Green Focus - The real estate blog for changes that just make sense.

When it comes to energy, first go for efficiency, then go for renewable

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:07:15 -0600

I have always been of the opinion that the best thing you can do before you do anything else is ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible before you go an install more solar panels or wind turbines than you may need. Before you install a high efficiency furnace or air conditioning don't you think it would be better to ensure that your windows are tight and your attic is insualted?

Well, the Christian Sicence Monitor published an excellent story on this over the weekend. A must read, in my opinion, for anyone considering renewable energy or energy efficient appliances.

From the article:

When Ted and Astrid Olsson set out to cut their home electricity bill, they had three strong incentives to buy solar panels: federal, state, and city subsidies. But they shelved the idea in favor of insulating the attic of their San Francisco Victorian.

Sure, you aren't showing off your panels and turbines to your neighbors and the upgrades aren't usually visible to the naked eye, but they are better upgrades. What good is it to generate electricity for your furnace if all the heat you make is going out the roof and the windows?

Along the lines of this topic I also did a post back in February on just how much insulation you really need. It is a link to a podcast that you should also listen to prior to tightening up your home.

Source: Christian Science Monitor

Photo: Thingermijig via FLICKR

Originally posted on my blog at: www.ecozebra.com

Give a laptop. Get a Laptop. Change the world. One laptop at a time.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:32:57 -0600

The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is back this year with an amazing deal once again. If you jump over to Amazon.com to purchase the OLPC for $399 another OLPC will be donated to a needy child somewhere in the world. Or you may also just purchase one to be donated for $199. Remember that $199.00 of your donation is also tax deductible.

Mission Statement: To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future.

While I wouldn't say that this fits with the green focused topics of my blog, I feel that this is a very worthwhile program that is worthy of support. The opportunities that they can bring children throughout the world are amazing.

It is critically important to adequately educate all the children of the emerging world. Simply doing more of the same is no longer enough, if it ever was. If their citizens are to benefit—as they should—from the spread of the technology-based global information economy, these nations must rethink the old top-down classroom paradigm, and replace it with a dynamic learning model that leverages the children themselves, turning them into “teachers” as well as “learners.” The tool with which to unlock their enormous potential is the XO. Put this ultra-low-cost, powerful, rugged, and versatile laptop in their hands, and the kids will do the rest.

Source: OLPC

Blu Homes are breaking ground in Salt Lake City and Breckenridge.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:32:25 -0600

Not long ago I posted on Blu Homes and their launch. They are bringing Affordable, prefab modern homes to the country and were making progress on land purchases in both Colorado and Utah. Well, I am happy to announce that they have many of the first steps out of the way and while they have not broken ground yet, the plans for homes in Salt Lake City and Breckenridge are underway.

I am also pleased to have been the real estate agent working with them on securing the land in Utah and because of this I will have a first hand vew of the project as it progresses here. I hope to share it all with you as things move along with this modern, green and affordable Salt Lake City home. The Salt Lake City home will have a footprint of about 800 sq ft and will grow to 1,600 sq ft with the addition of a full basement. the basement has also been upgraded to the use of insulated concrecte forms (ICF). Being that home is going to be built on a smaller lot in the Marmalade/Capital Hill District of Salt Lake City some changes had to be made in design and layout to accommodate local historic and building ordinances. The home will feature cedar siding, low-e windows, tiled bathrooms, kohler fixtures, can lighting throughout, wood cabinetry, high efficiency furnace and air conditioning, and spray foam insulation which should make the performance of their home save about 40-50% more in utilities vs. a home built to “code” in that area. In addition to these features the home will also have paperstone counters, recycled concrete/stone sinks and bamboo floors.

The cost to build this home is projected at $150,000 and does not include the land which ran about $117,000 for a vacant lot in a desirable Salt Lake City neighborhood. Below is a photo or the Salt Lake City lot. You will see a large tree trunk on the left side of the photo. it is a Siberian Elm that stands about 50 feet tall and is the center of the lot. Unfortunately it has to be removed, but Blu will be planting another tree to take it's place and will be utilizing as much of the mulch as possible in the sites landscaping. When the tree removal takes place I do hope to be there to document the progress and will be sure to update you with a post.

