Go 'green' doing it yourself

Not all gift cards created equal

"Going green is cool. My favorite way to go green is to use recyclable materials. Much of the redwood discarded in California ends up in at the dump. Once the decayed parts are cut away and the nails or screws removed, one can use the recycled wood with a personal touch," said Anthony Burchill, a general contractor and feng shui consultant from Berkeley, CA.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com


Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime


Deadline Newsroom - Simple do-it-yourself home improvements can turn your listing into a much more valuable sale this spring.

Make those upgrades "green" and some of the work will both extend value to the planet and put a tax credit in your wallet.

The time is right.

May is National Home Improvement Month and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry says whether you are selling or staying put, now's the time to beat the rush and book the work before demand for contractors pushes up prices.

HomeGain surveyed real estate agents for the top green do-it-yourself home improvements most likely to provide a return in terms of value added to the home.



"Going green is cool. My favorite way to go green is to use recyclable materials. Much of the redwood discarded in California ends up in at the dump. Once the decayed parts are cut away and the nails or screws removed, one can use the recycled wood with a personal touch," said Anthony Burchill a general contractor and feng shui consultant from Berkeley, CA

The top five green home improvements that real estate agents recommend to home sellers were...

See: Go 'green' doing it yourself

• Click on the keywords below for more stories on this subject.

© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com | Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get "News that really hits home!" for your Web site or blog from the DeadlineNewsGroup.Com.

You are reading a sample of "News that really hits home!", now available from several beats and published in a growing number of locations.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop.

Perkins was the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
• National Offbeat News Examiner
• National Consumer News Examiner
• National Real Estate Examiner

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

Cities that 'Walk the Walk'

You've got news...
news that really hits home!

When the organization CEOs for Cities analyzed ZipRealty data from 94,000 real estate transactions in 15 major markets, it found that in 13 of the 15 markets, higher levels of "walkability" boosted home values by $4,000 to $34,000 compared with homes with just average levels of "walkability."

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime


Deadline Newsroom - A study, "Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Values in U.S. Cities," suggests adding "walkability" to the "location, location, location" mantra chanted by real estate agents describing well-kept neighborhoods with good schools and low crime.

When the organization CEOs for Cities analyzed ZipRealty data from 94,000 real estate transactions in 15 major markets, it found that in 13 of the 15 markets, higher levels of "walkability" boosted home values by $4,000 to $34,000 compared with homes with just average levels of "walkability."

"These findings are significant for policymakers," said Carol Coletta, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities.

"They tell us that if urban leaders are intentional about developing and redeveloping their cities to make them more walkable, it will not only enhance the local tax base but will also contribute to individual wealth by increasing the value of what is, for most people, their biggest asset," she added.

Get the full story here: Report: High 'Walkability' Rating Boosts Home Values

Also see: Driving can be hazardous to your home ownership

• Click on the keywords below for more stories on this subject.

© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com

---

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com | Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get "News that really hits home!" for your Web site or blog from the DeadlineNewsGroup.Com.

You are reading a sample of "News that really hits home!", now available from several beats and published in a growing number of locations.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop.

Perkins is also the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
• National Offbeat News Examiner
• National Consumer News Examiner
• National Real Estate Examiner

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

San Francisco Bay Area greenbelt development debated

Assassination poll web's best, worst

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) wants to limit greenbelt development to only 900 acres per year for the San Francisco Bay Area -- barely enough for a single subdivision. Conservationists say the amount of acreage is too high.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) wants to limit greenbelt development to only 900 acres per year for the San Francisco Bay Area -- barely enough for a single subdivision.

Conservationists, on the other hand, say the amount of acreage -- about the size of Golden Gate Park -- is high. They say there's no reason to disturb the greenbelt with more development, because there are ample infill locations better suited for the area's growth needs.

