Green Spaces Real Estate

7 Green Cleaning Superstars

2009-07-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of wholeliving

(Martha Stewart... )

Open TODAY, 1-4 PM ~ Eco-Chic cottage almost makes ME want to move

2009-07-12T09:19:00.001-07:00

OPEN SUNDAY 7/12, 1-4 pm.

Please let me know if you have any questions - several showings, one offer so far. No agreement yet, tho!

Character & charm oozes from every pore of this eco-chic cottage restored using recycled/salvaged materials. Open floor plan w/ great exposed wood features & skylights; small wood stove heats the whole house. Refininishd fir flooring. New kitchen, new bathroom, all new plumbing and electrical. Large 270 sf front patio deck; attached 220 sf enclosed carport for projects/storage. Set back on wooded level lot for privacy and quiet. Square footage estimated at 800 sf, 1 bdrm addition likely not included in King County records.

Driving direcctions: From I-5 take EXIT 174 toward NE 130TH ST/ROOSEVELT WAY. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto 5TH AVE NE. Turn LEFT onto NE 130TH ST. Turn RIGHT onto MERIDIAN AVE N. House on left about a mile down, look for the signs!

Patriotic Pyrotechnics = Environmental Terrorism? What do you think?

2009-07-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

I received an inspiring email yesterday from one of my colleagues, Brigetta Johnson, who specializes in Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap properties. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as I read it and wanting to give her "manifesto" a wider audience.

So with her permission, here is her email. She WANTS comments, she wants a conversation, so please email Brigetta directly.

If you post it anywhere, all she asks is that you please include her contact information and encourage folks to reply to her @ brigetta@greenworksrealty.com, as she will be forming a petition to include in a letter to our government representatives about the issue.

Celebrations and Sustainability

Is it time to re-evaluate the sustainability of the way we celebrate national holidays?

I was very disturbed by the increase in the number and potency of the 3rd and 4th of July pyrotechnics this year. It's impossible to be green and condone being bombarded by noise, air and water pollution for days. I spent them mostly indoors, trying to comfort my terrified pets. To consider the impact on wildlife literally breaks my heart. Just for one example, there is an eagle's nest (the symbol of our country) at the end of the breakwater in the Liberty Bay Marina off the Poulsbo waterfront where the July 3rd fireworks event took place. There were three eaglets in the nest last week being indulged by two proud and active parents that we enjoyed watching for a couple of hours one day. I am afraid to even think of what happened to them over the holiday weekend. Many local birds are caring for their young at this time.

Also consider that our local marine mammals (harbor seals and otters) are most likely overwhelmed by the massive takeover of the areas they call home by the intense increase in boat traffic. The exhaust and film of which, concentrates on the surface of the water and about 1.5 feet above the waterline, the area where these animals mostly live and breath. God only knows to what degree all the sewage, fireworks debris and other human debris fouls the depths of the water itself, negatively effecting their food supply.

Did you happen to notice the poor air quality on the morning of the 5th??? It was not a cloudy day, the overcast and haze of that morning was pollution following two days of explosions. I could go on and on............

I strongly feel that the negative impact on the environment that the twice annual pyrotechnic events held on July 3 and 4, and on New Years Eve is not necessary for the celebration of those events. The cost to the greater ecosystem is so detrimental I think it should be stopped all together or at least drastically limited in the future. Holding a major firework events in every major harbor in our area is total overkill and I fear it is only going to grow as the number and size of the stands that sell them increase. I know this is a source of revenue to the local tribes, but isn't assaulting the environment and the animals that live in that environment the antithesis of what the Native Americans have always stood for?

In this era of awakening, it's time to consider the consequences and sustainability of all of our activities whether they are long held traditions or not. I welcome your feedback. Thanks for your consideration,

Brigetta Johnson
206.795.1757

"Aware and prepared buyers" help boost Western Washington home sales during June

2009-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

The latest press release from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The article in the Seattle Times (previous post, next one down from what you are reading now) came from this data.

KIRKLAND, Wash. (July 6, 2009) – "Encouraging" seemed to be a common response from brokers upon reviewing the June activity summaries from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The report shows inventory continues to shrink, pending sales increased more than 19.5 percent from a year ago, and median prices system-wide are up 4.4 percent since January.

"The positive movement in our real estate market year over year is really very encouraging," remarked Ron G. Sparks, managing vice president of Coldwell Banker Bain. Compared to 12 months ago, the Puget Sound region has nearly 7,000 fewer homes listed for sale, and nearly 1,200 more homes under contract, he noted, adding, "In anyone’s book, that’s substantial improvement."

J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, echoed those comments. "It’s encouraging to see that pending sales are at their highest since the credit bubble burst nearly two years ago," he stated. While the median home price is down about 9.5 percent from a year ago, prices have flattened over the past seven to nine months, he noted. "This is an indication that the $8,000 tax credit is working and the market has reactivated itself in the more affordable and mid price ranges," Scott believes.

Northwest MLS brokers notched 7,733 pending sales of single family homes and condominiums (combined) in their 19-county market area last month. That’s a gain of 1,263 transactions from the same month a year ago, for a 19.5 percent increase. Seven counties reported jumps in pending sales of 30 percent or more: Cowlitz, Island, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Skagit, and Snohomish, with Kitsap County topping the list with its 55.6 percent increase.

Pending sales (offers made and accepted) in the four-county Puget Sound region (King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish) rose more than 25 percent in June compared to the same month a year ago, increasing from 4,765 transactions to 5,693.

Closed sales and prices still lag a year ago, but prices are edging up since the beginning of the year. Brokers reported 5,146 closed sales of single family homes and condos during June, a dip of 4.3 percent from twelve months ago when they reported 5,379 completed transactions.

