B

Backfill

Earth or other material replaced in the space around a building wall that was removed during construction.

Beam

The principal horizontal wood or steel members of a building (also called girders).

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C

Cantilever

A projecting beam or joist supported only at one end, used to support an extension of a structure.

Corner Bead

A strip of galvanized iron for protecting the corners of plastered walls.

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D

Dormer

A projecting frame or minor gable in a pitched roof.

Drip Edge

L-shaped weather-resistant metal that is installed at exposed roof edges (eaves) to protect the roof's wooden parts from water damage.

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F

Fascia

A decorative flat board or band used to cover joints between the wall and the eaves.

Felt Paper

A building paper infused with asphalt, used on exterior walls and roofs to insulate against heat, cold, and moisture.

Fill Insulation

Loose, granulated material which is applied by hand or blown into wall spaces mechanically to reduce the transfer of heat.

Flashing

Non-corrosive metal used for waterproofing around angles or junctions in roofs and exterior walls.

Footing

An enlarged concrete base on which a foundation or column sits.

Foundation

The lower support or base, typically below ground level, on which the structure is built.

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G

Gable

The triangular part of the end of a structure, from cornice or eaves to ridge.

Grade

The level of the ground around a building.

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H

Headers

A horizontal beam or over a door or window that provides support for the opening; a beam used to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters.

Hip

The external intersection of two slopes of a roof.

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L

Ledger

A horizontal piece of wood attached to a beam to support joists.

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M

Moisture Barrier

Material used to keep dampness from passing into walls or floors—usually treated paper or plastic.

Mullion

The thin framing that divides the lights in a window or panes in a door.

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P

Pitch

The angle or slope of a roof.

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R

Rafter

One of a series of structural roof members used to support roof loads.

Reinforced Concrete

Concrete fortified with wire or metal bars.

Riser

The vertical piece of a stair step, running from tread to tread.

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S

Slab

A thick, often reinforced, concrete floor laid in a single, unjointed piece on the interior of surrounding foundation walls (monolithic slabs join the pouring of foundation walls and floor into one pour).

Soffit

The visible underside of structural member of a building, including staircases, cornices, overhangs, or eaves.

Stringer

A long, horizontal member that connects uprights in a frame or supports a floor. Also one of the enclosed sides of a run of stairs supporting the treads and risers.

Studs

Vertical members—usually two-by-fours or two-by-sixes—to which horizontal pieces (plates) are nailed to frame walls.

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T

Truss

A grouping of structural members, typically triangular, to form a rigid framework to span between load-bearing walls for supporting a roof.

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W

Wall Sheathing

The first layer of exterior wall covering, usually sheets of plywood, gypsum board, or other material, nailed to the outside face of studs as a base for exterior siding.

Doing your homework will help you have a more successful experience

This weekend, Shannon took a moment to talk to our president, Joseph Irons of Irons Brothers Construction, at the Membership Appreciation Picnic at Remlinger Farms.

See more of our member benefits

Most of us know that it's a good idea to shore up our credit a few months before starting to house hunt and that it is smart to use a professional agent and get pre-approved for a loan. But there are questions many homebuyers don't think of asking—questions that often go unanswered during the exciting process of purchasing a new home. Here are a few of them:

What do you really want in a home?

You've already determined your price range and what neighborhoods are most convenient in terms of proximity to work and social activities. Make a list of amenities that are must-haves and stick to them. And remember, even if you don't plan on having children, the quality of the school district can affect resale values.

Find out how long a potential home has been on the market. A home that has been listed for six months or more is more likely to have an owner flexible on the asking price.

Has the home had problems selling?

Were there other offers that fell through? If so, find out why. It could be that the previous buyer had financing problems, but it could also be that something turned up in the home inspection, indicating a problem you might not want to deal with either.
What is the home's condition?

How old is the home and what condition is it in?

Remember that most sellers have done everything they can reasonably do to spruce up their home for sale. If you can see wear and tear on the house, it could be a red flag. Other red flags include signs of rust, mold, or water leaks.

How new are the essentials?

