Living Green

GREEN and CLEAN

April 11th, 2008 categories: Living Green, Sacramento

Being Green use to mean that you were a tree hugger but now, its in to be green. California leads the country in our sustainable green efforts.

This month is Earth Day/Month and many of the Sacramento neighborhoods will be celebrating by helping to educate all of us on what it means to be GREEN.

Many of our homes have been built with the green concept and more are coming. Home buyers today are willing to pay extra for an energy efficient house since they understand the ultimate savings.

If you as a seller, are having difficulty selling your house, you might want to make a few improvements that would have a direct cost reduction to energy bills and let all home buyers know what your utility bills actually are.

Here are just a few small things you, as a seller can do to help make your home green:

Fix those plumbing leaks and save on the water bill
weather strip and/or caulk windows that are leaking cold/hot air into the house.
Install a programmable thermostat which will save $150/year
If you have an older home, install low flow shower heads and toilets-newer homes 2000 on up already have these installed.
Buy energy star appliances

Midtown Sacramento is the place to be on April 12th, Green on the Grid is sponsoring the 1^st time Art Walk in Midtown.

As many already know, Midtown is a great place to live with everything you need at your finger tips from restaurants to art its all right there within walking distance.

If you would like to know more about Midtown, feel free to view a few of the videos and articles written as well as homes for sale in Midtown Sacramento, CA and even some green homes.

The entire month is devoted to bringing attention to what each of us can do to help Mother Earth be a little bit greener and cleaner.

Citys and communities all over Sacramento County, Placer County, El Dorado County and Yolo Countywill be stepping up to do their part for Earth Day.

Rocklin, CA in Placer County has 144 LEED certified homes that save 65% on their monthly utility bills which results in $1,400 savings per year. These 3-5 bedroom homes range from 2,168 to 2.755 sq. ft. One of the features of these homes is Sun Tile photovoltaic roof tiles that provide supplemental electricity. This can reduce electrical bills by as much as 70%. This is part of a master-planned community. Take a look at one of the models currently for sale and give me call if you would like to see it.

April 19, 2008 at 8:30 Celebrate Earth Day in Discovery Park on Garden Hwy in Sacramento with the California Earth Day Run and Walk. Be sure to bring a lunch and help with the river clean-up.

The City and County of Sacramento encourages businesses to re-think how they do business by reducing their impact on the environment. From conserving energy, water and waste as well as recycling.

Elk Grove, Ca is just one of the Citys who is sponsoring Creek clean up events on April 19, 2008 at seven creek sites. Be sure to click Elk Grove Creek Clean-upfor details and bring your appetite for a BBQ lunch sponsored by Elk Grove Lions Club.

Elk Grove, Ca is just a few minutes away from Downtown Sacramento and has a variety of newer neighborhoods with an old town feel. Check out Elk Grove, CA and the variety of homes for sale in Elk Grove, CA for all 3 zip codes. Also, check out how Elk Grove, CA celebrated Earth Day last year and pick up some additional Green tips .

Here are a 7 ways for you to get started Being Green and CLEAN & Save $:

Shop Close to Home “ this helps your local businesses and cuts down on fuel
Donate to local charity organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army
Install low flow shower heads and take shorter showers to save energy and money
Filter your water instead of using bottled water which adds and produces container waste
Set heat lower in the winter, and a few degrees higher in the summer and save at the same time
Wash clothes in cold water and dry on clothesline when possible
Clean dryer lint filter after each load“(leading cause of home fires)
Walk, bike and ride public transit to reduce emissions and save fuel costs

Click for more ways to help by being GREEN and Clean and Living Sustainable Lifestyles.

If you would like to start a community garden take a look at some of the established Community Gardens in Sacramento, the Environmental Organizations, where the Farmers Markets are located, Sacramento Recycling Centers, Sacramento Green Business to Shop and more Sustainable Living businesses and events.

Help celebrate Earth Day by adding just one thing that will help sustain our earth.

