WESTBROOK, Maine — “Find your B’s,” says Anthony Silva to Sherlock, a young beagle he’s leading through a home they’re inspecting.
Silva and Sherlock aren’t looking for drugs, explosives or other things normally associated with dog searches. Rather, the “B’s” they’re sniffing out are bedbugs.
As Sherlock scans the living room, he stops and scratches at a couch cushion, alerting on the scent of the pervasive parasite. Upstairs, in a bedroom, he hits on the edge of a mattress, too.
There’s bedbugs upstairs and down.
Luckily, Silva and Sherlock are on a training run, in the home of a fellow employee with Brunswick-based Modern Pest Services. The B’s Sherlock hit on were in vials that Silva had planted earlier.
Modern Pest Services, which has offices in Bangor, Augusta, Westbrook, Manchester, N.H., and Woburn, Mass., brought Silva and Sherlock on board earlier this month. The company spent roughly $15,000 on the dog and training for both canine and human.
Richard Stevenson, chief technical officer of the family-owned business, said the company invested in the dog because of the value in early detection of bedbugs. Roughly 40 percent of the dog’s brain is related to its nose. It can take a human a full day to inspect an average single-family home for bedbugs, costing about $300. And if the infestation is early, not widespread, there’s a decent chance the humans won’t detect anything.
On the other hand, Sherlock can inspect a home in 15 to 20 minutes, costing about half as much, and with a much greater chance of detection – no matter how small the bedbug presence.
Jim Dill, a professor with the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension and a bedbug expert, said dogs have been used to detect bedbugs for about four years, and he knows of three other companies in Maine making use of canines.
He estimates dogs are about 85 to 90 percent effective in bedbug detection. One of the problems is they are limited in where they can sniff; they can’t check out ceilings, for example.
“The flip side is if you’ve got a bedbug on the ceiling, you’ve probably got a lot more bedbugs in the house and he’s going to find them anyhow,” said Dill.
And overall they are much more effective than human inspectors, agreed Dill, particularly in small infestations. Dill knows about inspections; he recently produced a video that demonstrates how to inspect a hotel room for bedbugs — before settling in and allowing them to catch a ride home with you in your luggage.
There’s demand for dog handlers to deal with the growing problem of bedbugs. Silva is a professional handler and had been working for the last year in Afghanistan for a security contractor, working with explosives-sniffing dogs. When he came back to the United States, he had four job offers to work in bedbug detection, all along the East Coast.
His new line of work isn’t as dangerous as bomb sniffing, said Silva, but is generally similar.
“At the end of the day, scent work is scent work,” said Silva.
Stevenson, who’s worked for 30 years in pest control, remembers going on his first bedbug job with his father in 1980. For decades, bedbugs were rare. Modern Pest would do three or four bedbug jobs a year, said Stevenson.
In the early 1990s, they showed up on the national scene in bigger numbers, particularly in large cities like Dallas, San Francisco and New York City. In 2003 or 2004, they began showing up in Maine.
Today, Modern Pest teams do bedbug work every day, said Stevenson. Dill said he’s seen bedbug cases mostly from Bangor south. Modern Pest has clients that include hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, private homes and the like, said Stevenson.
Stevenson said his company has gone from doing a few bedbug jobs a year in 2002 to now more than 1,500 jobs annually, which does not include follow up and reoccurring services.
So what caused the resurgence? Stevenson said the biggest theory is the hitchhiking parasites came to the country as international travel increased. And many insecticides have been taken off the market, replaced by chemicals that are pest-specific – and not aimed at bedbugs.
“Society, in general, was unprepared for this pandemic,” said Stevenson.
Around the year 2000, many companies moved toward baiting of pests, rather than spraying, noted Dill. Bedbugs, he said, aren’t attracted to the baits. And there may be a resistance problem – some bedbugs may no longer be affected by some insecticides.
Stevenson said his company sees this as a problem that will last and, in fact, grow.
“Our feeling is it’s not going to go away – there’s no reason it would go away,” he said.
Last year, Modern Pest made even greater investments in the battle against bedbugs, spending $200,000 in equipping two “heat teams,” workers with portable thermal equipment that heats a home to more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, killing both bedbugs and their eggs.
Stevenson is part of a nationwide panel of experts, with representation from regulators, pest control professionals and the scientific community. They’re looking at the best ways to treat for bedbugs, how to detect them and what sort of policies should be in place to deal with them.
