Techniques Used to Strengthen Homes During High Winds

Natural disasters are something everyone around the world fears. There are many construction techniques that have been tested and passed approval to improve the resistance of houses during high wind events such as less-severe (EFO-EF2) tornadoes and intense hurricanes.

Data has been collected two ways to see what products pass high wind conditions. The first way Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) which tests different products under controlled wind tunnel conditions. The second way data is collected is by post-storm assessments taken on what works during these high wind conditions by both the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the Engineered Wood Association (APA).

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The International Residential Code® (IRC®) created by the U.S. Department of Energy is the ” Code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.” Homes that have been built to the IRC code have shown high performance during high-wind events but builders are now finding ways to build homes that are above the IRC® standards.

Focusing on other ways to strengthen the roof and enable a “continuous load path through the structure to the foundation” can help builders build homes that can withstand high-risk tornadoes and intense hurricanes. By doing this, homeowners would be able to stay in their homes after a high-wind event and home repair cost would be lowered.

One way they have found to strengthen the roof is by sealing it. If air is kept from being able to seep underneath the roof components the roof will stay intact and not tear off. During a study IBHS did on homes in Florida after Hurricane Michael, those with sealed roof decks held up better than those that were not sealed. Taping the roof deck seams, using tighter nail spacing to fasten roof decking to trusses and rafters, using ring shank nails A, upgrading the underlayment to 30lb felt, properly fastening drip edges and gutters to minimize the ability of the wind to get up underneath roof covering and using self-adhered or synthetic underlayment are construction techniques used to strengthen roofs when homes are under construction.

There are many ways wind can damage a home. As mentioned previously uplift pressure can take the roof off, shear loads can cause a house to lean, and lateral loads can make the home slide off the foundation. Wind load is defined as the load in pounds per square foot placed on a structure by the

wind. Builders are finding ways to allow a constant load path in the construction of homes. To prevent leaning wood structural panels or other structural sheathings (allowed by the IRC®) are used to brace walls, anchors are used against base shear and hold-downs are used against overturning. These types of construction techniques fight winds from tearing a home apart.

When building a home for a consumer, builders can take this information and inform them about these preventions. When living in a geographical area that is prone to these events, it is important for homeowners to be aware of the risk when not using these techniques or materials approved by the International Residential Code®.

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Tips for Personalizing Your New Home in the First 30 Days

Purchasing a home is a huge event in a person’s lifetime. There are so many steps and hurdles to go

through and once the home buying process has ended, it is now time to focus on giving your home a personalized touch.

Your new home is a blank slate just waiting for you to design and create the perfect living space for your family. Here are some tips on how to get started during the first 30 days in your new home.

Take time to focus on your vision. Visualizing and planning your space is a very important step that you do not want to rush through. Do not rush to get everything set up in the space. Live in the space for a few days to plan the best path for each room. If kids are in the picture, give them the task of deciding on a theme for their new bedroom. Getting the whole family involved will make your new house feel like home for the whole family.

Use what you already have. This is a perfect budget-friendly way to personalize your new house. Find ways to use the furniture that you are bringing from your last home. Cherished memories are attached to many of our items. Using items that you already own makes your new house feel like a home.

Paint for today and tomorrow. Painting your entire home is a feat in itself. Once you have your vision, take smaller steps. Pick a few rooms to start with or accent walls and remember to paint for the future and not just today. Use a timeless color over a trendy color that will be out of style in a few years. Another quick and easy way to add your colorful mark on your new house is to paint the front door.

Choose decor that inspires. Choose decor with a meaning behind it. Something free can be just as priceless to you as something that is extremely expensive. Choose an item that says something to you and about you. Using objects that are important to you is a fantastic way to personalize your new home.

Buy some new basics. If you are moving into a larger space, you will need to purchase new furniture but this is not the only reason to purchase new items for your new space. Upgrading some of your old items will also add to your new vision for your home. This can be an expensive task so choose one or two items to splurge on within the first month.