Viewed separately, the volume of closed sales of single family homes nearly equaled year-ago totals (4,463 closings last month, down from 4,516 for June 2008). Condo sales were off nearly 21 percent, dropping from 863 closings to 683.

The area-wide median price for last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condos combined was $285,000, a drop of 9.5 percent from the year ago figure of $314,900. In the Puget Sound region, the volume of closings nearly matched year-ago totals (3,885 versus 3,908), but prices are down about 10 percent. The median price for last month’s completed sales in the four-county area was $305,950; a year ago it was $340,000.

"There is a definite upsurge in sales activity, from a pending sales perspective and a "lookers becoming buyers" perspective," observed NWMLS director Dick Beeson. Agents are reinvigorated that buyers can and will make decisions more today than any other time over the past 12 months, according to Beeson, the broker at Windermere Real Estate/Commencement Associates in Tacoma.

Beeson believes mortgage rates remaining low, declining inventories, and the recent stretch of warm, dry weather helped spur some buyers to act. He said the "word' on the $8,000 tax credit has finally reached the streets, as more buyers come in aware, prepared and excited about taking advantage while the advantage is available. (The federal tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence before December 1, 2009.)

House-hunters will find fewer choices than a year ago. MLS members added 11,410 listings of single family homes and condos to inventory during June, down 13.5 percent from the year-ago total of 13,187.
At month-end there were 34,278 single family homes and 7,039 condominiums offered for sale, for a total of 41,317 listings. That’s down 17.6 percent from a year ago when MLS members represented sellers of 50,143 properties.

Buyers continue to look for modestly priced homes, with first-time buyers accounting for about 40 percent of today’s market, according to estimates by Beeson.

Although the supply is plentiful with asking prices of current inventory ranging from $24,000 to $32 million, homes at the lower end of the price spectrum tend to be in short supply in some areas. In King County, for example, MLS data indicate less than 9 percent of the inventory of single family homes has an asking price under $250,000.

For condominiums in some submarkets, brokers report projects that "demonstrate their market value" are finding success. Sam Cunningham, managing broker and partner in Realogics Brokerage, which specializes in center city condominiums, believes prices are stabilizing and consumer confidence is improving.

Cunningham reports inventory levels in the downtown Seattle market have been declining for a year and there’s no new construction planned. He suggests "timing the market" for buyers may finally have more to do with preferred selection and interest rates than waiting for dramatic price drops.

MLS figures indicate the median sales price for condos that sold in Seattle’s downtown core last month was $449,450. That’s down about 8 percent from a year ago, but reflects four months of steady increases.

Commenting on the MLS report, Sparks, of Coldwell Banker Bain, remarked, "If there is a downside, it might be that this improvement isn’t uniform across the region." As an example, he said his company’s Lynnwood office saw year-over-year closed sales increase 144 percent, while the Gig Harbor office reported a meager 4 percent gain.

Data show some neighborhoods are rebounding faster than others, Sparks observed. "In what appears to be a transitional market, accurate neighborhood information is more critical than ever, so buyers, sellers and their agents really need to do their homework" he emphasized.

Short sales continue to be a drag on prices and source of frustration for brokers and agents, according to Beeson. A National Association of REALTORS(R) analysis revealed that distressed homes typically sell for 20 percent less than the normal market price, thereby drawing down the overall median price.

Many pending sales are yet to close because of short sales, which Beeson estimates take twice as long to close as a more conventional transaction. "Many pendings have to be resold because the first buyer tires of waiting for the lender’s response."

Beeson also notes the next challenge will be reactions to the next round of foreclosed properties that are expected to come on the market in the next six months. He said there could be another dip in prices, but adds, "I think we’ve been through the worst."

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member brokers, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes approximately 27,000 brokers and agents. The organization, based in Kirkland, currently serves 19 counties in western and central Washington.

###

Good news in the local housing market

2009-07-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

Some commentary from one of my colleagues, Howard Hegwer, saves me the time of writing my own...

Yesterday he said:

Good news in the local housing market, for the first time since October 2007 we have seen an increase in the number of closed sales in a year over year comparison – for single family residences. I’m sure many of you saw this article in today’s Seattle Times, but in case you didn’t take a look. Be sure to click through the charts that provide trend information, click the buttons above the picture showing the price reduction sign.

Plant sale Wednesday 4-7 pm, beautiful veggie starts at end of season prices, fundraiser for Community Harvest of SW Seattle

2009-07-07T07:54:00.001-07:00

Received word via the P-Patch program listserv of a plant sale tomorrow evening. Right now my assumption is that the sale is at SSCC (map/directions) but I am trying to confirm and you can check back here for an update.

Update 8:20 am confirmed with who I received the email from that yes, the plant sale is at South Seattle Community College Horticulture Center. I will be there!!

*******

Greetings,

My name is Annie Morton and I’m on the board of a local nonprofit, Community Harvest. This Wednesday, July 8th we’re having a plant sale/fundraiser.

For more information on Community Harvest you can visit http://www.gleanit.org/.

BEAUTIFUL VEGGIE STARTS ~~ END OF SEASON PRICES

Community Harvest of SW Seattle is having a benefit vegetable starts sale. Plants raised with care and donated by South Seattle Community College Dept of Horticulture

Wednesday, July 8 4-7 PM

* Heirloom Tomatoes * Basil * Peppers * Tomatillos *
Lots of interesting varieties

30% off already great prices + bonus plant for sales over $20

Sample Prices
4” Heirloom Tomatoes - $1.75
4” herbs - $1.00
1 gallon Heirloom Tomatoes - $3.75
1 gallon Peppers - $3.00

Community Harvest of SW Seattle is a local non-profit helping to share the abundance of our local harvests as well as inspiring and educating on the joys of growing food. We sponsor the Edible Garden Fair and Tour, canning classes, gardening classes, as well as coordinating the fruit harvest in West Seattle.

