Tammy's Blog

Grand Rapids MI 1/2 Yearly Real Estate Market Stats-2008

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:28:30 -0500

To answer the famous question, "What's Going on in the Market?" Here you are...

Single Family and Condo Report

Price #Sold through

June

$0 to $ 99,999 1810

$100,000 to $199,999 1870

$200,000 to $299,999 451

$300,000 to $399,999 125

$400,000 to $499,999 49

$500,000 and over 44

New Listings Jan - June

2008 2007

16,035 18,599

Total Sales

2008 2007

5,981 5,745

The number of listings currently on the market is down in comparison to last year and sales are up. Email me if you would like to see what's going on in your specific neighborhood! tstone@grar.com

**Information gathered from the Grand Rapids Association Board of Realtors.

Union Square Sold in Less than 60 Days!

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:06:57 -0500

Tammy Stone | FlexIt Realty | 616-318-6101

600 Broadway Ave NW #324, Grand Rapids, MI

SOLD ! Urban Living at its Finest!

1BR/1BA Condo

offered at $160,000

Year Built	1900
Sq Footage	836
Bedrooms	1
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$225 per month

DESCRIPTION

Enjoy the comforts of downtown living and the perks of tax free with no property taxes or personal state and city tax in the Renaissance Zone. This beautiful 1 bedroom condo is tastefully decorated with hardwood floors, a modern kitchen, 12' ceilings, and floor to ceiling windows. The spacious deck, great floor plan and charm are something you don't want to pass up at this price! Other amenities include: rooftop deck with pool and hottub, community room with pool table, exercise room, laundry facility and a 24 hour security card entrance~a community within a community and one you won't want to miss!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Tile floor
Living room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Stainless steel appliances	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking	Business center	Laundry on-site
Fitness center	Swimming pool(s)	Secured entry
Elevator	Wheelchair access

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Tammy Stone

FlexIt Realty

616-318-6101

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 1, 2008, 5:38pm PDT

4 Bedroom Home in Dorr/Wayland

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:03:23 -0500

Tammy Stone | FlexIt Realty | 616-318-6101

4240 Homestead Dr, Wayland, MI

4 Bedroom ~ Neighborhood and Country all in One!

4BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $149,900

Year Built	2005
Sq Footage	1,673
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Beautiful corner lot haven with nice deck, large entertaining space, and finished basement area. Move right into this 4 bedroom home that still has the peace and quiet of the country and yet minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Hardwood floor	Living room	Bonus/Rec room
Dining room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Basement	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Tammy Stone

FlexIt Realty

616-318-6101

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 1, 2008, 5:39pm PDT

NE Beauty with Oversized 2 Stall Garage for only $129,900!

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:01:01 -0500

Tammy Stone | FlexIt Realty | 616-318-6101

1130 Kelsey St NE, Grand Rapids, MI

3 Bedroom NE Grand Rapids Beauty with 2.5 Stall Garage!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $129,900

Year Built	1949
Sq Footage	1,640
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Beautiful corner lot haven with shade trees, large 2.5 stall garage, patio, and fenced backyard. Large kitchen with arched entryways and much desired hardwood floors. Meticulously kept... move right in!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Tile floor
Living room	Bonus/Rec room	Dining room
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Basement	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

Guest parking

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Tammy Stone

FlexIt Realty

616-318-6101

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 1, 2008, 5:49pm PDT

Some Retailers Still See Opportunity as it Relates to the Michigan Economy

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:17:53 -0500

Michigan's economic struggles always seem to be in the forefront of the media and on people's minds. And rightly so, all business sectors have struggled and many people have had to make moves that would be right for their family. Interestingly enough, as others have moved out of state, Johnny's Lunch has decided to Move Into Michigan. Can you believe it?

