Freddie Mac has over 1.5 million homes for sale at any one time. These are obtained as a result of the previous buyers defaulting in the loans.

In April last year, they were planning to sell of 300 homes in Southern California and Las Vegas. The quick sale would allow buyers to receive an $8000 tax credit for first time buyers.
Freddie Mac still wants to prevent foreclosure and in a time when the housing market is far from stable, they have been able to keep over 132,000 American families who are struggling financially to either be able to stay in their homes, or sell them on rather than lose them. When the foreclosures are sold, they are sold at very low prices, so anything that can be done to stop that is to be welcomed.

Once a home has been lost, however, Freddie Macs need to sell it to the next buyer as soon as possible. In 2009, they gave a deal that would have made it much easier to buy a house. As well as agreeing to cover the closing costs, they also gave a free two year home warranty to cover all major appliances and also the possibility of buying new ones with a 30% discount.

3.5% of the cost of the house will be covered as a result of Freddie Mc paying the closing costs.In 2010, it does appear that things are beginning to improve, as the amount of bad loans began to decrease. While this is good for many people, builders are being affected as people are choosing to buy a foreclosed home rather than have major renovations on their own or even go for a new build.The number of available properties might decrease if people realized the cost involved in a bank foreclosing on a loan. While some lenders will put the figure at between 20 and 25% of the loan, Freddie Macs put a figure of $60,000 on it. They also consider that 68% of low income owners could be spared the problem if they admitted that they had a problem at an early stage. For owners who did this in 2009, Freddie Mac foreclosures arranged loan modifications, Home Affordable Modification Program and this helped some 42% of the 16,000 properties. Figures improved in the last part of the year, but they were still at 29%.Only time will tell if the HAMP program works.

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Wind energy has been a hot topic in green technologies for some time, but many people imagine that the only way to get any use out of the tech is to have an actual wind farm –something that’s rarely if ever practical on an individual level. Miniature turbines, however, which can be afforded by homeowners in a range of budgets (especially after government rebates and tax breaks, if approved equipment is used), can contribute significantly to energy production within a house, lowering the amount of electricity that is used from utility companies. On a small scale, wind power may not be able to take care of all of a home’s energy needs, but it can be a worthwhile component in a system of cost-saving strategies –assuming of course that the house is located in a suitably windy area.

Solar power is one of the hottest green technologies available, but it is also out of reach for many homeowners, who may not begin to see returns on their investment in a full installation for over a decade. Thinking of solar power as a technology that must encompass a home’s total energy use is limiting, however; the technology can be used to handle specific tasks instead. Solar energy is being used to heat household water in a wide variety of homes, and an installation covering this function is significantly less than a full rooftop panel array.

There are other fairly small steps that can be taken to increase the efficiency and energy production levels of homes, such as the installation of a geothermal system. Though the technology may sound complex or too involved for established homes, a system can be incorporated into a property with relatively little fuss, and provides naturally cooled air in warmer months, while drawing heat from the soil to deliver indoors during the winter. Aside from significantly lowering associated bills, this feature may qualify for special rebate and tax credit programs, as well.

Though green technologies for the modern house can be intimidating to consider, taking small and insightful steps towards energy independence and increased efficiency can yield very rewarding results.

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It may seem like something out of a science fiction novel in which a far and distant future is described, but architect Felipe Campolina’s recent unveiling of a concept for stackable mobile homes is making waves among traditional builders and designers as well as forward-thinking green building professionals. Sprawling up the length of a tall support structure that contains a staircase, an elevator, and a water delivery system, an exoskeleton that houses a series of small portable mobile homes looks a bit imposing –until the fascinating technologies behind this unique green building idea are discovered.

Traditionally popular for their ability to be quickly transported and planted down in a new and exciting place, mobile homes may be attractive to some buyers –yet they’ve never been known as especially environmentally friendly, and the tendency to straddle such buildings in large sprawls on the outskirts of cities may make them impractical and less than desirable for many. Campolina’s idea addresses these concerns through simplifying and streamlining the way in which mobile homes are placed and used. The grid system attached to the building’s support is able to allow for the movement of the homes themselves, making it potentially very easy to move from one location to the next while staying in an urban, modern environment.

Individual units are able to be moved to the bottom of the structure, where they can be picked up by a truck or other vehicle and transported, whether it’s to an entirely new town or simply to the countryside for a bit of a vacation. Even with the ability of the units to be completely manipulated, the building itself is described as having very little impact on the structures around it, as the first floor is designed to begin well above the roofs of lower-lying structures.

The design incorporates a number of modern ideas for increasing efficiency and reducing impact on the environment, such as a careful attention to insulation and water usage. With open spaces between the units that allow for the free flowing of air, cooling –an issue that is frequently difficult to solve in any urban environment– may be especially well-addressed by the design. The space also allows tenants to pivot their mobile home units, resulting in a change of view –a novel feature that can undoubtedly refresh and update the feeling of any home, especially those perched atop a high structure with sweeping views of a city.

Incorporating both modern green building ideas and architectural innovation, Campolina’s mobile home structure is pointing many other designers and developers in new directions for providing comfortable living spaces while also paying attention to the needs of the environment. Though the modular way of life may not be for everybody, this concept suggests a future of smart and convenient homes that will make living in the big city more enjoyable and a little better for the planet.

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Modern building technologies are becoming increasingly exciting, both in terms of their visual appeal and in the potential they hold for providing people with more comfortable and efficient ways to live and work. Green roofs are among the most popular and discussion-generating green building components being produced today, and scores of homeowners, businesses, and contractors are picking up on the trend with roofs that are not only beautiful, but which may do a great deal to cut back on energy costs and consequences for the planet. Green roofs can add resell value to any property, and can also lead to reduced electricity bills. A fun and attractive way to bring environmental soundness and an appreciation of nature to any structure, the modern green roof is a building feature that’s bound to become more widely adopted.

Green roofs can be constructed in oen of two distinct ways, and the right kind of green roof for a given structure depends largely on its age, the strength of the existing roof, and the owner’s personal preferences for maintenance. Intensive green roofs are the right choice for getting maximum efficiency out of the roof itself. Composed of earth set at least a foot deep, intensive green roofs can accommodate a wide variety of plants and help cool the building, all while providing great protection for the underlying roof structure, which can be damaged by the sun when left bare.

Extensive roofs are more suitable for structures that cannot support the sheer weight of an intensive model. These green roofs have a soil depth of only a few inches, but can still be used to grow grasses and some other plants. While not quite as efficient as intensive models, extensive roofs still contribute to better building cooling, and they help reduce temperatures in urban areas. Both extensive and intensive green roof models reduce the runoff of storm water, using the liquid instead to produce more plants and flowers. Some cities and towns may reward owners of green roof systems with rebates or tax credits as municipal water supplies are able to lighten their load when storm water is absorbed by a green roof rather than wasted.

Whether installed as a fun do-it-yourself project (following a roof inspection, of course) or constructed with the help of professionals, a green roof is able to instantly add value to a home. Potential buyers are sure to be interested in the look of the roof itself, while the attraction of lowered energy costs is a major selling point that will never become obsolete. Homeowners with no intention of selling can get significant value out of a green roof as well; from enjoyment of the roof’s natural beauty to a more efficient home cooling system and even the added benefit of attracting more songbirds, green roofs offer a relatively low-cost and creative way to bring modern environmentally friendly building ideas home.

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