The CyrusGreen.com Blog

Hybrid Home Tours- Showing Property in a PRIUS HYBRID ++

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:21:59 -0800

I have launched a new concept in our area...EcoBroker-Buyers' Agent Services! Visit the website http://www.HybridHomeTours.com Please let me know your feedback, and let me know if you have any questions!

See the Prius Hybrid emblazened with vehicle graphics below, I have had some GREAT response from the eco-mmunity, (thanks to http://www.SundanceChannel.com/thegreens for the buzzword 'eco-mmunity') I promoted this new concept at the 2008 Sustainable Living Fair in Fort Collins.

Let me know if there is something like this in your area, or if you would like to franchise! The time has come for more evnironmentally responsible real estate practice!

If we all do our part to save the earth, maybe there will be a better world for the next generation..See previous blog entry!

WOW, is my new baby daughter cute!

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:26:28 -0800

Kids are so fun! This is our first one, and she is AMAZING...such a gorgeous little girl, her name is Julia! If you have some cute kid photos, post them here! KIDS THREAD! Funny stories are good, too. I've already brought her to meetings & showings. Anybody ever change a diaper on the closing table?? HAHAHAHAHA!

She was born on Aug 22, right in the middle of a half dozen rather complicated contracts. That was a crazy first month, but now I've taken some time for family, and work will have to take a back seat for a while. We are fortunate enough to have that option, so I am going to enjoy my new baby daughter. She wears either hybrid 'g-diapers' or naturacare biodegradeable chlorine free. Thanks for stopping by!

Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies -----Part Deux

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:29:46 -0800

Photovoltaic and Home Wind Turbines- The time is now to embrace these technologies. The old-school needs to step aside and let PROGRESS lead the way. Prices are coming down!

Solar Tubes!- Awesome Daylighting Systems, like a skylight on Ginseng! Supercharged!

Natural Materials- Bamboo, natural stone, recycled glass tiles, reclaimed wood products

Wool Carpet- or NO carpet- The stench of new carpet is evil and disgusting. It's called Off- Gassing and it's dangerous.

Insulation- Recycled newsprint or Cellulose- blown in to R-40, also recycled Denim is HOT

Sips panels- Structural Insulated Panels-pre cast, pre-cut, pre insulated and the wave of the future. Half the build time, and twice the energy efficiency.

Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies -----Part One

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:27:52 -0800

Okay here's the run down of Environmentally responsible building practices, materials and energy efficient technologies. In a nutshell.

Ready set go.

Tankless water Heaters! - Top of the list for a reason- tanks are huge energy wasters

Energy Star Appliances- Especially the Fridge!!

Front Load Washer- It saves more than water ( use non toxic soap!!!)

Energy Star Lighting Fixtures and Compact Fluorescent- Nearly HALF the energy is used!

Sustainably Harvested Materials- Forest Stewardship Council wood products, locally sourced if possible

Recycling Materials and Material Waste- This is a no brainer, but the construction industry is mostly BLIND to the need for this.

Low VOC Paints and Coatings- Linseed oil on wood, natural plasters add texture- Healthier Living environment

High Efficiency Furnace and HIGH Seer Air Conditioning- This is huge and there are tax credits available to offset the cost

Stay Tuned for More SOON

Fort Collins Colorado Area Sales Statistics and Market Data

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:38:30 -0800

As of Feb 20 there are 257 homes on the market in Fort Collins Colorado

These are priced between 150,000 and 250,000 with at least three bedrooms and two baths.

Of these 57 are Under Contract and 13 are Bank Owned or REO foreclosed homes.

Just a snapshot but it is telling, in that the national media depicts a much worse market in terms of absorption and foreclosure activity.

I know that my partners and i have been very busy through the winter, posting sales worthy of the Keller Williams Platinum Award for the second year in a row.

I expect the increased commercial development along the Harmony corridor to help the soft housing market in our area. These jobs and tax revenue will help our economy and also the real estate outlook.

