LEED for homes

LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.

To find out more, check out this LEED for Homes link at the U.S. Green Building Council website. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147#2008

just listed - seeking good neighbor

JUST LISTED!

12 Vanguard Way, Urban Reserve

10,200 Sq Ft Lot - MLS# 11005517

Seeking fun-loving neighbor who enjoys good company and fine wines! This heavily treed, prime lot sits across the street from us! Please click on the link to find out more!


http://www.alexcolerealestate.com/featured_home.htm

energy star sales tax holiday

During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers will get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products. The 2008 Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day). Click on the link to find out more!

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_836/

the architects

We are on our way! We are thrilled to have Specht Harpman as our architectural firm! Here is a shot of our first site visit with Louise Harpman of Specht Harpman and Diane Cheatham of Urban Edge Developers prior to finalizing our agreement.

This is a new experience for Jay and me since this will be our first opportunity to work with an architectural firm. We were both taken with Louise at our first meeting and our "connection" made our architectural decision an easy one. Our agreement is broken into 5 phases:

1. Schematic Design
2. Design Development
3. Construction Documentation
4. Bidding
5. Construction Observation

This means we will be working with Specht Harpman from the design phase through completion of the construction. Specht Harpman came highly recommended. They maintain offices in Austin, Texas, and New York City. In addition to being a partner in the firm, Louise Harpman is currently serving as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is also the Harwell Hamilton Professor of Architecture. You can find out more information about Specht Harpman at http://www.spechtharpman.com/.

trees glorious trees

Trees are glorious, don't you agree? But whether you are buying a pre-owned home or building a new home it's always a good idea to consult a qualified arborist to determine in advance if existing trees will be an asset or a liability. In Texas, deciduous trees can be placed strategically to keep your home cool in the summer and allow the sun to warm your home in the winter. There are several qualified arborists in Texas. Kevin Bassett and Steve Houser of Arborilogical Services are the tree experts! Jay (my husband) and I have used Arborilogical Services for years and would recommend them without hesitation.

We met Kevin Bassett at our lot yesterday afternoon and Kevin's enthusiasm was infectious as we walked across the lot identifying multiple varieties and marking the trees we hope to include in our finished landscape plan:

• Black Walnut
• American Elm
• Box Elder
• Redbud
• Pecan
• Red Oak
• Green Ash
• Chinkapin Oak
• Rough-Leaf Dogwood

It was so exciting to learn that there are so many glorious trees that we will be able to save! In the event we are forced to sacrifice one of these trees, Kevin offered to turn the wood into a beautiful piece of art for our new home. Kevin is a wood turning master!

Here are some links for you to explore and learn more.

Arborilogical Services http://www.arborilogical.com/

KB Wood Turnings http://www.kbwoodturnings.com/

EcoBroker.com - Shade Trees and Windbreaks http://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=10

heidi likes it

We adopted Heidi from the Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Group about 5 1/2 years ago. She loves to swim in the rainwater retention ponds at Urban Reserve!

the lot

Here's our lot...isn't this exciting?

I love the natural feel in an urban setting. We will be only a short walk from the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) rail station. This photo was taken May 4th, 2008.

the dream

It started with our dream of owning a green home. We began by choosing our lot at Urban Reserve in Dallas, Texas. Urban Reserve is a 13-acre sustainable modernist community which, when complete, will house 50 environmentally-conscious custom-designed homes.

Here's what the entrance to Urban Reserve looked like in September 2005. Click on the link to find out more about Urban Reserve. http://www.alexcolerealestate.com/lots_new_homes.htm