Green remodeling can pay off — not only in lowered utility bills, but also in buyer appeal when the property is sold.Here are some green things to consider.
Site selection. Prefer infill development instead of a new subdivision in a far-flung new suburb that gobbles wetlands and displaces animals.
Energy-efficient products. Choose Energy Star appliances, double-paned windows, low-flush toilets, and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Spray foam insulation. Seal the home with insulation that doesn’t let the heat or cooled air leak out.
Sustainable wood flooring. Select flooring certified by Forest Stewardship Council, which protects forests by managing the amount of wood harvested annually.
Locally made products. Buy products made less than 250 miles away to reduce transportation costs. Granite, for instance, is generally imported from afar.
Nontoxic paint. Use paint that is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemicals that evaporate into the atmosphere. Look for Green Seal certified brands.
Source: St. Petersburg Times, Susan Thurston (12/28/07)
Friday, January 4, 2008
How to Increase a Home's Value
5 Simple Ways to Increase a Home's Value
Good home maintenance is key to creating and preserving a home’s value. Not to mention, it also impresses potential buyers. Here are five basic steps that every home owner ought to take — before spending money on dream bathrooms or gourmet kitchens.
1. Safety. Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and in good working order. Check fuel-burning appliances to make sure they are properly vented and no gas connections leak. Make sure the electrical system is adequate. Flickering lights and popping breakers are the sign of a problem. Anchor handrails and grab bars adequately.
2. Preventive maintenance. Repair any leaks in the roof, seal gaps in the siding, paint bare wood, replace damaged decking, patch cracks in concrete, and caulk around tubs and showers.
3. Conserve energy. Install a programmable thermostat, weatherstrip doors and windows, fix leaking faucets, upgrade insulation, and replace leaky windows.
4. Go green. Consider environmentally friendly materials for windows, doors, siding, decking, fencing, roofing, flooring, and insulation.
5. Improve comfort. Get rid of clutter, open up spaces, update window treatments to allow in more light, and organize closets and storage.
Source: The Associated Press, James and Morris Carey (12/29/07)
Good home maintenance is key to creating and preserving a home’s value. Not to mention, it also impresses potential buyers. Here are five basic steps that every home owner ought to take — before spending money on dream bathrooms or gourmet kitchens.
1. Safety. Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and in good working order. Check fuel-burning appliances to make sure they are properly vented and no gas connections leak. Make sure the electrical system is adequate. Flickering lights and popping breakers are the sign of a problem. Anchor handrails and grab bars adequately.
2. Preventive maintenance. Repair any leaks in the roof, seal gaps in the siding, paint bare wood, replace damaged decking, patch cracks in concrete, and caulk around tubs and showers.
3. Conserve energy. Install a programmable thermostat, weatherstrip doors and windows, fix leaking faucets, upgrade insulation, and replace leaky windows.
4. Go green. Consider environmentally friendly materials for windows, doors, siding, decking, fencing, roofing, flooring, and insulation.
5. Improve comfort. Get rid of clutter, open up spaces, update window treatments to allow in more light, and organize closets and storage.
Source: The Associated Press, James and Morris Carey (12/29/07)
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Real Estate Market Report for 2008
According to NAR [National Association of Realtors] Research, there is significant pent-up housing demand that will begin to be unleashed into the marketplace in 2008. Many markets will see rising home sales and strengthening home prices. We believe that the worst of the credit problems are behind us. Great news for consumers!
"Season" is upon us. The New Year starts with our 'snowbirds' arriving and staying for the next few months. More cars, more people in the restaurants and stores. We love having you!
It's wonderful living in the best place to be, in the winter, in the United States....no HUMIDITY!!
Enjoy the weather and think about buying a place in Sunrise Villas. Please feel free to contact me to buy, sell or invest in Real Estate, here or anywhere in the Valley.
"Season" is upon us. The New Year starts with our 'snowbirds' arriving and staying for the next few months. More cars, more people in the restaurants and stores. We love having you!
It's wonderful living in the best place to be, in the winter, in the United States....no HUMIDITY!!
Enjoy the weather and think about buying a place in Sunrise Villas. Please feel free to contact me to buy, sell or invest in Real Estate, here or anywhere in the Valley.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Prudential California Realty Honored for Restoration of Palms Springs Landmark
Prudential California Realty Honored for Restoration of Palm Springs LandmarkFriday, November 16th, 2007
Prudential California Realty received the Architectural Rehabilitation Award from the Palm Springs Modern Committee for its sensitive restoration of the iconic Coachella Valley Savings & Loan II building on Palm Canyon Drive. The award was presented at the PSMC’s fifth annual Architectural Preservation Awards luncheon in October.