Johnny's Lunch sees Michigan and Grand Rapids in particular as an opportunity. Johnny's Lunch is a Ohio franchise with quick-serve hotdogs and burgers with "extremely low" prices (Beeke). Johnny's Lunch is a 72 year old company with national expansion plans with Livonia, Michigan being their first stop. Closer to home in Downtown Grand Rapids in the Monroe Center is our first Johnny's Lunch. Three more franchises are planned to open up in other areas of Grand Rapids as well.

Why did Johnny's Lunch decide to come to Michigan when others have been leaving? Here's what the president George Goulson had to say, "We knew all that stuff going in. We also knew in Michigan there's a lot of opportunity to get in on the ground floor." (Beeke).

HMMMM! Aren't Enterpreneurs looking for the ground floor opportunities? Noodles & Co. franchises have also benefited from the low cost products as people may be trading down from the upscale restaurants to more "casual dining". Did you know, that the Michigan market for Noodles & Co. has outpaced any of their other markets? Interesting.

Good things are happening in Michigan and in Grand Rapids. It depends on how you want to look at the cup... is it half full or half empty? Johnny's Lunch believes its over half full!

References: Beeke, Candace. "Retailers debate coming to Michigan." Business Review Western Michigan. May 15-21, 2008.

Seven Rules for Success

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:50:03 -0500

I'm always reading articles about how successful people are "successful" and today is like no other. Ironically, these articles always come in handy and happen to hit when I may need it the most. Here's what "successful people" do. Are you doing them?

Be True to Yourself - Basically, listen to the little voice in the back of your head and do what it says. It's hardly ever wrong. I've also found that when I try to be someone I'm not or niche into an area that I really don't like, that it just doesn't work.
Give Back. Repay What You Have Been Given - In the book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the point is made that when things are at your worst and you don't know where the next job or paycheck is coming from... give a little bit more because you've now opened the flood gates. Wow, that's a difficult one for me!
Never Aspire for Average - This one I like. If you strive to be average, you will be. If you set the bar high and aim for the top, you leave quite a few people in the dust.
Never Quit Learning or Reading - Your mind grows stale without new stuff to put in it.
Surround Yourself with People Who Make You Feel Better - Now, is not the time to spend time with your doom and gloom friends.
Bad Things Will Happen - Be Prepared - This one hit hard as my computer crashed the other day and I've been scrambling to find a new computer as the labtop needs a new motherboard and will be out of commission for 3 weeks! The Bible says to be joyous in all trials (James 1), I haven't accomplished the joy aspect yet but I think I've handled the disappointment pretty well up to this point.
Give Thanks for Your Blessings Daily - We are so quick to complain yet so slow to give thanks.

So, I don't know about you... but I have a few of these to work on. How about you?

References: Kitchens, Ron. "Education and the seven rules." Business Review Western Michigan. May 15-21, 2008.

You've Heard of Viral Marketing but Have You Heard of a Viral Community?

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:20:15 -0500

In a shortened condensed version, or more aptly put, my version of viral marketing is what every business owner yearns for. Its where you do a great job for someone and they tell 10 people who tell 10 people, who tell 10 people. O.K. maybe not 10 people each time, but you get the jist. Your reputation for business explodes because of this great reputation you have built by good ole' word of mouth advertising.

So, that's viral marketing. What I've noticed is that our great place of Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is a great viral community. I'm amazed at how many people know everyone else, know the best places to hang out and have their own little sense of community within the much larger community of downtown Grand Rapids. People are usually very friendly and courteous and obviously love the attributes of Downtown Grand Rapids with its walkable access ways to some of the best restaurants and hangouts in town. To the beautiful parks, bridges and scenic views of the downtown skyline over the river. To just being the hub of Grand Rapids and the place to be. Downtown Grand Rapids is still small enough to feel like a community, yet is getting the draw of the life of a big city. Personally, I appreciate it because it isn't as big as some of the other big cities such as Chicago and it's still a lot of fun to be apart of.

Downtown Grand Rapids is it's own viral community in that it's its own community... if that makes sense. It tends to draw the younger singles and also the babyboomers. Other people love just to be apart of the action ~ which lends itself to a really good mix of people.