Click if you would like to know what makes a home green, Green Remoding Guidelines,

Downtown Sacramento Homes for Sale Going Green

March 10th, 2008 categories: Downtown, Living Green, Real Estate, Sacramento

Eco friendly Downtown Sacramento home For the eco friendly home buyer that is energy conscientious both in an eco friendly home or condo as well as within walking, biking, and desiring city transportation I have just the answer for you.

Bet you thought I was writing about something on St. Patricks Day a bit early!

Downtown Sacramento is definitely building right. Yes, there is solar power. But theres more geo thermo heat and cooling where the earths ground water system heats and cools the house. Non toxic products and eco friendly resources have been used as materials in these homes.

Where is all this splendor you ask? Can you believe its just 6 blocks from our Sacramento Capital, Downtown.

Its true that there are beautiful historic homes surrounding this new project however, the architect, Bob Chase has brought eco friendly together with historic architecture and melded them beautifully.

Contemporary lofts, Craftsman bungalows, cozy cottages, Victorian homes are all splattered together with the feel of Midtown living in Downtown Sacramento

There are 9 contemporary eco friendly homes for sale with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths ranging from 1300 square feet to 1500 square feet with a price tag ranging from $490K to $550K. This is not for the weak of heart. This is for the serious home buyer that wants an eco friendly home within walking distance of Downtown Sacramento, the Capital, restaurants, cafes, art, museums, culture and more.

This weekend everyone was bustling around with excitement over such responsible building for the discerning Sacramento home buyer who wants to live Downtown. Its not cheap but typically nothing with real value is.

Do you think its time to build more eco friendly? Would you be willing to pay for materials that are better for our environment and for you?

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

If you have a Real Estate question, check out and read what other home buyers and home sellers have asked.

Feel free to ask your Real Estate question by email.

Want to see homes for sale in Sacramento? Check out the Sacramento MLS (the IDX form of the MLS and is free for home buyers).

Other Sacramento Neighborhood Articles:

Take A Spin Around Sacramento California

Midtown Living in Downtown Sacramento

Land Park Home of the BEST Neighborhood Park!

Land Park, An Outstanding Neighborhood in Sacramento (Part 1 of 2 series)

River Park, A Secret Neighborhood in Sacramento

Affordable Neighborhood in Sacramento

Curtis Park Homes in Sacramento

Curtis Park Neighborhood in Sacramento

Carmichael CA Hot New Neighborhoods

Featured City, Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove Caters to the Family

Fair Oaks, California

Fair Oaks Quaint and Charming

Folsom California

Natomas Living in Sacramento County

Rancho Murieta California is A Secret

What Are The Great Neighborhoods?

Wilton California Country Living At Its Best

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

Paper or Plastic?

January 26th, 2008 categories: Fun Things, Living Green, Sacramento

Paper or Plastic, Sacramento?That will be the 15 cents, please if you chose plastic.

Our Legislators will be working on passing a bill to charge 15 cents for each plastic bag that your groceries are bagged in.

The reason is that damage is being caused to our ocean by these bags as well as the generational time that it takes for the plastic to break down at the dump.

The E-Friendly thing to do is use a cloth bags. Im sure youve seen them, they are sold at the grocery stores. And if you start now and buy one each time you go to the store, you will soon have a collection of healthy e-friendly cloth bags.

San Francisco has already banned plastic bags all together. So wont you at least give paper a try? Its important to start lets not be stubborn. Each person can and will make a difference. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren as well as the creatures in the ocean.

Heres a little hint I learned awhile back:

One thing that is rather cheap to do and Im sure that you have plenty of at your house

Take an old T-shirt, cut the arms off and sew up the bottom. This now makes an excellent way to carry your groceries using the arm slots as handles. If you dont sew, take a bunch of T-shirts to the cleaners and ask them to sew the bottoms.

