Fema Launches Mobile Site for Smartphones

FEMA announces the launch of its new mobile Web site, m.fema.gov. The mobile Web site makes it easier to access emergency information from your smartphone – right where you want it! This will provide home owners and residents with another tool during storms and other emergencies, after all nothing is more important than keeping your family safe.

“Smartphones are becoming more prevalent, affordable, reliable and more viable to locate and obtain information and assistance,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “This service will provide yet another avenue for the sharing of important information that is so critical to ensuring the public is prepared for emergencies. As we’ve seen in recent cases, often times after a disaster, mobile devices become a crucial lifeline to provide information to survivors.”

The new site has a user friendly, question and answer format, providing users with the answers to their top questions, such as:

What should I do in a disaster?

Where can I find assistance?

How can I help others?

FEMA will be making several enhancements to m.fema.gov in the coming months, including the ability to apply for individual assistance when a disaster has been declared by the President, check on the status of an application and update an existing application.

The mobile site is just one way that FEMA is reaching out to ensure that the public has the tools they need to be prepared for any emergency. Families are also encouraged to log onto www.ready.gov and learn more about the simple steps they can take to ready for this season.

Registration is now open for 21st Century Building Expo & Conference

21st C Building ShowRegistration for the Southeast’s premier home building tradeshow, the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference, is now open.  Builders, remodelers, subcontractors, realtors and other industry professionals are invited to attend the 21CBEC in Charlotte, N.C. September 15-17.

The 21CBEC is your chance to see a large array of the products and services available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a three-day educational conference includes a line-up of more than 50 general session seminars, North Carolina Builder Institute courses and NAHB Education classes.

There are three types of registration:

– Expo floor only—FREE ($25 value). Simply register before Sept. 14, and you can visit the exhibit hall filled with more than 200 exhibits showcasing products and services. The Expo floor will be open September 16 and 17.

– Full Delegate—$75. Register as a full delegate and attend an unlimited number of our carefully selected general session seminars. Learn about trends in home building, how to keep your business successful, new marketing techniques, and much more during these insightful seminars taught by nationally-recognized speakers. The $75 fee also includes conference lunches on Thursday and Friday and Expo floor access. Fee increases to $100 after Sept. 14.

– NCBI/NAHB Course—Fee varies depending on course. If you are working on an NAHB or NCBI designation, the 21CBEC offers three days of courses to help get you well on your way. Course fee includes course materials, unlimited general session seminars, conference lunches on Thursday and Friday, and the Expo floor.

Online registration is easy.  Go to www.21buildingexpo.com and click on Attendees.

Interested in exhibiting at 21CBEC? Get your product in front of more than 5,000 industry professionals. Contact Tracie Garrett at tgarrett@nchba.org or 800.662.7129 to sign up now!

Join the 21CBEC on Facebook.

Stanton Homes are ENERGY STAR Certified

Stanton Home Logo1With an economy like the present one everyone is looking for ways to save money, from groceries to gas to home utilities. Raleigh home builder, Stanton Homes has been building new homes in North Carolina for decades and recently announced a 100% commitment to building energy efficient homes that save money and improve the quality of living. This has earned them the ENERGY STAR qualification.

The ENERGY STAR qualification means that homes are 15% more energy efficient than those built to the International Residential Code. Strict guidelines are followed during the building process and then homes are inspected by a third party to see that they meet all the standards. These changes lead to monthly savings on utility bills and a more comfortable living atmosphere.

Custom homes built for Stanton Homes homebuyers are not required to take advantage of ENERGY STAR, but all homebuyers are educated on the advantages this certification has to offer. However, all speculative homes are built and certified as ENERGY STAR. Another option that Stanton Homes advises their homebuyers to look into is the EnergyWise home. This makes use of a state-of-the-art HVAC system that  reduces heating and cooling costs 50-70% monthly. Imagine the savings with that.

When it comes to saving money, even small amounts add up. On average, a home is lived in 7 to 8 years and this can add up to thousands of dollars over time. There are more than just financial benefits though. ENERGY STAR homes reduce dependence on natural resources as well as increases the air quality in a home. During or after the building process framing and insulation inspections take place to see that your home runs as efficiently as possible. Homes can save as much as 15% of their energy. ENERGY STAR is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy and has already resulted in saving Americans $19 billion dollars in 2008. These homes also keep out cold, heat, pollution and noise more than the average home. Choosing to have your home ENERGY STAR qualified will be valuable now and in the future.

The Cottages at North Ramsey Offer Great Amenities

Cottages imageWhat makes a townhome community great and sets it apart from the rest? The maintenance free living and wonderful amenities of course. The Cottages at North Ramsey in Fayetteville is just the place for this. Here, a relaxing lifestyle full of fun and free of maintenance upkeep can be experienced. All landscape and exterior maintenance is taken care of leaving you to do as you please. This includes lawn mowing and fertilizing, so you can still enjoy a beautiful yard and the outdoors. You don’t even have to deal with painting that worn spot on your house as issues such as these are taken care of too.

Relaxation and fun is something this community takes pride in as well. The Cottages at North Ramsey has much to offer each family member who lives here. The fitness room has everything needed from ellipticals to weight machines for those who like to stay active and keep in shape. A flat screen tv is provided to keep you entertained as you exercise! The 2900 square foot clubhouse will give you reasons to stay at home all weekend. Continue reading

Coming Soon: 21st Century Building Expo and Conference

21cbec_logo_5cOne stop shopping, that’s the kind of thing I love. Take me to a place where I can cross off every item on my to-do list and you’ve got me smiling ear to ear. Well, for any builder, remodeler, realtor, subcontractor or anyone else involved in the Carolina building industry, the 21st Century Building Expo and Conference is your one stop shop.

This exciting event takes place in Charlotte September 16-18. You can attend the Expo floor for free if you register before September 15. So there is no need to rush, but make sure you don’t forget to sign up! Continue reading