Now, because I'm in real estate, I wouldn't be doing downtown Grand Rapids any justice if I didn't mention the condos in downtown Grand Rapids and of course, Union Square where I have a couple of listings. I have other ones coming up in the area and are very familiar with the condo projects in the area, so if you are looking in the near future for a condo and want to be apart of this fantastic viral community, you can contact me at anytime at tstone@grar.com

As Gas Prices Rise, More People Are Conscience of Saving Money

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:35 -0500

The weather used to be the common conversation. Nowadays, our conversations focus around the high gas prices at the pump. You'll listen to the talk radio as they discuss the oil prices per barrel and then how it affects us, the consumer. The other day, I heard talk on the radio about how bike sales were now on the rise. Maybe, with the higher gas prices we'll have a now physically fit America? OR we could do a lot of complaining about the prices, start walking more, buy better high efficiency cars or suck it up and deal with whatever gas prices may come our way. It's a choice!

When you build a new home, you also have a choice. You can choose to build with wood OR you may want to consider another method. Let's face it ~ with the high heating and cooling costs and overall increased costs in many areas, we may have to start thinking about the future and how we can control some of these issues and actually save money. Now that is a remarkable thought!!!

What I'm talking about is ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) construction. Does the thought of concrete walls make you think of a bomb shelter? Honestly, it did for me. Why else would you use concrete for walls? It just seemed odd.

However, with knowledge of the product and the benefits it provides, it really just makes sense. Here's what you need to know about this type of construction. Those who have researched this product, swear by it and realize the benefits immediately. Let me explain.

Most important to you... High heating and cooling costs should make you seriously consider ICF's that can reduce energy costs by 80%.
They provide a healthier indoor air quality due to the lack of air infiltration through the solid concrete walls. This is HUGE, just ask anyone with bronchial or health issues.
Obviously, concrete walls are very durable. The insurance industry is starting to pressure government into creating homes that are more durable. (ICF Builder)
Noise reduction is a noted benefit in areas with high traffic. A very quiet setting.
Finally, concrete is the best solution when it comes to withstanding and surviving extreme weather. Now, I know that Michigan is not prone to hurricanes, but did you know that just recently we did have an earthquake nearby. I thought that only happened in California?
Homeowners who live in ICF homes, are adamant that this is what they want. (ICF Builder) That statement in itself should hold a lot of weight for those considering ICF construction.

If you are considering a brand new home construction project, you really need to consider the bottom line. One of the common misconceptions is that this type of construction is for the elite and is very expensive. It really is quite affordable.

My next home that I build will have ICF construction because I understand the long term benefits specifically for me as it relates to energy efficiency and indoor air quality. A great energy efficient home located in the great area of Canadian Lakes across from Tullymore Golf Course (the third largest golf course in the COUNTRY!!!), is priced fantastic and has all these benefits plus radiant and geothermal heat. It's only $179,900.00, which is a steal for the area amenities and the benefits it has. I would seriously consider this home myself except I want to stay a little closer to home which is Grand Rapids.

Perfect for anyone considering a healthy home or wanting to be within walking distance to the Lakes and Tullymore Golf Course! Open May 18th from 2-4 pm!

As Much As We Try, We Can't Prevent the Unpreventable...A Closing Cancelled At the Last Minute

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:51:20 -0500

As I prepare a mutual release, I'm deeply saddened by the unfortunate turn of events. Today, was the day that my buyer was supposed to close on a home only to get news the day before that her job may be in jeopardy. We were still proceeding as planned but I did put everyone on notice about the upcoming events.

In Life, I guess we have to learn to be Flexible

While REALTORS are used to having things go wrong with a transaction and hold ups with conditions, a loss of job was obviously something that we weren't even considering. Today about 9:30 a.m. it was confirmed that she was let go. She was crying on the phone and upset and thanked me for all my hard work. She even said she felt so bad for me. While she was feeling sorry for me, I was feeling sorry for her. One of the reasons I like working with buyers is because it allows me to develop friendships. I've developed friends from this business that I would have never met otherwise. So while I'm disappointed that this transaction isn't going through, I'm severly disappointed that my new friend won't be in Grand Rapids, much less Michigan. It's a sad day!

