green homes: Prepare Your Home for Wind or Solar Energy
- 07/30/09 09:34 AM
Conserve now to save later. Reducing your energy use will keep a lid on the cost of your future alternative energy system. A smaller load requires a smaller system. Doing simple things can cut your energy load Install the most energy efficient appliances. Replace your regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). Eliminate your phantom loads (hidden electricity users like chargers left plugged in). Use cold water to wash your clothes. Insulate your basement, walls and attic. Efficiency pays off Refrigerators and freezers use more electricity per year than almost all other appliances. Your solar electric system would cost over … (2 comments)
green homes: Energy efficiency is the very best way to create so-called green jobs
- 07/30/09 07:07 AM
Energy efficiency is the very best way to create so-called green jobs -- yes, even better than subsidizing solar or wind power -- because it makes the economy more productive in the long run. Energy efficiency improvement leads to an increase in jobs in a number of ways. First, there are direct jobs from producing, selling and installing energy efficiency measures. Among others these include energy-efficient lamps or appliances, energy management and control systems, or retrofitting buildings to make them more energy-efficient. Second, there are indirect jobs associated with producing intermediate goods such as the materials that go into insulation or … (0 comments)
green homes: True Opportunity Appears at the Market Bottom, not at the Top!
- 07/21/09 08:20 PM
Architects, Builders, Consultants, Distributors, Energy Auditors, Green Verifiers, LEED AP's, Tradesman, and REALTORS®: You and I are the entrepreneurs of this world, and we must find a way to build / renovate the buildings that people need in a sustainable way. That's the future, and it's upon us. We can not afford to be in competition. We must come together regardless of designation or beliefs to meet the needs of the greater need. Although there are still some tough times ahead in this tough economy, now is the time for leaders to stand up and effectively innovate, because "true opportunity appears … (2 comments)
green homes: Dollars & Cents or Protecting the Environment?
- 06/30/09 04:17 AM
Whether you're talking dollars & cents, or environmentalism, the verdict is building green just makes sense. Green building to many builders has been seen as an environmentalist driven fad. Recently there has been increased interest in green homes: but the surge is coming not only from environmentalist, but also from regular families trying to save money on their energy bills. It all boils down to dollars and cents. Buyers want, and in more cases than not-need, homes that save them money. For builders this surge represents an opportunity to capitalize on what is becoming more of the standard than a niche … (3 comments)
green homes: Summer Green Tip
- 04/17/09 03:47 AM
Trees are your friends Remember when the most valuable part of a home was it's lawn? The greener the grass, the larger the lawn, the better, I remember my neighbor spending most of his summer weekends trying to prevent weeds from growing up in the lawn. He had the greenest most luscious lawn in the area. He told me that he wanted the perfect lawn so his kids could run around barefoot. When he said that I was looking at a sign that said caution pesticides shoes recommended. I could only imagine what his irrigation bill must look like. It wasn't … (1 comments)
green homes: Marketing A Green Home
- 04/17/09 03:12 AM
Knowing how to market a green home where most of what adds value is behind the walls, can be a difficult task if you don't understand 3 basic principles. First and foremost, the word GREEN may not be your best friend. Use words like High-Performance or Efficient. Most buyers still do not have a clear idea of what green really means, or may even have had a negative experience with a so-called green product or service. Second, people buy on emotions so show them emotions. Use pictures like a happy family when describing certain areas of the home like energy efficiency. … (1 comments)
green homes: Green MLS
- 04/17/09 02:48 AM
I have been asked by green real estate agent's for my help in turning their REALTORS(R) association's MLS green. Yes I have several suggestions, but just shooting out a couple suggestions will only confuse the issue further. The problems are complex when establishing a green MLS that actually works for the region specific area you are in. The first is determining the software and server module used. Most RA's use one of 5 major software programs. The second concern is getting the right kind of information onto the MLS. My advice starts here. Most Realtors will not be able to distinguish most … (1 comments)
green homes: Michigan House Bill 4193
- 04/13/09 07:08 AM
I was made aware of this bill in late March. This is the type of bill that I talk about in my Earth Day blog, where I had posted a link. I know not every one will look at a link so I thought I would put the information up on the blog so everyone can see exactly what I am talking about. If you live in Michigan and would like to support this bill follow the link to the on-line petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/MIHB4193 We can not afford to let bills like this one stall or even die. I believe this represents the … (0 comments)
green homes: An Earth Day Every Day Message
- 04/13/09 03:58 AM
Conventional building practices often demonstrate little regard for energy efficiency or the larger economic, environmental or social impacts of the built environment. Green Building attempts to break with these practices. Green building integrates a wide-range of building design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices to provide healthier living environments and reduced living costs while minimizing environmental impacts. One such example is: Green building reduces waste through better product design, recycling, and re-use of materials. The results are reductions in both: raw material usage and its environmental impact, as well as the cost to the private sector and local government of disposing … (3 comments)
green homes: Why build or buy green?
