Tax Credit For NEW Windows - But Most Won't QUALIFY! - 02/27/09 09:14 PM
We have heard ALL THE RAVE about how the Stimulus Bill had a ton of Energy Efficient Tax Credit stuff in it.  No cap on Solar and Geothermal - 30% up to a MAX of $1500 on Energy Efficient Improvements ...
One of the best parts of that is being able to get up to $1500 back for New Windows.  You know, those crummy single pane windows that you would love to rip out.  But, Hold On!  Have you read to see what qualifies?  I went in to Home Depot the other day and not a SINGLE WINDOW QUALIFIED that they … (10 comments)

The 411 on Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Water Heating vs. Solar Water Heating - 02/25/09 12:24 PM
The Stimulus Bill, it's rather confusing.  I have previously posted some of the Positive Sides to the Bill and this is part 3 of my Energy Efficiency Tax Credits in the '09 Stimulus Bill.
If you have been following my Webinar Series through 'Turning Houston Green' on Greening the Existing Home, you know that this Saturday, Michael Strong and I will be going over Water and Lighting Fixtures.  Part of this will be in regards to Energy Efficient Water Heating Solutions which includes Tankless and Solar Water Heating.
In doing our research, we noted that the Stimulus Bill changed the Tax … (10 comments)

Recorded Session of Retrofitting Your Home Green Webinar Series 3- HVAC and Insulation - 02/22/09 09:17 PM
This past Saturday Michael Strong and I held the 3rd Seminar in the set of 8 on Greening the Existing Home.  We reviewed HVAC and Insulation - What is SEER - Kinds of Insulation - What part is DIY if you wanted?
The Series is really coming along, the crowd is starting to open op and ask more questions.  If you think you would like to know about any of this, we would love to have you!
To sign up for Future Webinar Series, I invite you to register with this link.  We have the registration links posted for the duration … (6 comments)

The Stimulus Bill Translated - 02/19/09 08:23 PM
Do you remember the PeeWee Herman shows? I mean, the guy was a complete moron.  He did stupid things but yet they were so stupid they were funny? There are a lot of things out there that I find to be the same way.  They are irritating and idiotic, but freakin' hilarious.  Seriously. 
Well, the last post I wrote in regards to the positive parts of the Stimulus Bill brought in some interesting comments.  Many of the ones looking negatively at the Bill in general were asking if anyone has ever even read the it.  Well, I ran across something interesting … (14 comments)

Two for one at Houston Garden Centers with this coupon - 02/18/09 03:26 PM
This is a GREAT heads up from Cheri Smith with Prudential Gary Greene Realtors in Tomball.  2 for 1 at Houston Garden Center!
Thanks Cheri!!
Via Cheri' Smith, Realtor Prudential Gary Greene (Prudential Gary Greene, Tomball TX):
I don't use coupons much but since it's almost time to start working on my gardening again I start looking for good plant deals. I received an email about a special at Houston Garden Centers and thought I would pass it on.
http://ct.wkimailer.com/rd/cts?d=83-2623-1138-2346-321795-195378-0-0-0-1-2-322
 

… (0 comments)

How the Stimulus Benefits “Green” (And How You Can Position Yourself to Benefit as Well) - 02/18/09 01:32 PM
Ryan has also pointed out some of the positive 'pork' in the Stimulus Bill.  Will any of this benefit you?
Via Ryan Moehring (EcoBroker International):
You may think there is too much "pork" in the recently signed stimulus bill. Or perhaps too much spending or too may tax cuts. Its passage may offend your Keynesian or Monetarist economic views, and may, you believe, lead to the very demise of capitalism itself (OK, that may be going too far). You may not think we need a stimulus at all-that we should let the free market recover on its own. Whatever your political and economic … (0 comments)

Lone Star College Offering 'How To Make Your Home Energy Efficient' - 02/17/09 05:19 PM
For those that have been around the Houston area for an extended amount of time, you are familiar with North Harris Montgomery College - The local College that not only offers courses for those starting out their College Education, BUT ALSO a Huge Variety of Continuing Education Courses for both Professionals AND Homeowners!
North Harris College this past year changed their name to Lone Star College Systems!
One of the Courses that is on the Spring 2009 Schedule for the location on WW Thorne by Intercontinental Airport is 'How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient'!  If you follow my blog, … (2 comments)