$1,080,000 available for Seattle family's downpayment assistance

2009-07-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Liesl Mordhorst with Alpine Mortgage Services, Inc. for this update! She can be reached at liesl@alpinemtg.com or phone (206) 683-2382 / (800) 394-4464, ext 131 if you have any questions.

Washington State Housing Finance Commission Homeownership Programs Update

Effective July 1, 2009:

Now accepting reservations for House Key Plus Seattle (allocation amount $1,080,000) – Up to $60,000 in payment deferred 2nd mortgages for families purchasing within the City of Seattle city limits at or below 80% AMI.

Check out our new Homeownership Happening Issue #1 and Issue#2 on our Website: http://www.wshfc.org/sf/index.htm

2 bd 1 ba Eco-Chic Cottage on Wooded Lot

2009-07-06T15:42:00.001-07:00

I am planning ahead for my weekend, this home will be OPEN SUNDAY 7/12, 1-4 pm.

Please let me know if you have any questions - several showings, one offer so far. No agreement yet, tho!

Wendy Hughes-Jelen, 206.686.HOME (4663)
GreenWorks Realty

Seattle 'Built Green' Homes Grew in Value in Last Two Years

2009-07-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

BuilderOnline.com has republished an article by Eric Pryne that was in the Seattle Times a couple of weeks ago, Seattle 'Built Green' Homes Grew in Value in Last Two Years

GreenWorks' recent E-Cert Report also shows sustainable value for green homes.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend! I am in town so if you have any questions, just give me a call or drop me an email.

Pushing "green" edge in design of duplex in the Lower 9th Ward

2009-07-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Received this as an email via my blog...I've written about Make It Right, Brad Pitt's organization building in New Orleans, in the past. Also view the images related to this house project.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2009

PUGH + SCARPA PUSHES "GREEN" EDGE IN DESIGN OF DUPLEX IN THE LOWER 9TH WARD

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, July 1, 2009 -- Bicoastal, cutting-edge architecture firm, Pugh + Scarpa is pleased to announce the release of its design for a duplex home for Make It Right, a nonprofit foundation established by actor Brad Pitt to help rebuild the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Pugh + Scarpa's Make it Right (MIR) duplex home seeks to redefine the concept of a home into a flexible, multifunctional and adaptable space addressing the needs of today's modern family, on a limited budget. Offering shelter and comfort, the MIR home breaks the prescriptive mold of the traditional home by creating public and private "zones" in which public areas and social integration with the neighborhood are emphasized. The organization of the space is intended to transform the way people liveâ away from a reclusive, isolating layout toward a family-oriented, interactive space.

When Katrina ravaged New Orleans, citizens were displaced from their homes, waited months to return home, and suffered further demoralizing setbacks, as officials discussed demolishing and abandoning entire neighborhoods that residents had worked so hard to create. The central concept of our new duplex home is the restoration of "pride of place" to those districts hardest-hit by the hurricane.

The house accomplishes this with several significant design moves:

The front porch, facing the street, provides a gathering place for neighborhood residents and relatives, and is divided into distinctive sub-zones: a platform for outdoor cooking and access to the home, front steps with bleacher-like seating areas, and a platform just big enough for two rocking chairs to take in the life on the street. The inviting flames, porch and sheltering roof work together to make the home the social locus of the neighborhood. Rather than isolating the home from its Lower 9th Ward neighbors this connection is an attempt to strengthen the social network of the neighborhood.

The scale of the porch is purposefully oversized and grand. Topping out at 38 feet above grade, the structure is meant to stand tall and proud as a symbol of neighborhood and city pride. The verticality and focal strength of the home is emphasized by the presence of a 12-foot high outdoor â cook pitâ integrated into the front porch, facing the street. The "cook pit" is made for outdoor grilling and barbecues, with open flames visible from the street at eye level, and a rotisserie enclosure accessed from the porch. A chimney extends from the hearth enclosure past the roofline, acting as the home's axis mundi and providing the armature for the required egress ladder for rooftop flood refuge. The porch also includes step seating to engage the street. Even though the house is five feet above the street, the porch reaches down to grade and makes a direct connection between the house and street connecting the families of the duplex directly to the street while simultaneously providing a welcoming symbol to the neighborhood.

Many of the design elements play this double role; the chimney acts both as an anchor and an escape; the porch is a refuge and a social gathering place; the cook pit is both a private and public hearth. The organization of the overall plan mediates between public and private objectives in a relatively small space.

On the ground floor, the back porch and yard have a significantly more private and enclosed feel than does the front porch and yard, yet movement between the two is fluid along the south side of the house. Residents of each unit can use the other's porch without passing through the associated unit. The two units are also internally and externally connected by small exterior private porch to the north and by a pair of individually locked doors that can be opened to expand the two units into one for larger gatherings. The disposition of these units is ideal for extended families that still require a level of privacy.

Pugh + Scarpaâ s approach to Cradle to Cradle sustainability begins with passive solar design strategies such as locating and orienting the building to control solar cooling and heat loads; shaping and orienting the building for exposure to prevailing winds; shaping the building to induce buoyancy for natural ventilation; and shaping and planning the interior to enhance daylight and natural air flow distribution. The roof pitches upward from at an angle that both announces the home to the street and induces air flow upwards through clerestory windows set just below the roofline. On the exterior, vertically oriented, patterned paneling reinforces the homeâ s height. Inside, a double-height space brings light, airflow and a sense of commodiousness to the living room.

