Consumer News
Belleville Community Development Corporation is a not-for-profit organization thats focus is to improve and enhance residential housing and neighborhood stabilization. Their goal is to improve the quality of life in the City of Belleville through education, advocacy, and investment. For more information visit: www.belleville.cdc.org
Home Builder Makes a Difference with Mad in America
click below for made in america product list
This ABC News story about a Montana builder who completed an entire home with 100% American made products. The domino effect on job creation looks to be quite high if everyone just increased their American made purchases by 5-10%.
Click here to view the ABC News story video
Cautious steps to take when Inclement Weather has damagaed roofs
The recent hail storms have created major roof damage throughout the area leaving homeowners exposed to unprincipled individuals. Homeowners can safeguard themselves from questionable roofing companies that have approached them with a quick fix to the damage caused by the storms by taking a few easy steps read more....
Look for the HBA Logo!
What does it mean when you see a builder have a Home Builders Association of Greater Southwest Illinois logo? That the business has taken an educated stand to be part of a professional trade organization to enhance their business in a positive path. A Home Builders Association (HBA) member demonstrates their commitment to the goals of the housing industry in this market. read more...
The "Not-So-Obvious" Benefits of Buying New
Prospective home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new. Home buyers planning to buy a brand-new house often cite energy-efficiency, open layout, a warranty, and being able to select appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice. But builders say that buyers can be drawn to a new house for reasons that aren't so obvious. read more...
The Lasting Value of Homeownership
During the National Homeownership Month in June, the housing industry celebrates the many benefits of owning a home. Despite the downturn in the housing market, families continue to seek to achieve the American Dream of homeownership and take their place among the more than 74 million Americans that own a home. read more...
Selling Tips for Home Buyers
There are incredible opportunities to buy a home in today's market. Interest rates are near historic lows, prices are more competitive than they've been in years, and there is a large selection of homes available for sale to choose from. Whether you would like more space to accomodate a growing family or less to better suit an empty-nester lifestyle, the current buyer's market makes it an ideal time to make a change. read more...
Checklist for Finding and Hiring a Builder or Remodeler
Use this checklist to help you select a home builder or home remodeler to work on or build your home. read more...
What are the Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home?
Which home remodeling projects are the best ones for those looking for a solid return on their investment - and higher profits come selling day? read more...
How Long Will it Last?
Just like the human body, your home is made of parts, all working in unison, many unseen and unthought-of during the course of your daily life. From the roof to the foundation, and from the front door to the back, a home consists of literally thousands of components. Ideally, these components might all have an unlimited life expectancy. read more...
Home Sweet Home. Still!
The five-year swoon in home prices has done little to shake the confidence of the American public in the investment value of homeownership. Fully eight-in-ten (81%) adults agree that buying a home is the best long-term investment a person can make, according a nationwide Pew Research Center survey of 2,142 adults conducted from March 15 to March 29, 2011. read more...
New Home Construction Rises to Six Month High
Builders broke ground last month on the most new homes in six months, giving the weak housing market a slight boost. read more...
Americans Still See Homeownership as a Top Priority
Americans still consider owning a home essential to the American Dream, and Washington policymakers would be wise to keep this in mind in the coming election season. read more...
Remodel Smart: Know the Language
An educated shopper is a smart shopper. This especially hold true in the world of hiring and working with contractors to make improvements to your home. As you interview potential contractors read more...
Harming Young Households
Before tampering with the mortgage interest deduction in a bid to reduce the federal deficit or lower marginal tax rates, members of Congress should put themselves in the shoes of their homeowning read more...
Undermining Aspiring and Current Home Owners
Discussions among Washington policymakers and pundits about whether the mortgage interest deduction should be sacrificed in the name of deficit reduction are irresponsible and undermining an already fragile read more...
What Home Owners Need to Know about Lead Paint
If you live in a home built before 1978 and you're contemplating any work that will disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square feet on the exterior of the home read more...
Americans Says Housing Strengthens Communities
Americans still believe that a strong housing industry means more jobs and more money to keep local economies growing, and tht the government should continue to promote homeownership through read more...
Tax Change Would Harm Seniors
Policymakers who are considering whether to eliminate or cut the mortgage interest deduction to reduce the federal deficit should think twice before taking an action that would harm read more...
Don't Ignore Indoor Home Maintenance Chores this Fall
The crisp weather of fall is upon us and football season is well underway. While the prospect of realaxing into a lazy Sunday schedule calls to many home owners weary from the routine of weekend lawn mowing, don't sleep on essential lawn care and home maintenance tasks that will read more...
Don't Ignore Outdoor Home Maintenance Chores this Fall
Fall is upon us and while we would like to relax on a Sunday there are some outdoor chores are that worth taking care of read more...
Fall Landscaping Tips to Prepare for Winter
There is no better time to take stock of your lawn and landscaping needs than during the shorter days and crisp temperatures that herald the beginning of fall. Not only can it help you have a great looking lawn next spring, but it can save you read more...
Boomers Don't Have to Budge if They Remodel Right
Baby boomers - people born in the post World War II years between 1946 and 1964 are entering or nearing retirement age. And research shows that Americans have a strong preference to remain in their current residence for as long as possible as they grow older read more...
Output and Job Growth Preceed Housing Recovery
Fannie Mae Helps Distressed Home Owners Reenter Housing Market
Illinois Quality Assurance Standards
These Standards, for the first time ever, provide new home buyers and remodeling customers the guidelines to measure their builder and the project against an industry approved set of standards.
The Standards create a series of performance standards that builders and customers can use to communicate and understand each other's expectations regarding building/remodeling projects.
Our HBA's concern is that many, many builders adhere to absolutely no standards, and that damages the credibility of everyone in the industry. As we promote this program, we are confident the consumer will begin asking contractors if the potential contractor is registered in the Quality Assurance Program ...and will only hire those who are. Our Contractor Members have committed to the Illinois Quality Assurance Builder Standards. Ask your Builder or Remodeler if they are a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Southwest Illinois!
Remodeling Market Index Reaches Highest Level in Four Years
According to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI), the remodeling market is heading into recovery with an increase to 46.5 in the first quarter of 2011 from 41.5 in the fourth quarter of 2010. This marks the highest level for the RMI since the fourth quarter of 2006. read more...
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