The home that Blu Homes is putting together for Breckenridge is a 1700 sq. ft version of the "retreat"design that you can find on the website. This is home is projected to come in at a cost of $250,000 and will run about 50% - 70% less than building a comparable home in the area. All of the finishes will be very similar to the Salt Lake project.

Giveaway time! For my Active Rain buddies.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:45:20 -0500

Hello everyone! I am doing a giveaway over at my other blog and I thought I would invite my active rain readers to pop in, check it out and enter to win. So head over to EcoZebr a and check it out. You will be entering to win a Rickshaw "Zero" Messenger Bag.

Can you help 350.org? Send the invite and WIN A PRIZE!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:57:42 -0500

A while back I let you all know about 350.org. It was a great post and has been read over 800 times between my two blogs. Sadly, I offered a prize if I could get 350 people to comment and commit to helping to spread the word of 350.org and It didn't happen, I didn't get 350 comments. Between two blogs I got about 15 comments. Over 800 read it and only 15 were willing to commit to helping spread the word of 350.org. Made me sad. so I am trying again. This time I only want 35 comments. 35 on EACH blog. As soon as I get 35 individual comments from 35 different people who are going to send an invitation to both presidential candidates I will enter those 35 names into a drawing for a copy of Deep Economy by Bill McKibben.! That is potentially two winners if I get 35 comments on both blogs!

So what is this invitation to the candidates? Read below and find out.

Here's the idea: The United States has historically contributed the most to global warming, and over the past eight years, it's done the least to stop it. Whoever takes office as U.S. President next year has a lot of work to do to bring the U.S. back to the table and commit the country to taking a strong leadership position on confronting global warming. In December, leaders from all around the world will gather in Poznan, Poland to discuss the next international climate treaty. It's important that citizens from around the globe put pressure on Obama and McCain to ensure they attend the meeting and play their part in getting the U.S. to be a leader on global warming. Please visit www.350.org/invite to send your personal invitation.

Source: EcoZebra

For my Utah readers - Green Building Consumer Tradeshow.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:21:34 -0500

Well, I am in Utah and I have a fair amount of Utah readers, so here is a little update for all of you. On November 8th, The Park City Board of Realtors, Recycle Utah and the Canyons Resort will be hosting the Green Building Consumer Tradeshow in Park City at the Summit Hotel. The event will be from 10am to 3pm and there is a $1.00 admission fee. Parking is free. There will be over 40 vendors showcasing; Solar power, photovoltaic panels, solar hot water, tankless water heaters, reclaimed and sustainable hardwoods, alternative energy cars, Energy Star® windows, smart home light controls, “dark skies” lighting, green builders & architects, green mortgages, incentives & rebates and more. Several Speakers will be covering various topic throughout the day.

The Canyons – Green Initiatives, 10:20 am

Mayor Dana Williams — Park City Sustainability, 10:30 am

Green Building Center — Indoor Air Quality, 11 am

Rocky Mountain Power & Questar Incentives, 11:45 am

Renewable Energy Options, 12 noon

Alternative Fuel Vehicles, 1 pm Recycle Utah Q & A, 1:30 pm

Green Home Loan Options, 2 pm

Ice Dams: Park City’s Biggest Problem, 2:15 pm

It is a worthwhile event and I will be there at the Green Built Communities booth so stop by and say Hi.

Comfortable Living Without The Crowds Of The City

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:14:23 -0500

Andrew Stone | Windermere Real Estate | 801.201.8681

8381 Powell Ave., Magna, UT

Comfortable Living Away From The Crowds.

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $215,000

Year Built	1955
Sq Footage	2,052
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	1
Lot Size	.15 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Enjoy life in this wonderfully updated Magna home. This home features many fabulous updates along with a spacious yard and space for a vegetable garden. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath and a large kitchen along with a large living room and semi-formal dining room that are enhanced by the beautiful stone fireplace.

