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

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Housing affordability allows some "green" workers to buy, not most community workers

More "green house" news

To determine home buying affordability, the Center for Housing Policy considered the income required to qualify for a mortgage for a given area's median priced home. Assuming a 90 percent loan-to-value (10 percent down), monthly payments, at no more than 28 percent of household income, were calculated to include loan principal and interest as well as private mortgage insurance, estimated taxes and homeowners insurance.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



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


Deadline Newsroom - Some Americans who find employment refuge in certain areas of the nation's emerging "green" economy can often afford to buy a home, but most rank and file community workers still can't benefit from lower home prices and cheaper financing.

The Center for Housing Policy's "Paycheck to Paycheck: Wages and the Cost of Housing in America" found the income needed to purchase a median-priced home dropped in 93 percent in 208 markets studied, but among 65 types of workers, many still do not earn enough to own a home.

Mortgage rates remain relatively low and home prices in some markets have plummeted from 30 to 50 percent from the peak, but consumers simply aren't buying homes largely because they just can't afford to.

For some who can afford homes, tight credit and stiff underwriting rules close the door on their efforts.

To determine home buying affordability, the center considered the income required to qualify for a mortgage for a given area's median priced home.

Assuming a 90 percent loan-to-value (10 percent down), monthly payments, at no more than 28 percent of household income, were calculated to include loan principal and interest as well as private mortgage insurance, estimated taxes and homeowners insurance.

Full story here: "Housing affordability allows some "green" workers to buy, not most community workers"

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Perkins was the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
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Homeowners living large less outdoors

Next car likely to be used

An uncertain economy means many homeowners will hold off on some of those outdoor whistles and bells in favor of more practical and sustainable, time and money-saving features.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



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


Deadline Newsroom - Spring has sprung and while snow still lingers on lawns, patios and backyards, thoughts are turning to the great outdoors -- around the home.

However, those thoughts of leaving in-house hibernation behind are edged with economic concerns as homeowners take a less lavish look at how to move indoor living outside.

Buzzwords are "low" and "less" as low-maintenance landscaping, low-frill entertaining, even less technology are common in outside home improvement plans homeowners will undertake this year, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

"Homeowners want to create a sense of place for their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy outside, but an uncertain economy means many will dial back some of the extra features we've seen in past years," said Nancy Somerville, executive vice percent and CEO of ASLA.

From Jan. 25 to Feb. 12, when the ASLA surveyed 182 residential landscape architects about the popularity of various design elements for 2010 they found homeowners were avoiding more expensive, elaborate items in favor of more essential ones.

Given most outdoor living spaces are an extension of the kitchen, ASLA, not surprisingly, found the most popular kitchen features was an outdoor grill (94.4 percent) and counter space (73.5 percent).

More elaborate outdoor refrigerators (52.8 percent) and sinks (50 percent) were much less popular.

For entertainment purposes, instead of stereo systems (57.2 percent), wireless/Internet connectivity (44.1 percent), outdoor heaters (43.9 percent) and TVs (35.5 percent), there was much greater interest in more utilitarian seating/dining areas (95.6 percent), installed seating like benches and seat walls (90.6 percent) or weatherized outdoor furniture (77.1 percent). However, the fire pit/fireplace (94 percent) remained popular.

This year homeowners are also looking to go 'green' outside to save time and money on upkeep.

Popular landscaping elements include low-maintenance landscapes (94 percent); drip/water-efficient irrigation (85.2 percent); native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85.2 percent); and less sprawling lawn (73.9 percent).

Other popular features include fountains/water features (87.8 percent) and, taking a cue from the First Lady, Michelle Obama, food/vegetable gardens (78.5 percent).

Among the more expensive outdoor architectural features that remain popular were spas (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor sauna; 79.1 percent); decks (83 percent), porches (76.4 percent) and swimming pools (72.4 percent).

Among the least popular items were sleeping spaces (5.6 percent); geothermal-heated pools (28.2 percent); outdoor cooling systems (36.5 percent); outdoor heaters (43.8 percent); solar-powered lights (49.4 percent); and sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.; 47 percent).

