All Realtors Should 'Get' Green..

What is Green?  It means something different to everyone.  In fact, I have found it to be an extremely emotional term that can lead to a conversation worst than that of politics or religion. Everywhere you go, every publication you look at, many advertisements..they talk about GREEN. 

Theresa Boardman wrote an amazing post this morning on Inman about 'not buying into the green movement' that brought up great conversation on how green has become a marketing tagline companies, builders, Realtors..and points out many hypocrisies along the way.  I was all set to have a comeback about 'green' Realtors but as I thought about it, she was right.

Somewhere in mass of advertising the meaning and term has been lost.  What is GREEN anyway?  This is so frustrating.  We have no idea if what are looking at with a 'Green' label is really green or not anymore.  Greenwashing is everywhere these days.

As far as Real Estate is concerned I think it is important to remember that the 'Green Movement' and 'Green Building Movement' are not the same thing.  They are totally different.  The 'Green Movement' is solely about Conservation, Preservation, a Lower Environmental Impact and the 3 R's.  'Green Building' is for the homeowner.  A solar panel or a little bit more insulation does not make a Green home.

So, as Real Estate Agents we are kind of sitting back with eveyrone and everything going Green thinking homes are the same way, but it's not.  Even if you could care less about cutting down a tree or littering, we should all pay attention to Green Building.

Real Estate is a HUGE investment, slightly more than buying locally grown produce let's say.  As a Real Estate Professional we help to guide our clients to make the 'best investment' possible.  What if the home they are buying 'Green' is just a marketing gimmick? 

A Resale on the market that is 'Green' may only have new windows or A/C Unit and squiggly light bulbs.  The New Construction home may just have a little more insulation and radiant barrier.  Is it in our clients best interest to have no idea of what 'Green Building' is all about?  It's about the home as a living being, a whole unit.  Everything that goes into the home is affected by another component, yet the home will have a lower carbon footprint in the end.

If you make the home too tight with poor products, the Indoor Air could be toxic.  If you have a perfect HVAC system but the house as a whole is poorly constructed, it will not help your Utility Bills.  How is ignoring this side of the 'Green Movement' helping our clients?  Shouldn't we all be able to notice Non-Green items the way we would a water leak or wood rot?

As we sit back and giggle about 'Green' Realtors driving gas guzzlers or sit in line for 15 minutes with our cars running at a drive through to get a Recycled Paper Cup and Hamburger where the meat was transported from the opposite side of the Nation, let's also consider how our Homebuyers can also get sucked into the 'Green' scheme of things.

Green Building is here.  It is being mandated in a different city nearly everyday and not likely going away this time.  Very few of us could be 'Green Realtors' but we could all pass along knowledge as to how our clients can buy or sell without being taken for a ride.  Would that be a bad thing?

Ok, Crazy Little Google Things I Noticed....

So, I am am still trying to get caught up on all of my online stuff.  I finally finished up my first Squidoo Lens a couple weeks ago.  Although many things have not changed, like when you do not post regularly Google doesn't like you as much, other things have changed since I saw them last...

First off, I am still fighting about doing Video but tonight I realized that I HAVE to.  Have you all seen this?  If we/I do not hop in on the Video Craze, could that potentially Bye-Bye on several Google Searches? 

That means that a Consumer can choose whether or not the ONLY want to view Video?  Holy Cow!  That is Huge. Looks like I will be entering the Active Rain Video Contest.

Now, while I was cruising around I also noticed something odd.  Localism Pictures show up before my blog?  Oh My!  Way to go Active Rain!  And by the way, this is the FIRST page of Google for the search term above.

So, what else have I missed?  Do you all have any other good or maybe bad news when it come to Google?

Townhome and Condo Options in The Woodlands

Whether Home Buyers are looking for a Townhome, Condo or a Traditional Home with a large lot- there is something for everyone in The Woodlands.

The options are endless when it comes to Buying a home in here. 

Townhomes and Condos are still actively under construction and have been a favorite of many in the area for years. The reasons I hear are always different:

• Little or no lawn maintenance
• The idea that monthly maintenance dues cover items like roof and siding
• The location
• Homeowner is only in town a few months out of the year
• Only one person in the household
• Just LOVE the feel of the Townhome or Condo Communities here

The Woodlands has done a great job developing Condos and Townhomes-they range from around $70,000 and go all the way up to over $1 Million to be on The Waterway near the Mall and Pavilion.  The sizes range from 1400 sq. ft. to well over 3000 sq. ft. 

You may find Townhomes with Yards and Landscaping, or Condos with no more than a Balcony.  There are Townhomes upgraded to the hilt with Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel appliances and Decorator Touches...or you may just want a Traditional unit with that cozy feel. 