The basement has been completely finished and features 1 bedroom and a 3/4 bath. It can be easily closed off and quickly converted to a wonderful 1 bedroom mother-in-law apartment with a separate entrance. Or, with the large family room, fireplace and separate kitchen it is the perfect space for entertaining friends and family and provides a quiet, out of the way, guest room or kids room.

The home features energy efficient upgrades as well and with double pane windows, a Rinnai tankless water heater, Energy Star Appliances and gas dryer connections you will live in warmth and comfort without high utility bills.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Hardwood floor	Tile floor	Family room
Living room	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Basement	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Andrew Stone

Windermere Real Estate

801.201.8681

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 15, 2008, 5:02pm PDT

Bluenergy Solarwind Turbine - Another amazing new possibility in Solar and Wind Power.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:07:59 -0500

Imagine for a moment a way to generate electricity from the sun and wind simultaneously. Then imagine that you can scale the project to any size application, both residential and commercial. You can do all of these things with the Bluenergy Solarwind Turbine. It is beautiful and useful. I would definitely be proud to add this to my landscape.

From the website:

A series of breakthrough inventions by Bernd Melchior, founder of Bluenergy AG, has led to the development and successful testing of the world’s first self-contained hybrid system. Solar cells coated with his fluoropolymer (Teflon-like) process capture sunlight from any angle and can be affixed to curved surfaces, making it possible to completely cover, with productive solar cells, the turbine’s curved wind vanes and the dome-shaped base enclosing its generator and inverter.

Melchior’s naturalistic double-helix, vertical axis turbine design generates electricity in breezes as low as 4 mph and is designed to produce power in winds up to 90 mph.

You can watch a very nice video on the whole system here or visit the site here.

Source: EcoZebra

Freedomgardens.org, a Facebook for gardeners.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:10:46 -0500

Are you a business person hopefully addicted to social networking and sites like Linkedin and Facebook? In your spare time are you a gardener? If you can answer yes to both questions or even just the last question, then freedomgardens.org is a site for you.

I don’t even remember how I discovered Freedomgardens. I think it was while I was doing research for my Eat The View post or maybe it was my post on urban condos. Ah, it doesn’t matter where I found it. What matters is that I found the ultimate in social networking sites and it is a site for people who like to garden.

The purpose behind Freedom Gardens can best be summed up by this quote from the site.

Think of it as Facebook meets the Farmer’s Almanac: A social networking site for 21st century pioneers who want to fight soaring food prices and global warming by growing their own food. On this site, novice and expert growers from all over the world can gather to post success stories, ask questions, and challenge one another to ever-increasing levels of self-sustained living.

I myself have found a network of gardeners in my local area to swap stories with, to potentially swap excess produce with and to learn from. When you are a gardener there is nothing better. If want to be a gardener this is also a strong support group to get you on your way! If you want to be my gardener friend when you join up, you can find me here.

So there you go. Get out there and garden! There is no better time than now to get started and with the current state of things gardens will become more important than ever before, or perhaps just as important as the Victory Gardens of the past!

In response to the heavy impact of World War II on the U.S. economy, Americans were urged to grow a victory garden (also called a war garden) in 1943. The gardens were planted by about 20 million families and would eventually provide nearly half of the fresh produce consumed during this troubled time. On rooftops, in back yards and even in containers on front porches, Americans produced eight million tons of fruit, vegetables and herbs in their own households.

Presently we are faced with a future that’s will be fraught with fuel scarcity, rising food cost and environmental implications.

As the world encounters hard times - there will be need of practical and back to basics solutions.

Freedom Gardens is growing beyond victory garden a food security movement person to person, blog to blog, neighbor to neighbor. A modern gardening era/movement for the 21st century resulting in efforts to become free of foreign oil, corporate controls, contamination and food miles while creating a sustainable future by promoting local food production.

Green or good? What get's the message across?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:25:28 -0500

I have been giving a lot of thought to the "green" thing these days and I have been trying to decide what would be a better term than "green" Why? Because people are becoming intimidated with green and tuning it out when they hear the word. So what can we replace it with that might be better? Is it good, great, or what?