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Driving can be hazardous to your homeownership

Man survives 30 chick flicks in 30 days

The probability of mortgage foreclosure increases in neighborhoods with characteristics that force greater reliance upon cars.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



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


Deadline Newsroom - Homeowners who live in areas that force them to drive everywhere, not only face a home value hit, they are also at greater risk of foreclosure, according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

"Location Efficiency and Mortgage Default" used data culled from 40,000 Chicago, San Francisco and Jacksonville, FL mortgages which showed that the probability of mortgage foreclosure decreased in neighborhoods with characteristics that enable less reliance on cars, after accounting for important factors like income.

"In all three cities, the results were the same -- if your only choice is to drive, you have much less economic flexibility -- flexibility that can protect you from foreclosure in tough times," said Jennifer Henry, real estate sector manager in the Center for Market Innovation at NRDC.

(Also see: Cities that 'Walk the Walk')

The report is also an eye-opener for policy makers. It reveals how the connection between driving and foreclosure risk could provide policy makers and the lending industry with new tools to address the continuing mortgage default problem.

"Add urban sprawl to the list of sources for our current financial mess," said David Goldstein, co-director of the Energy Program at NRDC.

"It’s not just predatory lending or lax standards. The connection between transportation costs and mortgage default cannot be ignored. The sooner we address it in our lending and development practices, the sooner we will start to see a more stable real estate sector," he added.

Ironically, another report "Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Values in U.S. Cities" says when you are able to drive less, not only do you reduce the risk of foreclosure, you are likely to see a boost in your home's value.

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."

Driven to foreclosure

The greater prospect of foreclosures in areas with a lot of drive time is largely due to the financial cost of driving. Transportation costs account for roughly 17 percent of the average American household's income and these costs are exacerbated by fluctuating gas prices.

Even before gas prices surpassed the $3- to $4- a gallon mark National Housing Conferences' Center for Housing Policy found in "A Heavy Load: The Combined Housing and Transportation Burdens of Working Families" that in 17 of the 28 metropolitan areas studied, the average transportation expenses for working families with annual incomes from $20,000 to $50,000 were actually higher than their housing costs.

"Driven to Spend." by the Surface Transportation Policy Project likewise chronicled how housing dollars are drained by driving.

The NRDC report focuses on the impact of "location efficiency" on mortgage performance, a concept pioneered by NRDC and other groups in the 1990's. It shows that rates of vehicle ownership -- largely determined by neighborhood compactness, walkability, and access to public transit -- is key to predicting mortgage performance and should be taken into account by mortgage underwriters, policymakers, and real estate developers.

"Knowing that now, aggressive investment in public transportation and walkable communities make even more sense. And investing in transit will not just improve our economy by avoiding future foreclosures -- but create jobs to get things humming right now," said Henry.

That's inline with the Obama Administration's new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

An outgrowth of the federal interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities, the new HUD office works with the Environmental Protection Agency's existing Smart Growth efforts and the Department of Transportation's also new Office of Livable Communities to develop more transit in low-income neighborhoods, to build more sustainable neighborhoods and to otherwise promote smart growth.

"Our Partnership really is a new way of doing business in Washington, to help our nation meet 21st century challenges," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

"Working together, we're creating jobs to revitalize our economy, while helping state and local transportation agencies to build the capacity they need to promote livable, walkable, sustainable communities," LaHood said in a prepared statement.

Location Efficient Mortgages (LEMs)

NRDC says the study points to the need for:

• Public policies that encourage location efficient land use; infrastructure and transportation that support location efficient communities to help reduce foreclosures. This includes a "Fix-It-First" focus on existing transportation systems, something the Obama Administration has encouraged.

• More research and analysis to develop and refine tools to assess the impact of location efficiency.

• Mortgage underwriting practices that provide access to proportionally better qualifying terms for purchasers of location efficient homes.