How new are some of the critical working parts of the home? If you aren't buying new, it's a good idea to find out how old the pipes are and what they are made of. You should also find out the age of the water heater (they typically only last about 10 years) and the furnace. If the appliances are being sold with the home, their age could be a factor as well.

What will your actual payment be?

In addition to the sales price, ask about any additional fees, such as association fees and property taxes. These monthly or yearly payments need to be factored into your potential overall monthly payment.

Have there been special assessments?

If you are considering a condo or townhome, be sure to find out if there has been a history of special assessments and why. It's important that your association has healthy reserves so that future repairs and maintenance won't require sudden and unexpected fees or special assessments that you would be required to pay.

Does anyone else have access?

Zoning and easement issues are often initially overlooked. Find out if there are any easements on the property, giving a third party certain rights. You'll want to know before you buy if a neighbor has the right to access a section of your property or if a utility company can place structures on your land.

Is noise an issue?

Finally, don't forget about the noise factor. Drive by on weekdays and weekends at varying times of the day to get a sense of what the neighbors are like and whether or not, for example, you can hear the high school band practicing at 6 a.m. If the home shares a wall with another residence. like a duplex or condo, make sure you visit when the neighbors are home so you know how much noise you will hear when you live there. The more you know about your future home, the more likely you are to have a haven that truly suits your lifestyle and your future plans.

Happy house hunting!

If you are shopping for a new home, how can you be sure that it was built so that it does not cause health or safety problems for you or the members of your household? Two words: building codes.

A building code sets forth requirements to protect public health, safety, and general welfare as they relate to construction and the occupancy of a building. These codes include specific requirements for building materials, fire protection, structural design, light and ventilation, heating and cooling, sanitary facilities, and energy conservation.

There is no national building code enforced by the federal government. Different areas of the country have different construction methods; the techniques used to build houses in a cold climate will be different than those used in a warm climate. Most construction in the United States is regulated at the local level. Only a few municipalities (mostly major cities) write and revise their own codes. Some states have mandatory statewide building codes.

Building homes is a complicated process, so building codes are often long and complicated. To prevent each local jurisdiction from having to develop its own complicated codes from scratch, there are several major model code organizations that draft codes that local areas can adopt.

The local area has total authority for adoption and enforcement. It may adopt a model code as is, adopt only specific portions, or add some of its own changes.

Code writing is a dynamic process, involving constant interaction between the public and private sectors of the construction industry. Federal, state, and local governments and individuals involved in code writing and revision represent the views of labor, management, manufacturers, and trade associations, contributing much time and technical expertise to the process.

Building codes do not deal with issues such as the quality of the workmanship and materials; consumers are protected in these areas through their warranties. For instance, if a building code inspector is examining a home and sees a gouge in a kitchen floor or counter top, that would not be an item affecting health or safety and, as such, would not be covered by a building code. However, it would be covered in the warranty on workmanship and materials.

This week, Shannon discusses the benefits of the Built Green® program with Leah Missik, Built Green program manager.

More about Built Green

These tried-and-true techniques from professional home stagers can help you sell your home quickly and bring in top dollar.

With home sales and home values on the rise, many homeowners who held out during the recession are now considering selling their homes. Staging a home is a way of putting your home's best foot forward, so to speak, and making sure the special features of your home are not hidden by clutter or outdated features.

Begin to think of "your" home as an item you want to sell and not the emotional center of your family life. Some experts even recommend that you picture yourself handing over the keys to the new owners. This exercise will help enable you to see the house itself, devoid of memories and allow you to be realistic about its true selling points and areas that might need work before putting it on the market.

Neutralize

Sellers often underestimate the importance of packing up all personal photographs and family heirlooms. If potential buyers see you and your family all over the house it will be hard for them to visualize themselves in "your" home. They need to be able to picture the personal touches they would make and imagine their own photos on the walls. The goal is for each potential buyer to see the house as their dream home and not your former dream home.

If you love bold wall colors, consider giving the walls a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. You don't want to lose a buyer because of the dramatic burgundy dining room walls you love so much.

Pare Down

Most of us amass an amazing amount of treasures or junk, depending on your point of view. Experts all agree it is essential to declutter. Remove all books from bookcases and store the bookcases if you can. Pack away your knickknacks. Remove everything from kitchen counters, except for fresh flowers or a plant. You can put items used daily in a special place in one of the cabinets or drawers so they are convenient but out of sight.

