houston tx: Relocating to Houston - Choosing Where To Buy - 11/08/09 10:54 AM
The most commonly asked question when someone is consider moving to the Houston area is where they should purchase.  It's a huge City so narrowing it down to area is the first thing to consider.
When looking at a map of the City it appears that so many things can be nearby.  It's only about 15-20 miles from one place to another.  But its important to keep in mind the traffic flow on different freeways.  With over 5 Million people in the Houston Metro area, traffic time can really add up -
The other day I went to a Social Media … (4 comments)

houston tx: Daily Energy Saving Tips - Phantom Energy Loads - 05/18/09 02:02 AM
I was in the middle of putting together a Class Presentation this morning for Lone Star College and thought it could be fun to put together a list of Daily Energy Saving Tips for a Week or Two.
With Summer time coming, get ready for those Electric Bills to skyrocket!!
In your home, there are a ton of Little Things to do (besides changing your light bulbs) that can help you reduce your bill.  With this being the first day, let's start with something easy.  It shouldn't even take 10 minutes to do.
Phantom Energy Loads - We have a bunch … (15 comments)

houston tx: Obstacles To Green Building IN Houston Tx - Who Lives in Houston? - 05/15/09 08:08 AM
More importantly, who buys homes?  What is the typical buyer profile statistically speaking? 
In Part One of the Series I discuss the need to 'Ditch the term GREEN' - It's confusing.  People don't understand it anymore because everything is 'GREEN'
Reading through the comments of my post it is evident why we need to, as fast as possible, get rid of the word.
It means something different to everyone It brings on Anger to some in light of recent and absurd Government spending Many people assume that it just means it costs more money We could go on and on.  But … (1 comments)

houston tx: The Obstacles To Building Green in Houston - Death of the term 'Green' - 05/14/09 10:14 AM
The Obstacle to Building and Selling Green in Houston will be a Series - this is the first of the series.
Typically speaking in the Real Estate Market right now in regards to Green I would say that the average line of thought, the average acceptance of a 'Green' or 'Greener' home not only in Houston but around the Nation is very high.
We have gone from a few years ago, the average consumer thinking that a 'Green' Home was Recycled and only beneficial to the Environment to Today - Understanding that not only is a 'Green' home better for the … (32 comments)

houston tx: Wrapping Up With Top 10 Green Remodeling Practices - 04/09/09 04:19 AM
This segment of Greening the Existing Home Webinar Series is the final and 8th one - after this post I will do a Final Wrap up with more detailed information on websites that we visited and all of the segments in one place.
In this video Michael Strong and I discuss a variety of topics including "Does Green Remodeling really add value to your home?" - And then these other topics
Michael's Top 10 Best Practices to Green Up Your Home USGBC ReGreen Guidelines NAHB Remodeling Certification This is probably the shortest of the segments being just a little over 30 minutes … (3 comments)

houston tx: A More Durable and Low Maintenance Home in Houston Tx - 04/09/09 03:42 AM
Down here in Houston with our humidity, a high maintenance property is not only no fun - But it is also incredibly expensive over time.  If you are having to constantly change out siding, re paint your exterior or find that interior wood warps to make crooked walls and creaky floors, looking in to the Durability aspect of Green Building may just be the answer.
In continuation with the Greening the Existing Home webinar series with myself and Michael Strong we discuss how to take an existing home and make it a Low Maintenance haven for you and your family.
In this segment … (0 comments)

houston tx: A Healthier Indoor Air Quality in Houston Tx - 04/09/09 03:02 AM
One of the questions that I get quite a bit from folks looking to buy a home is that they or their loved ones suffer from Allergies or Asthma - So it made perfect sense to have a segment in our Greening the Existing Home webinar series dedicated to Indoor Air Quality in Existing Homes.
In this segment you will hear myself and Michael Strong with Brothers Strong discuss the steps you can take to create a healthier home to live in.
We discuss Low VOC stains and paints, a little bit about Ventilation and all of the other products that go in … (1 comments)

houston tx: Greening the Existing Home - Windows and Radiant Barrier - 03/22/09 12:44 AM
As part of Turning Houston Green's webinar series on how to green an existing home, here is the recorded version of our 4th program.  Michael Strong and I discuss Windows and Radiant Barrier.
It's not just about getting new windows or finding a radiant barrier.  Here we provide you with all of the questions you may have and/or need to ask your installers to get the biggest bang for your buck.  We also talk about the new Tax Credits to help you maximize what is available.
Our next webinar is on March 28th and we will be going over Indoor Air Quality.  We … (4 comments)

houston tx: The Other Side Of The Coin - Tax Credits Setting Standards In Real Estate? - 03/12/09 10:29 AM
Traditional Neighborhoods, Solar Power and Plug In Vehicles - Oh My!
This post is part of an ongoing series that takes a look at the larger picture.  The trickle down effect.  The Domino Effect.  Whatever you want to call it.  One of my recent posts was 'Who The Heck Cares About Green' and I talked about where I personally believe the Building Industry is headed. 
Recently here in Houston we have seen more of a demand for the Traditional Neighborhood Development.  The ones where in the pictures you see families walking down the streets to go to the Community Park or … (7 comments)

