Okay, so housing codes—a.k.a. building codes—may not rank with your favorite TV show or podcast in your “Top 10 Things I Like to Think About.” But—like oxygen and water—housing codes actually play a crucial role in the quality of your life, and that of your family. Let’s see why:
The Solid Backbone of Healthy Housing
Because housing codes set minimum standards to be met by all new and existing housing, they are a prime protector of your and your family’s health—and the absolute backbone of your community’s capacity to provide sound housing. They do this by directly addressing many of society’s most important concerns, including safety, public health, and environmental protection. Here in Lewiston-Auburn and elsewhere, housing codes also increasingly address areas that were often less emphasized in the past. These include the energy-efficiency of your house, its environmental impact, its ongoing value, and its eventual resale value.
Get It Right the First Time
Housing codes in new construction are kind of like opening a bank account. If you open a bank account with $5,000 and let it earn interest for 20 years, you’ll end up with a much more valuable account than if you originally open it with $5. In that same way, housing codes that are matched or exceeded in new construction projects like those from Maine Source Homes & Realty help ensure a higher resale value for you down the road.
And there’s another huge bonus: Foundations and other key parts of your house are typically in place for 50 years or more. When they are masterfully built from the “get-go,” you reap the benefits of avoiding extremely expensive, stressful repairs.
The Environmental Protection Agency Weighs In
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we spend nearly 90 percent of our lives indoors. That’s why they and other regulators and legislators who draft housing codes are increasingly focused on the impact of indoor air quality on your health. This now joins fire safety codes, structural and seismic standards, interior lighting quality, and acoustics as areas increasingly receiving heightened attention.
How to Find Housing Codes Guidance & Answers
Housing codes are only effective if local governments step up and enforce them. The cities of Lewiston and Auburn take this job seriously, with each administering and enforcing the provisions of the most recently enacted Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). If you have questions or need guidance regarding a prospective construction project or existing piece of property, you can find Auburn-specific help here and Lewiston-specific help here.
Housing codes and smart DIY strategies such as a Homeowner’s Checklist are keys to a safe house that increases in market value over time. If you are seeking to buy, sell, or build a home in the Lewiston-Auburn area, we invite you to contact us today.
About Maine Source Homes & Realty
Maine Source Homes & Realty is dedicated to helping you find your perfect home-ownership solution. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home, Maine Source Homes & Realty invites you to benefit from our 48 years of trustworthy experience and expertise.