4601 Shoreline Dr - On YouTube! Sweet Deck and Interesting Architecture

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:28:48 -0800

4601 Shoreline Dr - On YouTube! Part Tre

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:23:12 -0800

4601 Shoreline Dr - On YouTube! Part Deux

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:17:04 -0800

4601 Shoreline Dr - On YouTube!

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:05:48 -0800

New Listing! Amazing Horsetooth Reservoir Remodel- Steps to the Water!

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:26:06 -0800

4601 Shoreline Dr - Horsetooth Reservoir

Location: Spring Canyon Heights

Peaceful Tranquility awaits in this quiet Lakeside subdivision. This unique artists' haven features many amenities such as a versatile Sunroom/Dining Room, Rustic open Kitchen/ Living area with a woodburning FP. Opens to multi level deck w/ privacy fencing, Perfect for Entertaining! Addition includes an amazing Master Suite w/ HUGE windows overlooking lake Lots of Natural Light,Cathedral Ceilings,Custom Tiled Jetted Shower.3rd Bed feat.Gas FP & is a perfect retreat with it's own living area. Call Listing agent for a showing!

Information

Contact Information

cyrusvgreen@hotmail.com

Contact Reply Form

Forward to a Friend

View Other Flyers

Pricing

Asking Price: $296,000.00

Additional Pricing Information: Home Warranty provided by Listing Agent Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker

Property Location

4601 Shoreline Dr
Fort Collins, CO 80526
View Map

Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Parking: 2

Year Built: 1952

Subdivision: Spring Canyon Heights

Lot Size: .37 Acres

Garage Size: 484

School District: Poudre

Square Footage: 2421

Agent Name: Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker

Broker: Keller Williams

MLS #: 558038

Attributes

Appliances

Range/Oven

Full Refrigerator

Washer/Dryer

Dishwasher

Sink Disposal

Microwave

Satellite

Interior Amenities

Fireplace

Hardwood Floors

Security System

Kitchen Island

Vaulted Ceilings

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Patio

Fenced Yard

Grass Lawn

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (10 Photos)

Equal Housing Opportunity

VFLYER ID: 886374

Northern Colorado Market Report

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:31:46 -0800

As we continue to defy the national downward trend, our inventory is growing and qualified buyers are buying. The real value of investment property is realized by those who have the credit to buy. The strength of the rental market has given investors the opportunity to capitalize on the foreclosure market, often realizing double digit cap rates.

With interest rates and market conditions favoring buyers, there are some amazing deals to be had. Even people with bruised credit are seeing the potential of a down market. I personally have made some purchases and have been happy with the porjected return, based upon a 3-5 year rent-and-hold exit strategy. I would encourage anyone looking to invest in this market to review the economic indicators that support my assertions, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Fort Collins Colorado Area Sales Statistics and Market Data

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:34:46 -0800

As of Dec 19 we have about 900 Single Family Detached, with 120 under contract. So of 911 homes only 29 are bank owned/REO, and 10 of those are under contract. There are much higher foreclosure rates East of us, in Weld County. When staggering numbers of Weld are added.2500 sfd currently on the market, only a 100 under contract and Bank Owned?.... 349!, Lumping the two locales together paints an inaccurate picture of our market.

Countrywide Update

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:07:03 -0700

This is unquestionably one of the most challenging times in the annals of mortgage lending. As such, this communication is the first of a series that will outline how Countrywide^®, America's Wholesale Lender^® is navigating through this challenging market. Additionally, it is my desire that these ongoing communications will share some perspective that will help you to adapt and prosper in the current mortgage lending environment.

Countrywide in the News

First, I would like to take a moment to address some recent developments that have strengthened our ability to serve both you and your borrowers.

Bank of America Investment in Countrywide - On August 22, Bank of America invested $2 billion in Countrywide in the form of non-voting, convertible preferred securities. It is important to note that this is an investment in, and not an acquisition of Countrywide. Bank of America does not have representation on Countrywide's board or a management role in the company.
The investment is a true vote of confidence in Countrywide from the largest retail banking franchise in the nation. It strengthens our balance sheet and benefits all of Countrywide's constituents including our Business Partners.
Additional Funding Liquidity - We have recently drawn upon credit facilities provided by a syndicate of 40 of the world's largest banks, which provided an infusion of $11.5 billion to supplement Countrywide's liquidity.
Mortgage Business Migration - We recently announced that we have accelerated our long-held plans to migrate our mortgage business into Countrywide Bank which has over $100 billion in assets. We are executing this migration as quickly as possible and do not expect it to materially change the way we operate, our key strategies, or our continuing goal to be the dominant lender in the wholesale channel.