Those underwriting practices do exist, to a small degree.

Much as "Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)" allow a home owner with a more energy efficient home to spend more money on housing instead of energy, "Location Efficient Mortgages (LEMs)" allow home owners to spend a greater percentage of their income on housing when they spend less on petrol power transportation.

LEMs are offered by the Institute for Location Efficiency, a California not-for-profit agency sponsored by Fannie Mae. The institute only offers LEMs in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.


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Perkins is also the first Examiner to cover three beats for the Examiner.com news service:
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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

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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!

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'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'

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© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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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!

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Site To See: Green Condo Life

A new Web site and best practices manual is designed just for homeowner association members who want to pitch in on the world's 'green' movement to help save the planet.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com



Deadline Newsroom - Just because you live in a homeowner association (HOA) governed community doesn't mean you always need permission to go green at home.

Granted, a condo, townhome, loft or other home in an HOA community isn't always your castle when it comes to certain home improvements, but there are many other approaches you can take to help save the planet.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) has launched an interactive, Net-based initiative, Community Green to help HOA communities turn global thinking into local action through environmental awareness and activism by community association leaders and the 60 million people who live in HOA communities.

The principles are simple:

• Collaborate with neighbors to develop sustainable, consensus-driven decisions.

• Respect property rights and honor private agreements that are compatible with sustainable environmental practices.

• Be vigilant in actions that minimize the environmental footprint.

And developing green habits in a condo home is easy. Here are some ideas:

• Buy Energy Star. Appliances account for 20 percent of a household's energy consumption. Upgrading your kitchen with a new refrigerator will save the most. Don't forget the dishwasher, stove, oven and clothes washer and dryer.

• Tighten up. Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Insulate. Plug holes. Check air ducts for leaks. Patch the roof.

• Be cool with heating and cooling. Heating and cooling account for more than 40 percent of a home's utility bills. Keep your system well maintained, clean filters regularly and consider upgrading to the latest energy efficient models as soon as possible. Keep the thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. Turn kitchen, bath and other ventilation or exhaust fans off as soon as possible or they'll suck out warmed or cooled air.

• Landscape smart. Choose indigenous plants with deciduous trees planted on the south and on the west sides to keep your house cool in the summer and allow sun to shine in the windows in the winter. Vines also provide shading and cooling. Growing on trellises, vines can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Winter winds can be deflected by planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and west sides of the house.

• Lighten up. Replace 25 percent of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescents and you'll save about 50 percent of your lighting energy bill. Why not replace them all? Fluorescent lamps also last six to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Whenever possible, use solar powered outdoor lighting. Otherwise use photocells or a timer on outdoor lights so they will turn off during the day.

• Make windows winners. Windows account for 10 to 25 percent of heating and cooling bills. Replace old single-pane windows with new double-pane glazing and high-performance glass. In cold climates select windows that are gas filled with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings to reduce heat loss. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally-selective coatings to reduce heat gain. New solar control spectrally-selective windows can cut the cooling load in half. If you can't replace your windows or decide not to, install white window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house; close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day;
Install awnings on south- and west- facing windows; Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.

"Best Practices: Energy Efficiency" by the Foundation For Community Association Research contains more greening information for HOA dwellers including remodeling tips and case studies of HOAs that successfully made it a priority to reduce their energy consumption and costs.

The report is available on the new Web site Community Green, along with a host of related information for HOA members.

"Site To See" reviews are occasional but timely critiques of content-heavy real estate Web sites deemed unique, consumer-friendly, informative and easy to use.

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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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.

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How To Get the Goods on 'Regreening'

Divorcees' divvied up domicile.

'Regreening' -- green remodeling -- requires some extra homework to make sure the materials, design and contractor all come with true green practices and guidelines.

See all "regreening" stories.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - It makes good sense to go green when you make home improvements and renovate your home.

Green remodeling, dubbed "regreening," includes design and construction that reduces the environmental impact of the work itself. That includes the impact on energy, water, and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions -- indoors and out -- according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The council also says a green home is one that uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste, and is healthier for the people who live there.