In Maine, there’s a law that tenants must inform a landlord of bedbugs. The law also maintains that the landlord must do something about the bedbugs, Stevenson said.
The next challenge to be met, overall, is finding more effective and less expensive ways of dealing with an infestation, he said.
Dill said there’s no diseases associated with bedbugs – they aren’t known carriers of anything. Some people are allergic to bedbug bites, some get secondary infections with bites.
But, he said, if bedbugs are found to transmit a specific disease, that will ignite a lot more interest in finding ways to kill the parasites.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
New Hampshire Healthy Homes & Lead Prevention
This is going to cause more problems for landlords.
New Hampshire HEALTHY HOMES & LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM
May 2011
NH CHRONICLE WMUR CHANNEL 9 FEATURES HEALTHY HOMES - May 26th 7:30pm
Mark your calendars now as NH Healthy Homes is being featured on WMUR's NH Chronicle the evening of May 26th at 7:30pm. Watch and learn how health, energy and housing partner together to improve the lives of New Hampshire's most vulnerable residents. NH Chronicle website
45 PEOPLE ATTEND 2-DAY HEALTHY HOMES COURSE FUNDING PROVIDED BY USEPA WITH SUPPORT FROM NH HOUSING AUTHORITY LEAD GRANT PROGRAM
With funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Children's Health Protection and support from the NH Housing Authority Lead Grant program, 45 people recently participated in the 2-day Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners course. Ellen Tohn of Tohn Environmental Strategies engaged this diverse group of health professionals, energy auditors, property owners, refugee/cultural coodinators, real estate agents, health officers, code officials and housing representatives in the seven principles of healthy housing as outlined in the National Center for Healthy Housing cirriculum. [More Information]
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AWARDS FOUR GRANTS
Strategic Planning & One-Touch Initiatives Move Forward
The Southern NH Area Health Education Center (AHEC) recently awarded four organizations funding to complete strategic planning and healthy homes initiatives and interventions. Congratulations to the following:
CARING COMMUNITY NETWORK OF TWIN RIVERS - Strategic Planning & One-Touch Implementation
HEALTH & SAFETY COUNCIL OF STRAFFORD COUNTY - Home Sweet Healthy Homes Strategic Planning
BREATHE NEW HAMPSHIRE -Statewide Community Training to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure in the Home
LAKES REGION PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC HEALTH - Lakes Region Healthy Home Strategic Planning
GRANTS AVAILABLE
HUD Lead Technical Studies Grant
HUD Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant
Community Transformation Grant
EVERYONE Breath - Asthma Education Grant
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTHY HOMES & LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
1-800-897-LEAD (5323)
New Hampshire HEALTHY HOMES & LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM
May 2011
NH CHRONICLE WMUR CHANNEL 9 FEATURES HEALTHY HOMES - May 26th 7:30pm
Mark your calendars now as NH Healthy Homes is being featured on WMUR's NH Chronicle the evening of May 26th at 7:30pm. Watch and learn how health, energy and housing partner together to improve the lives of New Hampshire's most vulnerable residents. NH Chronicle website
45 PEOPLE ATTEND 2-DAY HEALTHY HOMES COURSE FUNDING PROVIDED BY USEPA WITH SUPPORT FROM NH HOUSING AUTHORITY LEAD GRANT PROGRAM
With funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Children's Health Protection and support from the NH Housing Authority Lead Grant program, 45 people recently participated in the 2-day Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners course. Ellen Tohn of Tohn Environmental Strategies engaged this diverse group of health professionals, energy auditors, property owners, refugee/cultural coodinators, real estate agents, health officers, code officials and housing representatives in the seven principles of healthy housing as outlined in the National Center for Healthy Housing cirriculum. [More Information]
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AWARDS FOUR GRANTS
Strategic Planning & One-Touch Initiatives Move Forward
The Southern NH Area Health Education Center (AHEC) recently awarded four organizations funding to complete strategic planning and healthy homes initiatives and interventions. Congratulations to the following:
CARING COMMUNITY NETWORK OF TWIN RIVERS - Strategic Planning & One-Touch Implementation
HEALTH & SAFETY COUNCIL OF STRAFFORD COUNTY - Home Sweet Healthy Homes Strategic Planning
BREATHE NEW HAMPSHIRE -Statewide Community Training to Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure in the Home
LAKES REGION PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC HEALTH - Lakes Region Healthy Home Strategic Planning
GRANTS AVAILABLE
HUD Lead Technical Studies Grant
HUD Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant
Community Transformation Grant
EVERYONE Breath - Asthma Education Grant
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTHY HOMES & LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
1-800-897-LEAD (5323)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Call to Action Requested - From the NHPOA
Dear Property Owner
Success! But the job is only half done.