Now that I've outlined the steps taken to strengthen Countrywide's franchise, let's turn our attention to the current market environment.

Secondary Market Driving Change

Further complicating an already tough real estate and lending environment is one of the weakest secondary markets in history. The result is that there is limited demand for mortgages or mortgage-backed bonds other than what is commonly referred to as the "agency" execution (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Despite this disruption in the secondary market, substantial lenders like Countrywide, with access to a bank balance sheet, are well positioned to succeed.

In an effort to address the above challenges, Countrywide, along with the rest of the industry, has been revising product guidelines and pricing policy on an ongoing basis. It is likely that these areas will continue to change so I urge you to check cwbc.com frequently to ensure that you have our most updated guideline and pricing information.

Channel Dynamics

Another challenge facing the wholesale lending channel is that the mortgage industry has shifted toward a retail bias. Why? There are many factors. However, one of the major causes is that loans originated and processed on a retail basis generally perform better than third party originations where an intermediary originates and processes the loan on behalf of the lender.

While this bias may seem daunting to your business, it is a challenge that can be overcome with a simple formula - everyone involved in the wholesale lending channel must work to improve the performance of third party originated loans. By consistently elevating borrower and loan quality, we can, over time, bring the market back to parity. Your best source for ensuring loan quality is to work closely with your Account Representative and branch or fulfillment center to assist in properly documenting all loan submissions consistent with lending guidelines and loan approval conditions.

In addition, it is imperative that you adopt (or continue) the proven "best practice" of presenting your borrowers with a full array of product and pricing options. Your focus should be on allowing them to make truly informed decisions that best meet their financing needs and ability to re-pay. This practice will not only ensure a long term relationship with your customer but is part and parcel of ensuring high quality loans and good performance.

Our Ongoing Commitment to the Channel

As stated in the opening of this communication, all of us who earn our living in the wholesale lending arena are facing challenging times; times that require us to work together to achieve a common goal - successfully evolving the wholesale lending channel.
Our focus at Countrywide remains constant - working with and supporting only those brokers who can adapt and evolve their business model and who can originate quality loans consistent with our strengthened lending standards. None of us should ever contemplate doing a loan we wouldn't be willing to fund with our own money.

When navigating the current waters, keep in mind that, for over 23 years, Countrywide, America's Wholesale Lender has been fervently committed to the wholesale channel and to the success of our Business Partners. We maintain a strong leadership position and focus on achieving a dominant status among wholesale lenders.

Thank you for your time and attention to these important matters.

Todd A. Dal Porto
Senior Managing Director & President
Countrywide, America's Wholesale Lender

2nd Quarter NAR Market Report for Northern Colorado

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:53:16 -0700

According to NAR, our area is NOT a buyers market, or a sellers market. Hmmmm. I think it is a buyers market, but that's just my opinion. 9 out of 10 local agents would agree. That said, our local job market in Larimer County, which includes Fort Collins and Loveland, has added over 3500 jobs which is ironically the exact number of homes on the market.

There were 1466 homes sold, 358 new homes built, with avg days to sale at 116. While the avg sale price dropped slightly from 282,300 to 282,100 it is becoming clear to buyers in bubble markets that the dollar goes much further here, and with over 300 days of sun a year, we are the place to relocate to.

Zip codes 80513, and 80549 experienced over 20% positive change in avg sale price while 80540 experienced the opposite, a negative change of over 24% since last quarter. Some of this is seasonal ebb and flow, over all our market is growing slowly and should pick up.

Fort Collins Foreclosures- REO, Bank Owned Properties- Market Analysis by Local Agent

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:30:27 -0700

The foreclosure market in our area has grown and my clients looking for deals are finding just that. With my local knowledge and experience working with banks, I have found some amazing opportunities for investors, and first time buyers alike. I am talking tens of thousands in discounts off of Conservative market values.