If being politically correct isn't enough to make you see green, with today's attention to global warming, consider this: regreening can also increase the amount of green backs you get when you sell your home.

But how can you be sure the green approach you use is the best green you can find for your home improvement?

To assist homeowners who want to cultivate a green home improvement lifestyle the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the USGBC have teamed up to create Regreen, a resource for green home renovation best practices and guidelines.

ASID is a community of designers, industry representatives, educators, and students committed to interior design. USGBC is coordinating the establishment and evolution of a national consensus to provide the industry with the tools necessary to design, build, and operate buildings that deliver high performance inside and out. It's also a leading organization representing the building industry on environmental building matters.

The partnership says to get true green, begin with these tips.

Consider composition. When choosing a green product, consider the raw materials used to create the product and their origin. For example, some composite decking manufacturers use recovered wood fibers and recycled plastic grocery bags, milk jugs and detergent bottles to create their materials. Products using recycled rather than virgin materials help by creating less waste, by keeping materials out of landfills and by reducing the need for costly raw materials like petroleum.

By comparison, decking products made polyvinyl chloride (PVC) come with the promise of lower maintenance, however the material is problematic.

"PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing unique and major hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal," according to The Healthy Building Network. The network also says PVC poses unique and significant risks in its production, product life and disposal, and defies the greater desire for a healthy environment and improved quality of life.

Consider a product's life cycle. To reduce environmental impact, seek long-lasting products that also can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their life. Some can even be returned to the manufacturer to be recycled into future products.

Consider sustainability. Products should also have the ability to be maintained sustainably. For building products that will be used outdoors, look for durable products that can withstand the regional climate over an extended period. Sustainability should also be practiced by the manufacturer and during the production process. Manufacturing processes can use a great deal of energy and resources, as well as release toxic chemicals and gases. Look for sustainable companies that have implemented environmental processes and procedures to reduce emissions and energy, as well as reduce the amount of waste through recycling, reusing and other environmentally responsible practices.

Consider value. While green home improvements are inherently good for your home's value, ensure you'll get the most from your regreening by looking for a life-cycle cost analysis of green products. The analysis calculates the approximate maintenance cost over its lifetime compared to the initial product price.

For more information, download Regreen ASID & USGBC Residential Remodeling Guidelines, check out USGBC's Green Home Renovations, visit Healthy Building Network's Web site and see Consumer Reports' GreenerChoices.org.

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© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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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.

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Give Green Lighting A Go

The next time that light bulb goes on over your head, make sure it isn't an incandescent bulb, turn it off when you are done and recycle it properly.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - And you thought green lighting was simply a matter of swapping out old incandescent bulbs for fluorescent lighting.

Boy do you have a lot to learn.

When it comes to saving the planet there's a lot more to brightening your home with cooler, less energy demanding light bulbs.

Just check in at TreeHugger.com.

The upstart media outlet is dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream with news, tips, solutions and product information designed to help put a chill on global warming.

The green light section alone is reason enough to, well, go.

When it comes to lighting the way to a healthier planet, here's what Treehugger teaches.

• Fluorescents have come a long way. Now available as screw-in compact florescent bulbs in a variety of shapes, sizes, even colors they can also produce the same warm hue of light available from less expensive but more energy-draining incandescent bulbs. They last as long as 10,000 hours and use one fourth the energy sucked down by incandescents. They also release less heat and that means more money saved on cooling during warm weather.

• Consider LEDs. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the next generation of light efficiency. Right now, they cost more than fluorescents, but try popping some cheaper ones in your night lights or using LED task lighting. Savings from just those two uses will really put a light bulb over your head. IEDs can last 10 times as long and reduce lighting energy consumption by 80 to 90 percent. What's more, they don't blow. They may dim over time but breakage isn't an issue and they never burn completely out.

Whatever bulb you choose, follow your local jurisdiction's instructions for safe disposal. CFLs and fluorescents contain some mercury. Recycle, don't trash them .