In March, the Senate passed SB 70:
This bill shortens the time period during which a landlord is required to store a tenant's abandoned property. The bill also reduces the amount of damages available for violations of the requirement.
The amendment reads:
Amend RSA 540-A:3, VII to read as follows:
VII. Other than residential real estate under RSA 540-B, a landlord shall maintain and exercise reasonable care in the storage of the personal property of a tenant who has vacated the premises, either voluntarily or by eviction, for a period of 7 days after the date upon which such tenant has vacated. During this period, the tenant shall be allowed to recover personal property without payment of rent or storage fees. After the 7-day limit has expired, such personal property may be disposed of by the landlord without notice to the tenant.
Amend RSA 540-A:4, IX(b) to read as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a), a landlord who violates RSA 540-A:3, VII shall be subject only to an award of actual damages, plus costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
(c) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not apply to petitions brought in good faith by a landlord or a tenant to determine whether a request for entry under RSA 540-A:3, V is reasonable and lawful.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2012.
The NHPOA wishes to thank Senator De Blois for sponsoring this bill on behalf of property owners. The Bill now moves to the House. The details for the public hearing are:
TUESDAY, APRIL 12
Room 208
LOB at 11:00am
Legislative Office Building
33 North State Street
Concord, NH
Please join us to get this bill passed into law. We wish to thank the dozens of landlords who have made the effort over the past few weeks to voice their opinions in Concord. Our voices are being heard. Just think of the difference this one bill makes to your bottom line.
If you are unable to attend, click below to find out who your representative is. Let them know how important this bill is to property owners.
NH House of Representatives Members http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/default.htm
Status of SB 44
Fail! Despite our best efforts and almost 70 landlords at the hearing, SB 44 was re-referred to committee. This essentially postpones the bill until 2012. The NHPOA will work with all the parties concerned to come up with a workable solution. SB 44 required tenants to pay rent into court on a weekly basis during an eviction proceeding.
Status of HB 141Success!
Did you know that in 2009 the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that cable television was a protected utility service under state law that can't be shut off during landlord-tenant disputes. The landlord, Lauren Flieder, argued that the cable provider told her the tenant's apartment was receiving the service through an illegal connection, so she disconnected the wire. The Court found the law regards cable TV as a protected service and that Flieder's action amounted to a self-help eviction.
In response, the NH House passed HB 141 which specifies which utility services are protected. The bill reads:
RSA 540-A:3, I is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
1. Except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs are in process or during temporary emergencies, no landlord shall willfully cause the interruption or termination of any of the following utility services being supplied to the tenant by the landlord: water, sewage, electricity, gas, heat, air conditioning, telephone, elevator, or refrigeration.
2. Effective Date: This act shall take effect January 1, 2012.
If you agree with your Representatives, let your Senator know. Contact them to pass HB 141.
Click here to contact your NH Senate Members
Debbie Valente
New Hampshire Property Owners Association
(603) 881-3682
Success! But the job is only half done.
In March, the Senate passed SB 70:
This bill shortens the time period during which a landlord is required to store a tenant's abandoned property. The bill also reduces the amount of damages available for violations of the requirement.
The amendment reads:
Amend RSA 540-A:3, VII to read as follows:
VII. Other than residential real estate under RSA 540-B, a landlord shall maintain and exercise reasonable care in the storage of the personal property of a tenant who has vacated the premises, either voluntarily or by eviction, for a period of 7 days after the date upon which such tenant has vacated. During this period, the tenant shall be allowed to recover personal property without payment of rent or storage fees. After the 7-day limit has expired, such personal property may be disposed of by the landlord without notice to the tenant.
Amend RSA 540-A:4, IX(b) to read as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a), a landlord who violates RSA 540-A:3, VII shall be subject only to an award of actual damages, plus costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
(c) The provisions of subparagraph (a) shall not apply to petitions brought in good faith by a landlord or a tenant to determine whether a request for entry under RSA 540-A:3, V is reasonable and lawful.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2012.