Banks are up against a wall with all the REO inventory they have to unload and with the right offer they are ready to cut their losses. I have seen HUGE concessions made for those bold enough to waive their inspection. While this is generally not recommended, I have seen savvy investors doing an inspection of sorts during the showing process. The banks seem to respond well to this approach. If a contract fails it is usually because of inspection issues, and when a property falls out of contract, it sort of stigmatizes the property. Local agents and buyers alike ask 'why did this not close?' So the banks have a vested interest in avoiding this situation by dealing down on problem properties or major fixers.

In one case, property pictured below, the banks was willing to take $155K when the list price was $170- we negotiated aggressively, but what ultimately got this done was the lack of an inspection contingency. That and this was a cash offer where they did not have to wait for loan approval.

Fort Collins Colorado Area Sales Statistics

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:10:23 -0700

This graph shows our inventory and the average days to sale. The condo/attached dwelling and commercial markets are not included in this analysis. In my experience the market is experiencing an upswing that can be attributed to seasonal activity. There is an alarming number of short sales on our MLS, close to 60 with 10 of those under contract. There are also 60 Bank owned on our MLS, and dozen of those are under contract. I expect those numbers to rise, as foreclosure activity increases.

There are 14 million homes in foreclosure, nationwide, and another 14 million loans are set to adjust this year. It is hard not to blame the lenders who wrote all of these bad loans, and I see this as a byproduct of the lack of oversight in the mortgage industry. Agents are licensed and regulated and mortgage brokers should be too. Our state recently enacted a mortgage broker registration process, but it's too little , too late, in my opinion. It's like installing a security system in a house that as already been cleaned out by thieves.

Commercial Real Estate Index Continues Rise in Second Quarter

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:28:06 -0700

Commercial Real Estate Index Continues Rise in Second Quarter

I have found a forward-looking index for the commercial real estate market recorded its ninth consecutive improvement in the second quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Released from WASHINGTON, August 21, 2007 -

It seems the commercial sector is building steam, I am looking forward to building my business by capturing some of this momentum, and turning it into income, carefully. I would recommend that residential agents learn about the legal pitfalls associated with commercial sales. The stakes are high and one mistake can ruin your business or land you in court. Talk to your office broker about what you need to get started.

An attorney on retainer is a good place to start, :)

Check out the rest of the article here--->

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2007/comrcl_20072q_commercial_index.html

V-Flyer Activity Reports- Track your pageviews, see what's working!

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:01:07 -0700

This pie chart is an example of how V-flyer helps you track your pageviews. I post these flyers to craigslist myself, but v-flyer posts them to Trulia, and other sites. This chart indicates the POWER of craigslist for marketing, and exposure. There is no question that there are buyers looking on this worldwide messageboard. I have closed many transactions where the contact came from craigslist, and the look of v-flyer's really sets my postings apart from the crowd. The activity reports are easy to generate and keep my sellers up to date on the progress of my marketing efforts. It is very effective in demonstrating the traffic that my marketing receives. It can be hard to quantify how many prospective buyers actually see the flyer, but this clearly shows how many views, and more importantly, where they came from.

When throwing mud at the wall, it is very beneficial to my business to see what sticks and where. Needless to say, I am continuing my marketing efforts on craigslist. The traffic is there and the price is right! It's free.

Economic Indicators for Northern Colorado

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:42:19 -0700

Unemployment is trending downward, and growth in the commercial sector is chugging along in SE Fort Collins. It really is a great time to buy, as high foreclosure rates have brought down prices and sellers are scared. Plans for urban renewal, and development in North and North West Fort Collins further augment the growth in Northern Colorado. Smart investors are snapping up foreclosed property, and waiting for the boom.

As an investor myself, I personally feel signifigant appreciation is on the horizon for this area. I would not be suprised at upwards of 25% appreciation in the next 5 years.

