Urban Sprawl and Sustainability in So Cal

KPCC/NPR has just run a 3 part series on sustainability and Los Angeles. In part 1, about smart growth for LA, Abdres Duany, a Miami based urban planner is interviewed:

"Southern California is a laboratory for everything that can go wrong in urban design, says Andres Duany. Also: he likes that. "You can find probably California has pioneered suburban sprawl and every aspect of it," he says. "But at the same time California has all the best examples of things as well. There are wonderful downtowns. Wonderful urban agricultural areas. And I think California is probably a good example of as good as things can get and as bad as things can get."

Part 2 address issues of mega cities, those with over 10 million population (wow! - I don;t think the entire country of Austrailia has that many people) and brings up the point that "people can’t make sustainable homes unless they think about problems across an entire region. But he adds that it’s impossible to improve the environment on a mega-city scale without starting in just one house."

In part 3 of the series, Architect Michael Maltzan, a sustainable architect, is interviewed. There are some neat things happenning in LA including sustainable housing for the homeless. As an EcoBrokerTM, I often write about residential sustainable housing as it relates to your home and maybe to those in your neighborhood. This feature story brings out a good point about your home in relation to the overall urban design:

"Passive heating and cooling, reduced energy consumption, and filtered
indoor air are common in Maltzan's work. But he says that sustainability is
bigger and more complicated than ultra-efficient internal systems and
eco-friendly building materials. For example, architects and urban designers
will have to commit to the efficient use of public space - and the zealous
protection of privacy - to help cities thrive. 'As our lives become more
interconnected I think one of the complexities of the contemporary life is
increasingly that blurry line between public and private and what that
means.' In a city like Los Angeles, Maltzan says, where public plazas are in
short supply, the blurry line is often the street and the sidewalk
themselves."

So, as we head to urbanization throughout the country including Southern California, we do need to think about our little piece of heaven in it's surroundings.

Read more about it at: http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/12/30/sustainable-home-3/

Fallen Fruit vs Forbidden Fruit

I just found this on NAR's website:
Groups are popping up that promote the gleaning of fruit from neglected or overlooked urban fruit trees. One such group is Fallen Fruit in Los Angeles, which offers online maps showing the locations of publicly accessible fruit trees. Fallen Fruit urges others to post maps of their neighborhoods to the website.
The organization is also encouraging homeowners to throw “Public Fruit Jams,” essentially canning parties to share the taste, savings, and sweaty work inherent in preserving peaches, plums, blackberries, apricots, and other fruits. Fruit gathered from public spots like parks is free, and enough canning supplies to get you started will run about $60.
Let's go pickin!

Will Energy Audits be Mandatory?

The National Association of Realtor's website reports: To help advance an economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable future, NAR is committed to supporting all commercially reasonable strategies with voluntary, performance-based incentives to reduce greenhouse gases and use energy more efficiently. Market-based, cost effective solutions energize the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit and drive innovation in cutting emissions and growing domestic supplies of carbon-based and renewable forms of energy. http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_clean_energy_security_act?lid=ronav0019

The recent Climate Bill passed by the Congress original called for mandatory energy audits for any property involved in a sales transaction. It does leave the decision up to the states, however, wanna guess what California will do? After all we are the land of "fruits and nuts"
The National Association of Realtors wants to assure it is a voluntary decision weather or not to have an energy audit as part of a sales transaction (like a termite inspection is now.) An energy audit would add $300-500 to the expenses of purchasing or selling a home (depending on who ends up having to pay for it.)

I say if you can, get the audit, the few hundred dollars will save you thousands over your typical home ownership total time period. I do also agree that it should not be mandatory. I believe it will end up that way, as consumers will insist on it, like termite inspections.

A great thing about the bill is that there are a lot of "significant financial incentive, matching grants and tools to make property improvements and reduce their energy bill." For more information on this bill, go to: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2454/show

Even though NAR does not want to make it mandatory, they voluntarily built their office building in Washington DC. It's the first privately-owned commercial building in the nation’s capitol to be LEED Silver certified. And, NAR's Smart Growth program provides grants and technical assistance for sustainable, environmentally-sound development initiatives in communities nationwide. Way to go NAR!

How can ancient mythology help us go green?

OC Green Realty is forming an alliance with Icarus Green Energy Solutions, in my due diligence researching their company, I of course, went to the about us section of their website. Here is why they call the company Icarus:

The story of Icarus dates back to the times of Greek Mythology. Icarus was the son of master craftsman Daedalus the inventor of carpentry. Imprisoned on the island of Crete, Icarus and Daedalus needed to plan an escape. Using his skills for building, Daedalus constructed wings made of wax and feathers to be used to fly Icarus and himself off the island. The plan was a success except for one major detail: THE ENERGY FROM THE SUN! In flight after the escape, Icarus flew too close to the sun. The sun melted the wax of his wings and Icarus’ escape ended in tragedy.
What can we learn from an ancient Greek mythological story today? Daedalus could have gone GREEN and utilized the energy of the sun! The 20th century Icarus has gone green and like his father is a master craftsman rebuilding green communities across the world. Icarus’ mission is to spread the word of going green and advocating energy efficiency and energy independence.

