Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

Have you heard the BIG news? Tomorrow is Take Your Mug to Work Day sponsored by International Delight. I am very proud to be working with them on this project in Houston and wanted to bring it to your attention as you will see it in the news. Over the past couple years down here in Houston we have heard more and more about Recycling, the need to bypass materials from entering the landfills and so on. Often times what we do not realize are the small things that we can help with.

In fact, a recent study shows that 67% of Americans that go to their local coffeehouse to get their favorite cup of joe admit to throwing their paper cup in to the regular trash instead of recycling it. All of this, multiplied across the Nation equates to approximately 28 Billion Cups (with a B) or 100 million pounds annually that get sent to the landfill. This not only affects us Environmentally but Economically as well.

In an effort to raise Awareness International Delight has made tomorrow - October 15th, 2009 - Take Your Mug to Work Day. Instead of stopping at your local coffeehouse, brew your coffee at home and take it with you in a reusable coffee mug. They have also taken this opportunity to roll out 3 New favorite Coffeehouse Inspiration flavors. Caramel Macchiato, Vanilla Latte and White Chocolate Mocha making it easier for you to turn your home in to your own Coffeehouse.

Need an incentive? If you visit the International Delight website you can enter their contest - Upload your 'mugshot' (you and your favorite mug) for a chance to win a Coffee Pack Prize! Simple! While you are their, use their new Coffee Footprint Calculator to see exactly how much YOU could save by brewing your coffee at home. If you take out one White Chocolate Mocha a week, you can save approximately $160.68 over the year. How much could you save? Companies and Offices across the Nation are joining this cause, I hope that you choose to as well.

Let's save some paper from being sent to the landfill and save some money at the same time. Oh, while I'm not entering the contest, here is my "MugShot" - So come on Houston! Get in those Mug Shots! Feel free to share them here as well!

Before you comment on this post you may want to read it all the way through first.  Chances are, you will either strongly agree or strongly disagree.  But if you are in Real Estate you need to consider all of the different sides before you make your decision on exactly how you feel about all of this.

First, if you read Katerina's post regarding Cap and Trade - Or if you are reading any other article for that matter - I want you to do me a favor for the sake of this post.  Completely take out the words Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, Carbon Footprint and any other word that can be related to Environmental Topics.

What you have left is verbiage regarding creating jobs, energy efficiency and Building Code.  As a Certified EcoBroker and CGP - I have closely followed proposed Legislation regarding these same exact topics regardless of where they have been proposed.

These topics are not new by any stretch.  State and City Legislation have been battling these very topics heavily for a few years now.  Everything from Energy Ratings, requiring homes to be X% more efficient by X year, raising the Building Code, etc.

Certain areas, for example, Texas (specifically Houston) that thrive on Affordable Housing have expressed their concern over strict guidelines because it raises the cost of construction.  Some people can not afford to make these changes.  For every $1,000 that you raise the cost of a home, it takes X number of buyers completely out of the equation in being able to afford the home.

It's all been talked about time and time again. 

However, I am a little concerned about the people that are adamantly against making homes more affordable to LIVE in.

'To LIVE in' - This is the part of all of this that in my opinion is completely overlooked.  While I'm not a Fan of much of the recent Legislation for the most part - This particular one I think deserves a little more consideration from the Consumer side of things.  I don't think we should rule it out as completely negative yet.  Here are just a few of my reasons:

• Homes really DO need to be more Energy Efficient.  How about the First Time Homebuyer that is excited to move in to their First Home - They spend money on getting some new furniture, lawn equipment, etc.  THEN, they get their first electric bill to find that it is Quadruple the cost of what it was in an Apartment.  The cost of actually LIVING in a home just became a realization.
• With the cost to LIVE in a home at top of mind, how about the home that put $100,000 in to putting Granite Countertops, a pool in the yard, Hardwood Floors and made it look pretty - Then went and sold it at the Top of Market Value for the new homeowners to realize that the home Sucks Energy like crazy.  Was the home REALLY worth it? 
• Over the past 2 years many have realized that we need to consider how much home we need vs. how much home we want.  With disclosures on Utility Costs required, do you think that people would reconsider buying that home they can't afford?

