From the moment I was first introduced to the idea of using shipping containers for real estate development, it made a whole lot of sense. I caught some "green" home or living show on TV that featured LA architect, Peter Demaria of Demaria Design. So when I heard about Larry Pokras' new firm, LNP Design, in Costa Mesa, I was thrilled to have a local design firm centered around shipping container development. With the Port of Long Beach just miles away, this is something for any real estate investor or developer to seriously consider getting into.
The aesthetic appeal of using modern modular units from developers like Living Homes and shipping container projects has overwhelmingly been proven to be a success around the world so why not in Orange County? With building and land prices as high as they are, this seems to me like a very lucrative opportunity for anyone able to obtain construction financing. Especially anyone sitting around with monopoly money in the bank. The possibilities are nearly endless with what creative developers can do with shipping containers.
L.N.P. Design & Architecture
575 West 19th Street, Suite 228
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 www.LNPDesigns.net
714.713.0981
The Greywater Guerrillas are a collaborative group of educators, designers, builders, and artists who educate and empower people to build sustainable water culture and infrastructure. Watch a video of one of their installations here.
About Greywater:
Greywater is water that flows down sink, shower, and washing machine drains, but not the toilet. Greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and household cleaning products. While greywater may look dirty, it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water. If released into rivers, lakes, or estuaries, the nutrients in greywater (mainly phosphate from detergent) become pollutants, but to garden plants, they are valuable fertilizer. Aside from the obvious benefits of saving water (and money on your water bill), reusing your greywater keeps it out of the sewer or septic system, thereby reducing the chance that it will pollute local water bodies Reusing greywater for irrigation reconnects urban residents and our backyard gardens to the natural water cycle.
Sliding scale entrance fee of $10-30 goes towards the Greywater Guerrillas and Environmental Center. You won't be turned away from this workshop if you are not willing to donate money. Whatever you can give is encouraged.
Environmental Nature Center
1601 16th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-645-8489 www.encenter.org
Mother's Market has also donated snacks for the presentation in case you're hungry or unable to get dinner before hand.
Come and learn about how solar electric systems work and what it takes to get one.
SolarCity is one of the leading solar installers and has a strong presence here in Orange County. They're also the first solar installation company, that I know of, to partner with an electric vehicle company, Tesla Motors. www.solarcity.com
Plug in America will also be present during the event. Plug In America is a coalition of RAV4-EV drivers, former lessees of Honda EV+, GM EV1, and Ford Th!nk City electric cars, and advocates of clean air and energy independence. Prior to 2008, we functioned as a loose network of individuals organized around websites of various names (like dontcrush.com and saveEV1.com) and then coalesced as a chapter of the Electric Auto Association. On January 2, 2008 Plug In America became a separate California Non-Profit Corporation. We have applied to the IRS for tax deductible status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which is pending. www.pluginamerica.org
I just recently heard of Critical Mass, an event that is typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets in mass. The groups seem to have little to no centralized organization and pride themselves on their autonomy. I appreciate the simplistic approach to the idea of getting together in mass to celebrate bicycling. Of course the underlying message of alternative transportation and lifestyle that is conveyed to those who wittiness a Critic Mass group, whether on purpose or not, is a definite step in the right direction.
The Costa Mesa Critical Mass group meets at Rooster Cafe at 6pm on the last Friday of each month.
Rooster Cafe 750 Saint Clair Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626
OTHER WEEKLY COSTA MESA RIDES:
Margaritaville Mondays: Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 630, leave whenever, end at taco mesa for amazing mexican food and 50¢ margaritas. this ride is for everyone, but please, keep the drinking to 21+
Wednesday night social: Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 630, leave whenever. this ride takes us down the newport peninsula and across the ferry to balboa island where we stop for ferry beers. after we ride through balboa and through the back bay loop we stop at cafe blanc for some gelato, then it's off to tacos & tacos for.. tacos. after tacos, DETROIT BAR for some good music and $1 beers. if you're thinking, "man, this ride has a lot of stops," that is why it is called the social ride. bring $2 cash for the ferry, more if you want food and stuff.
Sausage Saturdays: Meet at the triangle square elevators at (around) 1130AM, leave whenever. take pch down to corona del mar, and end up at the rooster cafe for delicious sandwiches and/or the tin lizzy for delicious FREE bbq. yes, i said free.
Some months ago I accidentally drove bye one of two community gardens in Costa Mesa. I'd seen community gardens on TV shows before, but didn't realize that such a resource existed outside of larger, urban cities like Chicago or New York.
After a little asking around I was directed to speak with Ruth A. Raheb, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Costa Mesa. She's quick to return phone calls and awfully friendly when discussing community gardens. So finally! I got all the answers as to how these community gardens work.