ABAG's biennial "Projections and Priorities 2009," for the first time, sets forth a land use performance target to restrict green field development to 900 acres for the entire nine-county Bay Area -- among other targets. The report also includes targets for reduced driving times, traffic congestion, the share of income spent on housing and transportation, and others.

ABAG is an association of elected officials from member cities and counties who examine regional issues like housing, transportation, economic development, education, and environment. The association describes itself as "the official comprehensive planning agency" of the Bay Area region.

Every other year since 1970, the association's biennial Projections series has provided long-term forecasts and projections of population growth, transit trends and housing and job needs.

"Model results are relied on by transportation and air quality agencies, local government, and private industry," according to ABAG's documents.

However, the 2009 greenbelt land use target likely won't find its way into policy any time soon.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) does incorporate ABAG's data in its planning, but "Transportation 2035 Change In Motion" was published before ABAG's 2009 report. The report incorporated ABAG's older 2007 land use projections.

The MTC, the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, says its next plan is four years away.

Local jurisdictions also say ABAG's projections and new targes aren't carved in stone.

Santa Clara County, for example, has pretty much closed the door on greenbelt building. An official there says while ABAG data is examined by planning officials it doesn't result in land use, zoning and general plan issues in Santa Clara County.

Home builders haven't specifically challenged the greenbelt target, but if the target became policy it would severely restrict development, housing or otherwise.

San Jose's Silver Creek Valley Country Club, for example, sits on about 1,500 acres and has 1,538 homes, a golf course, country club facilities and other open space.

ABAG says from 2000 to 2010, much more greenbelt, an average 4,000 acres, is developed every year.

ABAG itself says its targets are not binding, however, rather than just projections ABAG decided to include the greenbelt land use target, and others because times are changing.

Rapid population growth in general and among the aging population, higher energy costs, and climate change dictate the need for regional performing targets -- numerical outcomes -- to show how policy choices impact the quality of life.

ABAG plugs the target numbers into models to get a better grasp on not just general assumptions or projection estimates, but something closer to reality -- specific goals.

"The results suggest that accomplishing the targeted outcomes and ensuring a better, or at least the same, quality of life into the future will require a significant departure from previous planning strategies and policies," the report says.

But for each target the report also includes a more likely projection. While the greenbelt target is at 900 acres, the ABAG forecast is for 1,950 acres to be developed year, still below the annual greenbelt development in the past decade.

The Greenbelt Alliance thinks 900 acres is 900 acres too much.

According to the alliance's "Grow Smart Bay Area Infill Research" some 25,000 sites are available throughout the Bay Area for infill development that would eliminate the need for any green belt development.

Comprised of some 17,000 acres, these properties can provide the region with an additional 304,000 homes and 637,000 jobs, according to the alliance's study.

• Click on the keywords below for more stories on this subject.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

---

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com | Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get "News that really hits home!" for your Web site or blog from the DeadlineNewsGroup.Com.

You are reading a sample of "News that really hits home!", now available from several beats and published in a growing number of locations.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop.

Perkins is also the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
• National Offbeat News Examiner
• National Consumer News Examiner
• National Real Estate Examiner

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

Greensburg, KS rises from rubble as 'Green Phoenix'

Recession resistant jobs, right here!

On the second anniversary of its destruction, the Little-Town-That-Could's effort is putting Greensburg, KS back on the map in a very green way. What's more, jobs are being created and savings will mount as the town becomes a model for sustainability.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com


Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom -
Greensburg, KS rises from the rubble as a 'Green Phoenix'

From the ashes of a May 4, 2007 EF5 tornado that virtually wiped the town off the map, Greensburg, KS is being redeveloped for its namesake -- GREENsburg.

On the second anniversary of the destruction, the Little-Town-That-Could's effort is putting Greensburg back on the map in a very green way. What's more, during a recession, their timing couldn't be better. Jobs are being created and savings will mount as the town becomes a model for sustainability.

From a bootstrap angle as well, President Barack Obama owes them a visit.

