DEQ survey says city's accessory units have found a home

There arent a lot of grannies living in Portland granny flats.

And there arent a lot of mother-in-laws living in local mother-in-law suites, either.

But thats just fine with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which recently completed the first comprehensive survey of accessory dwelling units, as they are officially known.

ADUs, as they are commonly called, are essentially small second homes built on lots with existing homes under certain conditions. Construction is exploding in Portland since the City Council waived development fees for them in 2010.

Despite the conventional wisdom that ADUs are being built for relatives, including aging ones, the DEQ survey found that only 17 percent of the people living in them in Portland are related to the owners. The majority 57 percent were strangers when they moved in.

Whats more, most ADUs 52 percent were built primarily to generate extra income from rent.

And thats all right, says Jordan Palmeri, a DEQ employee who works to reduce the environmentally harmful effects of homes by increasing their efficiency. According to Palmeri, research shows that the greatest benefits result from building small. The smaller the home, the fewer natural resources are consumed by its construction and the fewer greenhouse gases it emits.

Smaller homes have significant environmental benefits compared to other green building strategies. Building small is a very green thing to do, says Palmeri.

More than anything, Palmeri is impressed by the surveys finding that 79 percent of ADUs in Portland are occupied year-round. According to Palmeri, when the City Council first considered encouraging the construction of ADUs, some people worried they would end up being used as garages, workshops or entertainment rooms.

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This ain't granny's house anymore

JASPER, Ind.

Aremodeling project that turned into a rediscovery an Indiana couple foundlove letters dating back toWorld War I tucked away in theirattic.

"While renovating their house in Jasper, the couple found the letters in their attic insulation. The letters were written by a soldier preparing to fight in World War I."(ViaWISH)

The contractor Phil Mathies, hired to begin work upstairs, had pulled the letters out of the couple's attic while he rewired the room.WFIEreports the letters peeked Phil, his wife, and his sister's interest and, of course, they started reading them.

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"ClementBerger he had a sweetheart, Mary Borho, and he was writing her letters ... how he felt about her and he wanted to be with her."

Phil and his sister Barbara decided they had to find Clements' relatives. Since he was from Jasper, there was a small chance some of his family could still be living there.

The couple published some of the letters in their local paper. One read,"... you are closer than ever to me, for every day, I long for you more and more. Well darling its no use to write you of this for this is what I want and its you and you only and that thought will remain with me till the last."(ViaThe Herald)

And that small chance soon became a reality.Sisters Mary McCune and Nancy Teder are the soldier's nieces. They still live in Jasper and were extremely surprised to see the letters published in the paper.

"It was just an amazing find ... Those letters really convey what he lived in his life and how he felt about our aunt Mary."(Via WFIE)

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Couple finds love letters from WWI in attic

JASPER Love letters from a World War I soldier to his sweetheart have been found stuffed in the attic wall of a southern Indiana home.

An electrician pulled the yellowed letters from inside insulation while doing remodeling work in the Jasper home of Phil Mathies.

The letters dated July 1918 were from Clement Berger to his future wife, Mary Borho, while he was in training before being sent to Europe in World War I.

Phil Mathies' sister, Barbara Schrader, said Berger's letters showed how much he wanted to be home.

"It's just how he felt about her, and he wanted to be with her. But he knew he had his service to do," Schrader told WFIE-TV.

They were able to track down relatives of the couple who still live in Jasper, about 50 miles northeast of Evansville.

No one knows why the letters were hidden in the attic wall, but Nancy Teder said she was fascinated by the discovery of her uncle's writings.

"Those letters really convey what he lived in his life, and how he felt about our Aunt Mary," Teder said.

Mary and Clement married in 1920 and his letters are being given to their grandchildren for safekeeping.

"We have to thank Barb and Phil for taking care of them the way they did," Teder said. "It was just an amazing find."

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World War I love letters found in southern Indiana attic

JASPER, Ind. - Love letters from a World War I soldier to his sweetheart have been found stuffed in the attic wall of a southern Indiana home.

An electrician pulled the yellowed letters from inside insulation while doing remodeling work in the Jasper home of Phil Mathies.

The letters dated July 1918 were from Clement Berger to his future wife, Mary Borho, while he was in training before being sent to Europe in World War I.

Phil Mathies' sister, Barbara Schrader, said Berger's letters showed how much he wanted to be home.

"It's just how he felt about her, and he wanted to be with her. But he knew he had his service to do," Schrader told WFIE-TV .

They were able to track down relatives of the couple who still live in Jasper, about 50 miles northeast of Evansville.

No one knows why the letters were hidden in the attic wall, but Nancy Teder said she was fascinated by the discovery of her uncle's writings.

"Those letters really convey what he lived in his life, and how he felt about our Aunt Mary," Teder said.

Mary and Clement married in 1920 -- and his letters are being given to their grandchildren for safekeeping.

"We have to thank Barb and Phil for taking care of them the way they did," Teder said. "It was just an amazing find."