The Northern Colorado Business Report has compiled the following list of local economic indicators.

http://www.ncbr.com/docs/EconombngtricIndicators.pdf

Recommended Books on Real Estate and beyond! Post 5

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:38:57 -0700

I am just going to list the rest of my recommended books.

Non-fiction is my preference, obviously. There are some good ones here!

Ready-go.

Fast Food Nation- Eric Schlosser

Salt- Mark Kurlansky

The Truth w/ Jokes- Al Franken

The Great Unraveling- Paul Krugman

Reefer Madness- Eric Schlosser

Cod- Mark Kurlansky

Lettuce in you Kitchen- C.Schlesinger, J.Willoughby

The Complete Landlording Handbook- Editiors of Socrates.com

Ok let's hear your thoughts! I am sure I will get some response with some of these titles. Lay it on me.

I have read some of these more than once, and they just keep getting better. Let's hear some of YOUR book recommendations, Real Estate related and otherwise....with emphasis on 'otherwise'

I am not sure that I have written the 50 words needed to collect 200 points, so I am going to think out loud for a few sentences. I apologize if I am rambling, but I needed some filler on this one.I am usually right to the point!

Negotiating with Banks

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:34:44 -0700

As an investor myself, I have a methodical process of analyzing data. I will never suggest buying something I would not buy myself. I want to earn the future business, as well as the referral of friends and family.

Here is a juicy tidbit... did you know it is public record how much is owed on a property. Let's say we were to take a run at a bank owned property listed for 165K I can find the amount that the bank has into it, by researching the public records data and ordering 'Ownership and Encumbrance" reports. For example I found a great house for a client that was listed 170K I found that the bank had less into it, so we negotiated aggressively, and performed basic inspections in the form of a second showing. We caught them off guard with an offer with no inspection contingency, called their bluff on the list price and after going around and around for a while, we eventually closed on that for 155K.

That property currently rents for 1200 per month. Ten or twelve of those and you could retire!

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker

Auction House offering 1.5% Co-OP

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:32:13 -0700

Check out http://www.williamsauction.com/

They auction homes, and offer a 1.5% co-op to realtors. I know that is not much, but it's worth looking into. They have a snazzy site, full of info (w/Zillow valuations(!) Some auctions start at 1000, some at 10K some at 100k There is a pretty diverse selection, nationwide. You need to register first as a realtor , then your broker needs to register, then you register your client. There are some hoops to jump through, but I found some great deals.

They have a link to sold homes, which shows some below-market sales history, and some competition for some properties. For example one in our area had a staring bid at 10K, and the high biddder went up to 215K. The Zillow link had it valued at 315K

This certainly caught my client attention, and what the client wants tha client gets. I am not wild about a 1.5% commish, but it's not about me or my cut. I'd show and sell a property for any amount of money, if it earned me thier trust, referrals and future business.

Anyone had a good or bad experience w/ this company? Any comments would be appreciated!

Landscaping - Xeriscaping for Resource Efficiency

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:29:30 -0700

Snapshot & Benefits:
Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping, designed to conserve water, with slow-growing drought-tolerant plants. Xeriscape generally requires less fertilization and use of pesticides as compared to more traditional landscaping. The slower growing plants used in xeriscape require less maintenance, saving time and energy and producing less waste in the form of clippings.

Estimated Cost Savings:
There is great potential for cost-savings with xeriscaping. Those who pay for water use save simply by using less water. Reduced need for fertilizers and clippings disposal saves money as well.

Regional Issues:
Xeriscaping may be a necessity in some regions with arid climates or in cities or towns that restrict lawn watering.

Installation (Getting It Done):
Preparation in advance will help xeriscaping achieve long-term resource efficiency. However, it is not always possible to design entire landscapes from scratch, as they are often established when moving into a home. Converting portions of the landscaping to more resource-efficient plants and designs is a good option. Proper soil preparation and irrigation are key to successful xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping contractors come a in variety of shapes and sizes. Doing one's homework in advance is good practice.

More Information On This Topic:

California Organic Materials Management: Xeriscaping

Colorado State University: Xeriscaping - Trees and Shrubs

Colorado State University: Xeriscaping - Garden Flowers

Xeriscape Colorado - What is Xeriscape?