On the positive side. Everything happens for a reason. As I told her, buying a home wasn't meant to be and I know there is something better in store for her.

A Life Lesson from Central Washington's Softball Team... A MUST READ!

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:18:17 -0500

Recently, we visited Seattle, Washington for a vacation. We also went to see my niece Samantha's college softball game. While she didn't get to play much, we had a great time watching the girls. We even got to meet a few of them.

One of their star players is Mallory Holtman. Mallory is a first baseman and in her last year. She has broken several of the school records and is somewhat famous at the school for the girl's softball team.

Just the other day, my sister sent me an ESPN link that was about this Central Washington team. Maybe, you saw the story on the news. In fact, this story not only made local headlines but The Today Show. Word on the streets is that this story is supposed to be on the Ellen Degeneres Show as well as Jay Leno.

In an article by the New York Times titled, "A Sporting Gesture Touches ‘Em All", you read about Sara Tucholsky from Western Oregon's College Softball team. Sara is also a senior this year but what's remarkable is that it wasn't until she played against Central Washington that she scored her first homerun. In fact, she wasn't quite sure that she cleared the fence and ran it out fast to make it to first base where Mallory Holtman was eagerly waiting to get her out. Sara was so busy concentrating on the ball that she missed first base and had to run back to touch the base. Unfortunately for her, Sara's knee buckled and she went down trying to crawl back to first base but in obvious pain.

Two other runners scored due to Sara's slam over the fence, however, without Sara running the bases, she would only be credited with a single instead of the homerun. At this point, it was obvious that Sara wasn't going to make it to home much less first base. One of the other rules for softball is that no one from her team can help her make the play.

Here's what makes this a great story. Knowing the rules of softball, Holtman of Central Washington's team said, "Excuse me, would it be O.K. if we carried her around and she touched each bag?" The umps ruled that that would be O.K. and Holtman and Liz Wallace, the shortstop, carried Sara around the bases and had her touch each of the bags so that she could get her homerun. It was an amazing act of great sportsmanship.

She hit it over the fence," Holtman said Tuesday. "She deserved it. Anybody would have done it. I just beat them to it." She said she had been taught by her coach, Gary Frederick, that "winning is not everything."

Wow, a life lesson that I believe we can all learn from. I'm so proud of my niece's team... almost like it was one of my own kid's teams. Crazy thing is I actually met some of these girls.

Here's what the coach had to say in regards to Holtman's statement, "As coaches, we are so competitive, we forget this stuff. By God, I would hope I would have done the same thing." How about you? Would you have done the same thing or not? Good question for all of us to ponder.

References: Vescey, George. April 30, 2008. "A Sporting Gesture Touches 'Em All." The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/sports/baseball/30vecsey.html?_r=2&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Energy Efficient Home Open April 27th

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:56:46 -0500

Tammy Stone | FlexIt Realty | 616-318-6101

11638 Pierce Rd., Canadian Lakes, MI

Energy Efficient Open House April 27 from 2-4 PM

3 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $179,900

Year Built	2003
Sq Footage	2,358
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Energy Efficient Home with Solid concrete construction, radiant and geothermal heating system. A green home giving you the benefits of a reduced heat bill, mold and mildew resistant, in the great area of Canadian Lakes!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Family room
Bonus/Rec room	Dining room	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Basement	Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Guest parking	Clubhouse	Fitness center
Swimming pool(s)	Golf course	Lake

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Tammy Stone

FlexIt Realty

616-318-6101

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 25, 2008, 10:53am PDT

Walls and Floor Engineered to Carry the Weight of Cars

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:17:08 -0500

As I continue to learn about home building, I have to admit that a lot of stuff used to fly right over my head. I consider myself to be fairly smart but sometimes those builders just happen to talk in language (builder's code) that is not decodable to the average listener. So, as I learn about all this STUFF and understand it, my goal is to bring things down to a readable and understandable level. While there may be other reasons and added benefits for using a product, you unfortunately get to see what I see from that product.

