I would wait as they will charge you full price for a years licence that will expire on 12/31/13. Wait until 1/1/14 to get one if you dont want to waste 50 bucks
I would work as long as you have about 15-20k to spend for a whole house worth lol
R-20 in the walls is the new code. You can get to that R value many different ways just depends on what you want to spend or what the builder offers. I think most builder are doing 2x6 walls w/ R-21 insulation
MD has adopted the 2012 IRC building code which has the 2012 Energy code as a part of it. The energy code will make all new homes (permited after 12/1/2012) have a min of 2x6 ext. walls to achieve the required R value. You can make it work in a 2x4 wall but that will require the use of high...