I decided that good is the term we I need to us. Why good? Well good conveys a message of quality, a message of something being well built and a message of something just being right. All things that green products are. If you are creating good products, then you are most likely are creating green products.

Can you see it now? Consumers making green good choices the world over. Buying green good homes. Buying green good lightbulbs. Buying green good heating and cooling systems. Manufacturers creating green good products. Consumers stop being satisfied with cheap and poor and moving toward green good and affordable with an environmental payback.

So what do you think? Would love to hear some feedback.

EcoZebra-ontherain.com has moved

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:08:03 -0500

Thank you for stopping in. This site has moved and can be found at www.ecozebra.com.

Bank owned homes and their agents: Where does fiduciary responsibility end and human responsibility start?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:11:01 -0500

This is a great post and worthwhile read! I too have had experience with walking into moldy basements with no prior warning. My client developed a horrible rash.

Via Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate:

One of my biggest gripes with showing bank owned homes is this: The seller (bank, asset manager, Wizard of Oz...) does not have to provide full disclosure on the home.

Heck, they don't even have to provide partial disclosure on anything that has to do with the home.

Yes, I get it that they have never lived in the home.

Yes, of course they cannot attest to the every day workings of the mechanical systems.

But...(you knew this was coming didn't you?)

Obvious problems that are noted by a listing agent and forwarded over to the asset manager should be disclosed to potential buyers and their agents before an appointment is set.

Case in point:   I showed 6 homes yesterday to a buyer client. 3 of them had obvious mold/mildew infiltration. (I didn't need a test kit to figure that one out for myself. The signs were obvious, the smell was horrendous as you approached the basement and the staining on surfaces made it impossible to avoid.) HUD owned homes will have a statement right in the listing remarks if they suspect that a home has mold, or if they have test results that a home has this defect.

If HUD can do it, why aren't the rest of the owners following suit?

I've talked with several listing agents who handle foreclosures in Macomb County. Each and every one of them go through the homes prior to listing them, take photos, and forward them to the asset managers of the homes. In this manner they are able to list the homes at the price they feel will need to be set to sell them. Since the asset manager of the bank owned properties have photos and detailed descriptions of the homes, why the heck are they allowed to get away with not giving a disclosure?   Why aren't the listing agents making simple disclosure in the remarks section of the listing information sheet available to buyers agents and their clients?

Is it the fiduciary responsibility of the agent to the sellers to paint a rosy picture of these homes regardless of the possible health effects upon someone viewing the home?

I vote: Hogwash.

If we walked into a private sellers home to market it for sale and it was obvious that there was an issue with mold or mildew we would tell the seller "You have to disclose this, and it should be put into the remarks". Put everyone on notice that the mold/mildew is there before they come to view the home.

I had a young couple with me yesterday, along with 2 children. (One an inquisitive 2 year old) I was angry that the children were breathing that air, and worried about the littlest ones breathing after we left. Yesterday was the first time that I wanted to go back to my car, draw up a sign and tape it to the front door. I didn't, as I don't have the right to do that. But oh my I was tempted.

© Kris Wales - A Macomb County MI real estate agent

How strong is a shipping container home?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:12:33 -0500

I have posted on Shipping Container Homes numerous times in the past and everytime I get questions on the strength. Sure they are cool, but can they handle being a home? Will they stand up to being stacked on each other?

Well, I was driving down the freeway here today and took some pictures of shipping containers holding up a bridge. A concrete and steel bridge. See, here in Utah they now prefab our bridges and then put them in place. Like a prefab home. It leaves for very little downtime of the roads. It is a cool process. The coolest thing though is that they build them on top of shipping containers. Yes, the containers hold up the bridge. I have photos below and think this will help you see how they would stand up as a house as well. I took the pictures with my phone, so I apologize if they are not the best quality.

Will Solar payback for you, your clients? Find out at RoofRay.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:39:31 -0500

I was reading my regular feeds today and came upon RoofRay in a post over at GreenTech Blog by Cnet.

