Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog

This past Saturday Michael Strong and I held the 3rd Seminar in the set of 8 on Greening the Existing Home.  We reviewed HVAC and Insulation - What is SEER - Kinds of Insulation - What part is DIY if you wanted?

The Series is really coming along, the crowd is starting to open op and ask more questions.  If you think you would like to know about any of this, we would love to have you!

To sign up for Future Webinar Series, I invite you to register with this link.  We have the registration links posted for the duration of the Series and is expected to end on April 2nd.

Here is the rest of the schedule right now - Again, all links are for registration.

• Feb. 24th from 7p-8p       Radiant Barrier and Windows
• Feb. 26th from 7p-8p     Water Conservation Fixtures and Delivery Systems
• March 28th from 11a-12p         Indoor Air Quality
• March 31st from 7p-8p       Durability
• April 2nd from 7p-8p       Top 10 Practices and Green Guidelines

And now, the recorded session.  :0)  You can read the Chat Archive here

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

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For those that have been around the Houston area for an extended amount of time, you are familiar with North Harris Montgomery College - The local College that not only offers courses for those starting out their College Education, BUT ALSO a Huge Variety of Continuing Education Courses for both Professionals AND Homeowners!

North Harris College this past year changed their name to Lone Star College Systems!

One of the Courses that is on the Spring 2009 Schedule for the location on WW Thorne by Intercontinental Airport is 'How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient'!  If you follow my blog, you guessed it right.  It's being taught by Yours Truly - Stephanie Edwards-Musa - Houston's Realtor and Certified EcoBroker -

The course costs $35 and I guarantee that I will have that money back to you through a lower Utility Bill with what you learn in the class.

The Course runs 2 nights a week for 2 weeks in both March and April from 6p-8p in the evening.  The majority of the coursework will be what you can do yourself over a weekend with some Homework at the end of each day to make it a little more fun learning and so that you can get a good idea of how YOUR particular home works.

Every home is different, this course will teach you about YOURS in particular.

It's not just about Light Bulbs!  We will go in to how you need to have a strategic approach when sealing up your home and step by step what should be done to maximize the money you spend so that it is not wasted.

To register for the class you can call the College at 281-618-5400 and ask for the Continuing Education Dept.  I hope to see you there!  Below is a Calendar that has the Courses. 

March 17-26 on Tuesdays and Thursdays

April 20-29 on Mondays and Wednesdays

Just a quick reminder that the 3rd part of our Webinar series on how to make an Existing Home Green with myself and Michael Strong of Brothers Strong is this Saturday February 21st at 11 am.  The topic this week will be HVAC and Insulation. 

We will go over what you need to know about changing out and upgrading your existing Heat and A/C system to one that is more efficient and everything in regards to Insulation. 

We have changed the initial dates for the rest of the Series so that we can be all finished up by April 2nd that will have you ready to go for the HOT and HUMID Summer here in Houston!  You can take everything you learn to get those summer utility bills down! 

Here are the topics for the rest of the Series and below is the Calendar for TurningHoustonGreen.  Just take a quick look through and see if there is anything you are interested in!

Register for Part 3 Webinar

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

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I was taking a photo of a permeable driveway for a "green" buyer in Asheville this week. She wants to install this type of sustainable feature as she retrofits her home. She knows that it will not only add value to her property, but will help with water conservation and quality.

I got the photo just fine...and something else...I just couldn't bear to crop that nifty something...
pointing the way, as it were, to comfort....for all concerned...

Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency.  It is all we have heard for about a year and is one of the Hottest topics in the 2009 State of Texas Legislative Session.  However, in Houston we may NOT want to wait to see what happens this year - We should probably consider making the changes NOW!

Part of the infamous Bailout last October was to extend some Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  While the Solar Tax Credits were improved AND extended through 2016, The Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Improvements was ONLY extended through 2009! 

The Federal Tax Credit includes:

• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• HVAC
• Water Heaters
  
• AND MORE

Now, The Tax Credit is for 10% of the cost and UP TO $500 -

While that may not have you running to the Phone Book to find a Contractor, let's consider making these changes ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND May 23-25 2009 -

Odd, I know, that I would recommend only doing this on ONE Weekend a year - Let me Explain.

