Las Vegas has massive amounts of visitors a year and most of them start their Las Vegas experience at McCarran International Airport. So it stands to reason this is a good place to start with the Green Experience. I work part time at the airport for a major airline so what they do is always of interest to me.
When the home builders show was in town last month a lot of the convention was about GREEN PRODUCTS. I wrote not to long ago about some of these trends. Building Trends 2009
Well McCarran has a plan, they got together 17 people from different departments around the airport and have started to implement some of their ideas.
First thing I noticed was the car companies change. Up until about this time last year, all car companies had booths at the airport and an offsite car pick up. Each company had their own BIG bus that drove you over to their site.
Now there is one site for all companies and their offices are also at this site. There is one shuttle (many but one kind) that take the people to the off site. These buses are run on biodiesel fuel. To quote the airport,
"Existing efforts to reduce air pollution and conserve energy include implementing a fleet of common-use, cleanburning biodiesel buses that run between the airport and the McCarran Rent-A-Car Center; requiring commercial vehicle operators to shut down their engines upon parking, loading or unloading customers; minimizing the release of volatile organic compounds by purchasing more water-based paints and non-aerosol cleaning products; providing central power and air conditioning units for aircraft at the gates; upgrading escalators and moving walkways with energy efficient equipment; and upgrading airfield lighting with LED technology"
This week appeared all over the airport, McCarran's commitment to RECYCLE these new receptacles are plainly marked and quite attractive.
Again in the words of McCarran
"McCarran's employees, tenants and customers generate approximately 14,300 tons of garbage each year, much of which includes recyclables like paper, plastic and aluminum. Desk-side recycle bins were placed in all administrative offices in 2006, diverting approximately 24 tons of plastic, aluminum and paper annually from local landfills. In 2007, the DOA partnered with the Blind Center of Nevada to host annual E-Waste Recycling events at McCarran, giving employees, tenants and airlines the opportunity to shed unwanted computers, copiers, cell phones, mice and more. Through this two-year partnership, we‘ve diverted approximately 12,000 pounds of electronics from local landfills. Separately, in August 2008 the department began recycling scrap aluminum, copper, steel and iron. To date, McCarran has earned nearly $3000 by recycling more than 47 tons of sundry metals through its partnership with Nevada-based Silver Dollar Recycling. The Environmental Conservation Committee has also worked aggressively to develop a passenger-oriented program for recycling travelers' beverage containers and paper, and has also installed recycle containers in all employee break rooms.
The recycling program will be implemented in two phases. First, the non-secure areas of McCarran‘s Terminal 1 will be equipped with waste stations that include separate cans for trash, aluminum and plastic, and paper by February 2009. Phase two will place similar waste stations beyond the security checkpoints, in outlying office buildings and at the county's general aviation airports ."
I WILL BE KEEPING MY EYE ON THESE PROJECTS AS THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED. They have more things planned as I have read their commitment to becoming a good GREEN Neighbor.
Many times buyers have the idea that we want them pre-approved for a loan for us.
We don't care just for us but to help themSearch for homes in the correct price range in Ann Arbor Area.
This buyer had emailed me to see if I knew of any homes that could be bought on land contract. I emailed back and ask her why she would want a land contract when you can get a FHA loan, with 3.5% down and sellers concessions at a LOW interest rate.
Here is an email I got today:
Well I am asking, because we just tried getting a FHA loan, and we were denied for two reason, My husband had back childsupport and his tax return is paying it off but we are waiting for it to pay it off, and the other reason is he has a Federal loan out from when we was in school, and he didn't pay on it for a period. so in June it will have been 12 months that we have been consistantly paying on it.
So... I guess that was why i am asking. I have two little girls, and a sick of apartment life, and want a house to call my own, which I am sure you understand! So... That is where we are at to catch you up. I am not sure how much you can help us.
We had a house picked out and everything and went to go put a offer in and found out we weren't qualified! So my heart has been broken!
Any suggestions? Jen my sister told me to ask you, or your daughter and i happened to pass by something by you today! so I thought i would ask!
Buyer wanted to make an offer.
