Green Building and Real Estate Blog

Societies gain financially from leaving forests intact rather than clearing them

Money invested in protecting nature can bring huge financial returns, according to a major investigation into the costs and benefits of the natural world.

Gardeners at a National Trust property in Cambridgeshire are urging people to relieve themselves outdoors to help gardens grow greener.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/8357134.stm

Interesting idea - ages old.

Green Building Summit two weeks ago gathered over 400 professionals. Engineers, Realtors, builders, subcontractors, architects, consultants, investors and developers came to learn about green building trends, share experience and set new trends.

Two main green building standards are emerging in the US.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a standard developed by US Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC was formed in mid 1990's and is focused on comprehensive approach to green building and sustainable development. Various standards were developed to meet diverse needs of real estate industry: LEED NC - new construction and major renovation; LEED ND - neighborhood development; LEED O&M - operations and management for existing buildings; etc.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently came up with its own standard for homes. Many builders claim that NAHB standard is easier to achieve. Many builders are looking to work with NAHB standard for that very reason.

At the first glance, LEED is a more comprehensive and scientifically researched and developed standard. It is few steps further than NAHB standard. I maybe mistaken in my view.

However, any improvement is welcomed. I am afraid that between now and the time all buildings will be built properly, we will have a great number of homes that will be demolished in 20-30 years.

Ancient civilations and empires from Middle Ages left great buildings behind for us to marvel and remember. What will be left from our times would be styrofoam cups and plastic trash. Truly sad memory to leave behind.

Interesting article with curious logic. I wonder sometimes what drives them. Small wind and solar are the most democratic and American way to generate power. Individual independence, self-reliance and care for the place you call home - how any of this could be trumped by highly centralized nuclear power plants, employing so few, profiting so few and leaving many dependent on those few.

There will be place for nuclear power. We need to actively research on safe power plants, safe disposal or reuse of waste fuel. We also need to address terrorism, as nuclear power plants have large marks drawn on them for possible terrorist attack.

Here is the article: http://www.grist.org/article/2009-09-18-climate-minded-republican-makes-a-thin-case-against-solar/

Temur Akhmedov, LEED AP

BBC: September 8, 2009

World's first full-size floating wind turbine is unveiled. Learn more.

The flotation element stretches 100 metres below the sea surface It is anchored to the seabed in three places It can be moored in waters up to 700 metres deep

An architect shares her secrets for making a home feel larger without expensive renovations.

By Luke Mullins of U.S. News & World Report

With home values falling and job losses mounting, Americans are putting their spending habits under the microscope. For would-be homebuyers, that might mean purchasing a smaller house that fits more comfortably into your budget. Read more.

An interesting article on MSN. Click here for more details.

The code of conduct was intended to protect lenders and borrowers from faulty appraisals, but has caused delays and higher costs.

By Marcie Geffner of Bankrate.com

The new "code of conduct" that was supposed to protect lenders and borrowers from faulty appraisals has caused higher costs, delays and considerable chaos in home sales and loan refinances.

MSN: Collectors hired by cities are often more aggressive than municipalities

By Jack Healy

updated 7:16 p.m. CT, Tues., Aug 18, 2009

Hard times are causing more homeowners to fall behind on their property taxes. But in thousands of cases, they are not responsible to their local governments, but to private companies that charge double-digit interest and thousands of dollars in service fees.

Read the full article.

AOL Home: Decorating with Kelly

Edwardshttp://preview.tinyurl.com/lexvnw

Check out her other videos - I like how she makes the most of what's available, keeps costs down and turns a house into a home.

I especially liked wall-sized chalk board for kids room, or for office

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/welcome-home-blog-post.aspx?post=1184931&GT1=32001