The building responds to the specific conditions of the New Orleans climate in several ways:

~ On the south side deep overhangs provide passive solar protection for the building's interior.

~ Similarly, openings on the east and west sides are protected with deeper overhangs and porches.

~ The north side is allowed to be flat and exposed, which affords daylighting with a minimum of solar heat gain.

~ The roof is sloped to induce airflow.

~ High ceilings and abundant cross ventilation allow heat to escape the building's interior. Cooling airflow inside the home is enhanced by ceiling fans, a direct drive exhaust fan, and operable windows, which create abundant cross ventilation.

~ All materials selected are commercially available, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.

~ All appliances are Energy Star rated.

~ The home's high ceilings promote an airy, spacious ambiance, and will be less reliant on electric lighting than a conventional home.

Pugh + Scarpa is joined by 13 other acclaimed architects in the second wave of designs for Make It Right. Pugh + Scarpa also participated in the first wave, which focused on developing sustainable, affordable single-family homes for the Lower 9th Ward.

About Pugh + Scarpa:

Pugh + Scarpa is an architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning firm founded in Santa Monica in 1991 and maintains offices in Santa Monica, California and Charlotte, North Carolina. Gwynne Pugh, AIA, ASCE, LEED AP, Lawrence Scarpa, AIA, and Angela Brooks, AIA, LEED AP, are the sole principals and the firm is consciously structured to ensure their participation in each project. The firm has received 13 National AIA Awards and more than 40 state and local awards, and is recognized as a leader in contemporary, sustainable design.

For publication inquiries about Make-it-Right and information on Pugh + Scarpa, contact Daniel Safarik at (310) 828-0226 ext. 16 or access our website at http://www.pugh-scarpa.com/.

About Make It Right:

The Make It Right Foundation is committed to building 150 energy efficient, solar powered, storm resistant homes in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward, a neighborhood wiped out by Hurricane Katrina and the breach of the Industrial Canal levee. The Foundation began in December 2007 as a collaboration between actor Brad Pitt, Graft Architects, Cherokee Gives Back and William McDonough + Partners*. Today 32 families are either living in a Make It Right home or have one under construction. Another fifty Lower 9th Ward families are in the process of becoming a Make It Right homeowner.

For more information: http://www.makeitrightnola.org/ <http://www.makeitrightnola.org/>

Media Contact:

Daniel Safarik
PUGH + SCARPA
2525 Michigan Ave, F1
Santa Monica, CA 90404
tel. 310-828-0226 ext. 16
fax. 310-453-9606
daniel@pugh-scarpa.com

http://www.pugh-scarpa.com/

Life's a permanent vacation with these views and surrounding habitat

2009-06-28T16:20:00.001-07:00

I had an interesting experience that just goes to prove how much the internet has changed our lives. I received an email from someone who needed help selling their home - in Waldport, Oregon.

It was unusual because I am not licensed to sell real estate in Oregon and don't market myself there. And I happen to have family by marriage in the same town, my husband's grandparents used to live in nearby Yachatz.

I was contacted because of previous posts regarding the hummingbirds we've been feeding this year and also the creation of our backyard habitat at our first home.

The people who contacted me host the coastal hummingbird migration and have an extensive web site and video of this amazing display of natural instinct.

For several reasons they found themselves having to move, so I agreed to help them find a team of professionals who would be able to help them. I checked with my family in Waldport to see if they could recommend anyone, no luck there. So I started researching online biographies of regional firms and found two people who have worked together and agreed to team up to help this family market their property. I call it "The J Team" since the agents are Joni and Joanna and one of the owner's names is Jorrie.

The property is now listed for sale and there is a great photo tour available. I have their permission to recreate their information here and also there will be a short slide show available through a postlets.com listing.

223 E Darkey Creek Rd., Waldport, OR 97394
List #09-1482
Listing Member: Joanna Flippin
Office: (541) 563.5200 ext. 204
Co-listing Agent: JoAnne Biron of EMERALD COAST REALTY - WALDPORT

''Birders'' will reverently flock to this enchanting RIVERVIEW home on 2.14 acres high above the Alsea River! This gorgeous 3 Bdrm./2 bath. home is a ''Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat'', and features MANY upgrades including granite countertops, cherry cabinets, appliances, generator, A Viking gas range, 2 wood stoves, an infrared sauna, daylight basement, detached shop, and so much more!!

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sauna, large laundry room. Detached garage, extensive gardens. River and mountain views. Over 2 acres of privacy on the Oregon coast.

FlexMLS #09-1482 Asking price: $425,000

This is a VERY special home and property. Check out ''www.birdsamore.com'', to truly understand the mission of this unique listing! If you have a passion for migrating hummingbirds, and can appreciate a stunning home w/ acreage that is Paradise, call today for a showing!

Interior photos:

If you would like more information you can contact the listing agents above, or drop me an email and I will help facilitate your connection.

2009-06-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

If you live in a Built Green home, are fascinated by real estate, work in the industry, or just love STATS, then read on.

GreenWorks Realty (GWR) has just compiled an updated Environmental Certification Report comparing sales of traditional homes to homes possessing green certification through programs such as Built Green, Northwest Energy Star, and LEED for Homes. Some really cool charts and other good information. Please let me know if you would like clarification on any of this informaiton.

GreenWorks hand-picks a selection of green properties for sale in Seattle neighborhoods on its web site. Not all areas are represented - I can customize a search for you.

STAY TUNED: GWR will soon be launching a new search page that will enable users to search for *only* green homes on their own without needing the assistance of an agent who can only access the "green check boxes" as a secondary search function. Innovation is a hallmark of GWRs business practices and this new functionality is expected to go live in the next couple of weeks.