Now, the part of the Bill that discusses existing homes being brought up to Today's Energy Codes - I have a question to propose.  Are there even enough items manufactured to bring every single home on the market up to Today's Energy Code?

The next thing to consider is the Cost of Building a home vs. who can afford it.  Most people believe that only the people who CAN afford it will get an Energy Efficient home.  Is that right?  It is the people who CAN'T afford it that need Energy Efficient homes the most.  Would a stricter Energy Code - Regardless of it being passed at a Federal or State Level - Would that really be a bad thing?

Quite honestly, I am offended when I see 'Affordable Homes' that I know will have an extremely high Utility Bill.  I personally think it is an injustice to the people that need it. 

Truly Energy Efficient Products - There need to be more of them.  Supply and Demand.  Who makes the products?  People.  Jobs.

The Real Estate Industry, and I have mentioned this before, we need to Grasp these changes and accept them.  It will not make our lives and jobs more difficult.  It will help our clients choose what home is really the best for them.  It will help them choose a home that is the most affordable for them. 

As an industry we need to look in to learning more about Energy Efficient Mortgages, Renovation Loans, Energy Efficiency Legislation (not just at a Federal Level), Energy Audits and Ratings.  We need to Network more with the Folks that do this as their chosen Profession.

The cost to make a home 30% more energy efficient can be as little as about $300 - That $300 could have a 500% return in a lot of homes over a year or two.  Many States offer programs to do this to existing homes for FREE.

Let's take a different look at all of this.  Without the words Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, Climate Initiative, Carbon Footprint.  Oh, and sorry for not having any pictures.  Just got a new laptop and have not transferred over any of my data.

I was in the middle of putting together a Class Presentation this morning for Lone Star College and thought it could be fun to put together a list of Daily Energy Saving Tips for a Week or Two.

With Summer time coming, get ready for those Electric Bills to skyrocket!!

In your home, there are a ton of Little Things to do (besides changing your light bulbs) that can help you reduce your bill.  With this being the first day, let's start with something easy.  It shouldn't even take 10 minutes to do.

Phantom Energy Loads - We have a bunch of little things plugged in all the time.  Like our Coffee Pot.  We can set it to automatically turn off if we forget but the truth is, even when it is off - It is still using Electricity.  The majority of Electrical Devices pull what is called a phantom or vampire load when it's off.

Are you a Technology junkie?  This will probably help you the most then.  Let's take a look at some things we often forget about because these items can be as much as 5% of your Energy bill.

• Ipod Charger
• Laptop Charger
• Cell Phone Charger
• TV's in rooms that we don't use
• Cable Boxes
• Coffee Pots
• Toasters
• Chargers for Electric Drills or other tools
• Electric Toothbrushes or Razors

In an average family of 4 with Technology based items being popular, with 4 cell phones and 4 Ipods, it is pulling quite a bit of energy.  Before you leave the house, just go unplug all of them.

If you have little kids, assign one to be the 'Energy Police' for the week.  Let them be Mom or Dad's little helper and have them remind you about it. 

To learn a little more about Phantom Energy Loads, here is a short article on Treehugger about it.

I was searching for HVAC tape earlier today and someone on Twitter asked why I needed it, what it was going to do to help my house.

Thought I would do a quick video explaining how it helps and why HVAC Tape is better than Duct Tape.  And for the record, I don't recommend doing this on your own.  :) But here is what I did with before and after video.

If you are in Texas, it is mandated by State Law that there be a company to offer this service for Free.  If you are in or around the Houston area that Company is FreeLightingCorp.com

More importantly, who buys homes?  What is the typical buyer profile statistically speaking? 