This company can help you with an energy audit, an energy efficient mortgage and general tips on going green in your home. I am excited to find them, and to be working with them, as they encompass all the support services I need as an EcoBrokerTM and Green Real Estate Agent to serve my clients with an extra package of services and products they need. I am forming an affiliate program for my clients to receive comlimentary upgrades and services through Icarus.

We have alliances with an Interior Designer, A Feng Shui Master, and Green Architects. Check out our website on the resources link page: http://www.ocgreenrealty.com/default.asp_Q_f_E_links

Green Senior Living in SJC - Yes!

Do you know any seniors looking for housing that are financially challenged at this time?

The City and Redevelopment Agency of San Juan Capistrano along with MacFarlane Costa Housing Partners is accepting applications for the Seasons Senior Affordable Housing Apartments Phase II. The Phase II project was a collaborative effort between the City, Redevelopment Agency and MacFarlane Costa Housing Partners to develop a 38-unit addition to the Season's affordable senior housing complex at the corner of Rancho Viejo Road and Paseo Espada. The $12M project came in under budget, ahead of schedule, and features green building construction techniques including solar power. Whoo Hoo! These apartments are available to seniors who meet the income qualifications. For more information on the apartment availability, contact Season's manager at 949-487-0210. Ican't seem to find a website for them.

There is an amazing nationwide movement of green nursing homes, if you go to youtube and search "green nursing homes" you will see a video of an amazing place where seniors go to live, not to die, and the caretakers are paid more than the administrators, and home cooking is in the air and folks eat family style. They have pets and gardens, it is sooooo cool!

While we are at it, here is a link to a page on the sjc website that lists all the programs for homeownership or rentals for financially challenged folk: http://www.sanjuancapistrano.org/Index.aspx?page=157

Each city has such a page, just go to the city's website and search "homeownership programs."

Portal to Home Buying Heaven & Meeting Heaven

HUD has a great portal with links to all the info on the programs the Federal Housing Administration has for homebuyers. Her eyou can find the Making Home Affordable program description, as well as the energy efficient mortgages (green mortgages) and links to agencies that help you avoid forclosure that are approved by HUD and the FHA. You can even ask a question via e-mail if you don't see what you need.

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/federal_housing_administration

On another note, rather than listing all the green events in So Cal, I urge you to go to http://www.meetup.com/. In Orange County, the group is called "Going Green in Orange County", but you can search within meetup for any topic you are interested in, and you will be directed to all the meetings taking place in your area for that topic. I just went to meetup, and searched "Green Home" and found 186 meetups within 25 miles of Dana Point! Never a dull moment!!!

Going Green in Orange County is organized by Evan Little, who is also a Certified EcoBroker® working with Surterre Properties. Speaking of Evan and the great work he is doing in OC to promote green living, he sent me an e-mail about this event I think is definately worth mentioning (one of 186!!):

A Breath of Fresh Air: Inside and Out

Enjoy an engaging evening in one of Orange County's newest, green luxury homes. Sample consciously prepared hors d'oeuvres & refreshments from some of the county's top chefs while you tour the home. Mingle with leading air quality and environmental toxicity experts while we collectively raise funds and awareness for the American Lung Association in California. Celebrity Guests, Organic Wines & Spirits, Consciously Prepared Hors d'Oeuvres, Guided "Green" Home Tours, Mingle with Air Quality Experts, Check out a New Tesla Roadster Electric Car, Learn steps to clean up your air...

Live Presentations by:
• Green Nest • American Lung Association CA • Leigh Erin Connealy, M.D. you have to rsvp, here's the link:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/reg_new/register.asp?ievent=306322&lis=1&kntae306322=78CCF312CEA14252B6A288593B3538EE&teamAction=none

Homebuyer tax credit extension passed the senate!

• A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said senators agreed Wednesday to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years. A congressional aide said the tax credits would be available to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April 2010. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes.
• For first-time homebuyers, the income level to qualify is $75,000/$150,000.
• For move-up buyers, the income level to qualify is $ 125,000/$250,000.
• Move-up buyers must have been living in their primary residence for at least 5 years.
• The credit is equal to 10% of the sale price, and is capped at $7,290.
• The credit extension runs from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.
• Legitimate sales under contract as of April 30, 2010 have 60 days to close.

Good News! For the full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aOcMZU6BreOM

Have a GREEN, black and orange Halloween this year!

With Halloween approaching, and consumerism at a spike, consider how you can green up your home and festivities by reusing, reducing, and recycling. Below are some ideas for a green black and orange Halloween and below that some ideas for seasonal staging of your home.

The Daily Green, a great newsletter for green living, says: "By choosing natural materials to accent your home or office, you'll also be supporting American farmers and open space, as well as bringing a little slice of nature (not to mention history) indoors. The best choice is locally sourced goods, which you can pick up at a farmers' market, farm stand or charity drive. Read more at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/natural-fall-decorations?src=rss#ixzz0UhBb8AUJ"

Here are my ideas:

• Get costumes from your local vintage clothing or thrift store and not only will you feel better about your choices, you will be supporting local business owners and charities (who really need it now!!!)