Financial cost to members:
Currently, both Costa Mesa Residents and Non-residents may apply for a gardening parcel. The cost, as of May 2008, is $30 for Costa Mesa Residents and $60 for Non Costa Mesa Residents. There is also a $20 key deposit and Community Garden Bylaws that must be followed.
Rules and regulations:
The City of Costa Mesa provides a water source, gate key, parking area, port-a-potty and trash containers as needed. Everything else must be provided by yourself. Best of all the bylaws is that NO CHEMICALS OR CHEMICAL PRODUCTS are allowed.
There are many other rules that must be followed. Such as all crops grown are for personal consumption or gifts, no illegal plants, etc, etc...
O.C. Community Garden locations I'm aware of:
170 Del Mar Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
523 Hamilton Street, Costa Mesa, CA
Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano, CA
I've added both Costa Mesa Community Garden locations to my OC GREEN MAP and will search other Orange County Cities as time allows. Please post a comment on this blog or contact me if you're aware of any others.
If you already have a community garden parcel or are thinking of getting one and would be interested in organizing edible garden or native plant workshop(s) to help educate your community, please contact me.
Contact your City and see if one exists, how to join or what it would take to get one started!
CITY OF COSTA MESA
P.O.BOX 1200 CALIFORNIA 92626-1200
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
PRESS RELEASE
January 9, 2008
“Green” Fee Waivers Currently Available Through June 30, 2008
The City of Costa Mesa is currently offering fee waivers for green installation and express Planning and Building Division Plan checks through June 30, 2008. Under the City’s Build Green Incentive Program, all or a portion of the fees will be waived for green installations of solar panels, skylights, domestic tankless water heaters, grey water systems, and similar conservation technology. A rebate may also be offered for green certification. Build Green plans will also be given priority in processing along with the option of preferred morning or afternoon inspections.
The Build Green Incentive Program encourages the elements of green building, which include site design, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and material selection. A green certified building has 50% less negative impact on the environment than a standard building.
Authorized on September 4, 2007, the Build Green Incentive Program is part of City Council’s adopted Sustainable Municipal Green Policy, aimed at increasing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, promoting a healthy work environment and environmental responsibility.
For further information on the Build Green Incentive Program, “Green Building FAQs” brochures are available at www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us and at the Development Services Department counter, or please contact Building Official Khanh Nguyen at (714) 754-5277.
Many of you have seen the fun house flipping TV shows where someone gets in way over their head and losses their ass or the master "house flipper" who has made a cool hundred thousand dollars in 3 months.
The majority of "house flippers" should be called market riders. Simply because they're riding the real estate market to victory or defeat, not generating their financial future on their own. Either they'll spend too much money in the wrong neighborhood with too low of an appreciation rate for a loss or make a few bucks and dump it into their next investment deal with their fingers crossed. Eventually, when the market turns South, like it has, they'll no longer be able to generate income and most likely be stuck in a financial headache of some sort.
THE RAPE OF REGRESSION:
I cringe and cheer for the homeowner that dumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into his home in the wrong neighborhood. It's a great thing for the neighbors and can help turn a neighborhood around if it's become less desirable. However, more often than not, it's a terrible financial move.
The market value of a residential home is based off the homes in the neighborhood. If you are the most lavish home on your street, chances are that the value of your home is being pulled down by your neighbors. This is called regression in the real estate world and it's not your friend.
Although not so bad for a long term investor who has selected the right beat up, old neighborhood that's beginning to come back around, building a castle in a village is financial suicide for a short term house flipper.
THE COST OF FLIPPING:
The cost of buying, fixing up and selling a home is tremendous. real estate agent commissions, financing costs, escrow, title, notaries, appraisal, home inspections, termite inspections, repair work, cosmetic work, etc, etc...
A professional "house flipper" will calculate the cost of buying, fixing up and selling to help him/her determine whether or not there's any money to be made. It's hard to believe that someone can make money by flipping residential in just a few months, but in the right neighborhood and the right real estate market, anything is possible.
RESIDENTIAL VS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE:
Residential real estate investments are a good tool for tax shelter and a good way to generate appreciation over the years. The value of a commercial property is determined by the cashflow it generates today. There for, it's a much more lucrative tool to flip short term. Lowering expenses with energy efficient investments, changing the tenant mix to better suit the current community can have a dramatic effect. Sometimes, all that's needed is to simply raise the rent to the current market price.
About two months ago at a "green" building presentation, the president of Living Homes become the 2nd person to tell me that residential greywater systems are illegal in this area. They had tried to do one on a project of their's, but were prevented by the city. A few weeks ago, I heard the same thing from the gentleman who took me on a tour of Orange County Water District'sGround Water Redistribution plant. Not that he should be an expert, but the story seemed to be consistent that greywater systems are illegal.
Up until last Saturday when I met Stephen Bilson of ReWater Systems at Santa Monica's Alt Build Expo. It turns out that Mr. Bilson assisted in writing the California greywater code. This disappointment across his face when he heard of how many people were ignorant to his work in greywater systems is easy to imagine.
