Going Green

There are so many decisions to make when building a new home or remodeling.  I took my time and did my homework before tackling our home building project.  I found that using eco-friendly products would save me money in the future and it felt good taking part in saving the planet.  “Going Green” is a new way of building and decorating that is fast becoming the norm.

 

Environment

 

Global warming, water pollution, air pollution and ozone depletion are just a few of environmental problems facing our planet.  Some are looking for solutions to these ongoing, debated problems.  Consumers who build with green products feel they are making an environmental difference and changing the marketplace. 

 

What exactly are green products?

 

They are products that are eco-friendly and resource efficient.  Some green products can save you money, some may cost you more.  Buying a salvaged, refurbished or remanufactured product can also be considered using green products.  Theirs three ways a consumer can go green.

 

Building Components

 

For insulating your home, you can use formaldehyde-free insulation.  Johns Manville at www.jm.com offers this type of insulation which is made of a new innovative acrylic binder that eliminates binder-related formaldehyde emissions during manufacturing.  The insulation also contains 20% post-consumer recycled glass. 

 

Installing low-emissivity windows is a way to conserve.  Low-emissivity windows have a special coating on the glass that reduces radiant heat transfer, thereby increasing the window’s insulating value.  Pella offers this type of window and you can visit their site at www.pella.com.

 

Tankless water-heating systems are becoming extremely popular.  This system is called an “on demand” water heater as hot water is provided as it is needed.  Demand water heaters heat water directly when you turn on the faucet, without the use of a storage tank.  Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with gas or electric storage water heaters. 

 

I have a Rinnai system and the great thing about tankless water heaters, you never run out of hot water.  Once the water is heated, it delivers a constant supply of heated water, so numerous showers can be taken, laundry can be done and I can run the dishwasher without ever running out of hot water.  I am also saving energy as it is not heating water all day long when it is not in use.  You can read more about Rinnai systems at www.rinnai.us.

 

Geothermal heating and cooling units have been named “the most energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive of all space conditioning systems”, by the Environmental Protection Agency.  I have the geothermal Trane system and I love it!   It works differently than a conventional heat pump that uses the outdoor air as its heat source.  Geothermal units don’t have to work as hard because they draw heat from a source whose temperature is moderate.  Basically, the system runs off of water that is underground and it takes advantage of the earth’s constant temperature, approximately 55 degrees, to heat and cool a home.  The EPA says homeowner can save 40-70 percent in heating costs and 30-50 percent in cooling cost compared to conventional systems.  You can visit the Trane site at www.trane.com.

 

Materials & Finishes

 

Bamboo flooring is absolutely beautiful.  I covered my stairs and second floor with natural bamboo.  Bamboo flooring is elegant, easy to clean and eco-friendly.  It is a perennial evergreen plant that grows in diverse climates and reaches heights of 125 feet or more.  Bamboo is considered the fastest growing wood plant as it can reach its full maturity in 5 to 6 years, unlike the oak tree which can take 20 or more years.  www.Ifloor.com carries several different colors and patterns. 

 

If you use tile in your bathroom, you may consider The Fireclay Tile Debris Series which can be used as a backsplash and is available at www.fireclaytile.com.    Fireclay Tile manufactures a terra cotta tile that contains 50% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials. 

 

Decor

 

I found several sites that offer really striking recycled accessories.  One that really caught my attention was Viva Terra at www.vivaterra.com.  They actually have a section titled Eco-Accents offering wall art, sculptures and bowls.  Another site to check out is Spectradecor.com. This site offers recycled glass cabinet pulls.

 

Going Green

 

Going green can become expensive as most products cost more than conventional products, but the majority will save you money in the long run.  You can achieve a positive balance between profit and preservation when using eco-friendly products and feel good about being a part of creating a better environment.

 

 

Interesting article!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/07/insider.health.tips/index.html

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens gain popularity

Over the last 10 years, outdoor kitchens have become extremely popular in both new construction and remodeling ventures. These alfresco prep areas are great for entertaining or just spending quality time with the family. My husband and I decided to add an outdoor kitchen to our new home design, and we love it!

