Green Alert: Lawn clippings can replace 11-15% of America's Fuel Requirements - 11/28/08 11:22 PM
Just finished listening to David Blume's interview on Coast to Coast.  You can listen to the audio here:
Alcohol Can Be A Gas.
 
A lot of interesting facts, stats, myths and mis-direction are presented and uncovered. 
One item I found of particular interest is that America has about 30,000,000 acres in the production of LAWNS. 
The clippings from those lawns during growing season, if taken and processed for alcohol production, would replace about 11-15% of our total annual fuel requirements in the country!   No gene-splicing, no synthetic fuel manufacturing.  Just straight up "White Lightnin'".
Love him or hate him, Obama's … (7 comments)

Agents and Owners: How to almost DOUBLE your Buyer Pool - 11/28/08 04:00 PM
Some interesting statistics regarding selling and financing. 
Its no secret that the credit meltdown has severely curtailed the number of buyers in the market.  Just how bad has recently been disclosed.  Up to 50% fewer people are qualifying for loans today than they were in 2006, the peak of the market. 
That means that HALF have dropped off the table.  Now many needed to be removed, the "sub-prime" candidates.  That was a governmental meddling debacle, but that's another post.
Regardless, fewer buyers are qualifying, and many of them are still good credit risks. 
So, how do you double the number of … (4 comments)

Where are you in the 'Rain? (Thanks to Mirela Monte, I now know) - 11/27/08 07:28 PM
Mirela posted a piece on where the top folks are in points in the 'Rain.
Got me to thinking about  where I stand.
And I was pleasantly surprised that I have already achieved a top marketing goal: To be top in my market segment.
There are thousands upon thousands of agents and brokers in the 'Rain. 
Not only am I a broker, I'm also a builder and to further narrow things down, a builder of super-efficient green homes in Texas.
So, taking Mirala's lead, I checked out all the builders here in AR land and found a not so surprising picture:
… (7 comments)

Cabins to Cathedrals - 11/26/08 01:06 AM
I started publishing an online newsletter for my construction marketing business.  It comes out once a week(ish) and features an article that relates to custom home construction and green building in particular.  It will also feature different technologies, builders, professionals and issues that impact owners looking to build custom.
I target Texas and southern Oklahoma, but invite all AR folk that are interested in green things to sign up if you think it of interest.
Here's a pic of the inside of one of my Cathedrals.  In true green fashion, it is built with as much local materials as possible. (Green … (5 comments)

"Green" agents or Green homes, which do buyers prefer? - 11/24/08 10:38 AM
The idea of "Green" hitting the RE world is a good thing.  However, I'm a little amused at this "new" discovery. I've been building "Green" homes for the past 8 years.
"Green" is a very old concept.  It is the principle which the native Americans lived by.  They had to.  They learned to live with what their environment provided.  They lived in partnership with the earth.
Fast forward to today.  NAR has introduced their new green agent program.  What I'm a bit fuzzy on is how this designation helps existing home sales.  Of all my clients that I've built homes for, … (4 comments)

How did sub-prime do all this damage? - 11/23/08 10:18 PM
I've been reading and watching the news, as we've all been doing for our industry. 
Doesn't it strike you as peculiar that the problem with subprime loans should have such a tsunami effect on the entire financial system?  Seems this has uncovered a major systemic problem with how the world does business with all the derivatives.
I think this points to the fact that we're actually only trading electronic bits, not hard assets.  And the value behind the bits is the mind-set, belief and good-will of those doing the buying and selling. AKA market psychology.
If we think it has value, … (2 comments)

Get ready for $5 gas, again! But there is a way around it. - 11/19/08 10:04 PM
I've been reading and listening to energy forecasts and how we are where we are.
First, a little trivia:
In what year was the first ever recorded law enacted to conserve fuel resources? 1581
Enacted by the English Parlament to conserve the forests that were being harvested to fuel furnaces for iron and glass production.
The solution: coal
What year was the first "oil" crisis encountered in the US when a gallon of oil cost the average of 1/2 week's wage?
1853.  It was whale oil that was used for oil lamps.
The solution: petroleum or as it was then known, … (14 comments)

Historic Granbury: Last of the JO Ranch - 11/17/08 12:56 PM
UP for AUCTION: This is it folks, the last of the JO Ranch. 
Approximately 4.3 acres overlooking Scenic View Estates and Lake Granbury. Bidding starts at $75,000.00
Hill top views less than 100 yds from the lake.
Features:
Tree topped bluff overlooking surrounding area and lake 4.3 acres with pond, trees, over 50 feet of elevation Next to another 7 plus acres of undeveloped land Old horse barn and corral Power and water utilities are available Dramatic building sites for either a single level or a split level home built into the hillside Can be subdivided Close in to Granbury Across … (5 comments)

Woods, Wildlife and Wow! 15+ Wooded acres in NE Texas, optional Solar powered cabin - 11/17/08 11:02 AM
Cass County, Texas (South of Texarkana).
Approximately 15.143 acres of rolling woodland, with Ag Exemption: $29,900.00
This secluded property is tucked away in a nice quiet area with similarly sized properties.
Features:
Neighbors report lots of wildlife, deer Approximately 75% in timber Electric on property Community water supply available at road Seasonal creek Rolling terrain, over 50ft. of elevation Great house sites Can be dammed up to create a 1/2 to 3 acre pond, excavation services available Has a clearing for power lines, great for wildlife watching, hunting Has Ag (Timber) tax exemption All surrounding property in timber execpt for extreme … (2 comments)