Basically what you can do with RoofRay is draw your solar array on YOUR roof using Google Maps and then RoofRay determines your square footage, total potential power generation capabilities and then your payback time. It takes into account all the main variables as well, using data for your region to determine number of sunlight days, smog, etc... In my own situation I learned that I can generate more than enough power for all of my needs using the roof on my garage and my home.

This is a pretty useful tool for anyone considering whether or not solar is right for them and if you are considering the purchase of a home and want to add solar to it, you can see right away whether or not it will work. Do note, however, that there are still a lot of variables to consider that they can't possibly consider (think neighbors trees) and that ultimately you should still have a professional evaluation done. All in all this is a pretty cool tool.

For all of you Realtors out there, RoofRay is currently working to add this service to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc. This will be a great help for your clients that are considering a homes solar potential.

Source: Cnet Green Tech Blog

Water Conservation: You are watering WHAT???

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:12:36 -0500

What a great example for people everywhere. Watering during the day is a waste. Using sprinklers where a drip system will do is a bigger waste of both money and water.

Via Mary Bigelow, Renewing Your Life!:

Yesterday was a beautiful Michigan day. A nice day for a train ride, a festival or....

To take Christine for a ride....

Yes, you may remember the Stephen King movie, "Christine!"

My Christine is not a red and white 58 Plymouth Fury. No, my Christine is a classic first gen

97 Olds Aurora.

I have christened her Christine recently since her recovery from an engine fire.

For the most part, Christine seems to have a mind of her own. Wanting to make her happy after her most recent outburst I washed and waxed her by hand Friday night. The chrome on the tires was polished, the interior detailed.

Saturday was the day to take her for a short drive to test her road worthiness. It certainly wouldn't rain and get Christine dirty with the skies over Michigan saturday! "Today would be perfect," I thought! After a quick visit to my sister in Grand Rapids Christine and I stopped by a big box store. Christine waited patiently for me while I made an uneventful trip in and out.

Oh MY! I exclaimed when I returned to Christine. It looked like a water main had broken! I quickly pulled her out of the parking spot!

Yup. That's where Christine was parked. I'm glad they didn't upset her! She really doesn't react well!

I'm surprised she didn't spontaneously ignite again.

From my observations I don't see much in that itty bitty island that needs watering. I would suggest they visit the Michigan Native Plant Producers Association to seek out some hearty native plants that do well in full sun and don't require much, if any, water. The management could also take a look at the type of system they have intalled and how it is operating. I am certain Christine was not the only unhappy visitor to their parking lot yesterday! Curiously enough, this unnamed big box has a new slogan, "Save & Live Green."

Across the country there are several areas that have been experiencing drought conditions. I found this website today, US Drought Monitor, where you are able to see the drought conditions around the country. It looks like a useful resource.

The second group of credits in the USGBC LEED rating system come from Water Efficiency. Under the New Construction rating system points the Water Efficiency credits are:

WE Credit 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50%

WE Credit 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation

WE Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies

WE Credit 3.1: Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction

WE Credit 3.2: Water Use Reduction: 30% Reduction

I applaud the USGBC for making water efficiency a key part of the rating system. Water is an important resource we need to conserve.

Lots of comments, please! I think I will send a copy of this to the management at the store!

A Call To Action for members of Active Rain! 350.0rg

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:28:36 -0500

Update: August 24th. 238 reads so far and only 17 comments. Too bad. Imagine if 238 had commented.

This morning, while attending the Outdoor Retailer Convention, I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast event where Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy, Fight Global Warming Now and many other wonderful books, spoke to our group.

As one of the founders of the 350.org movement, Bill issued a call to action. A call to spread the word of 350.org and it's mission. I am taking that call to action to heart and spreading the word to the members of Active Rain. My call to action is to have 350 Active Rain members comment on this post along with what they will do to spread the word of 350.org and it's mission. Can it be done? SURE IT CAN! There are over 700 member of the ECO-All-Stars~ GREEN Resources, Trends & Friends group. That means only half of them need to respond, but this is open to anyone on AR.

