Tips For “Going Green”

STLRealtor — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:03:39 +0000

With fears of irreversible damage to our o-zone layer and environment, “green” or eco-friendly living is all the rage this decade. Many green modernist have suggested that we redesign our homes to be more energy efficient. While this is an exciting idea to most, many are apprehensive because of the cost. Little do they know, some of these eco-friendly changes are very affordable. Not only are they affordable, but they will result in smaller energy bills for years to come!

If you are selling, buying or maybe just remodeling, there are a few changes that can be made to stay green. Although most alterations are not yet mainstream, there are simple changes you can make to your home. For example, windows and doors are the biggest way people are losing energy from their house. Try using glass with a tinted film in it to block solar increase from entering the house. Weather-strip is also a very common way of preventing a draft. This can save you money on those heating and cooling bills all year-round. Light bulbs, another big “energy-vampire”, can be controlled by simply changing your bulbs from incandescent to compact florescent bulbs. Changing all of your bulbs to florescent bulbs can save you up to $300.00 in energy bills a year, not to mention that these bulbs can last from 3-5 years guaranteed!

If you happen to be preparing to sell or remodel, there are changes that can be made in order to make the home more appealing to buyers. You may consider new siding, carpet, and other flooring, maybe even a new roof and of course, painting the walls. There are “green” products or materials that can be used to create a more modern appeal in all of these areas. It does not take much money or time to make these initiatives. Here are a few suggestions to implement into your new green modernist lifestyle:

1. Invest in programmable thermostats. This will be useful in saving energy if you work long days or travel a lot.
2. If you are painting, use no or low-VOC paints and stains- a more eco-friendly choice.
3. Replace old siding with recycled siding.
4. Use compact florescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs to save on energy.
5. Use recycled lumber and sheet-rock for mulch.
6. Try low flow faucets and shower heads, even low flow toilets to cut back on water bills.
7. Remember to always recycle during projects and everyday living.

These are great initiatives to take in order to start making your home a more “green” environment. After you tackle a few things, you can move on to bigger projects like rooftop solar panels, rainwater collection systems, maybe a tank-less water heater. If you are ever in doubt if there is a more eco-friendly option available for your needs, just ask your provider, and there is almost always a “green” alternative. These changes will improve your life, this world, and the value of your home.

City and County Update

STLRealtor — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:46:07 +0000

Good afternoon all-
(1) I am writing with some good news! The bill introduced at Tuesday evening’s County Council meeting will make fire sprinklers a mandatory option, meaning that builders must offer fire sprinklers to new home buyers, but it will be the buyer’s choice on whether to install the sprinklers or not. This is the language that has been adopted at the state level and in surrounding counties. There will be sprinklers mandated for townhouses if there are 5 or more units connected to one another beginning January 1, 2012. This is also consistent with current state statute. We are still in need of some members to come to the County Council meeting this coming Tuesday, June 22, 4 pm, to show our support for the bill. If you are able to come, please let me know as soon as possible.
(2) Trash bill in the city – This bill passed out of committee today, but with some amendments. Trash collection, including twice weekly pick-up, yard waste, single stream recycling and once a month bulk pick up will now cost $11/month per dwelling unit. I will get a clean copy of the revised bill tomorrow and will send it out then. Changes that were made include a provision to exclude units that are under construction with a valid permit and with a commercial dumpster onsite. There is also language in the bill which will allow the Refuse Commissioner to determine other exemptions for vacant units. If the water is turned off to the unit, you would not be charged for trash. However, if you have a building which has multiple units and only one water service, there will need to be another way to determine if you should be charged for trash when you have vacancies. Basically, an owner would need to apply for an exemption and would need to show that the unit has been vacant for 90 days to be taken off the trash billing, but the policy for determining how this will work is still being crafted. Any future change in the monthly billing rate must be approved by the Board of Aldermen. Delinquent trash bills will be a lien on the property, but it is a NON-FORECLOSABLE lien. The delinquent trash bill would be collected when the house is sold by the current owner. I am continuing to work with Alderman Conway on the wording for how payment of delinquent trash bills is related to obtaining an occupancy permit. This will be resolved in a floor substitute next week Friday. There was an amendment on this issue done today, but something got lost in translation and it still needs some tweaking. There was an article on stltoday.com today regarding the trash bill that I thought was a bit misleading. It sort of made it sound like everyone would be paying $11/month for recycling only. I am still looking for comments from anyone who has questions or concerns. There is a version of the bill on the city website, but I don’t believe it is the most current version of the bill. If you do read the one that is online now, please refer to my note above for the changes. Thanks so much!
Celeste

Celeste Rueter
Governmental Affairs Director
Saint Louis Association of REALTORS
12777 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-590-2307 direct
314-576-0033 ext. 307
314-576-7143 fax
crueter@stlrealtors.com
www.stlrealtors.com

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Tips For “Going Green”

City and County Update