Michele Lerner

3 weeks ago | greenbuildermedia.com | Michele Lerner

Innovative product strengthens fire resistance and reduces construction costs. Sadly, what was once called “wildfire season” is now a threat for much of the year in many locations – and areas at risk of wildfires extend nationwide. The January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles caused as much as $164 billion in total property and capital losses, according to UCLA researchers. Nationally, there was an estimated $1.8 billion in losses due to wildfires in 2024.

3 weeks ago | probuilder.com | Michele Lerner

The wildfires that swept through two Los Angeles neighborhoods in January 2025 destroyed 11,434 homes valued at nearly $30 billion . Less than two years earlier, a wildfire that took out most of Lahaina Town on the Hawaiian island of Maui leveled 1,500 homes valued at about $6 billion.

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Michele Lerner

Your lease is up, and it’s time to move. A fresh start is exciting, but first, you have to navigate the gantlet of finding and securing a new rental. The rental market can be tough. High demand means listings disappear fast, limited availability makes options scarce, and landlords often have strict requirements that can leave renters scrambling to qualify. Navigating these hurdles alone can be overwhelming, but there’s a resource many renters overlook: real estate agents.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.