Merle Inc. News & Updates

The first time buyer now has the opportunity of taking advantage of a tax credit of as much as $7500.00.  This credit applies to owners of land building a home as a primary residence. Please visit the website for for full details.

New home sales  up 2.7% read full story at NAHB.

While watching  a show on Planet Green TV called Living with Ed I saw a new product called the Green Switch. It is an IR system of plugs & switches that will allow you to designate a complete power shut down to non essential systems in your home. Many of today’s electronics and appliances use power even when not turned on thru what is known as standby. Standby power can use as much as 15% of the homes energy.

The system is easy to install and can be used for both new and remodel construction. The ROI on average is 3 years but depends on the number of consumer electronics in the home.

Merle Inc. Will be demoing the Green Switch in its 2009 Kittitas Tour of Homes entry.

Merle Inc. is proud to announce winning two awards in the 2008 Kittitas Tour of Homes. Peoples Choice Award for Best Overall Home & 2008 Judged Award Winner for Best Kitchen. Please visit our Featured Projects to view photos.

A special thanks to John & Lois Knauss for their vision and hard work. This award is for you.

Merle Inc is featured in the Tour of Homes

Current mortgage interest rates are extremely favorable for buyers. In fact, rates for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages are hovering near 30-year lows.

No one can accurately predict whether rates will go up or down. Even those who follow the market for a living can’t figure out when interest rates will bottom out. If they could, they would all be multi-millionaires. Waiting to time the market is a dangerous – and losing – game.

Also, home prices don’t necessarily move in unison with interest rates. So, if you decided to roll the dice and wait to purchase a home, and the price were to actually drop $10,000 from where it is today, you could still end up losing money. How? If interest rates were to move up by a half-a-point during this period, the savings on the reduced home price would be more than offset by the higher monthly payment you would be making and the total amount you’d spend over the life of the loan.

In short, the smartest and safest time to buy is now. We know that interest rates are low today. We know that home prices are down. We know that there are plenty of homes on the market to choose from. We know that sellers are willing to bargain. And we know that builders are willing to offer attractive incentives to get your business.

Jeff Schafer owner of Merle Inc. has begun construction of the 1^st sustainable residence in the town of Cle Elum, WA. Cle Elum is located in the upper part of Kittitas County just a few short miles from Roslyn & the Suncadia/Tumble Creek Resorts. Merle Inc. in an effort to build affordable GREEN homes has enthusiastically accepted this project.

We plan to show potential buyers & builders that building green can be cost effective. Our goal is to incorporate features such as energy star rated light fixtures & bulbs, radiant floor heating, spray foam insulation and rain harvesting for irrigation of  low water use landscaping &  advanced framing techniques to name a few.

Our goal is to build the 2800 SQFT two story home for $290,000.00. That would put the price at appox. $105.00 SQFT. This doesn’t however include plans or the lot.

When most people think of Green Building it can become overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. Building a Green home is about conscious discussion making. As a custom home builder we strive to bring the very best to our clients. A well sealed building envelope, low or no VOC finishes, recycled and renewable materials & healthy indoor air quality.

Please check back often as this page will be update regularly with articles & photos of the progress of our project. Feel free to contact Jeff or Greg with any question.

Green Home Buyer’s Guide

Green Homes Save Money, Make Owners Happier

What are VOCs

Central Washington Built Green Association

For those of you who may be interested in reading about recent news topics relating to the building industry in Washington State, check out the following link …

Building Industry Association of Washington Newsletter

Building Insight – January, 2008

And, here is a publication by B.I.A.W. that provides useful information and tips for the maintenance of your home …

Maintenance Guide for Your Home

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We have recently updated the Merle Inc. website. Some of the new things we’ve included are photos from our most recent project in the Suncadia Resort, a comprehensive links section and a “news” blog where we will be posting information about our projects on a regular basis.

So, stop by often and see what we’ve got planned for the coming months!