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WWI love letters found in southern Indiana attic

House fire causes $80K in damage, displaces Payson family

By Emiley Morgan

April 12th, 2014 @ 8:23pm

PAYSON A Payson family of five has been left without a home following a fire Saturday.

Fire officials were called to the home near State Street and 1400 South around 8:15 a.m., Terry Reilly, assistant emergency and medical services chief for Payson Fire and Rescue, said. A mother, father and three children were in the home when the father "smelled an electrical burn."

"When he went to investigate, he noticed smoke coming out of the heater vent," Reilly said. "He immediately had his family leave the home and called 911."

Two engines, one ladder truck and two ambulances responded from Payson with the help of an additional engine from Santaquin. Reilly said the fire appeared to have started in the basement and traveled up through the walls of the home and into the attic.

Due to some remodeling, firefighters had to cut holes into the siding and roof to battle the blaze. Reilly said, in total, it took around two hours to extinguish.

No one was injured in the fire, which caused a total of $80,000 in damage. Rich Woodruff. communications director for the American Red Cross said, the agency responded to provide food, shelter and clothing to the family.

Reilly said investigators were waiting to begin their investigation on the cause of the fire due to water that had built up in the basement. He said the incident was a reminder of the importance of smoke alarms.

Excerpt from:
House fire causes $80K in damage, displaces Payson family

The fireplace becomes a nice focal point for this remodeling great room, a common remodeling project for Utah clients.

Trina Knudsen

Enlarge photo

With housing prices remaining steady, interest rates low and contractors back in full swing, this is a prime time for home remodeling.

The remodeling market is confident, and the economy is holding. The experts in the market analysis world say 2014 is a good year for the remodeling industry.

According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, a report by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2014 already has had a good start and that momentum is expected to carry on throughout the year.

The projection shows double-digit gains this year over last year for the first quarter, and gains of just under 10 percent by the third quarter are expected. The study leaders attribute the growth to homeowners confidence in the housing market, which results from growth in home prices, housing starts and existing home sales. With that increased confidence, homeowners are now more likely to undertake home improvements they deferred during the Great Recession.

Housing experts project a slight slowing of the market by midyear because borrowing costs will start to creep back up. Right now, however, interest rates are still low and banks are loosening up funds. If you want to remodel, now is the time.

The National Association of Home Builders also reports increases from last year and predicts a good year for 2014. The Remodeling Market Index shows the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004 in remodelers activity and confidence in the market.

The experts at Remodeling Magazine agree and have another report to prove it. Every year, the magazine puts out its "Cost vs. Value" report assessing remodeling projects and determining the return on investment. For 2014, all 35 projects on the list added more value this year than last year, and this is the second consecutive year of increases after years of decline. This is another sign the housing and remodeling markets are on the mend. It feels good to see some good news about the remodeling industry!

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Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling

Garage doors may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of saving money and enhancing your homes curb appeal at the same time. But think again.

Chris Schwerdt of Heartland Door and Window, of Topeka, said a garage door insulated with polyurethane will help save you some costs of heating your home in the colder months, particularly if you have an attached garage.

It (polyurethane) makes your garage door stronger because it bonds to the door, he said. Its just going to keep that space that much warmer and help with the efficiency of the home.

Schwerdt said not to forget to that installing weather stripping around the garage door is important as well in making sure your garage is energy efficient, keeping the warm air in and cold air out.

While some garage door manufacturers will provide insulation kits for uninsulated doors, Schwerdt said, he suggests that you dont install insulation yourself on your garage door unless youre confident you know how to do it. He said if the insulation isnt installed correctly, wear and tear on the door springs and balance problems can occur.

In addition to energy efficiency, Schwerdt said garage doors can play an important part in creating a certain look or enhancing the curb appeal of your home.

If you have a really nice garage door, he said, that draws people in. You can get a lot of pop with a nice door.

There are a variety of garage designs, including looks that simulate carriage and barn doors, as well as steel doors that can have designs stamped on them. Schwerdt said while you may want to consider spending a little extra on a nice garage door that faces the street, you can probably save some money on a standard-looking door that faces the alley. He said it all depends on your tastes as a homeowner.

Schwerdt said a well-made, attractive garage door can also help in the resale value of your home. According to Remodeling Magazines 2014 Cost vs. Value report, a garage door replacement will cost an average of $1,535 with a 61-percent rate of return on the investment in the West North Central region of the U.S. which includes Kansas.

While Schwerdt said Heartland Door and Window doesnt provide services to insulate the rest of the garage, he said he will suggest to homeowners that they install insulation to maximize their energy efficiency.

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At Home Living: Garage Doors

ANGEL FIRE He was hoping the address from dispatch was wrong.

But the fears of Moreno Valley volunteer firefighter Bruce Jassmann were confirmed when he rolled up to his own home at 11 W. Coronado Road to fight a house fire, which was reported at about 4 p.m. April 1.

Jassmann did not reside in the house but was leasing it to a family. Jassmann said six tenants had been living in the home since November, and he has owned the property for the last seven years.

Its just heartbreaking, Jassmann said. When I heard the address, I said, Oh no.