The NHPOA wishes to thank Senator De Blois for sponsoring this bill on behalf of property owners. The Bill now moves to the House. The details for the public hearing are:
TUESDAY, APRIL 12
Room 208
LOB at 11:00am
Legislative Office Building
33 North State Street
Concord, NH
Please join us to get this bill passed into law. We wish to thank the dozens of landlords who have made the effort over the past few weeks to voice their opinions in Concord. Our voices are being heard. Just think of the difference this one bill makes to your bottom line.
If you are unable to attend, click below to find out who your representative is. Let them know how important this bill is to property owners.
NH House of Representatives Members http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/default.htm
Status of SB 44
Fail! Despite our best efforts and almost 70 landlords at the hearing, SB 44 was re-referred to committee. This essentially postpones the bill until 2012. The NHPOA will work with all the parties concerned to come up with a workable solution. SB 44 required tenants to pay rent into court on a weekly basis during an eviction proceeding.
Status of HB 141Success!
Did you know that in 2009 the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that cable television was a protected utility service under state law that can't be shut off during landlord-tenant disputes. The landlord, Lauren Flieder, argued that the cable provider told her the tenant's apartment was receiving the service through an illegal connection, so she disconnected the wire. The Court found the law regards cable TV as a protected service and that Flieder's action amounted to a self-help eviction.
In response, the NH House passed HB 141 which specifies which utility services are protected. The bill reads:
RSA 540-A:3, I is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
1. Except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs are in process or during temporary emergencies, no landlord shall willfully cause the interruption or termination of any of the following utility services being supplied to the tenant by the landlord: water, sewage, electricity, gas, heat, air conditioning, telephone, elevator, or refrigeration.
2. Effective Date: This act shall take effect January 1, 2012.
If you agree with your Representatives, let your Senator know. Contact them to pass HB 141.
Click here to contact your NH Senate Members
Debbie Valente
New Hampshire Property Owners Association
(603) 881-3682
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Legislative Alert - Update on Senate Bill 70
Update on Senate Bill 70 and Tenant Property Storage
Next/Last Comm: HOUSE JUDICIARY
Next/Last Hearing: 04/12/2011 11:00 AM LOB 208
Senate Bill 70 (SB 70): Shortening from 28 to 7 the number of days a landlord must store property left behind by a residential tenant. The bill also eliminates the $1,000 minimum damage award should landlords violate the 7-day storage requirement. This bill passed the Senate on March 16, and the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing next Tuesday, April 12th
To read the entire text of the bill http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2011/SB0070.html
Next/Last Comm: HOUSE JUDICIARY
Next/Last Hearing: 04/12/2011 11:00 AM LOB 208
Senate Bill 70 (SB 70): Shortening from 28 to 7 the number of days a landlord must store property left behind by a residential tenant. The bill also eliminates the $1,000 minimum damage award should landlords violate the 7-day storage requirement. This bill passed the Senate on March 16, and the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing next Tuesday, April 12th
To read the entire text of the bill http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2011/SB0070.html
Monday, March 28, 2011
It’s finally Spring – Don’t get caught painting outside without your EPA Lead Paint Certification
It’s finally Spring – Don’t get caught painting outside without your EPA Lead Paint Certification Next class 4/22/2011 Register today!
EPA/HUD CERTIFIED RRP TRAINING
Brought to you by:
HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and BUILD GREEN NH
Contractors, Renovators, Painters, Landlords… did you know???The EPA is requiring that all contractors working on pre-1978 properties obtain RRP EPA/HUD Lead Paint certification. The HBRANH/BGNH has contracted with LeadEdu, a NH based trainer to provide this certification class to contractors of all stripes including builders, plumbers and electricians, flooring installers as well as any other person in the building trades. If you work on pre-1978 buildings you need to be certified, fines are hefty and lead paint poisoning can happen to you. Learn how to protect yourself and your customers.
Organizer: HBRA of New Hampshire
Date & Time: Friday, April 22, 2011, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Location/Venue: The Housing Center
Address: 119 Airport Road, Concord, NH 03301
Full Course: $230 for Members $295 for Non-members.
