The balancing act~

The big question is how do we balance "greening" of our collective lives with our historic buildings. Please look at the link associated with this posting about existing buildings.

Just in my neighborhood in the past month or so 13-15 buildings have been torn down to make way for "green" building. The builder does not reclaim material nor do they reuse material.

Click on this to see a green as you sell!!!

I am trying something new with this listing. I even have a bet that it will sell green. There is a newly available tool that I intend to use every time I list a house.... The previously illusive energy efficient mortgage. I have been doing this previously and it was not as streamlined.

Tax credit extended and expanded

The tax credit has been expanded for first time home buyers and expanded to include buyers that have not purchased a home in 5 years. It is an $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers and $6500 for buyers that have not purchased a home in 5 years.

I still think they should have allowed the credit for purchase with half of it going to energy improvements using a holdback. That would have benefited our national agenda of becoming more independent on fossil fuels and would have stimulated more sectors.

learn about improving you energy performance

Northwest EcoBuilding Guild
Western Columbia Chapter
Home Performance 101
Wednesday, October 28th
Meet and Greet 6 PM * Presentation 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Zion Baptist Church * Community Room * NE 9th and Fremont
NWEBG Members FREE * Non-members $5 donation suggested

45 degree difference with trees!!!!

I have always been a tree person. But I never knew the exact numbers or difference it would make to plant trees. Watch this video!!!

green multiple listing systems spreading

The largest multiple listing system in the country is in process of being greened. Why is this good news? That system covers several east coast states. Now we have greened MLS's on both coasts. Things tend to spread from the coasts to the rest of the country. To the average person that sells a house that will mean improvements made to a house to make it more energy efficient will be given a value. It will also mean buyers can see if the houses have things about it that decrease the energy needs and costs of running the house.

In the past houses were given value based on location and how fixed up they were. Now there will be a new factor, what has been done to it to make it more cost effective to run. Appraisers will have to come up with what the value is for the stand alone items. That is good news!

It could eventually lead to national loans that are available everywhere that take into account the energy efficiency of the house....

Support the new codes to allow us to move in the right direction

There is a group of building code proposals that would allow us to green up Portland more effectively. They all make sense to me. My favorite change is the building overhang change. That is such a huge thing. My how has 2'6" overhangs and I have ceiling insulation and when it gets hot, my house does not. It's the overhangs!

The zoning changes include "such as making it easier to install wind and solar systems on commercial buildings, develop green power alternatives, improve bike parking in multifamily projects, and allow rainwater cisterns and wider roof overhangs within setbacks. Below is a summary of the green items included in the package." (Mike Obrien)