Fell in LOVE with a house
Heart was broken
It is not about us, but about them
Don't be afraid to get a Buyer qualified before their heart is broken.
Yes, I know we waste gas and time. But........................
I don't like to see hearts broken and folks not qualified to purchase
Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com
Our TEAM of 6 buyer associates are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.
I recently learned quite a bit about geothermal heating and cooling systems as the result of one being installed in a family member's house back east. With rising heating oil costs, finding a system that would be more fuel efficient was important. And finding an appropriate vendor was essential. Maybe some of you already know a lot about these systems but they were new for me. And I was so impressed with what I heard about the vendor that I felt it important to share with folks in the area.
Geothermal systems work through a system of wells drilled in the earth (the 4 at the family member's house are each 300 feet deep) the purpose of which is for the circulating water (with antifreeze) to draw heat from the earth (about 55 degrees at this depth) to heat the home. A heat exchanger extracts the heat from the warmed water to heat the home through forced air rather than burning fuel, and the water continues to recycle and absorb the earth's heat. The former heating system, in this case an oil-based furnace, can be used for supplemental heat when it is particularly cold. Geothermal can also be used for cooling when the air temperature is warmed than the earth.
Finding the right vendor for an expensive installation such as this was important. Unique Indoor Comfort was the vendor selected to install once the estimates were provided and the family member couldn't be happier.
The process was disappointing given the responsiveness, or lack of, in the case of several potential vendors. Hard to believe when you are talking tens of thousands of dollars for installation (but supposedly there is a tax credit for this kind of system):
One never returned the call when asked to come in to conduct an estimate
A second showed up and completed an extensive estimate process lasting hours but never followed up. Never
A third also completed an exhaustive estimate over two days and followed up later with the estimate that was double the one selected - about two months later (sorry guys, the system was already installed and working - helloooooo!?). The only one who did a thorough and prompt estimate was Unique Indoor Comfort.
The crew reportedly did an excellent job over a several week period. A local driller was called in to complete the 4 300-foot-wells and thousands of feet of pipe were installed in the walls and throughout the basement of a 250 year old colonial home, including the high velocity pipes for certain rooms to maximize heating. All in all a complex system that works well.
A number of private homes in the area as well as some schools and businesses are also installing these systems which are gaining in popularity due to long-term operating costs and efficiency, and they re becoming more popular in other parts of the country. These systems are good for the environment as well.
In the Philadelphia area (actually King of Prussia) Unique Indoor Comfort can be reached at (610) 491-9400 or email Nate Kukla at NKukla@phillyunique.com. There are 8 other affiliated companies/offices in other states including New York, Illinois, Maryland, Texas (Dallas) and Massachusetts (Boston). They install other major heating and cooling systems as well.
If I can provide more information about San Marcos, Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
How often do we read or hear all of the above day after day? The only folks who will really predict the end of the real estate industry recession or depression, depending on your location, is the NAR or some agents who believe that if they think good thoughts reality will follow.
YES, we, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, can force a reversal of the buyers market in many communities across the country.
Come on Lenn, get real. Our inventory is a 15 months supply. That's a long way from becoming a seller's market or even a neutral market. Have you taken leave of your senses. . . . .
again??
LET'S START WITH SOME FACTS so we can get off on a realistic start.
FACT: SOLD TRANSACTIONS will remain stagnant for the next 3-5 years. Expect real estate transactions to remain no more than about 2/3 of the average number of transaction represented by the years 2000 through 2005.
FACT: THE TREND IS FOR MORE FORECLOSURES. As a percentage of listings and SOLD transactions, foreclosures will dominate some markets and grow dramatically in others.
FACT: THE TREND IS FOR MORE SHORT SALES. The percentage of short sales will increase as home owners are relocated, lose jobs or 3-5-7 year ARMs reset and force mortgage payments higher.
FACT: MOVE UP HOME BUYERS WILL BE RARE. If home owners cannot sell their existing home because they have negative equity, they cannot buy the larger or second home.
FACT: OVERPRICED LISTINGS WILL EAT YOU ALIVE. Home buyers have the power if not the market knowledge to reduce the glut of homes on the market.
STEPS TO BRING SOME BALANCE TO THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.