TODAY Saturday, June 27th is the annual Greenwood Car Show and I opened the office around 9:30. I'm here until noon but one of my colleagues will be keeping the office open until 4 pm. We got the cool ALIEN Jett Rocket vehicle out in front of our building - this picture was taken at about 9:40am.

Greenwood Avenue is closed from 70th to 87th but parking is available on nearby side streets.

Please let me know how I may assist you

Wendy Hughes-Jelen
Designated Built GreenR Professional: Real Estate Agent
Voice/Fax 206.686.HOME (4663)
Follow me on Twitter ~ @GreenSpacesRE

My team is at GreenWorks Realty, LLC
"Improving environmental performance and community in real estate"
Serving all of Washington, but located at: 7406 Greenwood Avenue North / Seattle, WA 98103

Fab cottage goes beyond chic

2009-06-24T16:59:00.001-07:00

13541 Meridian Avenue North / Seattle, WA 98133
OPEN SUNDAY 6/28 1-4 PM

Hundreds of Homes Open Their Doors This Weekend!

2009-06-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Ever drive by a home and wonder what it looks like on the inside? You see the glow in the windows and wonder what it would be like to live there. Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms for your family? Would your dinner table fit in the dining room where your family huddles safe and warm every Thanksgiving? Perhaps your kids need a place to play, the family grill master a place to grill.

Hundreds of homes will be throwing their doors open here in King County the weekend of June 27-28. Please stop by some of the nearly 500 Open Houses that will be held part of the very first “State-wide Open House” in Washington.

As a real estate professional who first began serving our communities in 1999 I can tell you I have never seen conditions better to go shopping for a home. The interest rates are lower than I have ever seen; there are more homes to choose from and at lower prices. On top of that there is an $8,000 tax credit from the federal government available for certain buyers who haven’t owned a home in the last three years.

Just take a drive Saturday or Sunday and stop in and take a look a around. No pressure, just stroll through and look. I personally will be holding an Open House in the Haller Lake neighborhood of central north Seattle at 13541 Meridian Avenue North on Sunday from 1-4 PM.

Real estate professionals are working together all over Washington to bring you the biggest open house weekend ever. Agents in our communities care about the quality of life here. I can tell you from first hand knowledge that they are concerned about good schools and safe neighborhoods and getting their clients into a home their clients’ love. They are your neighbors, they live and work here too and they probably know our neighborhoods better than anyone.

Stop by an open house either Saturday, June 27 or Sunday, June 28. In fact, you can give me a call at 206.686.HOME to find out if there is an open house in the neighborhood where you want to live. I can email you a list and at your leisure, you can go shopping for your dream home and at least get some free advice!

See you June 27-28 at the King County-wide Open House!

Sustainable Industries Announces 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products Award Winners

2009-06-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was on the live webinar this morning announcing top new cutting edge products! What caught my eye? Look for the "rain tube" info below, and also the 20 year old SolaTube that is now being used for commercial purposes. ~ Wendy

SAN FRANCISCO - Award-winning business magazine Sustainable Industries today announced the release of its 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products guide, the annual publication profiling industry-leading green building products selected by a panel of expert judges and the Sustainable Industries editorial team. This year's Top 10 Green Building Products guide received more nominations than anytime over the last 4 years.

Top 10 Green Building Product winners were selected based on their environmental performance, scalability/market impact, innovativeness, design aesthetic, value and compatibility with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Profiled in the guide with accompanying 3-D images, the winners were announced today in a Sustainable Industries Webinar featuring judges from our expert panel who addressed attendees' questions about the pros and cons of the latest green building innovations. The 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products guide is emailed in advance to Sustainable Industries subscribers, is available for free online at and is also included within the July 2009 Clean Energy issue of Sustainable Industries.

"In the four years Sustainable Industries has produced this trusted and popular independent guide, green building has advanced to the mainstream," says Brian Back, Founding Editor & Publisher of Sustainable Industries. "We're confident the Top 10 Green Building Products guide provides a unique snapshot of some of the most innovative building materials on the market today."

The 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products guide is sponsored by New Home Inc.

About Sustainable Industries
Sustainable Industries is an independent, award-winning business magazine, web site, event and media company serving top-of-the-pyramid sustainable business leaders on the West Coast and beyond. With offices in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, Sustainable Industries connects the dots between the environmental and social components of the region's economy, just as it connects the dots between leading sectors, to raise the stakes in a working definition of sustainable industries. For more information, visit www.sustainableindustries.com

Contact: Brian Back, Publisherbrian@sustainableindustries.com(415) 762-3942

The 2009 Top 10 Green Building Product winners are:

Acadia Combined Heating and Cooling System
Made by Hallowell International
(http://www.gotohallowell.com/)
The Acadia is not just another heating and cooling system. It maintains 200 percent efficiency even when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero. When heating oil prices were sky high, Acadia users were saving up to 70 percent in energy costs.

ec-H20
Made by Tennant Co.
http://www.tennantco.com/)
Requiring no chemicals, ec-H2O uses tap water to clean most any surface of most any substance. Each machine reduces water usage by 70 to 80 percent, and the potential of 245 million gallons of water each year if it were installed in all new floor-cleaning machines.

InSpire Wall
Made by ATAS International
(http://www.atas.com/)
This simple, elegant technology essentially uses the power of the sun to heat outdoor air before sending it indoors, thereby slashing energy use while boosting indoor air quality. Depending on what kind of heating fuel is being replaced, this product can reduce heating costs by up to $5 for each square foot of InSpire Wall installed.

kama EEBS Structural Systems
Made by kama Energy Efficient Building Systems Inc.
(http://www.kama-eebs.com/)
kama EEBS Structural Systems integrate a light gauge metal stud framing system with expanded polystyrene insulation in a proprietary design that eliminates thermal bridging and helps to create a tight, energy-efficient building envelope.

