Do the Right Thing.

Mark Nash writes in the Colorado Realtor magazine a well worded article about what home buyers want and don't want and what the professionals should be paying attention to.

According to the latest issue of Colorado Realtor this is what home buyers are looking for:

In:

• The housing correction
• Online home valuation sites
• Modular Housing
• Sustainable Design - think holistic                                            

Out:

• "As is" equals the kiss of death
• Buyer incentives - Cars shouldn't come with houses
• Endless Open Houses
• Over full price houses
• Numerous tiny bedrooms

On the way out:

• Hardwood laminate floors
• Sellers who smoke in their homes

Resource www.ColoradoRealtor.com Pg12

The homeowner who is looking for a ‘green home' is looking for something energy efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly. It's trendy, friendly and something to brag about. The rewards come in the long term in the form of tax credits, lower energy costs, a comfortable home, better resale and the knowledge of doing something positive for the future.

The builder doesn't see the same kind of rewards. His or her incentive is in the supply and demand side while boosting their reputation. The builders homes need to be of quality and standard that comply with not only the local building standards but that of state and national green standards.(Including things like H.E.R.S)

Building a green home of the highest standards will build their reputation and in turn build more homes.

http://www.builditgreen.org/

http://www.energy.ufl.edu/

http://www.buildsagreen.org/

Remember the movie City Slickers? Billy Crystal and his friends go to New Mexico for a cattle drive - "Like in a truck". Part way threw the movie the Trail Boss Curly asks Mitch "Do you know what the secret of life is?" and held up one finger.

I've been using the tag line "Do the Right Thing" for almost a year now. On occasion somebody will ask me what that means. Once in awhile they will ask me about it in a defensive tone.

"Do the Right Thing" means to me a combination of at least two things.

1. The Golden Rule 
2. Don't sweat the small stuff.

If you and I are doing the right thing we are doing what we think is right, doing what our heart and our conscience tell us is correct. And if you do something that upsets me I'll tell you. If you do something that upsets me and really does amount to much I'm going to walk away. That doesn't mean I am giving you permission to hurt or cheat me. And if I hurt or cheat you tell me!

Do the Right Thing means to me the same thing the secret of life meant to Curly and to Mitch. And you have to figure that out for yourself.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            I'm happy to announce that I'm of moving my real estate license to Colorado Western Real Estate. My new broker, Donna Phillips is looking forward to growing the office and being a supportive part of my career.

Colorado Western Real Estate services Custer, Huerfano, Fremont Pueblo and Otero Counties. I'm looking forward to learning more about the beautiful state of Colorado by getting out and seeing it first hand. My clients will benefit from my personal knowledge of the area.

Donna Phillips specialty is farm and ranch land. While I am anxious to learn more about that part of the business my primary focus will be on residential properties, still working with environmentally minded clients. Additional associate brokers will be coming to the company soon and I look forward to working with them.

The future looks bright and promising.

Special thanks to Colleen K from Marco Island for her support and guidance.

The Home Energy Rating System is an Environmental Protect Agency program. Houses are rated on the following features:                                     

1. Effective Insulation

Properly installed, climate-appropriate insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, less energy consumption, and increased comfort.

Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frame assemblies, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Lea

3. Tight Construction and Ducts

Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills.

4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment

In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. Typically, energy-efficient equipment is also more durable and requires less maintenance than standard models. Learn more about:

5. Lighting and Appliances

ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products - lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dish washers, and washing machines. These ENERGY STAR qualified products provide additional energy savings to the owner.

6. Third-Party Verification

With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct on site testing and inspections to verify that the homes qualify as ENERGY STAR.

So should you pay a premium for a house that has a HERS number? The minimum score to get an energy star varies in different parts of the country. The higher the score the better. The better the building fits the requirements set by the EPA Energy star program the higher number it will earn. As the number rises the efficiency rises 11% for every increase in points.

Example: a house with a score of 91 is 11% more efficient than a house that has a score of 90. A well built traditional house if rated today would most likely receive a score of 80. Always consult a professional with RESNET accredited standards. Call your local building association or state in regards to the building programs that they recognize.

Resource: www.energystar.gov

Inspired by Jeff Turners recent blog: The Power of Active Rain I decided to start exploring the poverty of Pueblo Colorado immediately. After googling Poverty Pueblo Colorado I got this site: www.Citytowninfo.com  which compares my city to 100 other similar cities. Citytowninfo.com breaks down the demographics of Pueblo, some of which I was unaware.

The first thing I noticed is the percent of violence is noticeably lower in Pueblo compared to say Henderson TX and Toledo Ohio. Also the population is higher than 90% of the towns listed by the poverty rate is approx the same. Other statics appears to be consistent in all towns compared: 1 person households, college education, commute time, 65+ population and children under 4 years old.

Rome Georgia, Kilmore Texas, Lake Charles Louisiana, Alliance Ohio and Waterloo Iowa and the most like Pueblo according to the information listed. (90%-91%)

I have some ideas to get started on this Run off Change / Rain of Hope inspired by Jeff Turner.

1. Understand why in a town the population of Pueblo the poverty level is so high.
2. Contact local officials who may or may not already be addressing this issue.
3. Network with others especially in Rome, Kilmore, Lake Charles, Allianc and Waterloo to find out if what they are doing in their towns to address the issue of poverty.

I've been fortunate in finding some very useful information lately. In my blog A Little Free Knowledge I told you how to get a free copy of Eco-Structure magazine.

Now I have another freebie for those of you interested in learning more about Smart Growth. On Common Ground tackles subjects like Green Building, Diversity, Open Spaces and Growing Communities and Design.

janeAnne and I have been hopefully been teaching and entertaining you with our blogs about the green movement. We have told you that it is energy saving, cost effective, environmental, sustainable, comfortable, imaginative, non fatty and cool.

What would it take to get everyone reading our blogs  to make an effort to turn green?

No it's not a control thing, I think ‘control' focuses on the negative to much. I want to focus on the positive. And this year I'm taking my power back. I'm not going to whine about the last couple of years, they have been tough both personally and professionally and on every level. It's time to look forward toward the positive.

Colleen Kulikowski wrote Active Rain Week in Review and in it so pointed out some terrific blogs worth reviewing. One of these blogs was 125,600 Minutes  by C.Mark Willix. In his blog he writes about his first year in real estate, well worth the time to read. And his blog gave me pause. C.Mark has the right idea, good instincts, a good attitude. He just needs a little help. I read Christine Adlers blogs often and repeatedly. Everything she talks about I believe in but often loose site of. I need to combine all of my resources and take my power back.

On New Years Eve I spent the night with friends. As it happens they were all single woman who had experienced a difficult year. At midnight we burned our 2006 calendars and brought in the new year knowing we had the power to change our lives and influence those around us in a positive way. We can harness the power of positive thought. We have the ability to change our lives if we believe we can.

I believe, no, I know that in the future you will be hearing about the positive changes in my life and how I plan on harnessing that power for the good. Do the Right Thing!