So how about it? Will you commit, will you respond and will you spread the word? Let's get 350 responses here!

Watch the video below and learn a bit more about 350.org, learn what the heck I am talking about and then commit to spreading the word. How will you do it? I am going to place a note about 350.org on the next 350 listing filers, just listed cards and just sold cards that I send out. I am also asking for 350 comments, knowing that means that 350 got the word. Just think about it. 350 comment and spread the word to 350 more. That is potentially 122,500 people touched with the message of 350.org

350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet.

The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth.

Insurance is getting greener everyday.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:38:19 -0500

It has been some time since I last posted on the availability of insurance for green homes and insurance that would allow you to rebuild green. Since that time there have been some great developments in this area.

This post over at Jetson Green updates us on some of the developments with Fireman's Fund Insurance as they have expanded their green insurance to cover 26 states. The plan offers 5% reduction in premiums for green homes and a slightly higher priced package for conventional homes that can be renovated green in the case of loss.

Another plan out there that is offered by Lexington Insurance Company is called LexElite Eco Homeowner. From the link:

LexElite Eco-Homeowner is available as an endorsement to the LexElite® homeowner policy. The endorsement adds new coverage for loss of income or extra expense resulting from physical damage to alternative energy generating systems and significantly enhances the coverage available for trees, shrubs, and plants.

Another great savings can be realized if you drive a hybrid car. Over at Travelers Insurance you will get a 10% premium discount if you do. That is a plan that my wife an I take advantage of on our Prius.

Farmers Insurance also offers insurance discounts for drivers of hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles and was actually the first company to do so, beginning with California in 2005. The program is now available in 38 States and is up to 10% off of current premiums.

Read this post and many others at my new outside blog at www.ecozebra.com. Remember to also subscribe to the RSS feed.

Source: Auto Blog Green, Jetson Green

Urban Condos Rising. Are they a good thing?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:37:41 -0500

Origionally posted, by me, at www.ecozebra.com.

This Comment on a post about lazy localvores at Grist really made me think today.

"The history of 20th century United States is that of the combines grabbing land that had been originally given to citizens during the 18th. The Powers-That-Be sought to remove the independent pioneers and make them dependent wards of the state...that effort is alive in the efforts of Big City types like Mayor Nichels who want to herd everyone into cattle car sized condos and tax them to death for light rail. We need to re-agrarianize the American family -- falling real estate will help."

I don't agree completely but is the rush to build Urban Condominiums a good thing?

Sure it brings everyone into walkable communities, pushes them to use mass transit and builds up our urban populations to sustain our cities, but is it the right thing to do and is it the green thing to do? So now I am going to lay out my feelings on the subject.

The push to build these urban communities is driven by the desire of people to live close to work, close to where they play and close to their friends. It is supposedly a cheaper way to live and less taxing on our resources as well. Mainly because the inhabitants will drive less and consume less/locally. All true and all compelling reasons to join this lifestyle. Besides, there is the coolness factor of doing the latest thing.

So here is where I see the problem. The biggest problem is a whole demographic that is completely dependent on the city and building in which they live. They are dependent on the whims of the commercial enterprises that sustain them and the government that controls their municipality. They are dependent on the HOA that controls them and dependent on each other. They have no means of self sustainability (such as land with garden space) and will rely completely on the world around them to provide as long as they have a job and can pay for it. Sure their building is green, sustainable and even possibly LEED platinum. The environment loves them! But break a spoke in the wheel of their lives and then what? What happens if the 500 condo units can't support the main floor grocery and the grocery closes? How many Gaps and Banana Republics can they sustain? What if the inhabitants loose their job? Then what? No money to buy food at the farmers market in the local park and no where to grow their own, no money to shop at the main floor gap. Certainly no money to eat out. I could go on and on about what what could go wrong with this. To top this off, the retail that is part of their development doesn't pay enough to make it worthwhile for an actual inhabitant to live in the building and work there too.