PlybooPure Bamboo Plywood
Made by Smith & Fong Co.
(http://www.plyboo.com/)
Because it's technically a grass, bamboo had not previously been eligible for FSC certification. But in January 2008, after two years of lobbying, Smith & Fong achieved this first that propelled it to recognition on this year's Top 10 list.

RainTube
Made by GLI Systems Inc.
(http://www.raintube.com/)
This product received more Top 10 nominations than any other product this year. RainTube is a rain gutter filter made of 100 percent post-consumer high-density polyethylene - old milk jugs, in other words. This product is also Cradle to Cradle-certified, meaning that GLI Systems Inc had to develop a Post-Use Recovery Plan that goes out with every product.

Separett Villa
Made by Separett
www.ecovita.net/villa)
This urine-diverting composting toilet - which is 100 percent PVC fee - uses no water and keeps solids separate from liquids, reducing odor and making it possible to reuse waste and urine for composting and fertilizing. The Separett Villa can be deployed where no plumbing exists, allowing for a greater reach of the technology.

Serious Windows
Made by Serious Materials
(http://www.seriouswindows.com/)
Serious Windows are so efficient they have the potential to allow for the elimination of a building's heating system, allowing waste heat from building appliances to serve as the main heat source in some applications. The windows have a full-frame R value of at least five and up to 11, which can cut a building's energy bills by up to 50 percent per month.

Solatube Daylighting Systems
Made by Solatube International
(http://www.solatube.com/)
This patented technology catches direct sunlight and redirects it down an adjustable-length tube, bringing daylight to parts of buildings that would not otherwise have access to natural light. The Visa, Calif.-based company recently launched a product specifically designed for commercial applications, making it ideal for large-roofed warehouses and manufacturing facilities, as well as retail stores and schools - all places that have been shown to benefit from increased daylight, as daylight is linked to higher worker productivity, decreased absenteeism and better retail sales.

Your Old Light Fixture
Made by Eleek
(http://www.eleekinc.com/)
Eleek is the only business to make the Top 10 Green Building Products list all four years. Though not a product, Eleek's lighting restoration service speaks to the important concept of the re-use of existing goods. When Eleek restores a light fixture, every piece of a fixture is taken apart, repaired and restored to its original splendor. Its wiring is updated to comply with modern codes and standards and a new lamp base is installed so it works with energy-efficient lamps such as CFLs and LEDs.

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How buyers’ allergies may be affected when they tour your home

2009-06-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

The "healthy green homes" movement is about more than a squiggly light bulb and energy efficiency. It is just as much about indoor air quality - something that is more important than many people realize.

There is a new column from Phoebe Chongchua in today's online Realty Times, "Selling Home May Be Influenced by What Buyers Can't See" which speaks of 60 million out of 300 Americans who have allergies or asthma and how they are affected when walking in to a home for sale.

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) affect people with allergies or asthma very strongly. If you are preparing your home for sale it is worth it to you to use paints, stains and carpeting that are "low" or "no VOC".

You don't want to eliminate 20% of the buying market one foot inside your front door, do you?

*****

Looking for more great advice on how to prepare your home for sale? Or do you have allergies or asthma and are looking for a home that doesn't make you miserable? Give me a call - as a Built Green certified real estate agent I have been trained to address your concerns and needs. I am licensed in Washington State and a member of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The Good Guide

2009-06-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to this tip from my friend Katie, who thought The Good Guide was a good site for everyone to know about.

It is currently in beta, but with more people using it and contributing feedback, it could become a full-fledged master site!! They have a rating system and also a way for you to shop for the best prices.

About The Good Guide

What chemicals are in your baby shampoo?
Was sweatshop labor used to make your t-shirt?
What products are the best, and what products should you avoid?

Increasingly, you want to know about the impacts of the products you buy. On your health. On the environment. On society. But unless you’ve got a Ph.D, it is almost impossible to find out the impacts of the products you buy.

Until now…

GoodGuide provides the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.

Let them know how you like their site!

Neighborhood House Launches Solar Panel Challenge

2009-06-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Seattle — On June 21st, Neighborhood House will launch its Solar Panel Challenge — a campaign to raise $100,000 to build a second array of solar panels atop the High Point Neighborhood Center. The campaign launch will coincide with the summer solstice on Sunday the 21st, the longest day of the year, and will end with the fall equinox on September 22, 2009.

A second array will allow all the rooftop panels to meet 100 percent of the High Point Neighborhood Center’s average energy demand, making the building completely self-sufficient, independent from Seattle City Light and one of the very few energy-neutral structures in the state.

Electrical bill estimates for a building of this size are in the thousands of dollars per month. A second array would therefore translate into savings of $20,000 – $30,000 per year, critical funds that, instead of going to bills, will go to services and programs, light up Head Start and ESL classrooms, heat a Family and Teen Center and fuel a community kitchen.

The center is scheduled to open in the fall in West Seattle’s High Point neighborhood, and plans are already in place for an initial array of 256 solar panels comprising 6,000 square feet. This array alone will be the largest atop a building in the entire state of Washington.

Neighborhood House recently completed a $13 million capital campaign to construct the center — a LEED Gold certified building that will be home to critical social services as well as state-of-the-art environmental education programs aimed at the High Point community.