In Part One of the Series I discuss the need to 'Ditch the term GREEN' - It's confusing.  People don't understand it anymore because everything is 'GREEN'

Reading through the comments of my post it is evident why we need to, as fast as possible, get rid of the word.

• It means something different to everyone
• It brings on Anger to some in light of recent and absurd Government spending
• Many people assume that it just means it costs more money

We could go on and on.  But this is about noting the Obstacles and by the end of the Series, hopefully having an answer to overcome and move forward.

While much can get lost in the written word I am actually embedding a video below to help explain what I am about to say here.  But if you want the cliff notes version, keep reading.

Overall as a society we are more open to Sustainable Ways.  We are more open to buying something that is better for the Environment and for ourselves as well.  However, the Basic Ways that people purchase a product, any product, have not changed.

We still as consumers weigh our options.  Cost vs. Benefit - What's in it for me - Can I afford it?

In Houston, we have a lower than normal Median Price Range for the Nation.  This is one of the largest obstacles to overcome.  While we all may love to have Solar Panels, Rainwater Capture System, GeoThermal or whatever.  Many and probably the Majority, simply can't afford it. 

Second, Well- It's that word Green again.  We need to get back to basics and explain 'Green' homes in a way that makes sense.  Do we use 'Green' Flooring for a Healthy Home or do we maybe use a Wood or Tile that promotes less accumulation of dust and allergens for a more comfortable home to those with Allergies and Asthma?  The two statements are very different.

Third, building inventory homes is a Business that sells a product.  We need to remember that if we are using a checklist for a Green Building Program, checking off points to make the home Green - That Green means something different to everyone.  While one may consider putting an additional $5000 in to Mechanical Equipment, the buyer of the home may want a Healthier Home.  And Vice Versa.

I think from a Sales perspective we need to get back to the Discovery stage of things.  What do people want?

Ok, for a more in depth (much more in depth) version of what I am trying to say here watch the power point presentation below.  It has graphs, Houston Economic information and everything.  Oh, and it also explains why I feel that nearly every single homebuyer wants Green Features in one way or another.

The Obstacle to Building and Selling Green in Houston will be a Series - this is the first of the series.

Typically speaking in the Real Estate Market right now in regards to Green I would say that the average line of thought, the average acceptance of a 'Green' or 'Greener' home not only in Houston but around the Nation is very high.

We have gone from a few years ago, the average consumer thinking that a 'Green' Home was Recycled and only beneficial to the Environment to Today - Understanding that not only is a 'Green' home better for the Environment, It is better for the Homeowner.

This is a Drastic change in thinking for Society when you think about it in real terms and how fast this thought has changed.  Now, the acceptance of Greener Homes may be high, but do they sell?

Regardless of what publication we may read that 'Green' homes are not selling, then we hear that 'Green' homes sell faster and for more money.  When we speak to consumers we hear 'Green' homes are not being built in my area and then 'What is a Green Home?'

This tells me, my personal opinion, that there is still a lot of confusion out there in the market. In all actuality it is probably too soon to know what statements are correct.  In basic terms I personally believe that we have 3 different kinds of people:

• The extreme Green Buyer that will spend and do what ever it takes
• The what I call an Enviro Hater that won't buy anything termed 'Green' or 'EcoFriendly' just for the principle
  
• The Buyer that wants to do the right thing, not be wasteful and have a better quality of home and environment

The 3rd point being the largest of the population generally speaking.  Then, there is the confusion.  The confusion comes in to play because everyone has a different opinion of what 'Green' really means.  Some think it means that the product costs more, some think of it as being Energy Efficient, others think made of recycled content ...

How effective really are the Checklists for Green Building if the purchaser has no idea what it means?

More than ever in the Real Estate Industry we are at a point where we have to sell Value whether it be for a service or a product.  People want to know what makes you or your product different and worth it for me to buy it whether it is Green or not.