• If you string lights be sure to use strands of LED lights, not traditional twinkle lights.


• Illuminate carved pumpkins with candles made from beeswax or soy, so harmful toxins aren't burned into the air.


• Give out only fair trade, organic treats. Or small items made from recycled materials.


• Don't forget your reusable grocery bags instead of plastic trick or treat bags.

For Seasonal Green Staging, here are some ideas:

• Use produce from your local farmer's market for decoration. A few pumpkins and gourds by the door and a spray of Indian corn on the front door, create a festive entry.


• LED lighting in the trees or on your patio or balcony can go far to set the mood that your home is a wonderful magical place, without using much electricity. With the days getting shorter towards winter, lighting is crucial for safety as well as ambiance.


• Scarecrows (make them whimsical and smiling) made from found objects and old clothes and a few hay bales in the front yard provide a unique curb appeal, and invite the buyer closer.


• Burn a soy or beeswax scented candle just before buyers are to arrive to fill the home with fresh scent.


• If you have any green features, be sure to make a small sign and post it next to them, so buyers can be reminded. For example, energy star appliances, native plant landscaping, air filtration systems, should all be pointed out to the buyers.

Vermiculture? creepy crawlies just in time for Halloween!

I got this e-mail from The Road Less Traveled, one of my favorite stores :

What: Composting Lecture

When: October 25, 2009 3:00 PM

Price: $15.00 per person

Where:The Road Less Traveled

2204 N Main St Santa Ana, CA 92706

714 836-8727

Learn the how, what and where of vermiculture, composting with earthworms, our hungry and efficient friends! Everything you need know plus product to buy to be successful at home! handouts and snacks are included.$15, $10 w/friend

OK, in all my studies for several years now, and in the 70's as a hippie, I have never heard the word "vermiculture". And my friend, Abbot John Drais of Madre Grande Monastery was a Worm Wrangler - he taught me all about worms and castings and how valuable they are, as he spent hours digging up the earth and making the soil a perfect environment for earthworms to sell their poop for organic fertilizer. Apparently it's the shizzle.

Why is it important to green real estate? First, let's properly define it.

According to http://www.vermiculture.com/, it is "The raising and production of earthworms and worm castings"

Well, wikipedia doesn't list it, but they do list Vermicompost: "composting utilizing various species of worms, specifically red wigglers, white worms, and earthworms creating the heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and pure vermicast produced during the course of normal vermiculture operations. Vermicast, similarly known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by the species of earthworm." That's clear as mud!

So, why is it important to green real estate?

Worm castings used as fertilizer can help your organic garden thrive and not only make your yard a living yard ("greener" than a grass yard - see my blog: Rip up your lawn!"), it can be a profitable yard reaping expensive organic produce and herbs for your family to enjoy. Your family might end up just a little healthier eating fresh and often raw food as you save money on your grocery bill and possibly your doctor bills. A beautiful thriving garden certainly enhances the curb appeal of a home, and last but not least, think of how happy the planet will be when you are not putting toxic fertilizers into it or the storm drains to the ocean.

I suggest if you are interested at all in vermiculture, you do attend the workshop. and you won't be all "muddy" about vermiculture anymore.

ZZZZZZZap !! Do you need an energy audit?

With the ceconomy what it is, many people are looking to save money of course, and lowering utility bills is an easy way to save some money, and be more comfortable living in your house.

Barak Obama understands the value of an energy efficient home, and has pushed for legistlation to help homeowners with this. The weatherization program provides money to qualified homeowners for such things as insulation, smoke detectors and furnace and air conditioner repair or replacement. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) estimates that residents save about $400 to $500 on energy costs in the first year after just weatherization improvements. And there's so much more...
A home energy audit can assess how much energy your home consumes and evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you money. Pinpoint where your house is losing energy, and determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. An audit may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity.

You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor carry out a more thorough audit.
A professional auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of a structure. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation. You will need a professional energy audit and a HERS rating to get an Energy Efficient Mortgage where you can finance the cost of the improvements you need to make to improve your HERS rating score and thus your utility bills, and even get a better interest rate.

On the U.S. Department of Energy web site, there is lots of information on - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as instructions on Do-Yourself Home Energy Audits
You can easily conduct a home energy audit yourself. http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11170?print

IMPORTANT Loan Mod Attorneys under investigation

I like to keep this blog positive, but if anyone has hired an attorney for their loan modification, they need to be aware of this...
This just in from the California Board of Realtors®
LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEYS UNDER INVESTIGATION
The State Bar of California has recently launched numerous investigations against attorneys for misconduct related to loan modifications. In a rare move, the State Bar has released the names of 16 attorneys under investigation, by opting to waive investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection. These attorneys have allegedly taken fees for promised services, but failed to perform those services or even communicate with their clients who face the possible loss of their homes. Their non-attorney staff may also be under investigation for unlawfully practicing law.
Not all attorneys engaged in loan modifications are unscrupulous. However, this announcement from the State Bar serves as a good reminder for REALTORS® and their clients to be careful when dealing with attorneys and others for loan modifications. Scam artists may intentionally associate or affiliate themselves with attorneys in an attempt to lend credence to their fraudulent schemes. The list of attorneys currently under investigation is available at http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10144&n=96395.