Will Falling Energy Prices Stunt the Fledgling "Green" Industry's Growth? - 11/14/08 10:08 PM
Yea!!!!!  Gas prices are coming down.
Can you believe it?  Oil under $60/bbl!  However, for every yin, there's a yang.  The downside to lower energy prices is that alternative energy systems are becoming relatively more expensive as an option. Their payback on investment is being stretched out in time.  It takes a longer period of time to recoup such an investment.  And as a result, projects and equipement purchases are being reevaluated and/or postponed.
I think it is short-sighted to make these kinds of decisions based on short-term market conditions.  Historically, except for the Great Depression, prices have remained stable or … (8 comments)

6 Reasons to use an Independent Energy Audit Company for Your New Home - 11/11/08 09:18 PM
Why should anyone use an independent energy audit company to assess the design, materials and systems in their home?  Don’t  the Heat/AC suppliers do that anyway?
Well, Yes and no.  Every HVAC contractor runs energy loads on a home for the equipment they sell.  They rely on software that is supplied by the equipment manufacturers.  They are not trained in alternative material assessments or in comprehensive energy audits.  As a result they get a “canned” design that may be over powered and under perform.
Here are the main reasons to go with an independent audit:
The audit company specializes in whole-house … (5 comments)

Final Roll Call, a salute to our Veterans who've once again led the way. - 11/11/08 02:08 PM
I am proud that the gentleman, veteran, pilot and officer who wrote this poem held the most important title in the world: my Dad. Any comments you post here will be forwarded to him.  Or you can drop him a note directly, his address is below.
 

Did you hear the sad news today? Another veteran warrior has passed away. Called by the Supreme Commander over all. Today he has made his final roll call. Come fellow vets; let us reverently bow and pray For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day. We'll drape his casket with a banner … (4 comments)

Do you want to hold land if the economy crashes? - 11/11/08 01:20 PM
I saw an interesting, if not outrageous video about "Ameros", the replacement currency allegedly minted to replace the dollar. The author was suggesting that we all move to hard assets, i.e. non-US currencies, gold, silver, etc.  Nothing denominated in US $.  I don't want to discuss the veracity of such a claim, but I do think an interesting question is raised:
Land is the basis of wealth through-out the history of man-kind.  So this got me to thinking.  In the face of a possible economic melt-down (and I am NOT promoting such an idea or ever want to see it happen), … (3 comments)

Green Home Building 101: Steel Framed Homes - 11/08/08 08:12 PM
This is the third in a series of articles on "Green" building technologies.  If you would like to be notified when the other articles are posted, then please subscribe to The Green Zone, a group for all things green.  Not just the technology and livestyle, but the financial kind as well. 
Have questions about building/remodeling/alternative energy/Energy system programs for existing homes?  Then join Just Ask Mike.  I've opted in to be the "Home Building Guru  in Residence" for the AR community.
 
Steel Framing
Definition:  Steel framing can be done with light-gauge steel studs, or with structural steel elements (popularly … (3 comments)

Green Home Building 101: Just what exactly are "SIP"s? - 11/06/08 03:03 PM
This is the second in a series of articles on "Green" building technologies.  If you would like to be notified when the other articles are posted, then please subscribe to The Green Zone, a group for all things green.  Not just the technology and livestyle, but the financial kind as well. 
Have questions about building/remodeling/alternative energy/Energy system programs for existing homes?  Then join Just Ask Mike.  I've opted in to be the "Home Building Guru  in Residence" for the AR community.
 
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
Definition: Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are custom designed, prefabricated wall, roof and floor panels … (1 comments)

NOT ANOTHER ELECTION!!! But I need your vote: Help me sharpen a marketing message. - 11/04/08 11:39 AM
I wish I could post up a poll like I can on Startup Nation (AR gurus, an idea?)
I'm conducting an informal survey and what better place for a RE related opinion than here?
Here are three intro lines for ads.  Which one gets your attention most? 
 
A. Sell your home FASTER!  Make your home "First look, First buy"
 
B. Selling? Give your home that "First look, First buy" edge.
 
C. Need to sell?  Make your home "First look, First buy"
 
Please post your letter response and a quick note as to why.
(Note: "First look, First … (6 comments)

"Texas Floats While Nation Fails" - Tierra Grande, Journal of the RE Center at Texas A&M - 11/01/08 08:39 PM
Check it out! Here's my review of the article "Foreclosure Forecast", of the October 2008 journal Tierra Grande, the RE Center at Texas A&M by James P. Gaines.
The RE Center illustrates how Texas real estate is holding its own. While it is affected by the nationwide downturn in RE, data shows that Texas foreclosures are stable, unlike the states leading the category: California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Ohio and Michigan.  Major metro areas are where most of the devaluation in homes is occuring. 
It reports that many smaller metro areas all over the country are still showing increasing values.  Taken on … (0 comments)

 
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Mike Michaud

McKinney, TX

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North Texas Help-U-Build

Address: P.O. Box 429, Bonham, TX, 75418

Office Phone: (903) 640-0888

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Thoughts on the real estate profession and property owner rights in America, energy efficient building, green homes, alternative fuels, alternative materials and freedom to make personal lifestyle choices free from abusive governmental interference.


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