• Consider form and function. Treehugger says sustainability in lighting isn't just about bulbs, but also the fixtures they go into. Remember those bottle lamps you made in middle school? You don't have to go that retro, but you can find eco-friendly lamps and fixtures that use natural, recycled or reused materials.

• Wall warts. Treehugger calls "wall warts" those devices attached to lamps, light fixtures and electrical cords that stay warm and draw energy even when the lighting is not being used. Replace them or attach them to power strips you can turn off when not in use. "Smart" power strips know when devices are off.

• Natural lighting. The sun is no-brainer lighting. Make the most of it by day and consider adding skylights, or fiber optics to "pipe in" solar light. The sun cranks out some free heat gain during the day too. Open those blinds and curtains!

Treehugger says for those who burn the candle power at both ends, whenever possible, try some days planned around the cycle of the sun. Work when there's light available. Go to bed when it isn't. It's good for you and the planet. Besides, if you want to soar with the eagles in the morning, you can't hoot with the owls all night.

• Lighten up. Efficient lighting is only as efficient as your habits allow. It should be second nature to turn off lights when not in use. More specifically, Treehugger says to turn off incandescent bulbs even if you leave the room for a few seconds. Turn off CFLs if you leave the room for 3 minutes. Turn off standard fluorescent bulbs if you leave the room for 15 minutes. Motion sensors, timers and dimmers can help you with your behavior.

• Pay extra. Buy green power from your local utility when it's available. You'll pay a few dollars more a month to support renewable energy development.

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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.

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San Jose's Solar Home Sales Sizzle

Apparently silicon on rooftops is just as hot as silicon found in all the computer components manufactured at the nation's ground zero for technology research and development.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - San Jose, CA, considered the Capital of Silicon Valley, has had its real estate market ups and downs, but certified green homes with integrated solar roofs are selling like hotcakes.

When local new home builder Pinn Brothers recently released the first nine of 51 solar roof homes in the new Orchard Heights development in San Jose, seven of the $1 million homes were snatched up the same day.

Integrated solar roofs are standard on all the homes in the Orchard Heights subdivision as well as on 19 homes at another Pinn development, Falcon Place, also in San Jose.

Pinn worked with BP Solar and Old Country Roofing for the integrated solar roofing design and construction phase of the project.

The San Jose builder's new homes also all meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for new homes developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition to solar roofs generating up to 60 percent of the households' energy needs, the homes include green designs and materials that make the structure more energy efficient. That's money in the pocket of owners who enjoy smaller utility bills.

They can also boast a smaller carbon footprint than their neighbors.

But in a housing market where sales are down to record lows and prices are flat as a silicon wafer how do you sell energy-efficient million dollar homes?

The energy-efficiency factor is a big draw, but the price point is what seals the deal.

The solar roof systems cost as much as $25,000 for each home, but Pinn didn't pass that cost onto buyers.

Instead, the builder cashed in on volume, incentives from the state's energy commission and incentives from the local power utility.

The result? LEED certified homes that sell for the same price as homes without the LEED certification.

That's some real mean green.

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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.

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Cultivating A Green Lifestyle At Home

Going green at home is a lot more than just switching light bulbs, swapping out the thermostat and plugging holes. To really save the planet, change your lifestyle.

See all "regreening" stories.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Think you really know how to go green at home?

Sure, you've swapped out those incandescent bulbs with fluorescents. You have a new thermostat. You've stuffed your attic with insulation. Winterization plugs and seals have already saved you a bundle.

You've been trading up to Energy Star emblazoned major appliances and those not-always-on tech gadgets. And gas prices are forcing you to trade in that gas guzzler.

Still, chances are, you've only scratched the surface of saving the planet.

Going green at home is more than just tossing one energy hog for a more efficient replacement. To really shrink your households' carbon footprint, going green must be more of a lifestyle than a trend-induced fad.

Here are some green steps you may have overlooked.

• Hire a green broker. When shopping for a home, hire an EcoBroker.