The locations of these are spread out well also.  You will find some in Grogan's Mill right near I-45, Sterling Ridge near Carlton Woods, Alden Bridge just off of 242 for an easier commute...

How about on East Shore where you can look out your windows to Lake Woodlands?  Or maybe on The Waterway for that Urban touch?

There really are Townhome and Condo options for everyone.  As of 3/31/08 here is what you will find available on the market.

By Price:                                                                  

By Size:

If you are considering purchasing in The Woodlands and are considering the Condo route, take a look at the Video below.  You will see just a touch of your options available.

For a list of Townhomes and Condos within your price range, send me an email and let's see what is available that may be JUST the right one for you.  Considering selling in The Woodlands?  How about a list of Comparable Sold Properties similar to what you have?

Auburn Lakes Market Update-Jan. and Feb. 2008

Auburn Lakes is yet another development that is really moving along in its growth.  The Courts are almost completely sold out, the Estates has more and more homes up every time I drive through..

The Recreation Center is going Full swing and waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit more for the Auburn Lakes Residents to go for a Dive-The Golf Course is Gorgeous as ever!

Taking a drive through the Entrance right now is Breathtaking with all of the Flowers and other Landscaping in Bloom.

Since the Home Selling Season has started rolling I thought I would update the Market Reports for January and February so far.  Here is what we are looking at.

For a list of homes available, whether New or Resale, in your price range feel..or a list of Comparable Sold Properties specific to your Home. free to shoot me an email!

Legends Ranch Market Report-Jan. and Feb. 2008

Legends Ranch is a Canyon Gate Community off of Rayford Rd. in South Montgomery County.  One of the sections is Gated with a Guard Gate and you will find builders like Beazer, Gracepoint, Meritage just to name a few. 

There are a variety of homes available in a variety of price ranges.  The market is Picking up for Legends Ranch as well as other communities around the area. 

Here is what we are looking at for January and February so far.  Information compiled by Houston MLS on 3/24/08.

For a list of homes available whether New Construction or Resale in your Price Range...or a list of Comparable Solds specific to your home, feel free to shoot me an email!

Jan. and Feb. Market Update for Imperial Oaks

As you can see from the picture above, The Falls at Imperial Oaks is really lookin' good!  The Rec Center has started and you can see the Lake going in.  Lennar Homes is up in their Model and already has homes on the ground!

It is March now, the home selling season seems to have started.  This is an opportune time to update everyone on the Real Estate Market in Imperial Oaks.  As normal, the pending properties is continually climbing for March. 

For a list of homes available, whether New or Resale, in your price range feel..or a list of Comparable Sold Properties specific to your Home. free to shoot me an email!

Update on The Village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands

It's been a while since I have posted an update on The Village of Creekside Park and I thought it was about time to.  The last post I did Creekside had just opened, they were still working on infrastructure and only a couple of builders were out there.  My, my how Creekside in The Woodlands has come along..as you can see in the picture above.

The Village of Creekside Park is the newest and last village to be built.  There is a planned Age-Qualified section, single and multi family homes along with Carlton Woods Creekside for a total of approximately 7,100 homes.

The 20 acre Rob Fleming Park is nearly complete, that is what the picture above is...and the George Mitchell Nature Preserve is partially open.  Hiking, Biking, Kayaking...all to connect about 25 miles along Spring Creek.  When I was out there just the other day the signs were up for the upcoming Elementary School, YMCA and a Church.

There are actively homes being built starting around $200 all the way up to the Multi-Millions in Carlton Woods.  For a list of homes and floorplans available, feel free to shoot me an email! 

If you just want to check out the Bluebonnet Fields and pack a picnic...take a drive down Gosling Rd.  :)

What Is It About The Woodlands That People Love?

One of the first things that many clients ask when they are Relocating to the Houston area is "What about The Woodlands?  What is it that makes it so Attractive to Home Owners?"

I think if you asked every Home Owner in The Woodlands why they love it there, you may get that many different answers.  There are so many things to appreciate here.  It starts with the Trees as you drive in, the endless amount of Shopping Centers and Medical Facilities but that is only the beginning.

Add on 8,000 acres of Greenspace, 135 Holes of Golf, multiple YMCA Facilities, First Class Schools for the Kids, 155 miles of Hike and Bike Trails...

How about 7 miles of Park Frontage to Spring Creek in The Village of Creekside Park, Picnic Areas, Disc Golf course, Dog Parks...it doesn't end.

There is the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion that hosts Concerts and Events year round from International Stars, The Marriott Waterway that hosts HUGE Conferences, probably enough restaurants for almost every day of the year...