What this tells me is that where a couple years ago we thought we had 10-15 years before the term 'Green' disappeared in relation to 'Green Building' - we are probably on the verge of it happening right before our very eyes.  Today, right now.

As a Real Estate Professional that specializes in helping people buy and sell Green Properties I see the need to use different terms to overcome this Confusion.  Let's get rid of the Term 'Green'.  Buh Bye,  See ya Later.

Why? Because it is becoming Normal.  It is expected now that Homes are more Energy Efficient now than what was built even last year.  It is expected that Homes are moving in the right direction and using Healthier Building Products.  And, what the heck is Green anyhow?

We need to, as Real Estate Industry Professionals, learn what it is that makes a product 'Green' and be able to explain it to people.  In markets, such as Houston, where we are still trying to get over the hurdle towards Mass Green Building, do we need a new approach?  A change in terminology and possibly even a change in the approach to what products we build with.

If it is a Green Home, Why?  What makes it Green?  Is it more Energy Efficient?  What products separate it from the rest and does the Home Buyer even care?

All of these are obstacles to building a better and greener home in the Houston area.  Over this series let's break it down and look at the real trends of where 'Green' building may be headed.  Let's take a looksy at how to get the Green Building movement going in a faster pace towards a more Sustainable Houston.

The answer may very well be where they always have been.  The answers may lie in our daily Housing Market and average Houstonian Statistics.

Part 2 of the Series - Who is the Average Homebuyer in Houston?  Who lives in Houston anyhow?

This segment of Greening the Existing Home Webinar Series is the final and 8th one - after this post I will do a Final Wrap up with more detailed information on websites that we visited and all of the segments in one place.

In this video Michael Strong and I discuss a variety of topics including "Does Green Remodeling really add value to your home?" - And then these other topics

• Michael's Top 10 Best Practices to Green Up Your Home
• USGBC ReGreen Guidelines
• NAHB Remodeling Certification

This is probably the shortest of the segments being just a little over 30 minutes long but is jam packed full of great information for anyone that is wanting to do any Remodeling in their home.

I would also like to take a quick moment to Thank our Sponsors for helping to bring this to you:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Management

Lutron Lighting and Electronics

***

Down here in Houston with our humidity, a high maintenance property is not only no fun - But it is also incredibly expensive over time.  If you are having to constantly change out siding, re paint your exterior or find that interior wood warps to make crooked walls and creaky floors, looking in to the Durability aspect of Green Building may just be the answer.

In continuation with the Greening the Existing Home webinar series with myself and Michael Strong we discuss how to take an existing home and make it a Low Maintenance haven for you and your family.

In this segment you will hear about FSC Certified woods, Building Products that promote straight and Durable walls/floors along with other things that just make a homeowners life a little easier.

I would also like to take a quick moment to Thank our Sponsors for helping to bring this to you:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Management

Lutron Lighting and Electronics

***

One of the questions that I get quite a bit from folks looking to buy a home is that they or their loved ones suffer from Allergies or Asthma - So it made perfect sense to have a segment in our Greening the Existing Home webinar series dedicated to Indoor Air Quality in Existing Homes.

In this segment you will hear myself and Michael Strong with Brothers Strong discuss the steps you can take to create a healthier home to live in.

We discuss Low VOC stains and paints, a little bit about Ventilation and all of the other products that go in to a home that are known to Offgas and stir up those sensitivities that many of us have already. 

Get your popcorn and water ready!  It's about 45 minutes long but well worth the watch if you are considering making changes if your home.

Click To Play

I would also like to take a quick moment to Thank our Sponsors for helping to bring this to you:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Management

Lutron Lighting and Electronics

***

But more importantly, it's the people that drive it. Without jobs we have no money.  Without money we have no economy.  Without both, we don't exist. The world is changing.  We are in an amazing era of awakening.  It is said that the jobs that our Middle School Age children will have when they graduate from College do not even exist today.