Around since 2003, EcoBrokers are licensed real estate agents, additionally endowed with eco-savvy certification from the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals.

As an education outreach partner with a national green builder network, BuiltGreen.org, EcoBrokers help the home building industry sell green homes, but they also assist home buyers who want to buy green homes -- new and resale.

At an open house they can point out features that save energy costs or where you can improve the green status of the listing. Schooled in energy efficient technology and sustainable energy issues they can also help you land an Energy Efficient Mortgage, which, if you are really serious about being green, you won't buy a home without.

• Buy a green home. The U.S. Green Building Council, the folks who developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for all kinds of structures, residential and not, help take the guesswork out of buying a green home. The council's Green Home Guide includes links to green multiple listing services (MLS), ListedGreen.com and GreenHomesForSale.com offering new and resale sustainable homes around the globe.

To help you shop green the council also offers a Green Home Checklist a detailed analysis of what features to expect in a green home.

• Regreen. "Regreening" is green remodeling, renovating and home improving and new guidelines from the LEED people, Green Home Renovations help you, well, go for the green.

• Buy a green home in a real Emerald City. Two studies point you to green location gems. BestPlaces.net and Country Home magazine teamed up to produce Best Green Place To Live and SustainLane.com offers Greenest U.S. Cities.

And if you really want to get down to the green nitty gritty, location-wise, you can plant your green being in specific communities and neighborhoods noted for green living.

The LEED for Neighborhood Development program, offered by, the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for sustainable neighborhood design.

• Fill up with green. When it's time to send a thank you gift to your Ecobroker or to fill that new or resale green home with stuff, buy green. Consumers Union's GreenerChoices.org brings the consumer advocate's time-honored goods and services ratings scrutiny to environmentally sustainable and healthy goods and services. From the foods you stuff in the fridge to the car you park in the garage GreenerChoices.org has ratings for numerous household goods.

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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.

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Cool LEDs Getting 'Green' Light

LEDs are poised to take over your home's lighting chores. Here's what you should know about this new bright technology designed to also lighten the load on your wallet.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Just about ready for prime time, the LED is lighting the way to what will become the greatest cost savings yet in household illumination.

Getting a boost from global warming and the need to squeeze more savings out of lighting in general, the tiny LED needs only to match upfront costs with its size to make its energy-efficient lighting technology more economically viable.

LED is short for "light emitting diodes," tiny devices that resemble a very small computer chip sandwiched within thin layers of glass or plastic. When charged with electricity the diode emits light.

LEDs were originally developed as a cheap, reliable solution for both indicator lamps and character displays, say on electronic devices, where they are still used. They are found in consumer electronics, motor vehicle dashboard displays, or any tiny, tight, enclosed area or component requiring a long lasting light source but is not readily suitable for disassembly, repair or replacement.


LEDs are also found in commercial signage and lighting, traffic lights, flashlights, nightlights, book lights as well as jumbo-trons, those massive video displays in Times Square and sporting arenas, according to American Lighting Association

Most LEDs are entering the home today as holiday decorations, small-area task or directional lighting, as well as new lighting fixtures and mainstream, screw-in replacements for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and older incandescent bulbs. It's the mainstream screw-in and fixture replacement area were LED cost premiums create, at first glance, a cost barrier.

For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb costs less than a buck while a comparable 2 watt LED light bulb, generating an equal level of lumens, costs more than $30.

But don't stop at the upfront cost of a single LED lamp to get a true comparison of the savings. Lamp life, electricity use, and maintenance costs over the expected life of the LED product also must be considered.

• LEDs don't have a filament. Instead of burning out they get progressively dimmer over time.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy good quality LEDs in properly designed fixtures can last as long as 50,000 hours. Some researchers say LED life can be double that. But even DOE's estimated LED lifespan, compared to an incandescent lamp that lasts only 1,000 hours, makes it much more affordable. If it takes 50 incandescent bulbs to match the lifespan of one LED, the replacement costs for the incandescent lamp, at $50, wind up costing more than LED lighting.