So what is the best idea? What do we need to do? I personally think that rather than build up our city centers, we need to build up our neighborhoods near the city centers and build up the suburbs. Build them up by improving public transportation options and encourage gardening and self sustainability. Loosen HOA rules against gardens and clotheslines and allow people to live off the land. Urban and suburban farms are a good idea as well and keep the urban infill coming. Condo projects are not a bad idea if they have community gardens, are built to be affordable and are built to run off of renewable energy? Now that is a clever idea. Forget the main level Gap, build a rooftop community garden instead. Build them green and build them to last.

Enjoy the video below from a Wall Street Journal Article on Suburban Farming.

I realize that this is a Utopian idea, but all I see in today's urban condo/mall/corporate center/hotel/live work spaces is low income housing and dilapidated apartments in 20 - 30 years. All destined for the wrecking ball to make way for the next great idea. Heck, I see the same things for many of the new subdivisions built in the last 5-10 years. Those homes won't last either. Sigh, that is a post for another day.

Win the plans for the your own custom green home!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:11:30 -0500

We all have dreams of what our dream home would be like, many want it to be a green dream home. The problem is getting it designed and then built and finding the mony to do it all. Well, the folks over at FreeGreen could be bringing that dream one step closer to being a reality with their latest contest.

By visiting the FreeGreen website and entering the FreeGreen Challenge you could win the custom plans to the green home of your dreams. The FGC is a contest (starting today and ending on September 30th) that any FreeGreen user planning to build a home in the United States can enter. The winner will receive a Free Custom House Design from FreeGreen, valued at $25,000!! Just head to the homepage, click on the Custom Design Contest button, login, and fill out the contest form.

Those of you who are a member of the ECO-All-Stars~ GREEN Resources, Trends & Friends active rain group may remember the challenge back in December where we offered up what our green dream home would be if money were no object? Well, this is your chance to make it a reality! So head over to FreeGreen and enter the contest. Then, while you are there check out the site.

Recycle your CFL's from home.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:31:00 -0500

To see this post and many others like it, visit my other blog at www.ecozebra.com

There is a lot of concern about Compact Fluorescent Lights and the mercury they contain and while recycling programs exist with some retailers, there still aren't many options for folks who don't live near these retailers. Leaving many with the desire to do the right thing and reduce their consumption of electricity, but concerned they aren't doing the right thing with the pollution that CFL's create. It is a bit of a catch-22.

Now there is another way for those people to safely recycle their bulbs. On July 16th Waste Management launched a new website www.thinkgreenfromhome.com and sent me a press kit along with a sample of their recycling kit to review.

Thinkgreenfromhome.com is a streamlined online service for the recycling of universal household waste including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), batteries, and eventually other household electronics. Through the website they offers consumers convenient mail-in solutions to safely store and recycle heavy metal containing household devices, as well as resources to encourage household sustainability.

The core purpose of the site is the recycling of CFL bulbs and flourescent bulbs under 3ft long. To safely store and recycle used CFLs and batteries, customers can order online and receive prepaid-postage kits delivered to their door. Think Green® From Home CFL recycling kits incorporate Mercury VaporLok technology, which is designed to reduce the risk of airborne exposure and environmental contamination from lamps broken during storage and shipping.

The kits are suitable for both the storage and transport of discarded bulbs or batteries and are approved for shipping by the United States Postal Service. Consumers can ship the boxes directly from their home or at any one of the over 34,000 postal offices across the country. The bulb and battery recycling kits cost $14.95 and include postage to you and back to Waste Management. The straight tube recycling kit runs $59.95. When you mail the kit back to Waste Management you have your account set to automatically mail you a replacement box.

In looking at the sample kit they sent me I think it is a great program, but I am concerned that most will not want to pay the $14.95, even though it mainly covers the postage to and from your home. With the cost of gas where it is today I think that this program makes a bit of sense when you consider that driving to the nearest Ikea or Home Depot (if you even have one near you) will cost you a pretty penny for a round trip and cause it's own share of harmful pollutants.