I often get asked why I am so passionate about Green Real Estate.  Preceding that question is why I am in Real Estate.  While that is a long story, I will sum it up in just a few sentences. 

Real Estate is a Major driving force in our economy.  Real Estate is an investment.  Real Estate and Homeownership is not only a dream in America but across the Globe.  How it differs from Location to Location is not the dream, it is the design.  Some Cities grow up, others grow out. Regardless, I find it fascinating on many levels.

To build a single Community, let's take in to consideration how many people it takes. 

It starts with a Vision, probably from a single person.  We then have an Architect or maybe even a team of architects.  Electrical Engineers, Plumbing Experts, HVAC Contractors, Landscape Architects, Transportation Engineers - Teams of people that figure out how in the world to get Electricity and Water to all of these people.

The list could be a blog post in itself.  But that is not the purpose of this.

The purpose is the People.  The purpose is how Real Estate alone can single handedly drive an economy and why it is time to stop ignoring it.  More specifically, how GREEN Real Estate is KEY to a Future Sustainable Economy.  I do not mean Sustainable as in Eco Tree Hugger like Economy, I mean a Sustainable Economy in which we thrive and flourish.  This post is the first of a Series about how Real Estate is often overlooked in the larger picture.  Actually, the people within the Industry.  It's not about CEO's that want bailed out because they made extremely poor decisions on how to handle their money.  It goes way beyond that.

We hear about Foreclosures, Short Sales and lack of Financing available.  But it goes so much further than that also.  Think about the whole picture.  The people.  How many people that have gone in to Foreclosure have jobs directly or indirectly related to Real Estate?  Most of them.

Engineers that design Commercial Buildings, Bankers that Finance those projects.  The people that are actually out there swinging the hammers to build all of the above.  All the way down to people that work in the Retail stores that sell products to our Communities and our Baristas at Starbucks that are working in buildings that are on...Real Estate.

But, enough of what is happening now.  What is going to happen in the future?  The Economy will turn around eventually.  And while we are all suffering in one way or another we should be careful to NOT be hasty and make rash decisions on how to fix the Economy right this second.  I said the other day on my Facebook that:

"I am offically redefining the term 'recession' as Get off your butt and think outside the box"

The key to Real Estate and it directly being a driving force in our Economy is not just about the Real Estate Agents.  It's not just about the Homeowners or even the Banks that give the Financing. 

The key is the number of jobs that it can create.  Specifically the number of jobs it can create with a Sustainable and Forward thinking approach.  We may be losing jobs, we may continue to lose jobs for another couple years.  Do we just sit around and watch it happen?  Personally, I do not like to think about what is wrong, I prefer to think about how to fix the problem. Every Business likely has a Business Plan.  Our Economy is one large Business.  Shouldn't it have a Business Plan also?

What we need is to combine another driving factor in our Economy with Real Estate.  Education - Job Training.

Education is looked at most often as for children.  Our Future.  And while the jobs that our middle school children will have when they grow up do not exist today, that does not fix right now.  I believe that we will see a surge in the number of College Students that will pursue Engineering and Architecture degrees.  But the term Engineer and their job profile will change dramatically over the next 15 years.  The people that will educate and train our children are right here today in the work force.

Again, Real Estate being a driving force behind that.  I believe that we, as an industry, will be forced to raise the bar in professionalism, knowledge and expertise.

The next post will be regarding possibly the absolute most important part in the Future of Real Estate. 

Architecture.

Architects hold the expertise to help make our future flourish and create jobs.  More specifically they are the key to a Sustainable Economy - and this time I mean in the way that most people would consider Tree Huggerish. 

But looking at the larger picture, its not about being a Tree Hugger.  It's about Smart Growth.  It's about not making a quick decision on how our future is going to work and how our economy will continue to thrive day in and day out.  It's about the people.  It's about us and our children.  Working.  Living.  The Dream that most of us in the Real Estate Industry are so passionate about.  Our Homes.