The building, now the real estate company’s flagship Palm Springs office, is among the noted designs of iconic architect E. Stewart Williams, whose distinctively regional Desert Modernist style played a key role in defining the architectural landscape of the Coachella Valley. In 1999, Williams was inducted as a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects for his modernist design achievements. The façade is distinguished by a graceful series of inverted arches.
“We’ve always felt strongly about our role as stewards of significant architecture,” said Prudential California Realty President and CEO Steve Rodgers. “In Palm Springs, a city known around the world for its wealth of important mid-century homes and buildings, we were particularly honored to play a part in the future of an important downtown landmark.”
Maggetti Elam & Associates oversaw the approximately 8,648-square-foot project. Davis & Adams Construction, Inc., was the general contractor.
With $19 billion in sales volume and 21,000 transactions across Southern California and the Central Coast last year, Prudential California Realty is one of the top five brokerages in the nation and the largest company in the Prudential Real Estate International network. Prudential California Realty is proud to be a member of HomeServices of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. For more information, visit www.prudentialcal.com.
This is a reprint of an article that appeared on Steve Rodgers blog.
Prudential California Realty received the Architectural Rehabilitation Award from the Palm Springs Modern Committee for its sensitive restoration of the iconic Coachella Valley Savings & Loan II building on Palm Canyon Drive. The award was presented at the PSMC’s fifth annual Architectural Preservation Awards luncheon in October.
The building, now the real estate company’s flagship Palm Springs office, is among the noted designs of iconic architect E. Stewart Williams, whose distinctively regional Desert Modernist style played a key role in defining the architectural landscape of the Coachella Valley. In 1999, Williams was inducted as a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects for his modernist design achievements. The façade is distinguished by a graceful series of inverted arches.
“We’ve always felt strongly about our role as stewards of significant architecture,” said Prudential California Realty President and CEO Steve Rodgers. “In Palm Springs, a city known around the world for its wealth of important mid-century homes and buildings, we were particularly honored to play a part in the future of an important downtown landmark.”
Maggetti Elam & Associates oversaw the approximately 8,648-square-foot project. Davis & Adams Construction, Inc., was the general contractor.
With $19 billion in sales volume and 21,000 transactions across Southern California and the Central Coast last year, Prudential California Realty is one of the top five brokerages in the nation and the largest company in the Prudential Real Estate International network. Prudential California Realty is proud to be a member of HomeServices of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. For more information, visit www.prudentialcal.com.
This is a reprint of an article that appeared on Steve Rodgers blog.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monthly Newsletter
It looks like the "new Board" is more community friendly. A newsletter is now being posted on the www.pssunrisevillas.com website and being sent to the homeowners. Hooray!!! It is starting to feel more like a community that listens to the homeowners.
Sunrise Villas is a beautifully landscaped development is a very central location. There are 8 pools and 3 spas, tennis courts and a beautiful greenbelt area. The mountain views are spectacular from most units. As the temps start to cool down, I can't think of a better place to be. Can you?
Sunrise Villas is a beautifully landscaped development is a very central location. There are 8 pools and 3 spas, tennis courts and a beautiful greenbelt area. The mountain views are spectacular from most units. As the temps start to cool down, I can't think of a better place to be. Can you?
Monday, October 8, 2007
New Landscaping/Eco-Gardening
New landscaping at the main entrance to Sunrise Villas is on tap. Repainting the wall and adding new "winter flowers" to the main entrance has already started. Previously, eco-gardening was added to several of the "corner" garden areas to cut down on the watering necessary and keep with the "desert look". The Board has decided that we still need colorful flowers to keep the beauty at the entrance.
Keep watching in the next few weeks to see the completion of the project.
Keep watching in the next few weeks to see the completion of the project.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Cooler Temps on the Way
Labor Day week-end.........cook-outs, pool parties, end of summer. That's right, kids will be back to school this week and "season" is about to begin. Actually, one of local merchants told me that a few of her "season" people were already here. Season usually starts anywhere from October and runs through to May. Depends on how the weather is where the "season" folks come from. They may be here now, but they'll leave for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas and be back from January until.....
If you haven't experienced winter in the Desert, you really must try it. Warm, dry days and cool beautiful evenings. Majestic mountain views all around and we've got it all here...........casinos, great restaurants, live music venues, golf, tennis, high-end outlet shopping, local stores. We have seasonal rentals, homes and condos to buy or rental. Any questions, check in and I'd be glad to let you know what you're missing OR could be enjoying here.
If you haven't experienced winter in the Desert, you really must try it. Warm, dry days and cool beautiful evenings. Majestic mountain views all around and we've got it all here...........casinos, great restaurants, live music venues, golf, tennis, high-end outlet shopping, local stores. We have seasonal rentals, homes and condos to buy or rental. Any questions, check in and I'd be glad to let you know what you're missing OR could be enjoying here.
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