Before the outdoor kitchen, I cooked the majority of our meals. Now with music and sports piped outdoors to my husbands “space” he calls his outdoor home, I don’t cook as much anymore. He even watches the food network to get great grilling ideas and cooks at least 3 times a week. I have been married for 20 years and wish I had built one 19 years ago. Did I tell you I love my outdoor kitchen?

What does an outdoor kitchen look like?

Today’s outdoor kitchen replicates indoor kitchens but some offer special features like covered bar and buffet areas. The latest products on the market for backyard designs include luxury grills, equipped with capabilities of stovetop cooking, kitchen islands, vent hoods, beer dispensing units, refrigerators, dishwashers and sinks.

I was pleased to find that my local gas company offered great products at a discounted price for using all gas appliances. What I liked most about the products, they came with a lifetime warranty. When you have a built in, make sure you get a great warranty and make sure all appliances are certified for outdoor use.

Planning your space

An existing backyard concrete patio is a great place for an outdoor kitchen. If you are planning to put your outdoor kitchen on a deck, additional support may be required. My outdoor kitchen is right out our backdoor. We chose to cover it so that we can enjoy it during any type of weather. Whichever route you chose, your outdoor kitchen should be close to the house to save you steps when you need to go inside for additional supplies.

Typical Space Requirements

Grills

Cooking grills can range from 24 to 48 inches wide and can be 15 to 26 inches deep. Remember to place the grill in a place where smoke will not blow into the eating or seating area. Today’s grills for the outdoor kitchen are really sophisticated. Some grills have built in smokers, commercial quality woks, warming drawers and pizza ovens.

Eating areas

Make sure you have plenty of room for your eating area. Measure your table and allow at least 42 inches between the edge of the table and the wall, deck railing or other fixed object so there is room to walk and be seated.

Counter Space

I enjoy having lots of counter space; open counter space comes in handy when preparing food and it can serve as a holding area for food for serving purposes. You may even want to add a food prep area and a clean up area, including a sink. Under counter space is great for storage.

Fireplace

Adding a built in fireplace or pizza oven is common for outdoor kitchens. A fireplace can make it cozy in the winter months and adds warmth to the atmosphere. Pizza ovens are fun and great for entertaining, but these added extras will also add cost to your outdoor leisure area.

Costs

For the basic outdoor kitchen you can expect to pay around $3000 but some outdoor areas are so lavished that they can cost up to $15,000. It all depends on what you chose to put into your kitchen and the materials used for your counters and built in base.

Outdoor Fun

Alfresco kitchens are fun for the whole family. Everyone loves the smell of grilling food and everything seems to taste better when cooked on the grill. Creating the perfect backyard kitchen has become simple and men seem to love cooking on the outdoor grills. My husband is becoming an amazing grill chef. Did I tell you I love my outdoor kitchen?

Websites:

www.werever.com

www.outdoorkitchensdepot.com

www.fornobravo.com

www.outdoorfireplace.org

www.nancyskitchen.com/grilling.htm

Barkitecture: Pet Projects

They’re family and some of us bring them wherever we go. We love to buy them presents and reward them for being our best friends. Pet pampering has become a tradition for pet owners and despite economic fears, pet owners are still spending billions of dollars each year on their furry friends.

Barkitecture

Some best friends live inside but for those who live outside a luxury dog house can add elegance to any backyard. A doggie mansion could be the perfect backyard addition. Michelle Pollak from La Petite Maison, which is a custom dog house builder, says the market is small but those who chose a luxury dog house always go over the top. La Petite serves clients internationally and in the United States including Alabama. “The houses are shipped whole on a palette, so no assembly is required.” says Pollak.

La Petite Maison offers several different designs to match any style home. Their colonial and brick mansions are popular picks. Their clients include the rich and famous celebrity figures like Rachel Hunter. Most of the homes are around 35 sq. feet and some features include ac/ heat, track lighting and marble floors. You can add all types of accessories to your pet mansion like dvd players, throw rugs and custom paint. Their homes start at $4500. You can check out their beautiful dog houses at www.lapetitemaison.com.