AGENTS: Use the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act to the fullest. Last time I looked, the Home Buyer Tax Credit of $15,000 was reduced to $8,000 and is still limited to First Time Home Buyers. But Senator Johnny Isakson, the Georgia Republican who sponsored the amendment, has suggested that the measure could re-emerge in a stand-alone bill. Even if the benefit is limited to $8,000 and first time home buyers, USE IT. GEEZ! ABUSE IT. I surely intend to. Learn about this benefit and include it in your online advertising. Based on what I'm reading today, it will be good for buyers purchasing a home before December 1, 2009. Create a flier to explain the tax credit from an authoritative source and include it in every buyer's folder ( YOU DO HAVE BUYER'S FOLDERS, DON'T YOU?). Print the fliers and include them in the brochure for all of your listings. Include them in the handouts at your open houses.
STOP AVOIDING THE SALE OF SHORT SALES. So what if banks don't know how to sell real estate. I read many agent who say that they have a duty to show homes with pathetically low co-ops. Yet, some of these same agents will refuse to show short sale listings because of the nightmarish delay, arbitrary acts of the banks and less than helpful listing agents. START SELLING SHORT SALE LISTINGS TODAY. I can tell you that your buyers will love you. Compared to the average foreclosures listing, short sales are usually in lovely condition, represent homes in very popular areas and communities and are offered and SOLD at prices far below what they would be selling for if they were not a short sale. WAIT A MINUTE!!! First, do your homework and learn about the different bank procedures. Prepare your buyers to have patience, respond as quickly as possible when the bank finally assigns a negotiator and asks for a document. If they have a 48 hour deadline, get on it. I've come to refer to this indecent as the "negotiator's test". This happens with such regularity, I believe it's done just to see if the buyers are serious and the buyer's agent is on the job.
SELL SOME FORECLOSURES and get these things off the market. Foreclosures are a dream transaction compared to some short sales. No, the moon is not made of cheese and your buyer will probably not get the house with a 50% offer. Foreclosures are priced by appraisals or broker's price opinion and, while they are often discounted, they are not anywhere near 50%. If they were, they'd all be SOLD. These ridiculous offers are a waste of everyone's time. EDUCATE YOUR BUYERS by providing them with the LIST-TO-SOLD price statistics in that market. Once a serious buyer has a handle on value and understands that the banks usually get near or often more than the list price, they'll know that they need to get real or get to the rental office. Be firm and if the buyer is more interested in negotiation than finding a home, NEXT.
AGENTS: LEARN ABOUT THE FHA 203(k) Purchase and Rehabilitation Loan. If you are in a market where a number of foreclosures are in need of repair and may not qualify for normal FHA financing, educate your buyers about the FHA 203(k) loan. It will help you sell homes and help your home buyers earn some equity quickly.
IF AGENTS AND BROKERS KNOW THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH ONLY 2/3 OF THE BUYING POOL, THE REMAINING 1/3 BEING THOSE MOVE UP BUYERS WHO CAN'T SELL, we should be figuring out ways of attracting home buyers who can buy and CLEAN OUT THE INVENTORY of foreclosures and short sales.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE CLEAN OUT THE INVENTORY OF foreclosures and short sales??
Fewer homes on the market.
Buyers better prepared.
Banks are slow but they have begun to learn.
PRICES WILL BEGIN TO RISE? EVERY LISTING AGENT'S DREAM. You won't even have to advertise it. The NAR will do it for you. They'll do it whether prices rise or not so take advantage of the opportunity and include the announcement by the NAR that "home prices rising" publication by the NAR in your buyers folders, at open houses and in your listing brochures.
NOW GET OUT AND SELL SOME REAL ESTATE. CLEAN OUT THE INVENTORY.
Cottonwood Terrace Townhouses in Summerlin Las Vegas is a very sought after community. It borders Cottonwood Canyon which is 69.4 acres and runs through TheArbors Village all the way through the Canyons Village.
Pulte Homes opened the models at its Cottonwood Terrace townhouse development,in 1999 and had build out in 2001. Located in Summerlin's Arbors Village. The townhouses offer resort-style living with a gated entry, landscaping, a pool, spa, and 1,800-square-foot fitness center.