The second array of solar panels can be sponsored for $1,000 per panel. Contributions can be made in monthly installments, in someone’s honor, or as some have done by teaming together as a group. The total project budget for the second array is $200,000. The City of Seattle Community Facilities Loan Program is providing $100,000 in funding.

To take a tour of the High Point Neighborhood Center, please contact Alex Wang, Development Associate, at (206) 461-8430 x257 or alexw@nhwa.org.

About Neighborhood House:
Founded in 1906, Neighborhood House is an independent nonprofit that has helped generations of families overcome economic challenges through a comprehensive web of services. Our mission is to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, health, financial independence and community building. Learn more at http://www.nhwa.org/.

###

Contact:
Ray Li
Director of Strategic Initiatives
(206) 461-8430 x260
rayl@nhwa.org
Find Neighborhood House online at www.nhwa.org

FREE recycling of your obsolete TV

2009-06-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Your TV might have become obsolete last Friday. In Washington state there is a free and safe way to recycle your old televisions — E-Cycle Washington. This producer-pays electronics recycling program is the result of a groundbreaking law that passed in 2006. In January, sites statewide started accepting old computers and televisions for recycling.

Reuse of older televisions is the least impact option for older TVs. If your TV goes dark, you can purchase a converter box, get cable, or donate it to a school or community group that can use it to show videos or dvds. However, if you opt to get rid of an older television, please recycle it safely.

City Green Building eVENTS

2009-06-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

J U N E eV E N T S
CITY OF SEATTLE, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Introducing City Green Building eVENTS featuring opportunities to help make green building standard practice in Seattle. Transformational lectures, tours, classes and programs will be listed monthly.

June 13, 2009
SolarWorks! In Seattle: Introduction to Solar Electricity (PV)
How can solar work in a region known for its rainy days? How much does it cost? What kind of roof do I need? What incentives are available to help me keep costs down? How do I work with a contractor? This workshop will help answer these questions and others as we discuss the following topics related to solar electric (PV) technology: site assessment and system design, choosing a solar contractor, installing a system, state and federal incentives, as well as maintenance and operation of your system. Participants will walk away with the knowledge they need to begin investing wisely in solar electricity.
Target Audience: Residential customers with little or no solar background.Presented by Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development and Seattle City Light.
Online Registration required. Questions? call Seattle City Light's Conservation Help Line at 206-684-3800.
Take the bus, or more directions @Carkeek.

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Carkeek Environmental Learning Center
950 NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle FREE

June 16th RE-GENERATION SPEAKERS SERIES 09
Designing Green, Grown in Oregon
Robert Pena, Associate Professor Department of Architecture University of Washington
Laura Hafermann, AIA Principal Patano + Hafermannn
John S. Reynolds, F.A.I.A. Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, University of Oregon

4:00 - 6:00
Integrated Design Lab
100 NE Northlake Way, Seattle
Details and registration at www.asidwa.org

June 23, 2009
GREEN SHORELINES WORKSHOPS
Voluntary Approaches To Healthier Lakeshores
A free workshop for Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish shoreline property owners at the Mercer Island Community Center. Landowners will learn about Green Shoreline techniques to enhance fish and wildlife habitat and improve aesthetic quality of lakeshores. There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on incentives to promote Green Shorelines. Techniques discussed include plantings, bulkhead removal, and partial or full beach restoration.
See City of Seattle's informative publication Green Shorelines.
More information about the workshop here.

5:30-6 p.m. meet & greet/light refreshments
6-8 p.m. workshop
Mercer Island Community Center at Mercer View
8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, WA
The workshop is free, but registration is required and space is limited.
To register, call or email Jeanne Fulcher at 425-649-4318, jful461@ecy.wa.gov, or register online.

June 25, 2009
SEATTLE TRANSFORMATIONAL LECTURE SERIES
Low Energy Buildings and Sustainable Communities: Designing for the Net Zero Economy
Guy Battle, Director of Battle McCarthy Ltd., is an environmental and building engineer known for his work in low energy sustainable buildings and urban environments. His consultancy engineering practice has worked on a vast range of projects and has an international reputation for its work in delivering cost effective eco-friendly buildings.
Cascadia Members, students, and City employees, free admission. Non-Members, $10. Registration required. See the flyer for more information.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Seattle Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium
1000 4th Ave, Seattle

June 25-27, 2009
PASSIVE HOUSING CONSULTANT TRAINING SERIES
Phase II: Envelope Design & Detailing, Mechanical Systems Design
Presentations cover envelope design principles and the mechanical systems design will alternate with practical exercises. The number of participants is limited to assure individual tutoring during the three-day session. Registration: $650 per Phase

Weekend workshop
Integrated Design Lab
400 E. Pine St., Suite 100, Seattle
More Information: Mike Kernagis at the Passive House Institute
(206) 325-9711 mkernagis@passivehouse.us

June 27, 2009
21 Acres Sustainable Farm Tour
Interested in learning more about growing and eating local food? Join EOS Alliance for a tour of 21 Acres Farm, an organic farm and non-profit, in Woodinville. As part of the King County Farmland Preservation Project, 21 Acres' mission is to cultivate, demonstrate, and advance systems that support sustainable agriculture. On the tour we'll learn about the major differences between large scale production farms and smaller sustainable farms, especially the differences in their environmental impacts. We will be carpooling to Woodinville from EOS Alliance's offices in Seattle. Please indicate on your registration form whether or not you wish to carpool.
Registration is $20 Please register in advance.
Car pool available — inquire with EOS Alliance.