It doesn't matter what your wants and needs are for a Community, I would bet that The Woodlands has it. 

For a list of homes available in your price range, feel free to shoot me an email.  For a closer look at The Woodlands, check out the video below.

Keeping You Posted...My Home Energy Usage Reduction

Everyday it seems that Green is becoming more and more mainstream for Home owners so I thought I would take this time to update everyone on my Home Energy Usage Reduction over the past 9 months.

Some of you remember my Insulation Experiment where I had a company come out and and Blow in Dry Cellulose to R-38 in my attic last June?

Well, that was the beginning of Greening up my home.  I tracked some of my Usage Reductions on AR, but I wanted to compile everything...

On top of Insulation, I also changed out the Light Bulbs that I use most in my home to CFL's.  Believe it or not, I really did see a small reduction on my bill.

Also, just a few minutes ago I posted about Houston's Amazing Green Secret!  The company that comes out and Seals up your home to have less air leaking out of your home...here in Houston that would be the cool air.  :)

Well, the company came out and put new Weather Stripping on my Front and Back Doors, did some Caulking, Sealed up my A/C vents where I was getting hot air from the Attic...and the thing that I still can't get over...

When these guys did the Blower Door Test they realized that the way my HVAC system was designed it was actually circulating air from my ATTIC, not my HOUSE!  My A/C was pulling air from my attic and dumping it in to my home, wreaking havoc with my allergies...and killing my electric usage.  AND YES, they fixed that.

Not only did it help tremendously on my bill, it was..if you read the post...FREE!!!

Now, how has all of this over the past 9 months translated in to dollars?

Let's See.  I just received my April Electric Bill and I switched companies to get a Lower Rate recently so I have to go off of kwh usage to be accurate here...but one neat thing this new company does is put a really neat chart to track my usage for 12 months back.  I don't have to go searching through files.

It shows that my April Bill in 2007 I was billed for about 2300 kwh.  (Holy cow!) 

This month....  Ready?   1177 kwh!  From April last year to April this year that is appx. 1123 kwh Reduction...for the average Electric Rate in Houston that alone is $168 difference!!!!  FOR ONE MONTH!

Now I have to say that I am SO curious as to exactly how low I can get my Electric Bill.  I'm wondering if I can get it close to back in the day when I had an apartment...and rates were 1/2 what they are now.

What's next on the agenda for Reducing my Energy Usage?  I'm looking in to a Solar Attic Fan to lower the Temperature in my Attic Space to help my HVAC cool better.  Stay Tuned.  :)

Amazing Green Secret In Houston, TX

If you search long enough, sometimes you can find out the most amazing Green Secrets around.  This one I did not really search for, but I was SHOCKED when someone told me about this.  :)

In Houston we have to worry about our Cooling Bills.  As a matter of fact I heard one time that our Air Conditioners account for up to 80% of our Electricity usage monthly.  Even in December we turn on our A/C sometimes.

With Utility Rates on the rise Houston is longing to become a little more Green.  Many people are doing this by trying to get their home more Energy Efficient.

We can change out light bulbs, add insulation in our attic, change out windows...

But when it comes down to it, all of the Leaky Holes in your home REALLY need to be addressed before you can see a significant reduction in bills.  There are companies out there that can perform Energy Audits to tell you where you are using the most electricity.  They also do a Blower Door Test (put a negative air pressure in your home to see where air leaks) and this helps tremendously to know how to make your home a little tighter.

THEN, you can call out a local HandyMan to seal up your home.  Weather Strip your doors, Caulk your Windows, Seal your A/C Vents and Duct Work...etc.

By the time you spend $350 for the Energy Audit and then pay a local HandyMan (my bid for JUST Caulking windows was $150) This can really add up.  It will help, but it adds up.

What my GREEN Secret is?

You can get ALL OF THIS FOR FREE!!! 

Someone told me one day about this Program and I just HAD to check it out.  It is a Company called Free Lighting Corp. that comes out to do a Blower Door Test and weatherstrips doors and all of the other items I mentioned.  The program is mandated by State Law and the Public Utility Commission that the company that maintains the lines PAY for this.  That is how it is FREE!!!

The Company is 3rd Party and gets paid on the Variance of the Blower Door Test Before and After they do their work...so basically, they want to do a good job. 

There is no income restriction for this program...Everyone qualifies.  Even Rental Property.  IF there is a household income restriction, they will even blow Insulation in your Attic up to R-30 and give you a Hot Water Heater Blanket. 

As soon as I heard about this, I just had to call them out.  It's for real.  How it has helped?  That is my next blog post.  :)