Rmember, the best thing you can do is contact your lender directly, do your research online and see what government programs you are eligible for (refer to my previous blog entry on loan modifications,) and definately get refferences and credentials from anyone you might hire. The Board of Realtor's website is a good place to start. http://www.car.org/

It's that time of the year to think about tax credits

Well, the fourth quarter is upon us, and it's a good time to review the tax credits available to homeowners for 2009. Here's the link to the government's document of the tax credits http://www.energy.gov/media/HR_1424.pdf You may want to make particular purchases now, or put them off until Jan 2010 depending on how the tax credits fall.
Beware of searching for info on the web and clicking on a site which is cleaverly disquised as a government information site and is really just a sales site for a particular company. I find this especially true of review sites, for example you are trying to find a review on a new green cleaning product, and you search "reviews on green cleaning products" and you get a site called"
www.consumerreviewsoncleaningproducts dot com. However, this is merely a particular manufacturer who made up a web site reviewing cleaning products and coming to the concusion, of course, that their products are the best by far.
So, be sure your site ends in .gov and when you look at the web page, it really has government logos on it, and on the contact page an address and e-mail that is official.

Get off your butts and clean up some butts!

When I did my first coastal clean-up I was surprised to find that the #1 trash on the beach was... you guessed it... cigarette butts. I have never been a smoker, but I can't imagine anyone could think it's OK to just drop your butt into the sand. Anyway, this Sat all along all coasts, 9am-noon is the Coastal Clean up. Most beaches have give aways and supply you with gloves and bags. So, get off your butt and clean up some!

For more info, go to ocwatersheds.com:

http://www.ocwatersheds.com/publiceducation/pe_CA_cleanup.asp

Are Solar Panels the Way to Go?

Are you thinking of making some energy efficient improvements to your home? The first thing most people think of is solar panels, right? After all, solar panels save lots of energy. Some people even sell the excess electricity generated back to the power company and have a $0 electric bill. Larry Hagman, of "I dream of Jeannie" and "Dallas" fame actually creates enough energy to power his 5,000 square foot mansion and creates enough extra energy to power 13 inner city homes, which he does as a gift - awesome!

However, for our smaller homes, solar might not be the answer. In many cases than not, taking advantage of other energy efficient improvements such as insulation and weatherstripping, energy star appliances, native plant landscaping and irrigation on timers and sensors, will actually bring you a greater return in money savings and energy in the long run without the huge expense of solar panels. But then on the other hand, with manufacturer and government rebates for solar panels, now is probably the time to buy! Do your due diligence and research.

Also...

The best way to find out what course of action to take is to have an Energy Audit done on your home. It will factor in rebates, and government incentives and give you a report stating exactly what improvements will bring you the most return financially and on energy efficiency.

Here's a website with the energy audit info:http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/tightenup/audit.html

Here's a website detailing government rebates: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?state=CA&re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1

Don't forget that manufacturers also have rebates. And energy star rebates: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Let the Sun Shine In!

Green Laguna Beach and Gardening in Costa Mesa

I pride myself as someone who knows what's going on in the world of green in So Cal. I just found out about http://www.greenlagunabeach.com/ which was launched on Earth Day (that would be back in April!) It's a great site with lots of resources, including green homes in Laguna Beach.

And for a green yard, we all should know by now that we should rip up our green lawn and plant native plants (- how about that for a segway. ) A great FREE way to learn about native plant landscaping is to go to the workshop sponsored by one of my fav organizations Back to Natives. It on Sat, August 29, 9AM - 1PM. I love the idea of a free workshop in exchange for planting a garden, this is collaboration at its finest - everyone wins!

Here'e the info from their site: Back to Natives is excited to be providing landscape design services for the "Costa Mesa Green Home," which many believe will be the greenest home in Orange County, California when certified 'Platinum' by the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) for Homes Program. Members of the community are invited to a Native Plant Landscaping Workshop, to learn how and why planting native plants is beneficial. During the workshop, participants will assist in installing the design. The workshop will be held on August 29th, from 9AM to 1PM. To RSVP, call 949-509-4787 or send an email to info@backtonatives.org

How Green is it Anyway?