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
21 Acres Farm
13701 NE 171st Street, Woodinville, WA
Register at EOS Alliance

Seattle Built Green homes at bargain-basement prices

2009-06-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time the High Point Resident Green Agent (self-titled...) gave an update as to the opportunity for home buyers to move in to the great neighborhood of High Point in West Seattle. We're coming up on our 2nd anniversary since our home purchase here and although we are sad to see some of our neighbors go, we always welcome new folks to the area with pleasure and look forward to the chance to make new friends.

You can View Listings of homes for sale right now and then call me if you have any questions. Refer to this link for photos related to my AWARD comments below.

The CUTEY-PATOOTIE award goes to NWMLS #29067916, an architecturely interesting and rare-to-buy 750 sq ft carriage home on 31st Avenue SW near Graham Street and the 4 acre Commons Park. How often do you find a place where the bathrooms outnumber the bedrooms? Great angled vaulted ceilings, gourmet kitchen, and private attached garage. There are only 4 homes like this in the High Point community. Unfortunately for my neighbor it is a short sale but that means it is reasonable priced at $285,000. This home is four star Built Green certified. (This photo is of homes on Cycle Court SW, not of the home I am mentioning, see link for actual photos).

The BARGAIN BASEMENT award goes to a generously sized 2 bedroom 2 bath one level suite on the 2nd floor of the 2980 Raymond building in the Polygon-built "Redwood High Point" condominium subassociation. NWMLS #28195527 came on market last December for $322,950, but through preforeclosure proceedings is now attractively priced at - wait for it - $249,500. This particular home has a ground level attached garage and covered deck with a view of Elliott Bay, the Space Needle and part of downtown Seattle. The home faces View Point Park. All electric heat (including the fireplace) and three star Built Green certified. I have a friend with the same floor plan in another building and I really like her place. Sometimes I envy her suite and wonder what possessed me to buy a three-story townhome. Then I remember it was because I wanted better buns (and honestly, more square footage)!

I love my neighborhood and although it pains me to see some people being faced with short sale situations - many of us are on the brink of this and can empathize - I AM happy to see homes for sale at prices that I believe first time home buyers can attain with all of the government assistance currently available. If you have any questions about High Point, West Seattle (lived here since 1997), green homes or real estate I welcome your emails or phone calls. I can be reached on my Accessline at 206.686.HOME (4663).

I will add one final comment that there is a home going up for real estate auction next Thursday at the corner fo 35th Avenue SW and SW Raymond Street, across from the High Point Library. It is not in the "redeveloped" High Point area but is considered a part of the larger neighbordhood. Unfortunately I do not have any information on it besides what my husband has garnered from the like TEN yellow "real estate auction" signs stuck all over the parking strip on both streets. Home becomes open for viewing at 8 AM on June 18th and the starting bid is $50,000. You should drive by if you know someone who might be interested - and they should consult their financial advisors and real estate attorneys or be experienced in real estate auctions.

I also market homes for sale if you know of someone who needs to put their home on the market.

GWR site just bulked up with over 250 green real estate listings

2009-06-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded over 250 current listings of environmentally certified homes and condos for sale in some Seattle neighborhoods. Right now there are more e-cert homes coming on market than traditional because green homes generally are new construction being completed and traditional homes are currently occupied and sometimes difficult to sell for the move-up buyer.

Please check out these active listings on the GreenWorks Realty web site. And call or email or tweet me if you would like more information!

Lecture 6/25 5:30pm Low Energy Buildings and Sustainable Communities: Designing for the Zero Carbon Economy

2009-06-07T16:40:00.001-07:00

Guy Battle, Director, Battle McCarthy Ltd.
Low Energy Buildings and Sustainable Communities: Designing for the Net Zero Economy

Guy Battle is an environmental and building engineer known for his work in low energy sustainable buildings and urban environments. His consultancy engineering practice has worked on a vast range of projects and has an international reputation for its work in delivering cost effective eco-friendly buildings.

Thursday, June 25
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.; doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Seattle Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium
1000 Fourth Avenue
Cost: $10
Cascadia Members - please remember to bring your Cascadia passport in order to receive free admission!

No one will be denied entry based on ability to pay. Contact Angie Morgan (206) 223-2028 for scholarship opportunities.

The Transformational Lecture Series aims to inspire all building industry professionals to embrace their role in creating a sustainable built environment now, as well as ensuring that sustainability becomes integral to all development in the future.

Pre-register here

Green Commercial Case Study: Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo

2009-06-07T15:59:00.001-07:00

The latest issue of the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development newsletter features a LEED Gold project here in Seattle, the Zoomazium at the Woodland Park Zoo.

According to the zoo web site,

The ZOOMAZIUM building was registered with the LEED program with a target of silver certification, the second level in the rating scale.The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution. In late 2006, ZOOMAZIUM received GOLD certification, the second highest level in the rating scale.

The building has a green roof (see photo), "natural ventilation" (see also the New Green Building Publication on Natural Ventilation), natural daylighting, energy conservation measures, is built using FSC-Certified wood, green solar screens, proper siting of the building so that large existing trees to the west provide sun screening for that side of the building, use of native landscaping techniques, and even special patterns on the glass to reduce the likelihood of birds hitting the windows.

Learn more about the design and purpose of this amazing building at the Zoomazium web site.

Congrats once again to Mithun for a great building design. You rock!!

P.S. This is my 400th post!!

Top 10 list of "indespensable" native plants

2009-06-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

This comes from this weekend's Pacific Northwest in the Seattle Times online (Home and Garden email newsletter tipped me off).

Read Wildlife biologist Russell Link picks 10 native plants as his 'indispensables'

Wildlife biologist Russell Link chooses his list of top 10 indispensable plants for the Northwest — settling entirely on natives that have stood the test of time

by Valerie Easton (one of my favorite authors!!)
(I also own Russell Link's books)