The attic space that is where it started, Coss said. We werent clear who was home at the time of the fire. We got a call from a passerby saying something didnt look right at the house, so the first 911 call was someone passing.

Jassmann said he has already taken steps to deal with the damage.

Ive got the insurance working on it, and once they start going through they can start remodeling, Jassmann said. I dont think its that bad. We just need to replace some stuff. The ceiling was knocked in to check for embers or any burning. It must have been really slow because when I got there, it was just puffy smoke.

As a firefighter, Jassmann said, he always makes sure he has insurance and fire safety features in place.

Make sure your insurance is up to date, and make sure when youre building fires to be extra careful, Jassmann said. Its just a fluke situation.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of sangrechronicle.com.

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Sangre Chronicle > Angel Fire > Firefighter responds to fire at own home in Angel Fire

Fort Lauderdale, Fla (PRWEB) April 08, 2014

Florida Home Improvement Associates (FHA) proudly announced their newest technology: reflective roof coating. Reflective roof coating is one of many FHA products available for installation, energy savings and overall home value improvement.

Reflective roof coatings are products applied to roofs that are specifically designed to reduce solar heat. These products have a huge impact on cooling costs, reducing temperatures by as much as 80F or 45C. They contain pigments that block UV-rays, not only limiting heat but extending the roof's lifespan and maintaining the pigment and appearance of the tiles. According to the Department of Energy, residential homeowners can expect up to 22% savings with the type of coating offered by FHA.

"In South Florida especially, reflective roof coating is a major asset," said Brian Smith, CEO of Florida Home Improvement Associates. "Clients experience significant temperature reductions within the home - in a sunny or tropical environment it's must-have for your home or condo."

Reflective roof coating can improve home value and lower the electric bill due to less electricity consumption during the summer, and all year round for Florida residents. In addition to lower interior temperatures, owners investing in reflective roof coating may be making a charitable contribution to the environment.

"In big cities, reflective roofing lowers the overall temperature in the city. That means less greenhouse effect within the city overall," Smith said. "You're not just saving money on your electricity bill - the 'Green' advantages are tremendous."

Since roofs with reflective coating limit the amount of light multiplied as compared to other roofs, they may not contribute as heavily to global warming. Additional assets to applying this coating include a significant improvement in the roofs ability to fight mold, mildew and dirt. The prevents moisture and limits the expansion and contraction of the roof as it ages.

About Florida Home Improvement Associates

FHA has proudly served the state of Florida for over 35 years. With offices in Hollywood, Orlando and Jacksonville, FHA provides quick quotes and unparalleled customer service in the contracting and roofing industry. FHA specializes in improving the value of your home with a wide spectrum of services: Impact Window Installation, Hurricane Preparation, Doors, Kitchen Remodeling, Attic Insulation, Texture Coating, Solar Products, and more.

No money up front - you pay when the project is complete. We offer lifetime and labor warranties: we do it right, on time, and on budget! Call (954)792-4415 or sign up for a free estimate at FHAProducts.com.

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Reflective Roof Coating Named a Top Home Value Improvement for Energy Efficient Homes, Now Available on FHAProducts.com

Nearly 40 years after Grannys Attic opened at Sunrise Ridge, its members are scheduled to vote next week on moving the non-profit thrift store into town.

Grannys eight-person board is recommending that its members, who volunteer at the store and vote on policy matters, move to relocate the shop to the Vashon Market IGA shopping center. Supporters of the idea say that doing so would provide additional and better space for the cramped store and bring it to a central, more easily accessible location. It would also free members of the nonprofit to focus the stores proceeds on fulfilling health-related grants instead of on maintaining and remodeling the aging Sunrise Ridge facility.

Other Grannys members, however, say that they are being asked to make the decision far too quickly. Some believe Grannys history at Sunrise Ridge is important and that the board has not done its due diligence internally or externally, including communicating with its landlords at Sunrise Ridge, who say the news took them by surprise.

Susan Chun, the president of the Grannys board since January, acknowledged the disagreement and the magnitude of the potential transition.

It was a tough decision all the way around, she said. It has not been easy.

Questions about moving surfaced last year, Chun noted, but the idea was dismissed in part because of the sheer enormity of the task. However, as the cold and rain of winter set in, the concrete buildings with inadequate heat and leaking roofs showed their age, and the idea surfaced again in February, she said. Tim Johnson, the business manager at Grannys, was asked to determine if there were viable options for the store elsewhere on Vashon and to make a recommendation to the board. While he started the process believing Grannys should stay at its longtime home, he said he changed his mind after exploring the possibilities.

Its where the evidence led me, he said.

When it met March 17, the Grannys board considered three options, Chun said: to stay at the site and pay to fix problems at the buildings and in the parking lot, to take over ownership of the site with the Sunrise Ridge board or to relocate.

Because most Grannys board members do not want to continue paying for repairs at the site, she said one option stood out.

The only thing that made sense to the board was to look elsewhere, she said.

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Grannys Attic considers move into town