If you like what you read here on Sacramento Real Estate Voice simply click and subscribe to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Other Green Articles:

How Many Legislators Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Everyday is Earth Day in Elk Grove, CA

California is Green

Happy California Cows Make Electricity

Authored by Gena Riede | Discussion: Comments »

How Many Legislators Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

May 22nd, 2007 categories: Homes For Sale, Living Green, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, Seller

Energy Light Bulb California is heading the pact when it comes to moving forward with our environment.

Assembly Member, Lloyd E. Levine has introduced a bill to wipe out the old incandescent bulbs and make way for the compact fluorescent light bulb.

California will be the first State to ban the common light bulb.

The old light bulbs are the same as they were 125 years ago and conduct more heat than they do light. And cost the user much more in electric bills along with using our supply of energy and landfill of these wasted bulbs.

Levine’s legislation bill AB 722, replacing the old light bulbs with the new more efficient fluorescent light bulb will reduce the CO2 emissions by 1.82 million metric tons per year. Give support to this legislation.

This bill, if passed will eliminate the hog of light bulb electricity use by the year 2012. This bill has passed out of the Assembly Committee and now heads for the Appropriations Committee.

If that’s not enough to get you to change your light bulbs…

Replacing a 75 watt regular incandescent light with a 20 watt fluorescent bulb as shown above, would prevent 1,300 pounds of carbon dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere by electric plants. Carbon dioxide is a major component of the gases that most experts say is responsible for global warming.

You will save $55 over the life of a single bulb. Now, that ought to grab your attention! Start replacing your old bulbs, today and save tomorrow.

Governor Schwarzenegger of California heads the pact for energy conservation. Be sure to check “GREEN CALIFORNIA” for the latest in what is Green for California.

Another bill Levine is currently working on is the Pet Act which would require most pet owners with a dog or cat over four months old to have their pets spayed or neutered.

Last year, Levine authored legislation to require large supermarkets to recycle plastic bags and Governor Schwarzenegger signed the bill.

Levine is on the side of the environment and needs support to help protect ourselves from ourselves. Won’t you take the time to help, as well?

Now you ask…how does a light bulb apply to Real Estate? Saves Electricity

One of the things I provide at an Open House, as a Realtor is a presentation notebook of the home with pictures before a remodel and after, school information, neighborhood information and electric and gas bills…now wouldn’t that be a positive for a future home buyer to see low electric bills?

Think about that…Listing Agents, this is a call to you to legislate to your Sellers…replace all regular light bulbs with new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs and provide a comparison of electric bills to show a future Home Buyer how they too, can save on their electric bill.

Are you ready to commit? Are you Green? Are you a Californian?

Everyday is Earth Day in Elk Grove, CA

April 23rd, 2007 categories: Elk Grove, Living Green

Earth day in Elk Grove, CA We are celebrating Earth Day, and we need to celebrate Earth Day everyday. This will help each of us and each of our children and their children. The children in Elk Grove Unified School District have been learning about recycling for several years. It not such a hard thing to do. Start small just like you did when you were younger and add something new to your vocabulary of good earth things to do each month.

Many of the homes in Elk Grove have dual pane windows to cut down on the electric use of the air conditioning and heating. If your home doesn’t have dual pane windows or they have lost their seal, you may want to replace them. This will not only help with your energy bills but it will help sell your house to a prospective home buyer. Fix those leaky faucets and check with the local nursery to find out how much most of us over water our lawns. You will be surprised. What is even better is that your water bill will go down. Check below for some additional ways you can become Earth-friendly.

Many of the Cities/Communities in Sacramento have made it a simple process to recycle. We each have green recycle trash containers that can be utilized. Some cities like Elk Grove, have stations where they ask that you drop off contaminated items instead of putting them in your regular trash can. Its worth checking out the website and finding the location for your contaminated waste. Our drains, fish and streams will appreciate it and so will the Earth.

If you wonder is it important to recycle? Take a tour of your local dump and see what you threw away. It isnt really away, its right in our own backyard. We all need to do our part to reduce what is at the dump.

*When you are at the grocery store and they ask you, paper or plastic which is the correct answer? Answer will appear at the bottom of this article.