The single- and two-story floor plans range from 1,397 to 1,847 square feet.
The Sheffield: one-story model, the 1,397-square-foot Sheffield, features a great-room design, three bedrooms with a den conversion option, and two baths with shower stall option.
The Sussex: 1,603-square-foot Sussex model, also single-story, comes with vaulted ceilings, a great-room design, and a dining room that can be converted into a den, fourth bedroom or owner-suite retreat.
The Bristol: at 1,792 square feet, the two-story Bristol floor plan features a first-floor owner suite, two secondary bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a loft with optional expanded storage.
The Cambridge: floor plan offers 1,847 square feet and features a formal living room, dining area, and a separate family room with a media niche and fireplace.
Standard kitchen features include oak cabinets, a gas range and a dishwasher. Interiors include ceramic-tile entries, light fixtures, rounded corners, and ceiling fan prewiring. Other amenities include ground-mounted air conditioning, concrete-tile roofs, low E vinyl windows and a two-car garage.
Pulte has been a leader in energy efficient building from the very beginning. Even though this neighborhood was built in 1999 there was still a partnership with the US Department of Energy.
This is a veiw of Cottonwood Terrace from Cottonwood Canyon there are back gates so you can get out to the walking trails very easy.
In the last 90 days two have sold in Cottonwood Terrace 2 properties have sold :
852900 219,000 214,000 907 MAJESTIC OAK ST A#: 404 Bd: 3 Bth:3
There are currently 3 homes for sell in this very popular townhouse community. If you have any interest in seeing these properties or having more information on the properties please email me chrisshouse@gmail.com or call me 702-277-3195
Clark County Subdivision: COTTONWOOD TERRACE \
Year Built: 2001 ** GLVAR Deems Information Reliable, But Not Guaranteed JUNIPER CREEK LN $ 245,000
The National Association of Home Builders did a recent survey of 2,300 home owners, 50% of those surveyed said they would pay $5,000-$11,000 for a new home if it could save on their utility bills. Could 2009 be the year that GREEN goes mainstream?
As home buyers become more aware of the products that are offered and what is Eco-Friendly and available now I believe the trend will defiantly head that way. I am very excited over the new products that are becoming more and more mainstream.
Along with homes being small and smarter, buyers expect the homes to have these options:
According to the surveys these building trends are on the top of consumers lists.
SMART STORAGE
Making every inch count
closet organizing systems
Home entertainment Centers
Laundry rooms with lots of built in storage
CLEANER AIR
Builders are using paints that are lower in volatile organic compounds
Improved air filter systems that trap allergens
VERY FUNCTIONAL KITCHENS
The kitchen is still the most important room in the house
Buyers want the kitchen to be great looking
Lots of cabinetry
Spacious center islands
Highly efficient and great looking appliances that look built in
PAINTING AND INTERIORS
Tranquil home environments
Coming back into style is the 50's and 60's style of soft pastels
Leading trend seems to be shades of gray on the walls,and soft pinks
Bright and vibrant colors on back splashes in the kitchen and bath
FLEXIBILITY
As Baby Boomers age (that would be me!) manufactures are producing new products and rethinking others
Shelves that slide out for easy reach
Homes with wheel chair mobility in mind
Dishwashers that can be loaded from a wheel chair
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Outdoor living is still very much a trend buyers are moving toward
Outdoor kitchens
Elaborate grills
Refridgerators
Televisions
Wine coolers are much sought after
This trend is holding true for not only single family homes but Condos and Townhouses also.
This is an exciting time we are living in and there are many builders that are doing a great job of building green. I wrote about one not to long ago VILLA TRIESTE Now is a good time to buy.
Part of the Summerlin Centre Village Villa Trieste is now open. I spoke with the agent at the models yesterday and have packets available to send out to interested buyers. Why work with a Realtor® instead of just the agent on site? You can read my answer here
Villa Trieste
These beautiful models offer the latest most upgraded energy efficient products that can be had.