NPR is running a great series this month, called "How Green is It?" it's been running during All things Considered, their afternoon news show. I catch it on 88.3 KPCC in the Los Angeles/OC area. I just discovered it, and I know August is almost over, but you can go to their website and listen to each episode: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111519254
I was intrigued by the thought of reusable shopping bags maybe not being a green thing, as they are shipped thousands of miles oversees, and they brought up the fact that people will now have to buy plastic bags to pick up their dog poop, however there are biodegradable plastic dog poop bags also, so all the variables have to be considered.
Here's a summary of the segments:
Green Cars The new "cash for clunkers" law is designed to get Americans to replace old cars with new ones that get better gas mileage. So is it really more environmentally friendly to buy a new hybrid car to replace your perfectly good 5-year-old gasoline-powered vehicle?
Bring Your Own Bags Reusable shopping bags are popping up everywhere — from the grocery store to the home improvement warehouse. Ikea now charges a bag fee to customers who don't bring their own, and some cities are imposing taxes on plastic bags or banning them altogether. Are these totes as environmentally friendly as they seem?
Green Electricity If your electric company offers you the chance to buy power generated from wind, solar or other types of renewable energy, should you do it? Many utilities offer that option, and as prices have come down, more and more people are signing up. But what are you actually buying?
Energy Star Does that star automatically translate into lower electricity bills and less impact on the planet? Energy Star products are supposed to be 30 percent more efficient than standard products, but some still use a lot of power.
Replacement Windows The federal government will give you a tax credit of up to $1,500 to replace your old, drafty windows with new energy-efficient ones. NPR examines whether your energy savings make up for that energy expenditure, or whether it's better to keep your old windows and make them more energy efficient by adding weather stripping and storm windows. Bamboo Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. But how green is it really? Shogren examines what factors into this equation.

My opinion is you do the best you can. Making small changes will make a big difference. Something as simple as putting your TV, VCR, DVD, etc into a power strip and turning it off when not in use saves a lot of electricity in the long run, as they constantly draw power to enable them to turn on instantly. So we have to wait a minute for the TV to turn on, but we are doing our bit to help, and saving a little on our electric bill. That's what matters to me.

Yes, there are not a lot of green homes....yet, but soon all homes will be in some way or another. As older homes are remodeled, they have better insulation, weatherstripping and energy efficiency and hopefully, some recycled materials are being used too. New homes will be built to more eco-friendly standards, so it will all be better little by little.

BTW, I have a list of homes under $350K within 10 minutes of the coast in South OC that are single family, not condos. So, even if you are not able to build green, you can sure save a lot of green on a home or second home to use as a rental or vacation home right now! Just go to my website on the home page for a link to the flyer: www.ocgreenrealty.com

The Organization protecting our Blue Oceans is Green!

As we in So Cal and around the world celebrate the Surfrider Organization's 25th anniversary, I thought I'd let you know about an exciting green happening with the local chapter. They recently moved to their new eco-friendly offices in San Clemente.
What makes the offices green?

• Reused furniture, recycled materials, donated artwork and surfboard memorabilia to start with.


• Energy efficiency through automated lighting fixtures, using natural lighting as much as possible and task lighting, which gives each employee control over the lighting of their own workspace.


• Water efficient fixtures


• Natural ventilation


• Reuse and repurpose of doors, frames, hardware from the precious office. They even used the door as desktops!

Membership is only $25 a year, check it out: https://www.surfrider.org/surfrider_membership/join/member_main.cfm

Can your yard be a wildlife habitat?

Yes! San Clemente Resident Lori Morgan, did this, and got her yard certified through the National Wildlife Federation. The plants in her yard are specifically planted to attract certain wildlife like butterflies, blue jays, and other birds who next or find shelter in her beautiful yard. She even harvests the seeds of the plants to replant instead of purchasing new seeds. Next, she is shooting for the Certified Monarch Weighstation Habitat.

My daughter is reading a lot of Bride and Bloom magazine, preparing for her wedding next year, but did you know there is also a Bird and Bloom magazine specifically for planting a garden to attract Birds and Butterflies?

This is a photo I took in Costa Rica in a Butterfly Garden. See how when they close their wings, they look like a lizard with an eye open? Inside they are an amazing iridescent blue.

Saving money on your water bill - free worksop in SJC

When I lived in Arizona, we either had ugly painted gravel in our yards, or xeriscaping, which is a yard designed with native plants that require very little water. The gravel was so tacky and ugly, but served a purpose, no mowing and no water. I had a xeriscaped yard with a gravel "wash" flowing under a little bridge, it was rather nice. In California, as I have said in previous blog entries, we treehuggers urge you to rip up your lawn.

This just in from the city of San Juan Capistrano:
Landscape watering workshop to save water, money on tap July 30

The public is invited to learn how it can reduce water usage, save money and help the City stay in a "Stage 1" voluntary water-conservation mode in two workshops on July 30. The workshops are designed to encourage water conservation and help deter mandatory rationing. The City's wholesale water supplier Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in April ordered 10 percent water cutbacks this summer. The City Council declared the voluntary water conservation measure and voted for stricter enforcement of year-round mandatory conservation provisions with financial penalties for non-compliance. Workshop participants will learn invaluable landscape-watering techniques and about plant material for the future that will help reduce water usage and save residents money. The workshops will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 30 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. For more information, contact Francie Kennedy at 949-487-4304 or fkennedy@sanjuancapistrano.org.

Open your windows!

Do you know that indoor air quality is so much more unhealthy to the average American than outdoor air quality - even in Los Angeles!

