Michele Lerner

Washington, D.C.

Real estate and personal finance journalist for The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Mansion Global, USA Today, PRO Buider, Green Builder and REIT magazines

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Articles

A Place of Peace

1 week ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

VISION Houseaging in placeVISIONHouse Austin Design, products, and systems work in harmony with a sustainable home that meets the challenge of Austin’s harsh climate. When it comes to partnerships, Robert and Judi George, owners of the VISION House Austin, could hardly be better suited to work with Peter Pfeiffer, Alan Barley and Joel Effland of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture, and Justin Moore, owner of White Elephant General Contractors in Austin.
Want to Buy? A Government Loan May Help

2 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

As the number of available homes increases, more borrowers are turning to government-backed mortgages for their financing. While economic uncertainty has held back many would-be homebuyers this spring, others who feel more confident about their personal finances are looking at the larger number of homes for sale and preparing to make an offer.
Building Envelope Lessons from VISION House Austin

2 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

Layering insulation products pumps up the performance of the VISION House Austin. When Green Builder Media and Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture collaborated on the VISION House Austin project, a custom home carefully designed to stand up to the sweltering Austin heat, the goal was to develop a high performance low-maintenance home for the homeowners.
Backyard Options that Stand Up to the Heat

3 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

Even on the hottest days, firepits, the home accessory of choice for even the smallest of backyards, add a touch of romance to evening gatherings and are especially welcome in climates where the temperature drops at night. Whether you choose the $30 version or go high-end for a firepit, the bigger question is whether there arealternative models of firepits that are better for the environment than an outdoor fireplace that relies on fossil fuels.
Raising the Bar High Above the Code

3 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

An above-and-beyond upgrade showcases higher-level sustainability. When your “standard” model home far exceeds the building code, what do you do for an upgrade? You double down. At the VISION House Las Vegas: Crossing the Rubicon project, Beazer Homes, in partnership with Green Builder Media, is demonstrating that new homes built at scale can meet the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) standards.
How much do you know about home inspections?

3 weeks ago | seattletimes.com | Michele Lerner

One of the most important steps homebuyers can take — especially first-timers — is to have a thorough inspection before they finalize their purchase.
Sustainability Tips for Kitchens and Baths

4 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

More ways to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom while downgrading your carbon footprint. If you’re looking to build a new kitchen or bathroom, retrofit the one you have, or just learn more about sustainability for your next building, an abundance of innovations and technology are available to increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, recycle materials and manage water use.
8 Reasons to Get Ahead of the Curve with Continuous Insulation

1 month ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

New rules for Energy Star certification require insulation upgrades. Continuous Insulation can help. Most people, including builders, resist changing something that works well for them. But sometimes change can be easier than we think and lead to new opportunities.
What are bank statement loans?

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Michele Lerner

When people apply for a traditional mortgage, they typically must provide W-2 forms and tax returns as proof of income, along with numerous other documents. If you’re buying a house as a self-employed borrower, independent contractor, or gig worker, you may not have a W-2 to show a mortgage lender. Business owners often have complex tax returns that don’t accurately reflect their income since they may deduct extensive business expenses.
AHF Products: No More Singing the Blues about Scratched Hardwood Floors

1 month ago | probuilder.com | Michele Lerner

AHF Products: No More Singing the Blues about Scratched Hardwood FloorsWhile hardwood floors are revered for their timeless beauty, some homeowners opt out because of the fear of water damage or that their pets will scratch the wood. Proprietary technology from AHF Products solves that dilemma.