City of Albuquerque: What is Xeriscape?

Tankless Water Heaters

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:27:32 -0700

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Easy economic savings can accrue from instantaneous or the �on-demand� type of water heaters. In contrast to the traditional method of keeping 40 to 80 gallons of hot water at-the-ready in an insulated tank, �on-demand� heaters produce hot water only when it is needed. Since hot water is generally required for less than a few hours each day instead of 24, owners and occupants can easily benefit from high efficiency modern designs that provide hot water on demand. Less fuel is required for a given volume and temperature of water, with corresponding cost savings and pollution savings. Some manufacturers claim 50% savings when compared to conventional hot water tanks.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Assuming that you consume the same amount of hot water at the same temperature as before, you can save a lot of energy and money by eliminating the slow leakage of heat from the hot water tank and piping. Actual savings will depend upon how much water you use, how far it must be piped from your existing heater, and the extent to which that piping travels through unheated spaces. It is reasonable to expect improvements in your hot water bill of 20 cents on the dollar. For a monthly water-heating cost of $50 dollars, you may expect savings of $10 per month on your energy bill. If the switch to �on-demand� water heating is made when your old hot water tank conks out, the effective net cost of change will be much lower and your monthly cash-flow will improve immediately.

Issues:
Installation will be required in the immediate vicinity of bathroom, kitchen and/or laundry room. Space may be a concern.

Regional Issues:
If the new units are electric, you may wish to consider the stability of the electrical grid in your part of the country. Additionally, electricity is most often produced by large central-station plants and is delivered to you at an overall efficiency of about 30%. Unless your electricity is produced with renewable energy equipment, natural gas or LP gas are the fuels of choice for hot-water heating (just as with traditional hot water tanks). These fuels provide total system efficiencies of 80-90%.

Installation (Getting It Done):
If the new water heaters are fueled by natural gas or LP gas, there may be some fuel delivery piping and exhaust venting issues to be addressed by the installer. If the new units are electric, expect some minor rewiring and the installation of new circuit breakers.

Be sure to get bids from at least two or three installers and/or plumbing contractors to gain immediate perspective on the true costs of equipment and installation in your area.

More Information On This Topic:

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters

U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program - Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Systems

Alternative Decking Materials

Cyrus Green e-PRO, EcoBroker (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:24:53 -0700

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Alternative decking materials are rising in popularity because they are durable and long lasting, require little to no maintenance, and most are composed of recycled materials. The two most common types are wood/plastic composite lumber and plastic lumber. A majority of alternative decking materials are made from 90-100% recycled materials that do not require the use of paints or sealers and are not prone to cracking or splitting like their wood counterparts.

Estimated Cost Savings:
The initial investment in alternative decking materials is often more expensive than traditional wood; however the paybacks are received in the form of reduced maintenance and increased durability for longer lifespan. These materials quickly pay for themselves in only a few short years, with savings on maintenance in the thousands over the deck�s lifetime.

Issues:
With respect to installation and use, the issues to watch out for with these materials are stains, molds, mildew and sagging. Stains are a leading drawback with composite decking materials because they are made primarily from oak fibers, which have a higher tannic acid content. Molds and mildew are also common to composite decking materials, however can be avoided by proper spacing between deck boards, allowing for drainage and avoiding the buildup of mold and mildew-friendly water pools. Many manufacturers suggest periodic cleanings with deck cleanser to prevent buildup. Finally, composite decking is weaker than wood. Avoid sagging or drooping by building the deck according to the manufacturer�s specifications.

Installation (Getting It Done):
Alternative decking materials can be cut, nailed, routed, drilled, and screwed in the same manner as wood. They usually have a lower structural value than their wood counterparts, and so, usually require narrower spacing between their support beams or joists. Work with experienced contractors who specialize in the use of alternative decking materials. Make sure that the manufacturer's specifications are followed to ensure a healthy, beautiful, durable, and "environmentally friendlier" deck.

More Information On This Topic:

NADRA-North American Deck and Railing Association

Deck Information, Products and Service Providers