Elk Grove, CA here are just a few things you can do toward taking responsibility in your family to help Mother Earth: Energy Light Bulb

Use Cold water to wash your clothes
Change at least 1 light bulb each month to an energy light bulb
When you buy aluminum foil, see if it is 100% recyclable
When buying packaged items, buy the one with the least amount of packaging
Recycle newspaper, do you know how many trees are downed for just a stack of newspaper?
Rinse out cans and glass to recycle
Ride your Bike, leave the car for Bike Month in Elk Grove
Sign up for Commuter Club and reduce emissions of cars
Save gas by using the Elk Grove E-tan
Learn what is and is not acceptable to recycle
Learn what and where to recycle waste that does NOT belong in your Green recycle trash can
Know what to do with used old oil?
Only run the dishwasher when it is full
Use the smart strip for your T.V. and computers. Turn off when not in use by switching the off at the smart switch
Un-plug coffee maker, toaster, mixers, juicers when not in use
Use non-toxic cleaning supplies
Dont throw old batteries and cell phones in the trash, here is what you do with them.

Believe it or not some of these items listed above will actually save you money on your electric bill if you implement them. What are you waiting for?

Here are a few more Recycling tips from the City of Elk Grove, CA. Can you think of some easy quick things you can do to help recycle in your family?

A National website has been established to help each State and zip code find where and what they can do to help in this effort to save our planet. We each need to take responsibility and start to improve our understanding of what we can do to help.

Elk Grove CA Western Festival ~ Come Join The Fun

Featured City, Elk Grove, California

Active Adult Communities Around Sacramento

California Is Green

Happy California Cows Make Electricity

Take A Spin Around Sacramento California

Elk Grove Caters To The Family

Elk Grove California Overview

Elk Grove Red Hat Ladies in Sacramento

* Answer: Neither one. You should be bringing your own left over bags and/or a canvas bag for your groceries.

Authored by | Discussion: 6 Comments »

California is GREEN

March 17th, 2007 categories: Living Green

Patty Remember Kermit the Frog when he sang, Its not easy being Green?

Im here to say, that it is easy (we can all do our part) California is leading the way in revolutionizing our planet and going GREEN.

Today, in the Sacramento Bee, the headline reads, Lennar plans 1,254 more solar homes by Jim Wasserman.

Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a voluntary goal of 1 million new solar rooftops within a decade and set aside more than $2 billion to lower solar installation costs.

Not only is solar energy considered clean power, but it cuts the cost of the homeowners utility bills by at least half. In the video provided by Lennar Builders, a homeowner shared their utility bill before and after solar was installed. How about cutting your costs from $297 to $3?

Be sure to continue reading, there is a surprise at the end.

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Happy California Cows Make Electricity

February 17th, 2007 categories: Elk Grove, Living Green

Ca cow YES, The California Cow is a Happy Cow! And now, the dairy farmers are happy, too! It seems that we can now call our “happy California Cows”, “happy California Green Cows.” PG & E as well as SMUD due to Government regulations have been mandated to reduce their toxic admissions into the California environment and have come up with a marvelous plan that some ranchers have been accomplishing for awhile now. That is that these companies will use the manure to make electricity. It takes two cows to supply one household with electricity for a year. With the plans in the pipework, 100,000 families will be obtaining their electricity from our “happy California GREEN cows.” Now, isn’t that a plan! Elk Grove Dairy farmers are using their cows to make electricity, too. So, we have “Happy Elk Grove California Cows!”

You may not realize, or maybe you do, that Roseville, California has been bringing wind and solar energy to some of their homeowners and businesses known as the “Green Roseville” program. Home builder, Lennar is selling new homes in West Roseville, CA with customized solar power ranging in price from mid $500,000 to mid $700,000. These homes generate 50% of the energy used with solar energy. A builder who is embracing our environment with a “green home.” It is always a good idea to have a Realtor represent a buyer in the purchase of a new home instead of relying on the builder to represent you, so give me a call.

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