Retrofitting An Existing Home Green Webinar Series Part 3 - 02/17/09 04:41 PM
Just a quick reminder that the 3rd part of our Webinar series on how to make an Existing Home Green with myself and Michael Strong of Brothers Strong is this Saturday February 21st at 11 am.  The topic this week will be HVAC and Insulation. 
We will go over what you need to know about changing out and upgrading your existing Heat and A/C system to one that is more efficient and everything in regards to Insulation. 
We have changed the initial dates for the rest of the Series so that we can be all finished up by April 2nd that … (0 comments)

Clear Creek Clean-up, TX - 02/16/09 10:00 AM
Cindy Bryant is a fantastic Home Stager in the Houston Area.  Below she discusses the Environmental efforts to clean up Clear Creek during the month of February!  Fantastic!
Via Cindy Bryant~Houston's Home Staging & Professional Home Stagers~RVP RESA~ASHSR (Redesign Etc.~Specialist in Staging Vacant Properties.):
                                
 
 
Come take part of a community event to clear up Clear Creek, every Saturday and Sunday in  February  2009 from 8:00 AM to 2 PM.At the FM 270 Boat Ramp.  The FM 270 Boat Ramp is located under the Clear Creek Bridge on Hwy 270 between Nasa Parkway and Hwy 518.
Participants will gather trash … (1 comments)

Zero VOC Paints ... What's That Stand For? ... Very Odd Colors? ... Home Stagers, Interior Designers & Brokers Can Spread the Word on Eco Friendly Paint. - 02/16/09 09:57 AM
This is from Pangaea Interior Designs telling us how to use Low and Zero VOC (Healthier and Eco Friendly) Paints to improve our homes.  Hope you enjoy!
Via Pangaea Interior Design Home Stager - Redesign - Model Homes (Portland Oregon):
              
 
Being in the Interior Design and Home Staging world, I know a lot about paint. I suppose that I began to take it for granted that everyone knows what low VOC and Zero VOC paints are. Silly me!
Today I'm going out on a paint color consultation. When speaking with my client on the phone I … (0 comments)

Spread the Link Love VALENTINE and Win 3,000 Points -Phase 2 - 02/13/09 07:43 PM
 
Are there posts that you have written that people missed?  Hop over and join us in the Eco All Stars February Challenge!
 
Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :
The Eco-All-Stars have a Valentine Challenge GIFT FOR YOU that lasts all this month! FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE MOST REBLOGGED POST Gets 3,000 points.... 
IF you are NOT a member of the Eco-All-Stars Groupyou can join and enter the contest...or simply pick a post  that you have read at  the ECO-All-Stars Group and select it to reblog....
IF you ARE a member of the Eco-All-Stars GroupHere's all you … (1 comments)

Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons! - 02/13/09 07:29 PM
This post is from Kimo talking about Native Plants.  Although Crotons are Native to Tropical areas such as Hawaii where he is from, they make great houseplants in Houston that can help with indoor air quality.
When choosing exterior landscaping plants, make sure to choose Native ones to help reduce water consumption.
Via Kimo Stowell (JDS Consulting: Hawaii Home Staging & Interiors ):
Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons!
One of my favorite tropical plants that packs a serious color punch are Crotons. Adding these bright plants to your yard or interior space can create a dramatic eye catching effect that will turn … (0 comments)

Our Unsung Partners In Going Green In The Country - 02/13/09 07:24 PM
This is from a fellow EcoBroker in the Austin area that I know.  Tricia talks about Organic Pest Control. Some of which happen to be our pets!
Via Tricia Jumonville, EcoBroker®, ASP® (ERA Colonial Real Estate):
Going green in the country is nothing new – country folk have been doing it for centuries.  However, they haven’t done it alone – those of us who live in the country have partners in living the green rural lifestyle, and I thought I’d introduce you to a few of them. 
 

