Calling All Housing Professionals

Let's make October 8th, 2009, the official end of the housing recession. Let's move forward and sell homes!

On September 17, 2009, a group of business people in Phoenix, AZ declared the economic recession to be over. We'd like to take that one step further. We, the Builders, Realtors and New Home Salespeople of America are hereby declaring that, as of Thursday, October 8th, 2009 "The Housing Recession" is officially over.

The media critics and the forecasters of doom have been silenced, and one single fact has emerged crystal clear - there has never been a better time to buy a new home or existing home, than right now!

Let's say goodbye to what has been the longest recession since the Great Depression. We Need your Help! Spread the news! Get on the Internet; send out e-mails to your entire database; post notes on your social networking sites; use your blogs; send a notice on your twitter account; text your friends asking everyone to get the word out.

Let's get together as a­ team and let's make a positive impact. Lets get consumers feeling good about buying a home. Let's think positively and project those thoughts to our fellow salespeople, clients and consumers; to our vendors, suppliers, employees and trades people. Together, as a team, we have the power to remove any doubt from the marketplace and get things moving again in the right direction.

Let's make it happen! Let's get consumers feeling good about buying a home!

Watch for Enercept SIP Project in "Renovation Nation"

Renovation Nation is a nationally televised program with a focus on green building. It airs on the Plant Green Network (a part of the Discovery Company) at different times throughout the week - so you'll have to "check local listings" for the times in your area. http://www.planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/renovation-nation/

The program is hosted by Emmy Award-winning television host, Steve Thomas. You might remember him from the days when he hosted "This Old House" . Although I can't quote Steve on this, I heard he was pleased with Enercept's product.

The Enercept Project featured in this episode is a garage with an upstairs apartment being built in St. Paul, MN. Enercept wall and roof panels were used in the construction of this garage. The builders were Vandervorst and Sons from Hudson, WI (651-491-0808).

Filming took place May 22nd and 23rd.

The home-owner is David Strand. Strand, who is also LEED AP certified, was contacted by the producers of Renovation Nation. The garage is only a part of his total project, which also included green renovations of his existing home.

Producers were very careful to avoid any branding - so there is a good chance the Enercept name will not be shown. Not for lack of trying though - we stenciled each panel inside and out. But we'll know their our panels by our unique connecting posts

We have not been told the release date for this episode - but I will update this post when I find out. I've heard it could be as early as July or as late as December.

National Science Foundation South Pole Station

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

On April 23rd the National Geographic Channel re-ran an episode of "Man-Made" featuring the construction of the South Pole Science Station - see teaser here: Man-Made The South Pole Project. The program gives you a look at the challenges faced when doing construction at -20 degrees. Equipment that won't work and the limitation of humans working in those conditions. All in all an extremely interesting program.


The National Science Foundation dedicated the new South Pole Station in January of 2008, but Enercept has been a part of the project since the late 1990's.

Enercept provided over 1,200 SIP panels for the construction of this mamouth (60,000 sq. ft.) facility. The 1' thick walls provide an R-Value of 50 giving ultimate protection to the people who live there. Raytheon Polar Services contracted with the National Science Foundation during the construction of the Station.


While Enercept's panels are known for their ability to stand up against extreme temperatures, the project porvided a unique challenge for all involved because "extreme" conditions at the South Pole take on an entirely different meaning than anywhere else on earth, with winter temperatures consistently reaching negative 100 F and below. SIP panels had not been tested at that temperature before, there was never a reason too. Laminates had to be tested along with screws and sealants.


The 10" walls and 14" roofs and floors are thicker than those used to build homes and offices around here; they are also made with a higher density foam- but then, they needed to be twice as energy efficient for this project.


What an honor for Enercept to be selected as the manufacturer for this job and what a testament of faith in Enercept panels by Raytheon. If Enercept can keep the "polies" comfortable and warm all year long, they can certainly keep us comfortable and warm here.

For more information atou the South Pole Station you can also check out the story in the September 2005 issue of Popular Mechanics, "The Coolest Building On Earth".

Enercept University

Because doing it right the first time makes all the difference!

Enercept offers factory training to anyone in our dealer network. This gives our builders the upper hand when it comes to properly installing SIPS. When we get builders started on the right foot it saves us (and them) a lot of headaches down the road.

We make it fun and informative with some hands-on and classroom training. During the hands-on part of the training they install both wall and roof panels - including roof dormers and tall gable ends. The classroom training focuses on getting to know the Enercept staff and processes; and includes advice in sales and marketing of Enercept SIPS.

Just one more reason that Enercept is The Builders' Choice!

Visit the Enercept website http://www.enercept.com/ to see lists of our graduates in the "Enercept Sales Manager and Dealer Directory" tab.

$8,000.00 Tax Credit

Now is a good time to buy or build that new home you've been dreaming about.


Interest rates are favorable and, if you qualify as a 1st Time Home Buyer, you could qualify for a tax credit up to $8,000.00.


$8,000.00 Home Buyer Tax Credit Basics:

• The tax credit is for first time home buyers only

Who qualifies as a 1st time home buyer?
Anyone who has not owned a principal residence within the last 3 years. You can have owned vacation property or even rental property (as long as it was not your principal residence).

• The tax credit does not have to be repaid

As long as you own the property and live in the property for the next 3 years. There are exceptions for major events - like death, divorce and natural disaster.

• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum credit of $8,000.00

This is an actual tax credit and not a deduction. It is also a credit against the purchase of a home so you get the same credit whether you're single or married.

• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009

You can even go back and amend your 2008 return to receive the credit more quickly by filing an extension before October 16, 2009 - as long as you have closed or will close on your home between January 1, 2009 and the IRS extension deadline of October 16, 2009.

• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit

However you can qualify for a partial tax credit with a single taxpayer income up to $95,000 and married couple taxpayer income up to $170,000.


While you cannot use the $8,000.00 to cover your closing costs or down payment, if you know you will be purchasing a home before December you could calculate your tax liability for 2009 considering the tax credit and adjust your withholding in order to save some extra cash for closing - but please talk to your tax advisor first.





You can find more information at:



http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/


http://www.irs.gov/




What are you waiting for???

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Thank you for a wonderful year in 2008! We wish all of our suppliers, dealers, and customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Profitable in a down market???

2008 has been quite a year for the sustainable sectors of the construction industry. The slow-down and eventual recession has been the proverbial double-edged sword for many. Higher energy prices (overall) have driven consumers to become better educated and more informed of new and better technology. The credit crunch has forced businesses to get more creative and cut the fat in operations. And the companies that are focused on energy efficiency, recyclable materials, and environmentally friendly practices are seeing record growth....even in a down market.

We in the structural insulated panel industry have seen more people look to SIPs for residential and commercial structures than ever before. This trend has not been industry driven. Instead, the consumer has sought us out. This has caused us to refocus and look at who we are targeting with our marketing dollars.

Last week I blogged about the extreme cold temperatures many parts of the country are facing right now. Even with crude oil prices down and SUV travel temporarily up, the monthly heating bill still tends to sting a little without any measures taken to reduce consumption at the thermostat. Our structures utilize EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam as both structural and insulating material. Think of SIPs like living or working in a styrofoam cooler. Because we are air-tight and do not let moisture from penetrating, it takes less work for the heating/cooling systems to, well, heat & cool. This means fewer dollars going up in smoke when the temps plunge to sub-zero levels.

We have appreciated all of your business throughout the year. We also look forward to growing our business by doing the little things right. This means staying true to energy-efficient structures and continually taking care of our customers, distributors, and business partners.

Merry Christmas to you all!