buyers are clear about the upside of condo life – a vibrant location, little maintenance, convenience to work, shopping, restaurants, services, transportation and entertainment – it also can have a downside. Condo owners may be asked to sacrifice some privacy and autonomy, tolerate more noise, and pay close attention to their condo board and the community’s management company. The way to avoid problems, said Grogg, is to do some research, and avoid making an impulsive buying decision. Start with a visit. “If you’re buying in an existing building,” she said, “visit during the evening, when neighbors are at home, and you’ll get a better feel for the noise levels. If the unit above you will have hardwood floors, have the manager arrange to have someone walk around normally so you can hear what it sounds like.” Visiting in the evening also means you may have a chance to speak with current residents. For those considering condos that are under construction, ask about soundproofing, or any requirement for carpeting or rugs. If a particular condo unit is near an amenity such as a pool or party room, consider the added noise factor. Aside from noise, which Grogg characterizes as the most frequent irritant for new condo residents, there often are issues concerning assigned and guest parking, storage space, limitations on pets, satellite dishes, and the ability to rent or sell the unit, and the amount of money the condo board should have in reserve for maintenance and replacement. She advises buyers to seek out a buyer’s agent – a real estate agent who works for them, not the seller – who specializes in condos. “Make the agents earn their commission,” she said. “They should explain everything, and identify potential problems.” And she counsels buyers to have an attorney review all the condo documents. “The condo documents,” she said, “have all the answers.” They are a stack of paper as big as a phone book, and they can be intimidating. “Most of the paperwork is generic,” said Grogg, “but the 10 percent that isn’t boilerplate is where the problems hide, especially in older buildings. Paying for a few hours of a lawyer’s time is much less expensive than litigation later.” Insurance is one issue the condo purchase documents should address. Most buildings have an umbrella policy, but buyers need to know what is covered and what isn’t, to determine the amount and type of coverage they’ll need. Grogg said that buyers in older buildings should hire a home inspector, and insist that the inspector read and review the building’s Engineer’s Report. That describes the life expectancy of the roof and major systems, and gives the buyer a clue as to when condo owners are likely to need costly replacements. By comparing those estimates with estimated condo fee payments, buyers can see if the condo board has planned for sufficient reserves to replace systems without levying large assessments on the owners. Finally, Grogg cautions that condo loans are regulated differently from other loans. Some loans, especially on units converted from apartments, may not be eligible to be resold on the secondary market. An agent who specializes in condo sales and has experience with lenders will know what questions to ask. The policies that cover when and whether owners can rent their condos to others also are in the condo documents,” said Grogg. “It used to be standard that only 25 percent of a building can be rented at any time. But recently, large banks have allowed as many 75 percent of a building’s units to be investor-owned and rented.” And some lenders won’t allow a buyer to go to closing until a certain percentage of a building’s units are sold. This can cause problems for a buyer who has sold a home to buy a condo and has a move-out deadline, but may not be able to move in on time because sales have been slow. Buyers who’ve done their homework can avoid such problems. Smart buyers – whether young professionals or empty-nesters – will be able to enjoy all the good things about their new lifestyle from the day they move in. For more information on buying a condo, visit the National Association of Home Builders website at www.nahb.org/multifamily. |