Grow with the flow. As mentioned before, live in your home for a few days to get a feel of the space. In order for a new house to feel like a home, it needs to be lived in. Even though you have a vision for your space, that vision needs to be flexible. You will change and grow in your home.
Remember even though this seems like a huge undertaking, by taking small steps and following these tips, your new house will feel like a home in no time.

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Home Purchases Are Still On the Rise

Even though we saw a slight decrease in April, home purchases are still going strong. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Application Survey shows that purchase activity rose 5.3% with an even higher year-over-year the week of May 29.

The ongoing economic and virus challenges didn’t stop housing demand which boasted a rise in home-buying activity compared to last year. A big part of the increase is the record low in mortgage rates. The Primary Mortgage Market Survey’s 30-year fixed-rate mortgage shows a decrease by 5 basis points which keeps the ongoing record low.

The survey shows that home purchase applications have been increasing for five consecutive weeks. In fact, the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) predicts that the housing industry will be a leading sector when it comes to the country’s economic recovery. Fannie Mae reports, “the refinance volume of applications is poised to reach a 17-year high as it forecasts mortgage rates to tumble further.”

The HMI, which indicates builders’ confidence, showed a sturdy gain in May. According to the current National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) when it comes to newly-built single-family homes builder confidence rose seven points to 37 last month. The HMI index also showed an increase in sales conditions to 42, a 46 for the component measuring sales expectations in the next six months and 21 for the measure charting traffic of prospective buyers.

Across the regions the HMI scores’ monthly average increased 7 points in the Midwest to 32, in the South, it rose eight points to 42 and in the West a 12 point increase to 44. The only region which saw a decrease was the Northeast which fell 2 points to 17.


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A Rise In Home Building In Rural Markets

The National Home Builders Association (NAHB) has seen a new housing trend with the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest quarterly NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) found that residential construction is growing faster in lower density markets.

“We expect the virus could affect future housing preferences for those currently living in the hardest-hit, high-density environments like central cities and that housing demand will continue to increase in medium- and low-density communities,” said NAHB Chairman Dean Mon.

“The first quarter HBGI data reveals that construction growth expanded over the last year more quickly in low population density areas than high-density regions,” said NAHB Chief Economist

Robert Dietz. “This trend will continue as households seek out single-family homes further from urban cores, particularly as telecommuting continues in greater numbers.”

The report reveals that proximity and affordability were two of the biggest catalyst in the shift. People are now second-guessing living in metropolitan areas after the public health crisis hit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, metro residents were more vulnerable because of the crowded living conditions, mass transit, insufficient health and public sector infrastructure. Builders are starting to look outside of metropolitan areas where the land is cheaper and there are more building opportunities.

“The HBGI data is consistent with the fact that housing costs are increasing fastest in large metro suburban counties and smaller metro areas with populations under 1 million where demand for housing is high but supply constraints are tight,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

“Supply-side issues that are hurting affordability and raising costs for builders include excessive regulations, labor shortages, rising material costs and a dearth of buildable lots in mid- to high population centers.”

All national economic geographies in the country showed a 9.1% growth increase in the suburbs over a one-year moving average. In the education and health services sector (EHS), 4% made up the total single construction and made up close to twice the growth rate in the multifamily construction over the past year. The HBGI also found that the education and health services sector was the top quartile of counties and totaled 25.7% above the total employment sectors.

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Many St. Tammany Little Leagues Hope To Still Have A Season

If all goes well youth sports will be allowed to begin the spring season on June 13. A full season will be played with end-of-season tournaments in August.

The decision to reopen will depend on Gov. John Bel Edward’s announcement regarding phase 2 according to St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper. Cooper also said the decision to reopen

youth sports this summer will also be discussed among recreation districts, parks, coaches and parents.

“We want to see the kids on the fields in the next few weeks,” St. Tammany Recreation District No. 1 board member Rick Danielson said.