The State of Texas has scheduled the Tax Free Weekend for Energy Star Items again this year!  It's on Memorial Day weekend and for what is Energy Star Rated, IT IS TAX FREE!  Here is what falls under the Tax Abatement:

• A/C Systems priced Under $6,000
• Programmable Thermostats
• Ceiling Fans
• Dishwashers
• Dehumidifiers (which could go under A/C)
• LIGHT BULBS (STOCK UP FOR THE YEAR OR TWO!)
• Refrigerators under $2000

Under the State of Texas Program this sometimes will also include some Installation/Delivery costs AND will work on all Online Purchases!!

So now, if you combine the two this year - You can get $500 back on your 2009 Tax Return AND save at least 8% on Tax when Buying it on Memorial Day Weekend!  Here's a breakdown:

• $400 Dishwasher - $33 in tax
• $50 Programmable Thermostat - $4.13 in tax
• HVAC based on $3000 System - $247.50 in tax
  
• Water Heater - $16.50 in tax
  

You could potentially save A LOT of money.  If you decide to only do the ones that can qualify TWICE you may want to consider an HVAC System and Water Heater over Memorial Day.

Let's hope that the Federal Incentive is extended past 2009 but I know for a fact that some Energy Efficiency items that I was personally holding off on, I'm going to do this year.

If you decide to take advantage of these items, be sure to stop back by and let us know how much you save!!

*****UPDATE*****

Part of the lovely Stimulus package that people either love or hate from Feb. 2009 has extended the Federal Tax Credit through 2010.  But still consider making these changes on Memorial Day weekend!

As real estate clients become more and more interested in energy and cost savings, before investing in a residential property or building on eco-friendly land, many buyers want to know more about  solar capabilities.  So I put together this list  of 5 Steps Buyers Can Take to Learn More about a home's  Solar Capabilities.

There's much to learn and consider, including, for example, the differences between passive and solar building features and the costs involved. (Unlike passive solar systems, active solar systems, use mechanical devices such as fans and pumps to distribute solar heat or cooling effect from a collector.)

(Photo shows expert David Tuch from Equinox Environmental in Asheville as he  talks with REALTOR and client...)

There are so many  things to consider for inquisitive buyers into sustainable design and development, that the green buyers' brokers at our Firm here in Asheville, NC, turned to Solar Experts to learn more about a home's  solar capabilities. Here are the suggestions:  

1.         Learn the Lingo.  Good jumping off point: US. Department of Energy' s web pages on Active Solar Heating

2.         Learn about the many types of  SOLAR COLLECTORS(usually roof-mounted) used to heat the air or liquid that is used in residential applications to heat water, indoor spaces, swimming pools-these may include flat-plate, evacuated-tube, and concentrating collectors- to solar water heating systems used to heat water or a heat-transfer fluid housed in collectors--- to liquid solar collectors which distribute heat to radiant floor, hot water baseboards or radiators, and central forced-air- to stand-alone photovoltaic systems that  produce power independently of the utility grid. 

3.         Learn about issues of cost and savings. For example:  Some photovoltaic systems can be more cost-effective than the alternative of extending power lines. Taking the cost of extending power lines into account significantly enhances the payback period associated with photovoltaic applications.

4.         GO out to the home or building site with a professional solar evaluation team. Get your own feel for the process.

5.         Refer to the list of renewable energy experts that a real estate professional provides.

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

5 Steps Buyers Can Take to Learn More about a Home's  Solar Capabilities .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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There has been a ton of hype on Spray Foam insulation and 'Sealing' up your attic or Pier and Beam home over the last year.

Part 2 of the Turning Houston Green Webinar Series goes over Sealed Attics and Crawl Spaces with a special look at Spray foam insulation.  Things to look for and when not to consider.  Michael Strong makes some great points in regards to re-insulating your walls (when and how you should do it in a most cost effective way)

If you would like to register for one of the other 6 Sessions that we are going to do just click over and sign up on the Turning Houston Green and Michael Strong Registration Webinar Series page.

Below is the recorded version of it and so that it makes more sense towards the end I recommend viewing the chat archive at the same time.

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 ***

There is an ever growing selection of recycled materials that can be used in remodeling or building a home today. Before we look at those though, let's consider another form o recycling. I touched upon this is REUSE but if we consider recycling to be using an object or the materials from which an object is constructed to make a new object or the materials for a new object what about recycling a building for another purpose?