Register Today! CALL 603-228-0351 or visit www.hbranh.com to register
Upcoming Events
April 2, 2011 Local Energy Solutions Conference Penacook,NH
April 21, 2011 Conservation Subdivision Design Manchester, NH Instructor: Randall Arendt
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of New Hampshire 119 Airport Road Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 603-228-0351 Fax: 603-228-1877 Email: info@hbranh.com
EPA/HUD CERTIFIED RRP TRAINING
Brought to you by:
HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and BUILD GREEN NH
Contractors, Renovators, Painters, Landlords… did you know???The EPA is requiring that all contractors working on pre-1978 properties obtain RRP EPA/HUD Lead Paint certification. The HBRANH/BGNH has contracted with LeadEdu, a NH based trainer to provide this certification class to contractors of all stripes including builders, plumbers and electricians, flooring installers as well as any other person in the building trades. If you work on pre-1978 buildings you need to be certified, fines are hefty and lead paint poisoning can happen to you. Learn how to protect yourself and your customers.
Organizer: HBRA of New Hampshire
Date & Time: Friday, April 22, 2011, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Location/Venue: The Housing Center
Address: 119 Airport Road, Concord, NH 03301
Full Course: $230 for Members $295 for Non-members.
Register Today! CALL 603-228-0351 or visit www.hbranh.com to register
Upcoming Events
April 2, 2011 Local Energy Solutions Conference Penacook,NH
April 21, 2011 Conservation Subdivision Design Manchester, NH Instructor: Randall Arendt
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of New Hampshire 119 Airport Road Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 603-228-0351 Fax: 603-228-1877 Email: info@hbranh.com
Good news for the Rental Market
Have You Considered This Way to Play Real Estate?
By Dr. Steve Sjuggerud
Monday, March 28, 2011
"Did your house ever sell?" I asked a friend over dinner last week."Yes, in a short sale," he told me.
STEVE: Did the bank forgive your debts?
FRIEND: Yes – a couple hundred thousand dollars' worth.
STEVE: Wow… You're not responsible for any of it? How did that work?
FRIEND: At first, the bank wouldn't even consider any offers on my house, because I was paying my mortgage on time. That went on for a year. So I sought out some advice, and I was told to stop paying my mortgage. I'm a responsible person. I didn't want to do that. But I was told that the bank wouldn't do anything until I was delinquent.
STEVE: So how did the bank finally accept the short sale?
FRIEND: Well I finally took the advice… I stopped paying my mortgage for three months… I became 90 days delinquent. Once I became delinquent, the bank took the offer. After a long wait with the bank pushing paper, the short sale went through.
STEVE: What happens next?
FRIEND: Well the bad news is, my credit is now screwed up for seven years. The good news is, the bank took the full hit. I'm not sure if I can buy a house for another seven years. I might be renting for a while.I hadn't thought much about this idea before: We have a new generation of renters out there. A couple days after that dinner, I got an email from a longtime friend of DailyWealth – Justin Ford of Pax Properties. He's actively involved in the residential rental market in South Florida. He said the rental market is "strong."
He explained why:
1) Millions have walked away from their homes or lost them to foreclosure, so they are now renters. [Like my friend.]
2) When houses were soaring, most people thought it was a great time to buy. Now that prices have been plunging, they think housing is a bad investment.
3) Many of the few who do recognize the compelling values still will have to rent for a while because they've had a recent foreclosure or credit problems and won't be able to qualify for a mortgage for a while.
The facts about the rental market go along with what Justin is seeing from the front lines. Justin also forwarded over a Wall Street Journal article, which said: Average U.S. apartment vacancy rates dropped to 6.6% last year from 8%, according to property-research firm REIS, while rents rose 2.3%… Occupied apartments rose by about 58,000 in the fourth quarter, the biggest increase for that period in 10 years, according to REIS.The article also quoted Green Street Advisors, my favorite real estate investment advisory firm, saying rental demand "will far outstrip supply" through 2015.
Until last week, I hadn't thought much about this potential in the rental market. But all these ideas make sense to me…This could be the decade of renters, whether it's families that are now out of their homes, like my friend… or first-time homebuyers who now choose to rent instead of buy.There might be an opportunity in here for you…You might rent out a property you own instead of selling it… Or you might find an investment in rental properties for income and some potential capital gains, like shares of a real estate investment trust (REIT) or a local opportunity.In short, chances are good we'll have a decade of renters. It makes sense to size up your own situation for any opportunities. There could be one right in front of you…
Good investing,Steve
By Dr. Steve Sjuggerud
Monday, March 28, 2011
"Did your house ever sell?" I asked a friend over dinner last week."Yes, in a short sale," he told me.
STEVE: Did the bank forgive your debts?
FRIEND: Yes – a couple hundred thousand dollars' worth.
STEVE: Wow… You're not responsible for any of it? How did that work?