Studies by the Indoor Air Quality Association have shown that most people spend 90% of their time in indoor environments. Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues impact the lives of people across the globe. Problems with poor air quality in buildings and homes can result in health concerns, liability issue, lost productivity, and decreased property values. Here are some causes of IAQ according to the Environmental Protection Agency's website:

Asbestos
Biological Pollutants
Carbon Monoxide
Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products
Household Cleaning and Maintenance, Personal Care, or Hobbies
Lead
Nitrogen Dioxide
Pesticides
Radon
Respirable Particles
Secondhand Smoke/Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys

So, how can you reduce the negative impact of poor IAQ? Here are some quick tips:

• Choose low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, varnishes, and finishes -easily available at any hardware or home improvement store
• Choose furniture and carpeting that does not produce harmful "off gassing". Often, pressed woods and particle boards are made with harmful chemicals.
• Properly ventilate your home, have working clean exhaust fans, and in nice weather, keep windows open to encourage outdoor air to come in.
• For most indoor air quality problems in the home, source control is the most effective solution. So if you can find the source of the issue and deal with it, do so. Some of the most common indoor asthma triggers include secondhand smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and other pests, household pets, and combustion byproducts.

There are certified Indoor Air Quality specialists you can hire to assess your particular situation. Go to: http://www.iaqcouncil.org/ for resources on this.

Go go outside and breathe....

When you think of green cities, do you think of LA?

I attended a great seminar on transitional towns. Laguna Beach is a transition town, along with over 185 other cities in the world. Transition Towns are committed to reduce their reliance on peak oil through grass roots action and volunteerism. The movement is growing by leaps and bounds with no paid staff. Core groups of citizens agree to the guidelines and on their own follow an extensive procedures manual that details what they can do to reduce their dependence on peak oil. ("Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline" according to wikipedia.) You can read all about Transition Towns on: http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionNetwork

So, I wondered what cities in the US were integrating green principals, and I found a ranking on sustainlane.com. And, was I shocked! LA (28) and NYC (5) front and center. http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/

Bet you didn't guess those cities. Oh, yea Portland was of course number 1, followed by San Francisco and Seattle. NYC, my little home town, made it high in the rankings due to their excellent mass transit amongst other things, and LA partly due to the LA River Project. Read more about this at: http://www.lariver.org/

How can I be Green if I Rent?

By now you have heard and seen all the tips for greening up a home you own. However, if you rent you can still green up your home and not make your landlord mad. It's as simple as changing out all the light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent, but take it a step further and get the full spectrum lighting to have daylight spectrum light inside your home. Full-spectrum output duplicates the rich, pure light of the sun. You’ll see colors more accurately, reduce eyestrain and increase your visual acuity, and they even emit small amounts of healthy UV light to help your skin produce crucial vitamin D indoors. Once you go full spectrum, you will never go back! Get them at realgoods.com or drugstore.com http://www.realgoods.com/product/home-outdoor/living+space/energy+efficiency/indoor+sunshine+cfl+bulbs.do

OK, we already know about light bulbs and bringing our own grocery bags, and reusing our stainless steel water bottles. What can you tell me that's new?
Stop your junk mail! Here's the link of the Direct Mailing Association's place to stop your junk mail (unless you roll it up tightly and use it for fire starter in your fireplace.) https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/home.action;jsessionid=54DDAD3A4390CB1F2F7CF5EF2E230DF5.tomcat1

Green is not just about reuse, reduce, recycle. Really? "I thought it was," you say. It's also about the sustainability of the planet and the care for the inhabitants in it. So try not to shop for items that may have been made in sweatshops. How in the world do you know where stuff comes from? The National Labor Committee's website can help http://www.nlcnet.org/index.php also, a quick Internet search can find products not produced in sweatshops, like www.rawganic.com.

Replace your bathmats (when they wear out) with organic. rawganique offers textiles that are not produced in sweatshops.http://www.rawganique.com/BAhc1.htm

And from Planet Green, some awesome advice for renters:
Talk to your Landlord - One of the biggest obstacles to living green in a rental property is the feeling of powerlessness to make changes. It's important to remember that as a tenant you are a customer and you deserve decent service. A good landlady or landlord should work with you to make your home as pleasant as possible. So talk to them if the property is drafty, the toilet keeps running, or heating systems are inefficient – after all, investing in improvements will help them to retain tenants, attract new ones, and it will increase the value of their property. The owner might be particularly amenable to funding improvements if you do the math to show them the return on their investment, and offer your labor free of charge, creating a win-win situation for all concerned.

Search for your rental on the Internet - OC Green Realty can set you up on a client gateway, which sends available rentals directly to your inbox as they become available. Save so much driving as you point and click and make notes on the houses you are interested in that we will see on our copy, and save phone calls, time, and resources by getting all the info you need to know about on a property without leaving your chair. Send me an e-mail with what you are looking for and say "I would like to be on the client gateway" No salesman will call, no obligation. ha ha, really.

Happy Renting!

Green Building and Real Estate is Booming in So Cal!