Although non-contact youth sports were allowed in Phase 1, St. Tammany did not allow any sports. The parish’s decision was based on the concerns there were not enough staffing to enforce the recommended safety guidelines.

“We don’t know all the effects on children,” Cooper said “Even young children are getting COVID-19 or other associated illnesses.”

The districts have now had time to come up with safety procedures and policies to follow while holding a season during COVID-19. The procedures will include removing bleachers, staggering schedules to reduce crowds during events, disinfecting dugouts between games, and reforming lines at the concession stands.

Among the St. Tammany districts to reopen will include Slidell Bantam Baseball Association, and St. Tammany Recreation District No. 1, which oversees the sprawling Pelican Park complex near Mandeville. Slidell Bantam Baseball Association usually has around 1,000 players ages 4 to 15 playing during the spring season and Pelican Park already had 504 boys and 206 girls signed up for the 2020 Spring season.

Not all St. Tammany districts agree. Tammany Parish Recreation District 7, which covers Pearl River, and St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 4, which covers Lacombe have canceled their spring season altogether.

Most parents are on board with the decision to play. Slidell Bantam Baseball Association’s board president Brad Smith says there has been a positive response to reopening.

“Parents want their kids to get out and do normal things and be back at the ballpark,” Smith said.

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Home Loans On The Increase For Six Consecutive Weeks

As the pandemic stay-at-home orders are now being lifted around the United States, more and more people are looking to purchase a home. The mortgage rates have now dropped even more since the pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020.

The 10-year Treasury yield has consistently lead the mortgage rates but this has not been the case since the coronavirus has produced an economic downturn. The unpredictable economy has fueled

unpredictable mortgage rates. On a good note, the parallel between mortgage rates and bond yields is improving.

“Financial volatility has notably decreased in recent weeks, resulting in steady improvements in the stock market, and more predictable — albeit modest — movements in bond markets,” Zillow ZG, 1.50% economist Matthew Speakman said. “The eased strains in financial markets have also resulted in mortgage rates remaining fairly flat in the last couple of weeks and are generally calmer following the turmoil experienced in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak.”

The end of May has shown “the lowest level since Freddie Mac began tracking this data starting in 1971.” Freddie Mac reported the week ending May 28 the average 30-year fixed-rate was 3.15%, a drop of nine basis points from the week before. This will make the third report in a row that has shown historical low-interest rates. The 15-year fixed-rate also dropped to 2.62% which was a drop in eight basis points.

Homebuyers are ready to buy and are looking to purchase a home in the next several months. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the amount of mortgage applications has been on the rise making the volume of purchase loans up 54% from early spring. This is a great time to purchase a home and sales should see a rebound from the pandemic.

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The Demand For A Home Office Is On the Rise

The shelter-in-place orders have most Americans working from home. This huge shift in where we spend our time has changed the way certain specialty rooms are viewed. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) data that was just collected shows that specialty rooms such as home offices and exercise rooms are on the must list for current home buyers.

The certain preference study data comes from the NAHB’s What Home Buyers Really Want. The survey asks recent and current home buyers what features they want in a home and a community. The

most recent study was conducted in 2018 but the NAHB believes this trend will only grow with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houzz.com recently conducted a survey that concluded that 55% of homeowners and practitioners have a home office, 25% work from their kitchen or dining room table, and 11% work from their sofa. The study also looked at the challenges the country is currently facing working from home. Thirty-percent find it hard to find a quiet location away from high-traffic living areas while 25% have trouble with getting a strong Wi-Fi connection as well as creating a comfortable workspace.

Working from home has become the norm and here are a few quick tips to enhance the space from NAR’s Realtor Magazine. Pick the right location such as a spare bedroom, dining room, den, or any quieter space you can find. Always make sure your lighting is perfect in the space to avoid eye strain. Last, make it ergonomic by arranging your chair, desk, computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone in a safe and efficient way. Make sure you are comfortable, this will allow for a more productive work from home day.

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