FRIEND: At first, the bank wouldn't even consider any offers on my house, because I was paying my mortgage on time. That went on for a year. So I sought out some advice, and I was told to stop paying my mortgage. I'm a responsible person. I didn't want to do that. But I was told that the bank wouldn't do anything until I was delinquent.
STEVE: So how did the bank finally accept the short sale?
FRIEND: Well I finally took the advice… I stopped paying my mortgage for three months… I became 90 days delinquent. Once I became delinquent, the bank took the offer. After a long wait with the bank pushing paper, the short sale went through.
STEVE: What happens next?
FRIEND: Well the bad news is, my credit is now screwed up for seven years. The good news is, the bank took the full hit. I'm not sure if I can buy a house for another seven years. I might be renting for a while.I hadn't thought much about this idea before: We have a new generation of renters out there. A couple days after that dinner, I got an email from a longtime friend of DailyWealth – Justin Ford of Pax Properties. He's actively involved in the residential rental market in South Florida. He said the rental market is "strong."
He explained why:
1) Millions have walked away from their homes or lost them to foreclosure, so they are now renters. [Like my friend.]
2) When houses were soaring, most people thought it was a great time to buy. Now that prices have been plunging, they think housing is a bad investment.
3) Many of the few who do recognize the compelling values still will have to rent for a while because they've had a recent foreclosure or credit problems and won't be able to qualify for a mortgage for a while.
The facts about the rental market go along with what Justin is seeing from the front lines. Justin also forwarded over a Wall Street Journal article, which said: Average U.S. apartment vacancy rates dropped to 6.6% last year from 8%, according to property-research firm REIS, while rents rose 2.3%… Occupied apartments rose by about 58,000 in the fourth quarter, the biggest increase for that period in 10 years, according to REIS.The article also quoted Green Street Advisors, my favorite real estate investment advisory firm, saying rental demand "will far outstrip supply" through 2015.
Until last week, I hadn't thought much about this potential in the rental market. But all these ideas make sense to me…This could be the decade of renters, whether it's families that are now out of their homes, like my friend… or first-time homebuyers who now choose to rent instead of buy.There might be an opportunity in here for you…You might rent out a property you own instead of selling it… Or you might find an investment in rental properties for income and some potential capital gains, like shares of a real estate investment trust (REIT) or a local opportunity.In short, chances are good we'll have a decade of renters. It makes sense to size up your own situation for any opportunities. There could be one right in front of you…
Good investing,Steve
Friday, March 25, 2011
FYI possible new Healthy Home initiative to watch out for.
Grants Available for Grassroots Advocacy Organizations
This is a potentially serious problem coming our way.
With the support of The Kresge Foundation, the National Center for Healthy
Housing (NCHH) will expand and "scale up" its efforts to eradicate
unhealthy living conditions through a new initiative called the Grassroots
Advocacy Network for Healthy Housing. The Grassroots Advocacy Network will
develop local solutions to the challenging problem of substandard housing
and neighborhoods. NCHH will facilitate peer communication, offer technical
assistance and capacity building support, disseminate promising practices
in organizing and housing policy, and provide opportunities for involvement
in national advocacy work.
Application Process: NCHH plans to award subgrants of up to $15,000 to
grassroots advocacy organizations to carry out activities such as the
following:
- Creating local demand for healthy housing through media
outreach, policy advocacy, community meetings, and other activities; - Educating policymakers and the public about unhealthy
conditions; - Holding public agencies accountable (e.g. to ensure that local
housing maintenance codes are enforced); - Creating and sustaining valuable collaboration between the
public and private sectors and within government. - Other methods most appropriate to the local content.
Eligibility criteria: 501 (c)(3) organizations with annual budgets less
than $1 million. Preference will be given to local community-based
organizations and non-profits that are currently involved in tenant
advocacy, health or housing policy, or environmental justice.
Rolling Deadlines for Applications: You may fill out the application and
submit it with the requested supplemental information by May 1, July 1, and
October 1.
Application: The application may be found at:
Laura Vincent Ford, Public Health Program Manager
NH Department of Health and Human Services
Healthy Homes and Environments Section
29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301-6504
phone: 603-271-5733 fax: 603-271-3991
e-mail: lvford@dhhs.state.nh.us
website: www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/clpp/
"As long as attention focuses on the costs of lead-paint abatement and
ignores the costs of not abating and as long as people add up the costs of
removing paint but not the costs of medical care, compensatory education,
and school dropouts, substantial action is unlikely." Joel Schwartz (1994)
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