I went to the HUD Symposium on Green Building last week at Chapman University, and came back with my brain and bag loaded with great information. We got to see an abbreviated version of "An Inconvenient Truth" presented by the Climate Project. http://www.climateproject.org/ and I was so encouraged to see the government was presenting this! I think the ostrich's head is finally out of the sand! Anyway, I made some great connections with mortgage lenders with tons of experience with EEMs (Energy Efficient Mortgages -see my post from: April 27, 2009) and Energy Auditors, Certified Build it Green Companies, and so much more.

Also found out about some great programs where foreclosures are purchased by non-profits, remodeled green, then offered at a great discount to low income families. The families are helped with their down payment and also with part of the purchase price through HUD grants and these programs. More info on this can be found at: www.enterprisecommunity.org/about/media/news_releases/.../RNLA_pr_2009.pdf

The organizers of the symposium promised to post all the power point presentations on the web soon, so I will post the link when I get it for everyone. In the meantime, I have loads of information on my website: http://www.socalgreenrealty.com/ or http://www.ocgreenrealty.com/

TELE-BLOG AND WRITTEN BLOG

You may not be aware that I post a green tele-blog on my voice mail each week with green tips. Check it out at: 949-306-3854. I've decided to start doing a different green tip each week here on this written blog also.

Green tip of the week:

The HUD Symposium's presentation of the Climate Project reminded me that:

If you have not seen "An Inconvenient Truth"by Al Gore (who by the way won an Academy Award and a Nobel Prize for this work!) see it now! More information and resources can be found on http://www.theclimateproject.org/, http://www.wecansolveit.org/, http://www.realclimate.org/

Discover why the issue of Global Warming is so very important and be encouraged, as we are taking a lot of steps as a country and world to deal with it. I believe human ingenuity can and will come up with solutions to every problem.

Feng Shui and the Art of Life featuring Neuro Architectural Design

I'm sure by now all So Cal residents know what Feng Shui is all about, but what about combining Feng Shui with Neuro Architectural Design?

I can hear you already, neuro archi....what?

Well my colleague, Janet Woods, who is a Feng Shui Master, and her firm, the Art of Life Institute, specializes in the combination of the two and how it relates to your surroundings, be it home or office. I am intrigued... so I am attending her FREE workshop next weds on this topic.

First, here is a very simple description of the two, directly from her website: (http://www.janetwoods.com/)

• WHAT IS FENG SHUI ?
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. By creating positive energy flow through a home or place of business, you will bring good fortune and harmony.
The science works by blending the laws of nature and human dynamics together for the greatest good. Feng Shui contains the philosophy of eastern culture and quantum physics; it is not a religion, yet spiritual, and uses natural law as a basis.

• WHAT IS NEURO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN?

This is a combination of neurosceince, pyschology and interior design. The goal of Neuro Architecture is to create spaces that motivate individuals during their human experience.

The workshop will be held at the Awakenings Center, 25260 La Paz Road in Laguna Hills at 7:30 on every third Wednesday of the month.

Learn how your brain affects your living space, how your space creates your life and what to do about it, take the neuro DNA test and learn much more about your home and ancient wisdom combined with modern science to create an environment that supports your greatest good!

This month's topic, June 17th, is:

"Home Therapy"

How to create a Home that supports you intentionally, physically, and emotionally.

The July 15th seminar is entitled "Recovery at Home"

There is a $20 fee for materials, but my blog readers get that fee at 1/2 price of only $10! Simply e-mail me at ocgreenrealtor@yahoo.com and I will get your discount.

It is a proven fact that feng shui can be used for better staging of a home for sale, so if you are considering putting your home on the market, consider a feng shui consultation. Janet Woods is part of OC Green Realty's Team of Affiliates who offer added value to our Real Estate services.

Now.... go move 21 things in your home to clear the ch'i! and then register for the seminar. I'll be there!

Darlene

Drink Wine and be GREEN!

The Back to Natives Organization, which is a wonderful group of volunteers and staff who is working hard to preserve native habitat is having it's first wine tasting fundraiser June 25th. Dinner and Jazz on a Thursday night, and a great cause! Read more about it at: http://backtonatives.org/

This leads me to remind you that ripping up your lawn and replacing it with native california plants is the best way to not only save precious water and reduce your water bill, but it also gives your family the opportunity to experience nature as it was intended in So Cal. And it will give you great curb appeal as you let the new potential buyers see your low water bill and colorful landscaping. See my blog about Tree of Life nursery for more info on that.

The Greenest thing to do is keep your home! Free Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

As much as I would love to sell your home for you, the greenest thing for the planet, your family and your wallet is to keep your home no matter what. No moving, no boxes, no gas guzzling semi to haul your stuff, and no additional consumerism as you purchase new shelf liner.

This is from the California Board of Realtors:

FREE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION WORKSHOP
Friday, June 12th from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine , CA 92606
PLEASE NOTE: This event is only for CLIENTS facing foreclosure. This FREE workshop will educate homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments on what to do to avoid foreclosure. Lenders and HUD-approved counseling agencies will be on-site to assist with loan workouts. Avoid foreclosure scams! You don’t have to pay for this workshop and these services! To RSVP, please email your name, address, phone number and lender information to: http://us.mc633.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=misidoro@fairhousingoc.org or call (714) 569-0823 x225.