 
 
 
Our organic pest control managers are pictured at right.  That’s right, … (0 comments)

Stimulus Bill Extends Energy Efficiency Tax Credit - 02/13/09 06:15 PM
Because negativity, whining and otherwise just Chicken Little type complaining makes me tired I always try to find the positive side to things. Since the Big News has been the Stimulus Package the past couple days, that's where I was trying to find something positive. 
It should be no surprise that Energy Efficiency and Green Collar Jobs have a potential WIN with the Bill. I ran across an article on CNET that laid out much of this information and MORE
Tax Credits for projects that have Electricity derived from Biomass, Landfills, etc. were extended through 2013.   Which we will Desperately NEED … (46 comments)

The Falls at Imperial Oaks in Spring, Tx - 02/13/09 05:05 PM

When you are taking a cruise around Spring, Tx and you see this breathtaking entrance, you know that you have found The Falls at Imperial Oaks. Keep on driving around until you reach the Lake Club!  You will see the 43 Acre Playground, Jr. Olympic Size Pool and Splashpad covered sitting area for when the kids are splashing or maybe even use the outdoor cooking area for a Barbeque.
Currently building in the Community are David Weekley and Lennar from the 180's to the 300's with a large variety of floorplans including those with 2 Master Bedrooms for a Mother … (0 comments)

When You Find The "Almost" Perfect House, But Want To Make It Home. - 02/13/09 08:22 AM
This post is from Jason Sardi talking about the FHA 203K loan that was discussed at last weeks buyer seminar that I held in Spring Tx. 
These loans, I have a feeling, will get REALLY popular again over the next couple years.  If you missed my buyer seminar, check out this article.
Via Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans):
This should lead it off quite nicely:)
Back in my early days of lending, I recall quite vividly the very first Rehab Loan I did.  While I did some legwork in actually knowing the ropes of that particular product before advertising the bejesus out … (0 comments)

City of Seattle planning on requiring energy performance scores for homeowners - 02/10/09 06:31 AM
This idea has also been proposed in Texas and I would love to hear your thoughts about it.  How will it affect the sale on the majority of homes on the market?
 
Via Reba Haas (Team Reba):
I'm all for environmentally friendly practices and I've written for a few years now about various ways to help improve the energy efficiency of homes that are not new construction as well as highlighting programs that utility companies offer for these kinds of home improvements.  In a meeting I was in this week at the Bellevue office of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors, there was … (0 comments)

FEBRUARY 3,000 Points & Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE - 02/08/09 12:16 PM
Join Eco All Stars in our 'Spread the Link Love' Challenge this month!
Via Asheville's GREEN BUYERS' Brokers- LAND & Fine Homes :
FEBRUARY Spread the Link Love CHALLENGE 
UPDATE: Winner gets 3,000 points....
Posts MUST be reBloggedfrom the ECO-All-Stars' Group
 WHAT  does "spread the link love" mean ? In the context of the Eco-All-Stars and our 900+ members, and maybe for the members of your Groups, it can mean a nod to community spirit....colleagues posting and commenting and appreciating the time and energy and valuable contributions of others... 
THINK of yourself as the Acquisitions Editor for an eco-friendly publication. Review what is … (0 comments)

Hey Houston! Make Your Energy Efficient Improvements in 2009! Here's Why - 02/08/09 12:02 PM
Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency.  It is all we have heard for about a year and is one of the Hottest topics in the 2009 State of Texas Legislative Session.  However, in Houston we may NOT want to wait to see what happens this year - We should probably consider making the changes NOW!
Part of the infamous Bailout last October was to extend some Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  While the Solar Tax Credits were improved AND extended through 2016, The Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Improvements was ONLY extended through 2009! 
The Federal Tax … (14 comments)

Update on How To Finance That Fixer Upper Seminar - 02/08/09 09:51 AM
Yesterday I held the 'How to Finance That Fixer Upper Seminar' at one of my listings.  It was an Open House of sorts solely using my listing as an example on how to use an FHA 203K Renovation Loan to update a home after you close on the Property.
We had a handful of interested people show up and it was really interesting how once they understood how the program works they had a TON more vision on how the home could look after renovation.
When you initially walk in to a home, many people are taken back by paint, flooring, … (4 comments)

Recorded Session of Retrofitting Your Home Green Webinar Series 2 - Sealed Spaces - 02/05/09 08:04 PM
There has been a ton of hype on Spray Foam insulation and 'Sealing' up your attic or Pier and Beam home over the last year.
Part 2 of the Turning Houston Green Webinar Series goes over Sealed Attics and Crawl Spaces with a special look at Spray foam insulation.  Things to look for and when not to consider.  Michael Strong makes some great points in regards to re-insulating your walls (when and how you should do it in a most cost effective way)
If you would like to register for one of the other 6 Sessions that we are going to … (6 comments)