If you’re going to insult somebody, do it with class and style.Where are all the good, green products?Urbanization is the “next” big thing. It’s been the next big thing for some time, but it appears that we are now beginning to realize the impact of the human race’s growth and growth patterns. How will this impact K Hovnavian’s “Four Seasons Charlottesville” senior/active adult development (that is actually located in Greene County)? And finally, Marlow Harris says exactly what I think:However, all (agents/Realtors) have the obligation to stay up on market conditions and their local economy and current affairs that effect their market area. They should have both a micro and a macro approach to real estate, so they can best advise their clients, be they investment buyers or just those searching for their dream home.Which communities will be included in Charlottesville/Central Virginia’s search for a brand? What should it be? I have to say that my first thought when I read this.
Browsing Category Green
Green Stuff
Commuter bikes! (WSJ) (via Bacon’s Rebellion) The emergence of New Urbanist developments such as Old Trail may spur more and more of these bikes and their close relations. Green is Good – Part 1Green is Good – Part 2Personal windmill! And slashdot’s discussion of said form of personal windpower Just imagine the zoning complaints!Building zero-waste communitiesEat locallyGreen is going to take on more prominence as building and living in a more environmentally conscious/friendly manner makes economic sense. Until the consumers’ bottom line is positively affected by changing inefficient habits, green will remain on the fringe. I believe that the fringe is gaining ground. In some ways, I have staked my business on this trend.
Recycling poll
Recycling is hard to come by. The City of Charlottesville offers recycling (navigating their website makes me just want to give up and throw it all away). The County of Albemarle does not, but offers an informative page with drop-off recycling locations.I had no idea that our region was voted “most sustainable community in Virginia.The Daily Progress’ 2005 Welcome Guide has a recycling roundup. So does the HooK.One would think that a seemingly progressive region as ours would be willing to financially support recycling. Many of my clients, both existing residents and transplants, ask whether recycling is an option. Until economics dictate that something is viable, it won’t be an option. Check out the poll in the right sidebar; feel free to add an answer as an option. I’m curious.
Green development rising
Being an EcoBroker, I have a real vested interest in the adoption of green technologies in the housing industry. As someone who plans to live here for a good while, I have a vested interest as well. Avoiding positive green news is becoming harder and harder. Locally in the Charlottesville area, more properties are being marketed as “green,” builders are seeing the value of building better, more sustainable housing …Green is GoodGreen Business Trend Taking HoldTreehugger RoundupA voice in the wind debate:… wind turbines are much more than technology for generating electricity: they’re symbols that represent ideas ranging from sustainability and respect for natural limits to intrusions by faceless corporations and far-off populations bent on feeding their own greed and overindulgence …Hot on the heels BP’s purchase of local wind developers, Greenlight EnergyWind power picks upI’ve said it many times before. Green will not gain prominence and widespread adoption until and unless it is a profit-making entity. We are close.
Friday links – 25 August 2006
The Human CarHome for Sale, by Anxious Owner – my analysis of local incentives is coming soon. Macro market roundupKeep your friends close and your enemies closer (Microsoft and Firefox collaborate)A great idea marginalized by its affiliation with the UNIt took some time, but I finally found what may be my favorite commercial today – the one for Barclay’s i-Shares, titled “Strike Anywhere.” I’m not sure I’ll buy i-Shares, but this commercial does speak to me.
Property taxes, traffic and straw
What will localities do if/when property values level off and they will be forced to either 1) live within their means or 2) raise property tax rates or 3) find another source of revenue (tax)? Green trends continue their upward trend:Reasons for building green range from “it’s the right thing to do,” to increasing energy efficiency, staying ahead of the competition and attracting green-seeking home buyers.Can you imagine this? This is why green building will continue to take off – it makes sense. What I learned about straw bales is that they’re a cheap, renewable resource that gives you R-50 insulation in your walls.”The insulation bats that you put in most stick-built houses are rated at R-9 or R-11. When you consider the thermal bridging where every stud is and the gaps, the performance of the wall is probably not even R-7.”The Daily Progress reports.Do roads create traffic, or do traffic and developments necessitate roads? The one comment is interesting.
Off-topic, yet interesting
Are Americans Ready for Smaller Houses? Time Will Tell. I, for one, believe that smaller houses are poised for a return to prominence and vogue. More and more, I have clients asking for utility bills. Witness the condo boom – good, functional, efficient spaces that are well-located sell well.Sustainable citiesTreehugger roundup: Green Issue, a Green real estate firm, Green business performs well. Allowing the free market to work will ultimately be far more effective and efficient than top-down governmental regulations. What good does prohibition do, besides promote dishonesty, sneaking and death?Crazy dangerous physics teachersWhere has our common sense gone?