Please pass this on to anyone you know who may have a fear of loosing their home to foreclosure. I'll be there, so I can get this education to help others.

Sometimes, it's not all about selling homes...

Now you can use your tax credit towards your down payment!
I just read this in the California Board of Realtor's Realtor onlline magazine:
Big Improvement to First-Time Buyer Tax Credit
- Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment. Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.
WHAT GREAT NEWS FOR THE HOMEBUYER WITHOUT THE FUNDS FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT! There are so many great buys in So Cal right now, and with this news, the door is open to so many more than before!!! What is your vision and how can we help you?

One person can make a difference!

As I was walking to my recycle bin, I felt proud to know that 3 months earlier I went to my Homeowner's Association meeting and asked them why we did not have a recycling program. They said they had never put in a recycling bin because they thought it cost more money. I brought them a print out from waste management company showing that the association actually gets paid to have a recycle bin.
If you belong to a neighborhood that has an HOA, go to the meetings and let them know little things that they can do to green up the complex. One HOA I know of saved $60,000 a year by replacing the regular outside light bulbs with CFC (compact fluorescent) bulbs. Or, they can change the sprinkler timers and systems to only water when needed, and save lots of money on the water bill.
You probably won't see a reduction in dues, but maybe you can play a small part in keeping the dues from going up every year.

Saving Green With Green Real Estate!

I’m sure by now you have heard that there’s a huge opportunity right now until Dec 31, 2009 to get substantial savings on a home for first-time home buyers (or if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years.) You can claim a credit worth $8,000 - or 10% of the home's value, whichever is less - on your 2009 taxes. And NEW homebuyers get a $10,000 tax credit, combine the two on a new home for an $18,000 tax credit! Where does the eco-green come in? Other than the $$ green, if you combine these two programs with an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM,) you can lower your interest rate in many cases, and realize additional savings, or qualify for a larger home. An EEM is a mortgage that credits a home’s energy efficiency in the mortgage itself. This gives borrowers the opportunity to finance cost-effective, energy-saving measures as part of a single mortgage and stretch debt-to-income qualifying ratios on loans thereby allowing borrowers to qualify for a larger loan amount and a better, more energy-efficient home. For more information, go to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.energy_efficient_mortgage
Or, better yet, ask me! I will send you all the info I have (or just tell you so you don’t have to sort through all that info)
So, baby, it’s prime time to be green and save green on homes in So Cal!

Earth Day Activities

Of course, as an EcoBroker, I have to say something about Earth Day. There are tons of activities all week long all over SoCal to celebrate Mother Earth. So, I am sure if you search "earth day and your city" you can find some fun/helpful/interesting things to do. In light of this, I thought I would share one of my profound experiences with the Earth to commemorate this great week! Forgive me for sharing some of my spiritual life on a "business" blog, but I feel that when you are talking about the Great Mother Earth, you cannot separate the physical from the spiritual aspects of what makes this planet so perfectly designed and run. I promise not to be preachy.

While walking through a rain forest in Costa Rica at the Manuel Antonio State Park, I was giving great praise and gratitude to God for creating this for us, and I heard: "This planet, my creation, is my ongoing prayer to humans." I had never thought of it that way. I pray all the time to God, but never thought of Father/Mother God praying back to us! That is what the planet is, God's prayer to us.

Happy Earth Day.

Tree of Life Nursery

I love the Tree of Life Nursery because they specialize in native plants, and have helpful seminars such as "Rip up your Lawn!" I appreciate that they are educating the public on how to have landscaping with California Native Plants, which use less water, are beautiful and allow your children to be in nature, as we did when we were children. Think about it, how many children these days get to go out back and play in native forests and not manicured imported landscaping. A trip to Tree of Life is a wonderful outing, out on the Ortega Hwy. The gift and book shop has an unbelievable selection of books on green topics. Check it out! http://www.californianativeplants.com/
Look at the seminar this Sat!!! How cool is that?
Habitat Gardening I: Butterflies! April 11, 20099:30 am - 11:00 am
Join Helen Wood this Saturday as she illustrates ideal gardening practices and as she showcases the best plants to use to garden for butterflies.

Are there Green Homes in Orange County?

"Remember, every time you buy, sell or lease any pre-owned home you are recycling©."
~ Darlene H. Grimes, Certified EcoBroker©

But, there's not a lot of Green Homes in the OC!
That's right. So we gotta lot of work to do, those of us who love the Southern California lifestyle and have a Global conscience. Let's do whatever we can to make our homes greener.

You can make your home more eco-friendly to sell your home at a higher price, or, buy a home with lower operating costs - and help save the planet! There are grants and rebates available for green conversions and green mortgages enable you to buy more home for your buck, as your utility bills will be lower. You can even finance green conversion costs into the purchase with an energy efficient green mortgage, and they sometimes have lower interest rates too. Certified EcoBroker's have the information you need for this.

• find a home • recycle your home • save money • save the planet with Green Real Estate

In this blog, I will keep you informed of news in Green Real Estate.


Thanks for reading! Darlene