Honestly, you may wonder if some of these green things are important. I guess it depends on your perspective and what's important to you. Is it important to know that your home is sturdy and safe? It may be important if your home is prone to tornados, fires caused by droughts (no rain for a long period of time), hurricanes, heavy snow fall etc... Is it important for good indoor air quality? It may be if you suffer from allergies or other bronchial infections such as asthma. Is it important to you to block the sound from the outside or from other rooms in the house? It may be if you live on a busy street, noisy neighborhood, or have kids.

So what in the world am I talking about? I'm talking about a home that is using a precast concrete structure. Concrete is one of the most solid building materials, known to be used throughout the ages. It not only provides a safe and secure envelope (the outer walls of a home are referred to the envelope) but a safe and secure environment that can withstand tremendous heat (as in a fire) and other natural environmental conditions. To put it simply - it defies severe weather!

In Charles Moore's article, Concrete reasons: most common building material a better choice, he says that, "Decisions made during a building's design and construction stages will affect cost and performance for decades to come." The intentional plan to build a home made of concrete or ICF forms as in the home in Canadian Lakes was for the benefit of the buyer. This builder understands the benefits of concrete construction and also understands the benefits to the buyer of using the 6" concrete walls on the house and garage and a 4" concrete roof. Not only are these walls engineered to be so durable to carry the weight of a car, they are also thick enough to be a great sound barrier. It is very quiet in this house and it is all because someone did a little bit of planning to build a great healthy home.

You need to check it out, and listen. Did you hear anything? Me neither.

Oh, by the way, this is what Moore also said in the article, " The economic and life safety benefits of precast concrete also make a property more desirable, resulting in better tenant retention, higher net-operating income and increased property value."

References: Moore, Charles. Concrete reasons: most common building material a better choice. March 1, 2005. http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-indiana/380697-1.html

Earth Day and Are There Actually Green People?

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:17:35 -0500

So tomorrow is officially Earth Day and you know that everyone who is involved in the Green movement will have to do a blog about earth day... I just thought I would get my blog in the night before.

Interestingly enough, I was thinking about why I chose to focus on Green as a REALTOR. One of the green features is the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle logo. Obviously, some people think that Green People (is there such a thing as an actual Green person?) are tree huggers, environmentalists, obsessed about the environment etc, etc... And quite honestly, the more I learn about the Green Stuff, the more I believe this is just the right thing to do. I only have to go by the landfills, see the huge "mountain" from our garbage and become sold on the idea that to recycle is a much better option. Not only is the stench unbearable but it saddens me to see that mountain that used to be a flat surface from all of us being lazy and not taking care of God's "green" earth.

Just to let all of you know, I do my best to recycle and reuse but I'm not an extremist. I still have my faults and could probably do a much better job than I do right now. But I do recycle those aluminum cans (I even pull them out of the trash can because my family is not as big on recycling) and I do try to conserve energy. My issue is trying to get the others in my family to remember to turn off lights, TV etc... There are seriously some nights where the TV downstairs has been left on with no one watching it and turned off when I go to bed at 11:00. What a waste of useless energy. Oh, by the way, to wrap those two things together. I once did an article on Shrek being Green and he said that by recycling 1 aluminum can that is equivalent to 3 hours of TV time. That was amazing!!!

So, what's the point of this article. The point is that you don't need to be a fanatic to help out the environment. With everyone doing a little bit of recycling, we can all make a difference! A little bit truly goes a long way!!!

What is ICF Construction and How Does it Provide an Energy Efficient Home?

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:13:41 -0500

Gaining in popularity for the green home are the tools of the trade. ICF's, or insulating concrete forms, are one of the strongest forms of construction in that the home is built with concrete. These forms used primarily for the exterior walls of the home are designed with foam that is grooved and fitted to fit the other ICF pieces just like a puzzle. In between the two pieces of foam on either side are rebar reinforcements that lock the foam pieces together and provide solid material for the concrete to adhere to.