- 01/03/09 07:09 AM
Green built homes are designed to provide home buyers with comfortable, durable, healthy homes that are cost effective and resource efficient providing years of healthy quality living. Through careful design and efficient building techniques, home owners enjoy security in investment dollars in their home. When consulting with clients I encourage them to consider both the short and long term gains in home investments. Today's home owners have a wide range of quality, energy efficient, sustainable, long lasting, and low maintenance home choices. This means home owners will spend more time enjoying their home and less time keeping up with the cost of … (6 comments)
green homes: About NAR's Green Designation
- 11/24/08 04:50 AM
I recently had the opportunity to look over the NAR green designation. I believe they put alot of sincere effort in this educational program and it shows the effort of NAR to stay current. I believe EcoBrokers® can be extremely proud of the education they offer to Realtors®. NAR® has done an excellent job in helping Realtors® understand how to market properties, including "green" homes. The major difference in the educational programs is easy to distinquish. The EcoBroker® curicullum helps the realtor become familiar with the not only the benefits of a green home, but helps them to understand why this is … (12 comments)
green homes: ReGreen tip number 1
- 10/05/08 05:08 AM
Choosing to go green doesn't have to be a hard complicated process. If you have fun it will make going green not only easy, but an activity everyone can enjoy. Start with one room, I would suggest a bedroom. The idea here is simple, start with paint. Simply look for NO VOC paint at your local home supply center. A quick search online for NO VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint in your area will help you locate the supplier. If you have carpet, consider buying wool or carpet made from recycled material. Wool is a natural hypo-allergenic alternative to carpets that … (12 comments)
green homes: What you can’t see can hurt you, a look at indoor air quality
- 10/05/08 04:42 AM
Before I choose real estate as a career, I worked in the chemical industry. From the late 1980's commercial chemical sales started to look at the effects of bad indoor air quality, and the notion of sick buildings was formed. Words like environmentally safer and green became the catch words that are now the mainstream of commercial cleaning. This is a look at what they learned and how it can affect your home. More specifically we are going to look at how maintaining your home can create a hazardous risk and how to avoid it. Poor indoor air quality is known … (2 comments)
green homes: Green Solutions 4 Expo
- 09/11/08 04:26 AM
With fuel costs rising, a struggling real estate market, and a down turn in employment; building and renovating green, efficient homes for working class families goes a long way towards keeping homes affordable. Green homes costs less than conventional homes over the long run and can even reduce construction costs. Green, high performance techniques, systems, and materials will deliver more efficient, durable, and therefore more valuable housing. The returns accrue to owners, residents, neighbors, local governments, and the regional economy. To learn more about what is being done in Northwestern Michigan to support these efforts, visit the Green Solutions 4 Expo … (2 comments)
green homes: Set it and walk away! Saving money while going green.
- 09/09/08 04:16 AM
I had alot of requests from clients to suggest simple ways to save on utility bills. So over the next several weeks I will be posting money saving tips that are green so check back often and as always let me know what ways you have found to save money while going green. So here is the first in this series. Your furnace and air conditioner will run most efficiently if you know how to use the thermostat effectively. Installing programmable thermostats and learning good habits are easy ways to incorporate energy savings. With energy costs on the rise, a great investment … (4 comments)
green homes: October 25, 2008 Green Solutions 4: A green event.
- 09/07/08 04:12 PM
I am proud to announce the Green Solutions 4: event/expo coming up this fall in Traverse City, MI. It's an idea I brought to our area association of Realtors and local home builders association, and they ran with the idea. I am proud of what they are doing and I ask for your support and attendance. I have included the press release and look forward to meeting every one of you that can attend the event. You may also contact me for all the details, directions, and information on the event. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2008 CONTACT:
Traverse Area Association … (2 comments)
green homes: Do you sell green homes, or homes with green features?
- 08/23/08 04:17 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)
green homes: Is there a disconnect between the green home market and consumers?
- 08/20/08 02:19 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)
green homes: No New NEws on the NAR Designation, YET
- 08/20/08 01:36 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)
green homes: NAR's new Green Designation
- 08/16/08 07:47 PM
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)
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
Conserve now to save later. Reducing your energy use will keep a lid on the cost of your future alternative energy system. A smaller load requires a smaller system.
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