Soon after the tornado, the city council passed a resolution stating that all city building would be built to LEED - platinum and other sustainability standards, making it the first city in the nation to do so.

The greening of Greensburg comes with the help of Greensburg GreenTown, a non-profit organization created to partner with residents to teach them about being green and to help them implement green history.

In a year's time, the long-term community redevelopment plan has done more than most towns accomplish in 20 years.

Of course -- for better or for worse -- they did have a virtual blank slate upon which to draw.

In any case, when it comes to green, Greensburg's really got it going on.

• More than hot air. A planned Greensburg Wind Farm of 10 turbines will provide enough power for the entire city.

• Locavores are lovin' it. Organic and natural foods from a consortium of 100 local farmers and other food producers is available to the town.

• LEED homes are moving in. The first (eight) LEED platinum homes in the state of Kansas, among only a handful in the nation..

• Recycled building materials are hot. A Silo Eco-home comprised of recycled foundations, basements, driveways, and sidewalks of buildings destroyed in the tornado.

• More green buildings are going up. See the "Greensburg Sustainable Building Database."

• The town has celebrity status. The Discovery Channel's Planet Green, Greensburg is documenting the effort, now in season two.

• It's a social networking model. The town's all the rage on both Facebook and in a Flickr photo journal.

• The town's got guts. It hasn't been easy. See "Red Tape Precedes Greensburg's 'Green' Rebuilding Plan"

• More on Livin' Green

• Click on the keywords below for more stories on this subject.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Need a break from doom and gloom in the housing market? Get off the beaten news track and stop by the DeadlineNews Group's Offbeat News Examiner outlet for a few laughs.

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com

Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get news that really hits home for your Web site or blog from DeadlineNews.Com.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. Perkins is also a National Real Estate Examiner. All the news that really hits home from three locations -- that's location, location, location!

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

Kids fear environmental decline, Earth becoming space dust

Kids fear Earth as space dust

It doesn't matter that their parents are busy at home helping to save the planet, elementary school kids are afraid Earth is doomed to worsening environmental conditions, water scarcity and that the planety eventually will become space dust in their lifetime. Where are they getting this stuff?

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com


Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - As if kids don't have enough to worry about with homework, peer pressure and clueless parents.

Just as Atomic Age adults taught kids to always look over their shoulder for an end-of-days nuclear flash of light, today's earth conscious parents, apparently, are also scaring the bejeezus out of their children.

Six to 11 year old kids are so anxious about global warming and climate change more than half of them think Earth's days are numbered or what's left won't be a pretty picture. Ironically, 95 percent of them says parents are busy at home doing things to save the planet.

Habitat Heroes commissioned Opinion Research Corporation adults to query mostly elementary school kids about the condition of Terra and the questions alone probably kept them awake nights.

The survey said:

• One-in-three kids questioned fear Earth won't be here when they grow up. That has got to create some cognitive dissonance in the poor children. How can you grow up if there's no planet?

• More than one-in-two (56 percent) believe Earth will not be as good a place to live, despite the fact that 95 percent of them say parents or working to improve the planet by recycling, using rechargeable batteries and conserving water and electricity. That means kids are feeling hopeless, despite their parents' efforts.

• Fifty-percent of kids said hurricanes and tornadoes are the natural disasters that scare them the most.

• Twenty-eight percent fear polar bears, penguins and other animals will disappear from the planet.

• A quarter of all children polled were afraid that there is not enough drinking water for everyone on the planet.

Girls more worried than boys

• Sixty-seven percent of girls ages 9-11 versus 60 percent of boys that age worry Earth won't be as nice a place to live when they are grown up.

• Fifty-seven percent of girls ages 6-8 versus 43 percent of boys that age worry likewise.

Location, race play roles

• Fifty-nine percent of kids in metro areas are concerned that living conditions on Earth will deteriorate compared to 47 percent of non-metro kids.