CFLs stack up better against LEDs, lasting up to 10,000 hours and larger fluorescent tubes and lamps in fluorescent fixtures can last up to 30,000 hours and more, but there's ballast replacement costs and maintenance to consider.

• Incandescent filament bulbs also waste energy generating heat to create light. Only about 5 to 10 percent of the energy consumed by filament bulbs is used to create light. Because LEDs have no filament they generate very little heat. A much higher percentage, 80 to 90 percent of the electrical power goes directly to generating light in an LED.

Right now, that makes LEDs energy efficiency on par with fluorescent lighting, according to the DOE. But fluorescent efficiency has just about capped out as LED research and development continues to improve efficiency. New generations of LED devices become available approximately every 4 to 6 months, according to the DOE.

• LED's are much more durable and resistant to vibrations and than both incandescent and fluorescent lamps which are prone to breakage, according to the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation. The corporation also said the life span of both fluorescents and incandescent bulbs are shortened by frequent on and off switching.

• Finally, aging baby boomers need more light with less glare and LED lights, which tend to focus and beam light with a reduced glare, fills the bill.

There are many larger energy guzzlers in the home. Lights only account for 25 percent of the home's electric bill, according to the American Lighting Association. But homeowners often tackle light efficiency first because it is energy use you can see, fixtures are easy to get at, change is generally cheap and the savings immediate.

Keep an eye out for LED advances and other technological improvements that really hit home on the DeadlineNews.Com web site.

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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.

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Equity-Saving Home Improvements

by Broderick Perkins
© 2007 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Housing market conditions are squeezing the equity out of homes, but the right home improvement on the right home can help shore up equity and even improve the home's value.

That could mean a higher price when it's time to sell.

The Federal Reserve's third quarter 2007 U.S. Flow of Funds Accounts report says the amount of equity homeowners nationwide hold in their homes slipped in the third quarter to just over 50 percent, the lowest level on record.

Falling home prices, a surge in cash-out refinances, home equity loans and the increase in low- and no-down payment loans from the past housing boom have contributed to deteriorating home equity.

Economists say the equity-holding share could drop below 50 percent by the end of this year, due a soft housing market.

However, homeowners who perform improvements that bring their home up to par with other homes in the neighborhood -- or make them slightly above par -- stand the best chance of holding onto equity and even increasing home value.

"Upgrading what you have in your home now will always gain you something, either enjoyment and a return on your investment or a quick turn-around in the market," says Cindy A. Carey, co-owner of Starburst Construction Co. in San Jose.

That's especially true if homeowners perform home improvements that provide the greatest cost-vs-value return for the money and Hanley Wood's Cost vs. Value 2007 report helps take the guess work out of deciding which job provides the most return.

Here's a look at the top cost-vs-value jobs in the report's tri-state Pacific Region. The numbers are not absolutes. Do not overlook the impact your local community or neighborhood market conditions have on home improvements' value.

Each brief job description includes: 1) the Pacific region's average cost for the job, 2) the region's average dollar amount added to your home's value and 3) a percentage that represents how much of your original expenditure is returned to you in the form of increased value.

• Wood deck addition: A 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated joists supported by 4x4 posts anchored to concrete piers, including a built-in bench and planter of the same decking material, stairs, and railings, $12,812; $13,836; 108 percent.

• Minor kitchen remodel: Updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops. New cabinet and drawer prefacing; energy-efficient wall oven and cooktop; laminate countertops; mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, new flooring, $22,698; $23,494; 103.5 percent.

• Wood framed window replacement: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated wood replacement windows, $13,120; $13,497; 102.9 percent.

• Vinyl window replacement: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated vinyl replacement windows, $12,164; $11,978; 98.5 percent.

• Attic bedroom remodel: Convert unfinished attic space to a 15-by-15-foot bedroom with 5-by-7-foot bath with shower. Include a 15-foot shed dormer, four new windows, closet space under the eaves, more, $55,306; $54,186; 98 percent.