ICF's are a popular way to go in the construction of a green home in that they not only provide a solid home but also an energy-efficient home. Since the concrete is totally encapsulated in rigid foam, the foam provides the energy efficiency while the concrete provides the strength. Energy efficiency is dependant on how the home is built and how much leakage is moving in and out of the house. Green home practices focus on building air-tight homes and with the interlocking foam blocks and long continuous panels, ICF's are ideal in preventing air leakage. The solid structure and the fact that concrete doesn't settle, also lends to the tight house construction.

While ICF's are definitely something that may seem like a different philosophy in building a home, the fact is that when the home is finished, it actually looks like every other home. If you have ever been in a house with ICF construction, one of the many comments is in regards to how quiet the home is with very little outdoor noise penetrating the walls. Solid construction, high energy efficiency, superior wind and fire resistance, superior soundproofing, and affordability are big plusses for ICF's. Vapor and air barriers are built in to maintain a healthy interior air environment.

Rising Energy Costs Causing Money to Go Down the Drain

No question about it, ICF's are changing the way homes are being built. Consumers are realizing not only realizing the benefits of a healthy home, but most definitely are enjoying the benefits of energy efficiency. With the rising cost of oil, more people are more aware of how much of their budget is actually being flushed down the drain by high energy costs.

My green listing in Canadian Lakes, Michigan has been built from top to bottom with ICF construction including the roof. It is one of most quiet, energy efficient homes located in that beautiful area.

Why Southern Exposure is Important for a Green Home

Tammy Stone~ "Eco~GREEN" REALTOR in West Michigan (FlexIt Realty) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:17:07 -0500

While some of us like to "shoot from the hip", there are others that are very organized in their thoughts and processes. Initially, I'm an organized individual and unfortunately, there are a lot of days that I "shoot from the hip." So, I guess I'm a little bit of both personalities.

For those of you who hate organized ideologies, you have to admit that a little bit of organization can go along way. In fact, when it comes to buying a home, answering some key questions just makes the process so much easier and helps you figure out what your true priorities are. See Planning the Key to Home Buying Success.

New construction works the same way and more specifically when you discuss "green" homes. "Green" homes start with a smart design and efficient technology systems to create green homes. In fact, the planning or design stage, in my opinion, is one of the most important steps in the process. Deciding what factors are important to you in the beginning saves a lot of time and possibly a lot of money in the future.

Green homes are about having "residential structures that achieve optimal year-round comfort, reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and limit environmental impact." (http://www.solarenergy.org/workshops/sushomedesonline.html). This type of home is about taking the house as a whole unit, being aware of the climate and temperature changes and knowing which design strategies can handle the environment and its natural surroundings. In order to reduce energy consumption, green designers look at other ways of obtaining other forms of renewable energy, such as solar, wind. In fact, here's what Wikipedia defines renewable energy as, "Renewable energy effectively uses natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished.

Let's discuss solar energy. To effectively use solar energy, the placement of the house on the lot is a big issue. Builders that are trying to use other sources of heat, will look for a lot which gives the front of the home a southern exposure. The placement of the sun during the different seasons give the home optimal sunlight exposure and natural heat helps with heating and cooling costs. To see a more detailed explanation of why this is important, a great article can be found at... http://money.howstuffworks.com/southern-exposure.htm

One of my green listings located at 11638 Pierce Rd, in Stanton has used green thinking in their planning of this home that is solidly constructed to achieve that "optimal year-round comfort, reduce the energy consumption, improve indoor air quality and limit environmental impact." This home starts with the southern exposure to take advantage of the solar heat and reduce your energy bill. The home also contains some other great Green features that will be talked about at a later date. Understanding some of the thought processes behind the green way of thinking, helps you be more knowledgeable about the process. Regardless of the process, green built homes provide a great healthy home which is becoming more important every day.