• Seventy-five percent of black kids and 65 percent of Hispanic kids feel likewise.

• Water and air pollution concerns were voiced by black children, 34 percent; Hispanic children, 30 percent; white children 27 percent.

Earth to Habitat Heroes: Instead of nightmare-generating surveys? Tell kids Earth will be just fine with their help.

Read more about Global Warming in the Deadline Newsroom.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Need a break from doom and gloom in the housing market? Get off the beaten news track and stop by the DeadlineNews Group's Offbeat News Examiner outlet for a few laughs.

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com

Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get news that really hits home for your Web site or blog from DeadlineNews.Com.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. Perkins is also a National Real Estate Examiner. All the news that really hits home from three locations -- that's location, location, location!

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

'Not So Big' approach goes great with green remodeling

'Not So Big' re-greening

Architect and "Not So Big" life style visionary Sarah Susanka says when it comes to green remodeling it's not only about sustainability, energy efficiency and durability, but also innate beauty and the appropriateness in size. Here's how to make homes more comfortable, functional and sustainable through green remodeling or "regreening."

See all "regreening" stories.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com


Unauthorized use of this story is a copyright violation -- a federal crime

Deadline Newsroom - A decade ago, architect and "Not So Big" life style visionary Sarah Susanka started up the road to guru status with a blueprint for living that extolled the values of living responsibly, sustainably and meaningfully.

She was ahead of her time.

Susanka nearly single-handedly, revolutionized the way people think about where they live while prompting others to trade in the bigger-is-better approach for a livability-is-larger mantra.

The true feeling of home, she said from the beginning, is not about the kind of emotional lust that put the economy in a tailspin, but the need to tailor a home to fit the human form and the need to scale a house in proportions that serve real human functions.

Your house, truly should be your home, not a box stamped -- inside and out -- from a cookie cutter assembly line.

'House Not Beautiful' is 'House Not Sustainable'

Today she sheds that same light on making homes more comfortable, functional and sustainable through green remodeling.

The Not So Big definition of "green" is not only sustainability, energy efficiency and
durability, but also innate beauty and the appropriateness in size.

Susanka says a house that fits its inhabitants in both form and function is a sustainable home because it is more likely be well cared for by its residents.

Here's how to go green when remodeling the "No So Big" way.

The basics

• Give your home the once over. Obtain an energy audit from a home energy expert to identify problem areas and pinpoint areas that need energy efficient improvements.

• Tighten the ship. Get a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor's check up. Seal major air leaks identified by the energy audit, replace defective or substandard ductwork and seal all ductwork.

• Tighten it more. Increase the level of insulation in the house especially in attics and crawl spaces. Choose from sprayed-in, closed-cell and Volatile Organic Compounds-free (VOC) foam insulations that can achieve a high insulation value even in small stud or rafter cavities.

Material world

• Weight didn't break the wagon, waste did. Reuse original components from the home. Recycle items that can't be reused. Repurpose materials, such as grinding up old stucco for the driveway base.

• Be a good Material Girl...or Boy. Choose VOC-free paints and varnishes. Seek engineered wood products and Forestry Stewardship Council-certified (FSC) woods, as well as carpet made from natural fibers such as wool.

See the big picture

• Improve energy efficiency. To increase efficiency and lower bills, install the latest, most efficient HVAC equipment, using double or triple-paned windows with reflective coating. Select EnergyStar rated appliances. Install newer low-flow, dual flush toilets that flush once for liquids and twice for solid waste.

• Top off improvements with a green roof. Extend the roof overhangs to protect the exterior from weather and shade the house from the high summer sun. Install solar equipment on a roof area with unobstructed, south-facing access to sunlight.

Think big, start small

• One beats a zero. Include as many green upgrades as possible when remodeling, but if it all seems overwhelming, choose one and do it well. One small green step for each home, is one collective green step for the planet. Simply changing the furnace filter once a month is one of those small steps.