houston tx: Recorded Session of Retrofitting Your Home Green Webinar Series 3- HVAC and Insulation - 02/22/09 01:17 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 of the … (6 comments)

houston tx: Hey Houston! Make Your Energy Efficient Improvements in 2009! Here's Why - 02/08/09 04:02 AM
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)

houston tx: Recorded Session of Retrofitting Your Home Green Webinar Series 2 - Sealed Spaces - 02/05/09 12:04 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 do just … (6 comments)

houston tx: Why Yes, I Would Like To Know About Contaminated Properties - 09/05/08 10:45 AM
As Environmental Topics get to be more and more mainstream, I am actually enjoying watching Real Estate Companies offer services to their clients that help to educate them on buying and selling with Green in mind.
I am also pleased to be part of a company that takes pride in staying up to date and offering the latest and greatest tools for both our clients and us as agents to be able to help our clients.
For a couple months now I have been bugging Ken occasionally trying to find out what the 'Environmental Profile Coming Soon' is all about.  Being … (0 comments)

houston tx: Green House Art Gallery in Houston! - 08/23/08 03:17 AM
I love hearing about Fun Green things to do in Houston and was so excited when Elizabeth Cencini emailed a while back about a New Art Gallery opening up in town.  It's called Green House Gallery.  Her email was so amazing and I heard true passion and dedication in the words.
Elizabeth mentioned that the artists wanted to have a place to showcase paintings and art that revolve around a diverse group of Green Topics as well as it being a place that is welcome to everyone and anyone that would like to learn more about how to help the enviroment, … (2 comments)

houston tx: Contrary To Popular Belief...Agents Do Not Control Market Pricing - 12/31/07 01:26 AM
Well, in less than 24 Hours it will be a New Year.  It is speculated Nationwide what 2008 will bring to the Real Estate Market.  I thought it would be appropriate to start the New Year with a New Series.
Contrary to Popular Belief-
I will focus on Common Misconceptions of many things related to Real Estate in General.   The Market, Real Estate Agents, etc.   I am starting with one debate that is HOT with many Buyers and Sellers.  Who Actually Makes the Market Value?
As Real Estate Agents, we get the Tip of Arguments, Anger, Excitement, Happiness; we have the … (11 comments)

houston tx: What Can You Get For 99K? - 11/18/07 10:39 AM

Look around the MLS in any given city....what can you get for 99K?  Not much right?
If you take a look at our housing, there is not a whole lot for low income families.  Take in to consideration the cost of housing, HOA Fees, Property Taxes, Gas mileage because people will likely have to drive from affordable housing, Utility Bills.....OH,  Utility Bills.  Those are getting so many of us these days.
What if affordable housing was really affordable all the way around?
I wrote a post not too long ago where I indirectly talked about Green Building and affordable homes.   I mentioned taking areas in … (19 comments)

houston tx: My Insulation Experiment Results Are In- Part 3 of 3 - 09/12/07 03:42 AM
Some of you remember the experiment that I did attempting to reduce my electric bills in my house back in June where I started with re-insulation.  For a recap I went in with a Blown In Cellulose insulation in my attic which was actually recycled newspaper that took me up to an R-38.  Well, I promised that I would post about the energy savings and if there were any so here it is!
For those of you just tuning in you can view the first posts here:
Part 1Part 2Well,  I decided to wait until I received my September bill to post this.  … (34 comments)

houston tx: An Amazing Sneak Peak At The New Brenner's Steakhouse - 08/12/07 03:30 PM
For those of you that are visiting or live in Houston, TX and need a place to dine, this is one you need to visit.  Landry's purchased what used to be the Rainbow Lodge at Birdsall and Memorial Dr. and has done an amazing Revamp into a Gorgeous Brenner's Steakhouse.
I was lucky enough to preview it and dine there this evening.  The food was amazing, the atmosphere was first class, service was phenomenal and I can't wait to go back.  For those wine connoisseurs you will love this wine list.  It is very extensive and one that I believe Zagat's will love as … (9 comments)

houston tx: Another Misconception of Green Building - 07/20/07 11:06 AM
The other day I received an email VIA Active Rain regarding Green Building.  The person was sharing their thoughts on the issue as to what they thought the down side was of Building Green. This was not a hostile e-mail, he was simply sharing his views.
I appreciate that.  This is one way how I know what topics need to be discussed.  One of the statements I was quick to disregard at first:
"So, I guess one might ask the question:  Why should a house appraise for more because its constructed to the codes? Its required by law!"
The more I thought about this, I realized that many consumers … (28 comments)

houston tx: Ruh-Roh! Houston, We Have a Problem! Part 1 of 3 - 06/21/07 09:59 AM

Houston is one of the many places in America where having proper insulation is a necessity.  Not too long ago I wrote I Think I Have Just Heard It All.  I spoke about how I was going to re-insulate my attic and how I found out about some GREEN Products to do that.  I thought I would split this up into 3 posts so that I can go into detail about the topic and show some pictures to help.  Yes I am going to show my own attic before and after and track the decline in my utility bills.
First, let me … (17 comments)