Updates on NAR Green Designation - 08/29/08 11:20 PM
I had a good talk today with the person in charge of forming the panel of experts for the NAR Green designationn.  It is true that USGBC, NAHB, ANSI, EcoBroker® and others were not directly involved in the criteria.  However, USGBC was asked to provide a list of experts that were contacted on an individual basis.  I was assured the reason for not working directly with EcoBroker® was out of respect for their program.  I have yet to speak with any one at EcoBroker® as to that point.  I also ascertained that the "experts" are considered top in their perspective fields.  … (15 comments)

Realtor® or Road Block - 08/29/08 10:41 PM
Realtors® may pose the biggest stumbling block to helping consumers purchase green homes.  Yes I am not afraid to say it.  While many Realtors® see the benefit to green homes, few are taking the time to understand the specific components that make a green home a better investment for their client.  With home builders increasingly building to green and energy efficient standards, Realtors® are just now acknowledging that their may be a benefit.  The numbers don't lie on that point with over 60% of builders' nationwide building to green and energy efficient standards, and less than 20% of Realtors® nationwide with … (0 comments)

Do you sell green homes, or homes with green features? - 08/23/08 11:17 AM
From recent blog responses, I thought it would be a good time to talk about marketing green.  I can not believe how many different options there are on this topic.  While many say you have to sell a "green" home, others are saying you need to sell the features and others the cost savings.  So which one is the right way to market, I am not sure there is a right way or a wrong way.  You see many people buy green homes for different reasons.  So they may be looking for cost savings or a healthier home.  They may want … (6 comments)

American's want to go green or do they? - 08/23/08 10:45 AM
A research project by The National Geographic and Globe Scan shows USA citizens as the least likely, on a global scale, to adopt environmentally sustainable consumerism.  This study is called the Greendex.  It is a break-thru study showing consumer behavior and habits over time.  Greendex is a new way at looking at consumerism by studying individuals rather than government environmental performance.
"Consumption as measured by the Greendex is determined both by the choices consumers actively make-such as repairing rather than replacing items, using cold water to wash laundry, choosing green products rather than environmentally unfriendly ones-and choices that are controlled more … (2 comments)

Is there a disconnect between the green home market and consumers? - 08/20/08 09:19 PM
Recently while visiting the Northwestern Michigan College M-Tech Center I really began to wonder what the future holds.  I hear and see so many claims to modern technology that is already in existence, yet not being sold on the market place.  I questioned why this is.  The answer I got was concerning.  It would seem there is a break down between the various stages of supply and demand.  You can't have cutting edge technology with out installers knowing what to do with the product.  Once the product is installed you need someone who can explain the benefits.  You hope by the … (5 comments)

No New NEws on the NAR Designation, YET - 08/20/08 08:36 PM
Tommorow I am hoping to have some new information on the NAR Green Designation.  I will blog on it just as soon as I have a few answers.  Their is good news, enough people have let me know they are just as concerned.  So my question is simple and I want to hear from every one on this.  Do you feel greenwashing is just as relavant as housing fraud was?  And if so what role does NAR or EcoBroker play?
… (5 comments)

Art Fair Shows Off Eco Friendly Art - 08/17/08 03:11 AM
This morning Carolyn and I went to the Traverse City art show.  Fist I want to tell any one reading this blog in the Traverse City area; if you didn't get a chance to go, please make it a point next year.  This is a wonderful event and highlighted artist from across the region and was very well run.  Some times I have to shake my head at my own skepticism.  We came across artist after artist that reused and recycled what most of us would consider trash into some of the most beautiful artwork you can imagine.  From broken glass … (0 comments)

NAR's new Green Designation - 08/17/08 02:47 AM
As many of you probably already know NAR has issued a Green Designation.  I have placed several calls to NAR and I have yet to hear back.  However I was able to contact the company doing the training.  I had some simple and logical question that I did not get satisfactory answers on and now I am on a major fact finding mission.  What concerns me the most about this designation is the company doing the training stated a panel of "experts" was assembled to provide the latest knowledge on Green building practices.  They also stated they did not have any experts … (26 comments)

How many ways can you think of to go green? - 08/13/08 11:37 PM
With the fear that I will have a million responses to a more or less hypothetical question, Have you ever stopped to think about how many ways you can go green during a single day?  I personally came up with a list of 73 things I can do in any given day to be greener.  I would list them all but I am sure no one has the time to read all 73 items.  But what I really found interesting is i slowed down by 5 miles per hour yesterday and found out I improved my gas mileage by 2 gallons … (7 comments)

Green Homes are selling despite the housing slump - 08/13/08 11:19 PM
A survey was released on 7/24/08 by the US Green Building Council; it confirms what has been debated heavily lately.  We can now say with confidence green building is growing and it's the way homes are being built for the future.  Green Construction has grown to an annual $36Billion dollar industry with over $100Billion dollars worth of green homes being built in the last three years.  What has me excited is that green homes are becoming largely affordable to purchase with a minimal average of 5 to 7% more cost than there toxic and inefficient counterparts, with out sacrificing the savings … (12 comments)

 
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Tony Zimmerman

Cadillac, MI

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Green Gamut

Address: 3665 West Lake Mitchell Drive, Cadillac, MI, 49601

Office Phone: (231) 468-2037

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Learn ways in which to incorporate green, energy efficiency, and sustainability into your home. New construction, re-greening existing homes, affordability, health and in-door air quality are just a few topics discussed


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