Trip to Japan resets perspectives

In October I had the opportunity to travel a very long distance to visit my daughter and son-in-law. My son-in-law is serving in the US military in northern Japan, a country to which I have traveled several times. It was great to be back in Japan - speaking the language, eating the food, enjoying the scenery. Of course the best part was spending time with family.

I emphasize 'long distance' because by being completely removed from Idaho and the busy day-to-day I was able to gain some respect for and perspective on the remarkable changes that have taken place in home building in Idaho. The most remarkable change is the reset in the cost of everything that makes up a new home. From lot prices to granite countertops to interest rates - everything costs less... a lot less.

The buzz seems to be all about REO, foreclosed, distressed, but the real story is how new homes are competitive with all of these! Take for example our Covington plan. This is a highly sought after plan we build that has evolved for over the past 15 years. The base price to build a Covington today is $117,879. Less than ever and with better technology (Energy Star, etc.). The smart buyers get it. We are signing contracts to build new homes for the smartest of the smart. They get it!

Reset. That's what came to me as I flew 10,000 miles to and from Japan. Dramatic changes in costs, resulting in new and better homes for Idahoans at dramatically reset prices, all MADE IN AMERICA!

We are pleased to be an Energy Star builder. We recently made this video with Aldis Garsvo of Mountain Post--Digital Imaging, LLC in Kuna and we think it came out well.

EnergyStar!

I’m pleased to say that Ted Mason Signature Homes are now EnergyStar certified.

EnergyStar certification is an important goal for many builders, who use it in marketing to show their commitment to energy efficiency. To date, more than 5,000 home builders have partnered with EPA to construct more than 840,000 Energy Start homes. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million homes are expected to earn Energy Star.

However, while EnergyStar is a great program, we have been doing many of the things required by EnergyStar, some of which are law under national building codes. We go the extra mile by reinforcing the insulation in crawl spaces, for example, and using 93-percent-efficient furnaces, compared to the old standard of 80 percent. EnergyStar’s extra requirements, however, ensure our homes will meet the highest standards of efficiency.

Compared with standard homes, Energy Star homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial.

Properly installed energy efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.