Save Money by Going Green

I like to check in from time to time with ways to go green, and this month I will be mailing to my clients a list of helpful tips on ways to save money by going green. Yet another reason that going green is great is because it appeals to both our altruistic side (saving the earth) and the selfish side (saving money). Here is a preview of what I will be sending my clients this month:

• Ceiling fans use less energy than air conditioners and save you money in the long run.
• Hardwood floors require no vacuuming, meaning you will save electricity and money.
• CFL lightbulbs are afordable, long-lasting and use a fraction of the energy of traditional light bulbs. Save more money by getting them at CostCo or one of the many partners with PG&E.
• Set those CFLs on timers to conserve even more energy & energy costs while you are away.
• Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket and turn it to the lowest setting when you are away.
• See if your city offers solar rebates and take advantage of them.
• Install solar-powered garden lights. They look stylish and are oh-so-easy! (for more stylish green tips, always visit Ecofabulous.com)
• Always buy appliances qualified and rated by Energy Star.
• Plant trees on the east and west sides of your home to keep it cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. The right placement can reduce the sun's heat by 20-50%.

If you ever have questions about greening your home and saving money, just let me know. I'm always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

Getting Started with Green

Time to look at the Greening of America once again from a real estate point of view. I get the sense that a lot of people really want to get started on making their homes and lives MORE green, but don't know how to move beyond basic recycling and/or using public transportation. So, time for a crash course on where you can look for guidance to jump-start the greening of your home and life. You'll be making the world a better place, and quite possibly saving yourself some money in the long run.

First, the City of Berkeley provides an up-to-date list of companies that provide green and energy consulting. Peruse this list to see all of the options that are out there, such as green home interior design products from EcoHome Improvement and green building specialists Build It Green. Visit the City's complete list right here.

Ready to go solar? Check out the Northern California Solar Energy Association. They have practical tips and lists of companies to help you go solar. While your initial costs to go solar can be high, there are many government incentives available, and you might even be able to offset your costs by selling the energy you generate back to PG&E.

Ready to give composting a try? Why not if you have a yard! Composting will greatly reduce the amount of waste you contribute to landfills and dumps, plus you will be getting a very powerful fertilizer for your yard for just pennies. Get a crash course in composting at the Compost Guide and get local resources at Garden for the Environment.

There are so many options, especially living in the Bay Area. This is just a quick start, so go get started! If you have any questions about going green in Berkeley, Oakland, the East Bay and Beyond, just let me know. I'm always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.

EcoFabulous!

From time to time, I like to write about the green movement and how it applies to real estate and home design. So, today I want to point you in the direction of a fabulous blog--Ecofabulous.com.

Ecofabulous is run by Zem Joaquin (and what a great name is that?), a design professional with a background in green technologies and philosophies. She is also the "green editor" at House & Garden Magazine. And, in the current issue of H&G, they take a look at Zem's own ecofabulous home here in the Bay Area, which she has fashioned into a green dream home without compromising aesthetics or quality.

Here are some great tips that can gleaned from her greening:

*Buy a classic house with "great bones" that you can work with.

*Retain as much original flooring and construction as possible, so as not to create waste for landfills.

*Use as many reclaimed and recycled materials as possible. She used a cork flooring made from a winery's unused materials!

*Use vintage and antique design pieces instead of newly manufactured pieces.

*Use use non-VOC, non-toxic paints and finishes.

Read Zem's blog entry and link to the House & Garden article here at the Ecofabulous website. If you would like more information or guidance on greening your own home, please let me know. I am always happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net.


*Photos courtesy of Ecofabulous and House & Garden.

Green in the City

The modern homebuyer can often be conflicted when buying a new home about increasing their "carbon footprint." But, there are many solutions to investing in your personal future, as well as the future of the planet. One solution is to invest in newer buildings built to advanced green standards. Gate 48, a new condo development in Oakland's Temescal district, is one of the best green buildings in the East Bay--and one of the best deals around, period!

Gate 48 is a new 12-unit building developed by Ron Kriss and Lawton Associates...and it is among the first multi-family residential buildings to be certified at the highest level of Green construction by the statewide non-profit organization Build It Green. The building's energy efficiency exceeds California's stringent code requirements, which are by far the most demanding in the nation.

Even better...Gate 48 has incredible buyer incentives to spread the new urban green lifestyle. Buyers can receive up to $25,000 in credits...or a brand new Toyota Prius. And, with already affordable prices ranging from $399,000 to $549,000, this green deal is also one of the best deals in the East Bay.

Tour the Gate 48 project or Click here to read the San Francisco Chronicle article about the building's development.

If you would like to learn more about green options when buying a new home, or would like to consider making an offer on one of these highly-desirable units, please be in touch. I would be happy to help. I can be reached at 510-547-5970 x57 or MSmartt@jps.net