The upside? You'll have a head start on packing for your new home. And remember, buyers love to snoop and will open closets, cupboards, and cabinets. Make sure you have no personal items in view and make sure everything is organized and tidy—it sends the message that the house has been well cared for.

Also consider renting a storage space so you can show your house with as little furniture as possible. It makes the space seem larger and helps potential buyers imagine their own furniture and decorations in that space. Don't have any furniture blocking a walkway. Remove extra leaves from a dining room table and attempt to leave just enough furniture to show how the room can be used.

Replace Favorite Items

If you love your window coverings, fixtures, or appliances and plan to take them with you, take them down now and replace them with something you can leave with the house. If a potential buyer never sees your favorite things, they are much less likely to want them included in the purchase price.

Fix Defects

Make all the minor repairs you can. This includes patching holes in walls, fixing leaky faucets, replacing cracked floor or counter tiles, and replacing burned out light bulbs.

And of course it goes without saying that you should keep your house spotless inside and out with freshly washed windows, sparkling bathrooms, a squeaky-clean refrigerator, and polished faucets and mirrors.

Stand outside the house and look at it objectively. Does it have curb appeal? Has the lawn been mowed and are the bushes trimmed? Is the house number clearly visible? Then go inside and try to imagine yourself as a potential buyer. If you find it appealing, so will the right buyer.

Shannon, on-site at last weekend's team build in Renton, talks with Andy from Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing and the importance of being Built Green.

More about our community stewardship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Bellevue, Wash—June 22, 2016—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and Regence BlueShield will volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County's "La Fortuna" townhome community in Renton, a 3-Star Built Green® property. Volunteers will focus on unmasking floors, installing appliances, painting, and cleaning in preparation for the homeowner dedication on July 16, 2016. At that time, eight low-income families will receive the keys to their new homes and a better future.

La Fortuna residents will include U.S. military veterans, Americans who were once refugees from war-torn countries, and others who came to our region in search of a better life for their families. The future homeowners have worked together as friends and neighbors to help build and create this community.

Habitat for Humanity's vision of creating "a world where everyone has a decent place to live" is shared by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and Regence BlueShield. This vision, and the idea that affordable housing should be accessible to all families—including low-income, middle class, and those struggling with homelessness—has led Regence and the MBA to form ongoing partnerships with this organization.

Schedule—Wednesday, June 22, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 8:45 a.m.: Check-in. Distribute protective equipment.
• 9:00 a.m.: Safety orientation, description of work assignments.
• 9:15 a.m.: Work under the instruction of Habitat site staff.
• 12:45 p.m.: Cleanup
• Location: Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County's La Fortuna New Construction community in Renton, 17286 127th Ave. SE, Renton, WA 98058

 

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About Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County

Habitat for Humanity SKC is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit housing organization that brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat SKC is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, renovating, and preserving affordable homes, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat SKC builds more than houses—we transform local communities. Habitat SKC has built renovated or repaired more than 450 homes for local families in need. For more information or to get involved, visit habitatskc.org or follow us on facebook.com/habitatskc or twitter.com/habitatskc.

About Regence BlueShield

Regence BlueShield has been serving Washingtonians in select counties for nearly a century and now provides more than 1.1 million members with comprehensive health insurance solutions. As a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Regence is part of a family of companies dedicated to transforming health care by delivering innovative products and services that change the way consumers nationwide experience health care. For more information, please visit regence.com, facebook.com/regenceblueshieldwa or twitter.com/regencewa.

About the Master Builders Association

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) has grown to become the largest residential homebuilders association in the United States. With 2,800 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, government advocacy, financial stewardship, and promoting the residential building industry in the Puget Sound region. The association and its members address many of the concerns and issues affecting the residential housing industry. If you are looking to buy, build, remodel, or maintain your home, trust MBA for industry professional referrals and practical information to get the job done. mbaks.com

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This week, new member Austin of Merit Engineering tells us how the MBA will help grow his business.

Learn more about MBA benefits