The payback on a system like he had displayed was as quick as 3 years in some circumstances. Extremely cost effective and just about any investment in water conservation is a no brainer. People aren't saying that the wars of tomorrow will be fought over water and not oil just for kicks.
So what is a Greywater System?
It's quite simple actually. A greywater system uses your waste water generated from domestic processes such as dish washing, laundry and bathing to water your landscaping. It's financially savvy and conserves water which benefits tax payers, water consumers, reduces our carbon footprint because we use MASSIVE amounts of dirty energy to push Northern water to us and last but not least... the environments where our water is brought from and stored along the way.
It's important to note that you should use natural cleaners and remember that what goes down the sink and shower drain will end up on your landscaping. You shouldn't be using harmful cleaners in your home in the first place!!
If you live in Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin than you should be proud of your Congressman, John Campbell, for standing and speaking out against the backwards stimulous package.
Congressman John Campbell was one of thirty-five House Reps that understands printing more money out of thin air and handing it out to homeowners that have already proven they're unable to spend wisely is a small, short term gain and a big, long term loss for US tax payers.
How do we keep Orange County so green in what is, more or less, a desert region and at what cost are we paying for such extravagance?
As our population in Orange County continues to grow, we'll need to use more water for the things we need to have and less water for things we'd like have.
To my knowledge, the amount of fresh water on earth has not changed much in recent history. So with the same amount of water being available to us year after year and more and more people demanding it, those who control water rights and the communities that use their resources most efficiently will reap the rewards. Which is why many argue that the wars of tomorrow will be fought over water rights instead of oil.
Why should Orange County become more water efficient?
The benefits in becoming water efficient as an individual, a city, a county and a state are massive! Besides the destruction to wild habitats we cause by importing water to support our excessive lifestyles, it's COSTING US A LOT MONEY and putting our well being in unnecessary jeopardy! As tax payers and consumers of water, we're subject to higher energy and water rates. The more water and energy needed to push it to us in order to sustain our lifestyle, the more costly infrastructure we need to support our thirst.
I recently attended one of Mesa Consolidated Water District's workshops and was confused as to why they want me to buy less of their product in the first place. They must be getting some sort of rebate from the State of California (Tax payer money) for reducing their costumer's water needs like Southern California Edison does with their electricity consumers, I thought. In fact, it seems that it's more profitable for Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the water company that sends us water from other regions, to reduce our consumption by sponsoring events like the one I attended than it would be to build more reservoirs to support or gluttony.
Why is Landscaping so important? Our landscaping demands roughly 50% of our water consumption needs. It's an easy change for us to make and will save us money personally and as tax payers. Native and drought resistant landscaping, when done right, looks beautiful. Increased property value and lower utility bills are the result. Who's going to argue with that kind of outcome, right?
The overall design of your landscaping should be well thought out. Using a Landscape Consultant will save you money in utility bills, purchasing plants the first time to prevent you from having to buy them a 2nd time after they die because you don't know what you're doing. Mixing plants with similar needs like water consumption, sun exposure and soil type isn't something that everyone will be able to figure out or have the time for on their own.
Watering systems should be seriously considered. Especially with all of the upcoming changes to many city watering codes. Residents should have a 2nd opinion from a professional in regards to the placement and type of watering systems they need. Many water districts will come out and consult you for FREE.
I prefer California Native landscaping or at least something that is compatible with local wildlife. Using drought resistant plants or Xeroscaping are also beneficial to your wallet and your community.
Growing your own food is another smart thing to do. With the rising cost of oil or the weakening of our dollar, food will continue to rise in price significantly. The majority of pesticides and herbicides are derived from petroleum and of course we need to truck them to the Ralph's Grocery Store down the street, right?
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba began to spiral into a severe economic depression known as the Special Period. Without the Soviet Union's steady flow of oil, Cuba was unable to transport goods from one region to another. People nearly dying of starvation lead to a sustainable agricultural revolution! Residents began growing their own food locally as well as small urban farms and I believe they're better for it. Hopefully our transition from agriculture supported by cheap oil to a more sustainable model won't be as severe.
Using natural, organic fertilizers to grow your own food will keep you healthier as well. So have fun and plant some fruit trees and try your luck with a small vegetable garden!
How to learn and do more?
I'm so happy you asked. The first goal is to keep this issue in our thoughts to help spread the idea, influence our actions and the way we consume.
In Orange County there are all sorts of opportunities for us. Environmental conservation groups like OC Parks or Back to Natives have regular events where residents have the chance to remove non-native plants, clean-up and repair habitats alongside local experts.
Check with your water district to find out about upcoming workshops, if they'll come out to your home and give you a free consultation, water saving tips and tax rebates for things like new toilets and sprinkler timers.
Attending local social groups that share an interest in sustainability can be another great resource.
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.
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