Cat Condos

High end kitty condos are the rave for feline lovers. Cats love to climb and hide in cubbies and many owners are looking to keep their pets happy with designer cat furniture. Mycatsheaven.com caters to those who love to spoil their cats with cat furniture in earthy designs and organic shapes. Cat Condo’s sold by mycatsheaven can be the purr-fect piece of furniture for both you and your kitty.

Extras

Those who buy luxury pet products tend to buy a complete ensemble of pet accessories. Some buy matching sweaters and carriers for shopping trips or visiting relatives. The crystal collar is a popular item or for a rainy day and the puppy trench coat completes a wardrobe ensemble. Zen dining tables are fab for our felines and puppy nail polish is available in every color for your pooches pretty paws.

Traveling

To travel in comfort and style, climate control carriers are available but don’t forget to purchase the pet booster seat for the ride or the pet stroller for the walk down the beach.

Health & Fitness

Everyone who loves their pet wants them to be healthy and fit. If you don’t’ have a great place to walk your pet, no problem. Keep your pet in shape with the latest pet treadmill. Gourmet dog food is also popular choice for picky eaters and pets with spoiled palettes. Pet spas are also on the rise offering services from aroma-therapy to hydro-massage therapy.

State of the Art

There are numerous high tech devices for your loving pet including computerized identification tags, automatic doors, feeders and touch activated toys.

The trend to lavish our pets has become the norm for some pet owners. The driving force is baby boomers and dual-income family households who are spending lavishly on their pets. High end pet products are on the rise as the pet industry grows at a record pace. Our pets are loyal companions and sometimes spoiling them is a reward we offer for their dedication to our families.

A “dogs life” use to mean hard times and poverty but today it takes on a whole new meaning that is not as quite as “rough” as it use to be.

The Right Contractor

One of the most important decisions you will make after deciding to build your home will be who to hire as your contractor.  Your contractor will be working for you for months and you will trust this person with your money and the construction of your new home. It pays to make the right choice!!! 

Before you start looking for a contractor, there are several things you need to already know and have in place.  

1.  Know where you are going to build...have your land or lot already picked out or paid for.

2.  Have your house plans in your hands!

Here are a few questions the contractor may ask.

1.  Exterior:  brick, siding etc.

2.  Roof:  type of roofing

3.  Type of counter tops in each room: bath/kitchen

4.  Type of appliances: inexpensive /midrange/high end

5.  Faucet/Fixtures:  inexpensive/midrange/high end

6.  Flooring:  hard wood/tile/carpet

7.  Master bath tub:  regular:  high end

8.  Hot water heater: regular/tankless

9.  Heating & Cooling:  regular/geo-thermal

10.  Front Door:  inexpensive/midrange/high end 

11.  Landscaping:  how much if any do you want Contractor to be responsible for.

12.  Driveway:  Patios:  how much if any do you want Contractor to be responsible for.

13.  Any specialties you want in your home:  alarm systems:  surround sound:  mounted television:  built in cabinets:  outdoor kitchen

14.  Do you want your cabinets painted or stained?

15.  Windows:  energy efficient?

16.  Spray foam insulation?  

17.  Ceilings textured or not?

18.  Fireplace...gas or wood burning?

19.  House all Electric or Natural Gas...or both?

20.  Any extra buildings wanted:  dog house/barn etc?

After you have your land, plans in your hand and can answer all of these questions (and I am sure there are some I have forgotten) then you start looking for your contractor.

Where to look?

Never hire a contractor that is not licensed in your state.  Every state has a board and a website.  Go to this site and get the names of all of the contractors licensed in your area.

Start asking friends and family who they know...and who they may recommend to build your house.

Find houses in your area that have been built recently that you like...and find out who built those homes.

Then check your list of licensed contractors and contact at least 3 of those builders.  You will need to have your plans in hand.  If he/she is a good contractor...they will take notes...ask you all of the above questions...go home and calculate what your home will cost and then give you a price.  I would not trust anyone who gave me a price off of the top of their head.  How in the world could they possibly know for sure without putting a pencil to paper.

Ask each contractor for references.  Go and see the homes they built and talk to the customers.  This will be the best way to find out all about the contractor and their work.

I suggest getting a lock n key price...not a cost plus price from your Contractor.