• A basement remodel, bathroom remodel and major kitchen remodel all returned, to the value of the home, more than 96 percent of the money spent.

Jobs including full additions, a new roof, siding and a home office remodel all returned about 90 percent or less.

"A sure fire return is on any green improvements in the home's energy performance. From here on out, home buyers will be likely to purchase the remodeled home that has included these energy savings improvements," said Clayton Nelson, a residential remodeling contractor and owner of Clayton Nelson & Associates in Los Gatos.

Hanley Wood concedes, for any project, the true cost-vs-value depends upon a host of factors -- the condition of the rest of the house, the value of nearby similar homes, the rate of local property value changes, the urban, suburban, or rural setting, the new home market and more.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Nobel Peace Prize Brings Global Warming Message Home

by Broderick Perkins
© 2007 DeadlineNews.Com

"What is the use of a house, if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"
-- Henry David Thoreau

Deadline Newsroom – The Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 went to former Vice President Al Gore and a joint global agency because they've been instrumental in bringing the global warming message home.

"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 is to be shared, in two equal parts, between the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr., for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change," said Professor Ole Danbolt Mjoes, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announcing the award on November 12.

The IPCC was formed in 1998 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to address climate change on a global level.

The IPCC's series of "Climate Change" reports provides the basis for much of Al Gore's Oscar-winning 2006 "Inconvenient Truth" documentary (#16 on Amazon's DVD sales chart) and book by the same name.

Consider the Gore-IPCC team effort the gift of climatic cognizance.

Prior to presenting IPCC's work in documentary form, global warming was often considered quackery, political conspiracy and down right fabrication.

For years after the IPCC's first report, the media, attempting to be fair and balanced, often gave groundless naysaying as much ink as the studied research from scientists. The media concedes its initial reaction to IPCC reports delayed what today has become wide spread acceptance and action to stop the effects of global warming.

Greenhouse gasses are the culprit and humans play a large part. Burning fossil fuels -- gasoline in motor vehicles, heating oil in homes, coal in factories -- among other actions, contribute to the gasses. Greenhouse gasses cause the planet to heat up and that results in climate change -- hotter summers, colder winters and more severe storms, according to the IPCC and most scientists and scientific groups studying the issue.

Fifty years from now, The World According To Al Gore doesn't include much of Manhattan, the Florida Peninsula, the San Francisco Bay Area or other coastal and low-lying regions where, within a half century, homes could be under 20 feet of water as oceans swell from glacier-melting temperatures.

Other reports reveal higher temperatures are creating more drought, heatwaves and desert sprawl.

Since Gore borrowed a page from Hollywood drama, however, more attention has been given to where and how communities are planned and developed, to "greener" more sustainable conservation-minded lifestyles and, at the individual level, to where to live -- or not to live.

"Indications of changes in the earth's future climate must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and with the precautionary principle uppermost in our minds. Extensive climate changes may alter and threaten the living conditions of much of mankind. They may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources," said Mjoes during the prize announcement.

The Nobel committee said IPCC, using scientific data during the past two decades has created a consensus about the connection between human activities, global warming and the consequences.

Gore was noted for his tireless efforts as "one of the world's leading environmentalist politicians."

"He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted. By awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 to the IPCC and Al Gore, the Norwegian Nobel Committee is seeking to contribute to a sharper focus on the processes and decisions that appear to be necessary to protect the world's future climate, and thereby to reduce the threat to the security of mankind. Action is necessary now, before climate change moves beyond man's control," Mjoes said.

Half of Gore's $1.5 million prize was slated for the Palo Alto, CA-based Alliance for Climate Protection where he was scheduled to speak the day the award was announced. Gore co-founded the Alliance, a bipartisan, non-profit organization, as a vehicle for raising money to encourage Americans to find ways to address global warming.

If You Are Interested: Broderick Perkins was one of the first journalists to make the global warming-housing connection and to regularly visit the Global-Warming-Hits-Home issue.

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© 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.

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