There are examples all across the country of churches, hospitals, barns and lighthouses that have been transformed into living spaces. Firehouses, grain silos and 1950's era bomb shelters (talk about a unique underground home) have all been candidates for transformation into housing after their original use has been discontinued. I have occasionally wondered if it is possible to convert a deserted strip mall into condos--cohousing maybe? There would be plenty of parking...... Just because a structure was originally built for a different purpose doesn't mean it can't become useful as shelter. Witness the apartment houses, lofts and condominiums that now occupy what were once warehouses, manufacturing plants or hospitals.

Here is an example of a bathroom in a converted warehouse for those of us who have always craved a large bathroom and been stuck with a 7 foot by 6 foot cubicle.

 This is the outside view of a warehouse conversion in London.

This interior view could probably use some staging,but you get the idea

In terms of using recycled materials for renovation there are carpets made from recycled milk cartons and soft drink bottles and the padding to go with them. The last clients I helped with choosing carpet were amazed to find that the recycled carpet and padding was less expensive than the same grade of "regular" carpet and padding. Using lumber recovered from another building in construction or or flooring is a good form of reuse and recycling. Counter tops can be purchased that are made from recycled paper, glass, and aluminum shavings. One of my favorites, just because of the sheer outrageous nature of it is this one, made from porcelain terrazzo created by recycling tubs, toilets and sinks.

Tile from recycled glass, aluminum, ceramic, cement and reclaimed brick are all available. You can buy recycled pipe  and most metal roofs contain a minimum of 25% recycled material. In addition, they can be recycled over and over again.

  These are metal shingles for those who want a shingle roof!

This looks like tile, a very popular roofing choice here in the southwest, but it's made of steel coated with aluminum-zinc alloy, and surfaced with stone chips. The stone resists fading and ultraviolet light, and the roof is rated non-combustible, Photo:Decra Roofing

As part of the Greening Your Existing Home Web Seminar series that I have mentioned in a previous post, we did Part 1 today and had a great time! 

The Series is with myself and Michael Strong with Brothers Strong and we reviewed Energy Conservation and Energy Audits - What they are and why you need one to 'Green' Up your home.  We also had our Energy Expert on there who is Clayton Farmer with Bluegill Energy Management answering some questions in the Chat Room.

If you missed it and would like to listen in you can find the recorded version below.  Also, you may want to read through the Chat Archive along with it.

To sign up for Future Webinar Series, I invite you to register with this link.  We have the registration links posted for Through February and will be posting more in the upcoming weeks.  The series is expected to go through Mid April.

Here is the termporary schedule right now - Again, February dates are Set.

• Jan. 31st from 11-12        Energy Audits <
• Feb. 4th from 7p-8p         Insulation
• Feb. 21st from 11-12       HVAC (Heating and Cooling)
• Feb. 25th from 7p-8p       Radiant Barrier and Windows
• March 14th from 11-12     To Be Determined
• March 28th from 11-12     Water Conservation Fixtures and Delivery Systems
• April 1st from 7p-8p         Indoor Air Quality
• April 11th from 11-12       Durability
• April 15th from 7p-8p       Top 10 Practices and Green Guidelines

And now, the recorded session.  :0)

I would also like to take a moment to Thank our Sponsors for this Series:

Pella Windows

Bluegill Energy Mangament

Lutron Lighting and Electronics

Here in Asheville, NC, we are green buyers' brokers specializing in large tracts of land.

This means that when it comes to due diligence often,we are busy following-up with various Closing Coordination details (septic/perc/diggers/power lines/ROW, etc.). In the process, we contact and get to know various surveyor's and other land-related professionals. 

Over the years, we have developed a very nice list of professionals. We always take time to explain to our eco-friendly Buyers- (and we feel that it  is important for Buyers to understand )- that they are well-served to interview at least three(3) professionals before hiring them to advise them on due diligence issues. We advise the Buyers to seek that advice from an Attorney.  

The other day, a case came up where there was a disputed boundary line.
We were happy to know that our clients sought the advice of his attorney who had recommended a new survey who wrote the following: 

"This contract is contingent upon Buyer's examination of the survey and right of way for ingress and egress, and upon Buyer's determination, in Buyer's sole discretion, that the said survey and right of way are suitable for Buyer's Intended Use of the Property, and that the acreage is at least the 21.24 acres represented by the Seller in the contract.."
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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    .............

The Eco-Friendly Real Estate To Do List .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

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