Lock n key means the price they give you...if you stick to your choices with no changes...they build it for that price and give you the key.  

Cost plus...means they charge you the cost of the materials...plus a percent.  This is very hard to keep tabs on...and always ends up costing more than expected.

After you see the contractors work, talk to references and get your price...make your decision with who you feel most comfortable building your house.  

Get a contract with all of your decisions added...so there is no question about what you discussed...also get a date of completion.  Sometimes it helps to give a small bonus if completed on time and you get a kickback if it goes over schedule.  Also, negotiate a warranty on your home.  I would get at least a year warranty on construction etc.

If any changes are made...and I know it will happen.  Always get a change order.  A change order is a type of receipt that has what changes you decided to make and the added cost you will be charged for it.  If you don't get a change order...in the end you will be surprised how much more your house will cost for those few changes you made.

Building your home can be a stressful...chosing the right contractor can make all the difference in the world.  Good Luck!

Very Interesting Diet Advice...

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/

Choosing The Right Mortgage

When you buy a house it will be one of the most important purchases you make in your lifetime. This purchase will be with you for 15 to 30 years. The mortgage you choose needs to be the right mortgage and you need to understand the complexity of the endeavor. Your home loan could cost you as much as 25 to 40 percent of your gross income so do your homework before applying for a home loan.

Mortgage Loan Originator for Regions bank, Allison Bird shared her knowledge of lending with me. There are many different types of home loans and things a consumer should look for when buying or building a home.

Know your FICO Score

First, know your FICO score. Developed by Fair, Isaac & Co., a FICO score is a credit score which is extremely important to your loan. This score was pioneered in the late 1950’s and has become used by all lending agencies in determining your loan rate. The score tallies the borrower’s credit history into a single number. Good credit can get you a lower rate saving you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. According to Ms. Bird, “Credit scores can affect the rate in many cases, on a conventional mortgage there maybe a slight increase for scores below 720 and increase slightly with every 20 point drop. FHA rates increase when a credit score falls below 620.”

Next, get pre-approved or pre-qualified for your home loan. This benefits both the buyer and the seller. You will know how much you can afford and what your payments will be and the seller may take your offer quicker if they know it is a done deal. So what is the difference in Pre-qualified and Pre-approved?

Pre-qualified

Pre-qualified happens when a buyer meets with a mortgage lender and gives them all of their information like income, expenses, assets and liabilities and the broker will give them a letter stating an opinion of what the buyer can afford.

Pre-approved

Pre-approved happens when there has been written evidence of all of your income, expenses, assets and liabilities. Your credit has been checked and approved from the lender. The buyer can close easily as it has all been pre-approved.

Should you lock in your rate?

Rates can change daily so you need to know if rates are going up or down. If they are going up you want to lock in your rate. This means when you close your rate will not change. The average time for a locked rate is 30 days but you will find some are from 15 to 60 days. Once you lock your rate make sure you close before the contract expires. If rates may go down you may not want to lock in your rate but some lenders offer what they call a “float down” which is an option that will give you a lower rate if the rate falls. If you do have a floating lock be sure and watch the market to see if the rate has lowered.

Money Down

The minimum down payment for a new home loan or construction loan will be between 3% - 5%. Know how much house you can afford before building or buying.

Insurance

All mortgage lenders will make you provide insurance for the home and the amount of your home loan. Shop for home insurance before you are ready to close. If you wait until the last minute you will not have time to shop around and may end up paying more than you have to.

Points

What is a point and what does it have to do with my mortgage?

Well consumers can buy points to lower their interest rate. You need to do your homework to see if it is the right economical thing to do for your loan.

Discount points are fees paid to a lender at the closing and the cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan amount. For example, for a $100,000 loan, a discount point will equal $1,000. Each discount point on a 30 year loan usually lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. If your rate is 6.5 percent by purchasing one point it would be lowered to 6.375 percent.

Mortgages

The safest mortgage for consumers is the traditional fixed rate mortgage. This type of mortgage has a fixed rate that will not change over the life of the loan. The fixed rate you received for the life of your loan is determined by the mortgage industry. Rates can change daily, so Ms. Bird advises, “The best way to find the going rate is to contact local mortgage lenders and ask.”