The Vaporlock bag that comes with this kit is another great idea and also adds some value to this program. You no longer have to worry about the bulbs at home or at the retailers breaking and releasing their mercury into our air. You can also sign-up to receive confirmation that your bulbs have been recycled. You won't get that from the retailers. In fact I often wonder if they just throw them away anyway.

Another exciting thing about this site are the coming options for electronics and computers along with other home recycling options. The more you can do from your home the better. It keeps cars off the road and makes breathing a little easier for everyone. For more information or to order your kit visit www.thinkgreenfromhome.com .

To read even more posts like this one please visit my outside the outside blog blog at www.ecozebra.com

How radioactive is your countertop?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:34:03 -0500

To see this post and many others like it, visit my other blog at www.ecozebra.com

A recent article in the New York Times and a post over at TreeHugger talk on the levels of radioactivity in granite countertops. Really makes you think. I'm glad I don't have granite, but at the time I was considering the carbon footprint, not the radiation levels.

I am not saying that all granite is bad and that all emit dangerous levels of radon, but it may be worth it to check it out if you have granite.

Quoted from the New York Times: "But with increasing regularity in recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency has been receiving calls from radon inspectors as well as from concerned homeowners about granite countertops with radiation measurements several times above background levels. “We’ve been hearing from people all over the country concerned about high readings,” said Lou Witt, a program analyst with the agency’s Indoor Environments Division."

Follow the links above to read more.

Shipping container homes get national press.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:06:00 -0500

I have been posting on shipping container homes for some time now and in my comments and feedback I get many who think this is just another flash in the pan. That they will never make mainstream homes. Well, in my searches today I came upon this recent article in USA Today through a post over at Materialicious.

It does my heart a lot of good to see these homes getting this kind of press. I personally feel it a strong and viable form of architecture that we will see a lot more of. That, and it also is using a very abundant and CHEAP resource that is available to us all throughout the country. You can't beat that!

I can guarantee you that my next home will be made from shipping containers.

A new shipping container resource that I came upon today - isotecture.com

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:04:36 -0500

While searching the internet today I came upon a comment on a blog post over at weburbanist.com. In the comment a gentleman had mentioned that he had started a new website that gives the nuts and bolts of building with Shipping containers. The site is called Isotecture. While it appears to have just been launched in June, it is shaping up to be a pretty good resource. If you are thinking at all of building with shipping containers, like I am, Then I suggest that you bookmark it.

The video below has nothing to do with the site. Just a cool container project and some color for this post.

A primer on Geothermal Heat pumps at Low Impact Living.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:03:24 -0500

I came upon this post today over at low impact living. Titled Are Geothermal Heat Pumps For You? it provides a concise primer on Geothermal Heat Pumps and is a very worthwhile read for anyone thinking about installing a geothermal system.

They start off answering the question on what a Geothermal Heat Pump is and finish by giving you the resources to find more on geothermal near you.

I personally had a neighbor install the first geothermal system I had ever seen back in the mid 90's. The system was installed for a home located on top of a limestone shelf and was a test project for this new technology. They were very pleased with the results and even though the installation in the limestone was rather difficult, the system paid for itself quickly in the harsh Northern Arizona Winters. I have wanted a system ever since, but have never been in the position to install one.

Hop over to low impact living and take a look.

Also, enjoy the video below.

Would you live in, er, rent a drain pipe?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:01:56 -0500

I first learned about this hotel from a post over at Inhabitat.

I find the idea of it very interesting if only because I used to wander under bridges as a child and run through the drain pipes (yes, I lived in a rural setting with drain pipes under bridges that you could freely run through). I never imagined that I would live in one, but boy could they echo. I especially like the corrugated steel ones.

The Dasparkhotel is located in Germany and is made up a central communal building and drain pipes/hotel rooms were set-up outside. The communal building houses the restaurant and restrooms while each pipe is set-up comfortably with beds, furniture and lighting. The hotel operates on a "pay as you wish" basis and you make reservations here.

So the next time you are off to Germany, check it out and let me know what you think.

Source: Inhabitat