• Also see: How to get the goods on 're-greening'

• Click on the keywords below for more stories on this subject.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

---

Need a break from doom and gloom in the housing market? Get off the beaten news track and stop by the DeadlineNews Group's Offbeat News Examiner outlet for a few laughs.

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com

Shop DeadlineNews.Com

Get news that really hits home for your Web site or blog from DeadlineNews.Com.

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist, parlayed 30 years of old-school journalism into a digital real estate news service, the San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group, including DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service and Web site, and the Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's news back shop. Perkins is also a National Real Estate Examiner. All the news that really hits home from three locations -- that's location, location, location!

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!

Smart Growth Awards Promote Smart Growth

by Broderick Perkins
© 2007 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Smart growth isn't just about cutting back on sprawl and building high-density housing, but includes rebuilding existing communities and engaging its residents.

Take it from Manhattan, which joined Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Vermont and Barnstable, MA as the nation's smart growth leaders for 2007.

The accolades, the 2007 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, are granted for innovative community development that protects the environment, preserves community identity and expands economic opportunity.

The Environmental Protection Agency sparingly doles out the awards to promote smart growth strategies, because such efforts help communities enjoy cleaner air and water, open space and critical habitat preservation, and redevelopment of vacant land -- qualities that make for a nice place to live.

Smart growth efforts also preserves community identity and expands economic opportunity.

Winners were selected based on how effectively they used smart growth strategies to improve their communities and how well they engaged citizens and fostered partnerships.

The details are available online on the EPA's Smart Growth Achievement page but here are some highlights revealing why the winning communities are smart growth leaders.

• The award for "Overall Excellence" went to the Housing Authority of Portland, OR. The agency created a public-private partnership to redevelop an isolated and distressed public housing site into New Columbia, where local residents engaged in design workshops and were employed for portions of the construction. The project increased the number of houses, including affordable units and maintained the neighborhood's ethnic diversity.

• For "Built Projects" the Seattle Housing Authority, similarly turned a dilapidated neighborhood into High Point, a mixed-use, mixed-income, and environmentally sensitive community. Using green building principles, High Point's more than 1,700 new units are expected to consume less water, electricity, and natural gas than the old community's 716 units. The new community includes new parks, a public library, and a health clinic. Retail space will come in 2009.

• The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) got the nod for "Policies and Regulations." The independent, state-supported agency, promotes compact settlements surrounded by countryside, pursues affordable housing, land conservation, and historic preservation initiatives. Since 2002, VHCB investments have supported developing more than 3,000 affordable homes, the preservation of 44 historic buildings, and the conservation of more than 37,000 acres of farmland, natural areas, and recreation lands.

• Barnstable, MA created a development strategy for one of its seven villages, Hyannis, to encourage growth and development in the town center and reduce growth pressure on environmentally sensitive areas along the coast to win the "Waterfront and Coastal Communities" award. These policies have resulted in almost 100 new residential units (nine of which are for lower-income households), with nearly 150 more planned; 22,000 square feet of commercial space, with another 100,000 square feet planned; and more than 300 jobs.

• Manhattan shines in the area of "Equitable Development" thanks to its cooperative strategy to expand the housing and commercial options for central Harlem. Work in the Abyssinian Neighborhood Project area, once marked by vacant lots and abandoned buildings, employed comprehensive programs linked education, job training, and cultural enhancement; developed 200 affordable housing units, with an additional 200 planned; and created 15,000 square feet of commercial space for five local businesses. The project also increased access to public transit, created new green space, and minimized storm water runoff by reusing paved surfaces.

• DeadlineNews.Com offers more green news that hits home.

• DeadlineNews.Com offers more global warming news that hits home.

Advertise on DeadlineNews.Com
© 2007 DeadlineNews.Com

Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

---

DeadlineNews.Com's Editorial Content Is Intellectual Property • Unauthorized Use Is A Federal Crime

Read more!