Ask a Builder

Index of column published weekly in the

by Joel Barkman

Home Industry, Politics, & Legislation — August 24, 2011
Universal Design Tour — August 17, 2011
Regulatory Costs For New Homes — August 3, 2011
Green Home Technology — July 13, 2011
20 Percent Down Payment Rule — July 6, 2011
National Policy Should Focus on Existing Homes — June 15, 2011
Energy Retrofits and Consumer Education — June 8, 2011
Green Appraisals — May 25, 2011
Green Remodeling II — May 18, 2011
Remodeling: Parade of Homes — April 20, 2011
Moen — Green Remodeling — April 6, 2011
Chinese Drywall III — March 16, 2011
Moen — Bath Habits — March 3, 2011
High Performance Appraisals — February 16, 2011
Design Preferences and Home Trends — February 9, 2011
The 2011 edition of the New American Home — January 26, 2011
Universal Design — January 18, 2011
Mortgage Interest Deduction — December 8, 2010
Energy Tax Credits Set to Expire — November 10, 2010
EPA Watershed Public Comment Period — November 3, 2010
Low Impact Development (LID) — October 20, 2010
Affordable Value — September 29, 2010
Homeownership is Within Reach — September 15, 2010
NAHB Research Center and Habitat — September 3, 2010
NAHB Research Center Studies — August 25, 2010
Small Business Lending Fund and Stricter FHA — August 11, 2010
Home Size Continues to Decline; Buyers Increasingly Opt for Single-Story Homes — August 4, 2010
Growing Green II (Green Developing) — July 28, 2010
DOE Builders Challenge — July 21, 2010
Membership (Builder of the Year) — June 16, 2010
Green Appraising and Lending — June 9, 2010
Energy Star: Housing Center's 6th Designation — June 2, 2010
Home Star Program II — May 26, 2010
Green Rehab and Green Drinks — May 19, 2010
How Will the New Financing Affect Your Next Project? — April 28, 2010
Home Buyer Tax Credit Set to Expire — April 21, 2010
Spring Gardening Tips — April 14, 2010
Chinese Drywall II — April 7, 2010
Lead Paint Rule — March 31, 2010
Rising Material Prices — March 17, 2010
Home Star Program — March 10, 2010
Aging in Place — February 17, 2010
Not Building Because of Banking — February 10, 2010
Affordable Green — February 3, 2010
Growing Green (Green Developing) — January 20, 2010
Smaller, More Affordable Homes — January 13, 2010
$6,500 Tax Credit — January 6, 2010
Energy Savers & Wasters — December 24, 2009
Lending Regs & Appraisal Practices — December 17, 2009
HomeAid — December 3, 2009
Expanded First Time Buyer Tax Credit Set To Expire — November 18, 2009
Virginia Energy Efficiency Improvements — November 4, 2009
$8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit Set To Expire — October 28, 2009
$8,000 Credit Available to ALL Homebuyers — October 14, 2009
Reform Appraisal Process — October 7, 2009
Solar Home Tour — September 30, 2009
Dulles Home Show — September 23, 2009
Federal & State Energy Incentives At Work — September 16, 2009
Extreme (Green Home) Makeover — September 9, 2009
Tax Credit Deadline — August 20, 2009
Proposed Mandatory Fire Sprinklers — July 30, 2009
Nationwide Housing Starts & Permits Posted Substantial Gains in June — July 23, 2009
Aging In Place — July 16, 2009
To Earn the ENERGY STAR, a Home Must Meet Strict Guidelines For Energy Efficiency — July 9, 2009
American Clean Energy & Security Act — July 2, 2009
The Green Act of 2009 — June 25, 2009
Indoor Air Quality — June 18, 2009
Legislation Banning Drywall — June 11, 2009
Tax Credit for First-time Homeowners — June 4, 2009
Hiring a Professional Remodeler — May 28, 2009
Remodeling Your Home — May 21, 2009
Giving Your Home a Facelift — May 14, 2009
Should I Remodel? — May 7, 2009
Homeowner Maintenance — April 24, 2009
Local Leadership and Planning — April 16, 2009
When Choosing a Contractor, Be Picky, Picky, Picky — April 9, 2009
Tax Credits for "Going Green" — April 2, 2009
Builders, Buyers Have New Set of Green Standards — March 26, 2009
Is Now a Good Time to Build? — March 19, 2009
The Economy's Effect on Building — March 5, 2009