Here is an update on just what these homes have for energy efficiencies ,
SunPower solar roof paneling
Diamond level Enviroments For Living package with 3 year heating and cooling usage guaratee
100% Energy Star certified
Envelope insulation system with blown in cellulose
Low-E dual pane, vinyl-framed windows
York 15 Seer rated A/C system and energy efficeint gas furnace
Rinnai tankless water heater
Honeywell digital thermostats
Family protection carbon monoxide and smoke deterctors
The NRF is in town again! They have been coming to Las Vegas for 23 years and of course do a lot of good for the Las Vegas economy. There is something about a cowboy that warms my heart. One of my favorite songs is by Willie Nelson My Heros Have Always Been Cowboys. In fact I grew up loving country music even though I lived no where near Texas or Nashville. I used to know all the words to all Marty Robbins songs and even met him twice and I think I should have been born in Texas.
So the Cowboys and Cowgirls are here in Las Vegas and there are a lot of activities going on. There are concerts every night at the Thomas and Mack Center. In fact there is so many events going on that a whole website has been set up The NRF Experience and Shopping Experience. Last night downtown got into the act with the Downtown Hoedown. It is held at the Freemont Experience which is an amazing place all on its own. There is also the Country Market Place at the Mandalay Bay. It will be fun to have everyone here. I know it will be a fun time.
The Blue Heron Company of Las Vegas have been building in Las Vegas since 2004. They take a parcel of land in the middle of an already built up area and build these beautiful homes and enrich that community.
They are in the process of building the " New American Home" for the National Association of Home Builders set to run Jan 20-23rd at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This years theme is GREEN. "The New American Home" exceeds all standards set by the green building guidelines. They have found a way to incorporate technology that will save about 75% of heating and cooling costs compared to anything else built in Las Vegas.
This years project is The Marquis Las Vegas, a luxury semi-custom in the Southeastern part of the valley. This community consists of 14 half acre lots. Models range from 4,600 sq. feet to more than 10,000 sq feet. Price range is $1.1 million to $5 million. The model of "The New American Home" is no longer on the market. Though it was not disclosed how much it sold for it is said to be valued at $4 Million.
The home has water efficient landscaping and plumbing with a cistern that stores water underground and is later reused for the landscaping. What really makes this home most GREEN are insulated concrete walls and photovoltaic solar panels. These panels allow the house to make more energy than it uses, making it a Net Zero Home. The homes 56 solar panels will generate 12 kilowatts of electricity more than it will use in a year. Through an agreement with Nevada Power the house is allowed to draw from the grid and push it back to allow the house to get credits. The house will be able to draw on those credits should it need to.
The Blue Heron Company originally built a community called Stone Canyon in 2004, their name was Merlin Construction at that time. When they formed a partnership with two people Tyler Jones and Isola who had been friends here in Las Vegas since grade school and are still best friends. It is a good blend of the younger and the older.
I was looking around and I really like the site I posted with the Twittering Santa and Ms. Claus. I found another site that is also tied into Angel Tree. When you order a custom letter for your child. Yes there is a charge for this one but the proceeds go to Angel Tree I have been part of Angel Tree before and it is a wonderful program. With things so tight I think that programs like this will probably help boost the giving spirit.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Well I am asking, because we just tried getting a FHA loan, and we were denied for two reason, My husband had back childsupport and his tax return is paying it off but we are waiting for it to pay it off, and the other reason is he has a Federal loan out from when we was in school, and he didn't pay on it for a period. so in June it will have been 12 months that we have been consistantly paying on it. 
Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-216-2822 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com
I recently learned quite a bit about geothermal heating and cooling systems as the result of one being installed in a family member's house back east. With rising heating oil costs, finding a system that would be more fuel efficient was important. And finding an appropriate vendor was essential. Maybe some of you already know a lot about these systems but they were new for me. And I was so impressed with what I heard about the vendor that I felt it important to share with folks in the area. 
The crew reportedly did an excellent job over a several week period. A local driller was called in to complete the 4 300-foot-wells and thousands of feet of pipe were installed in the walls and throughout the basement of a 250 year old colonial home, including the high velocity pipes for certain rooms to maximize heating. All in all a complex system that works well. 
believe that if they think good thoughts reality will follow. 
folders, at open houses and in your listing brochures.
;)
;)
