plant a tree for Humanity

I recently enjoyed an interesting lunch with Dr. Jonathan Hochberg. Jonathan is Associate Director for the Executive MBA Program at the University of Texas at Dallas. Jonathan and his 6-year old son have established a non-profit called Trees for Humanity.

The mission of Trees for Humanity is to teach children the importance of planting trees as a way to help the environment. But Jonathan's vision goes beyond that......he is interested not only in planting trees but anything that will make our planet a better place for our children and children's children. Right now they are focusing on elementary schools in Texas but plans are in place to expand their program nationally as well as globally.

Trees for Humanity is currently sponsored by Whole Foods Market, Microsoft, Deloitte, Starwood Hotels, and Renner Tree Farms. They are interested in grants, donations, and/or corporate partnerships to acquire trees (saplings), soil, and shovels, as well as suggestions for contacting/organizing the Governors of states to get them on-board to support this intiative in their public schools.

It was a delight to visit with Jonathan. I am looking forward to meeting his son, Gabriel, and hope to be able to contribute my time to Trees for Humanity. If you want to help, please contact Jonathan at drjhoch@yahoo.com.

I took the photo (above) at Custer State Park, South Dakota, August 2008.

Dallas green building standard

In April 2008 the City of Dallas adopted a green building standard and established the long-term goal for Dallas to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. A more short-term goal is to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012.

The city council established mandatory measures to take place in two phases:

Phase One - Mandatory Measures effective October 1, 2009

Projects less than 50,000 (residential & commercial) must use 15% less energy and 20% less water than current Dallas code standards.

Builders must prove that the 15% requirement has been met, using the following standards for compliance:

• Energy Star
• Green Built North Texas
• LEED for Homes, or
• Approved equivalent standard

Builders must also meet at least 4 of six water reduction requirements to meet the water reduction requirements. Roofs must also become more energy-efficient on buildings less than 50,000 sq ft.

Phase Two - Mandatory Measures effective October 1, 2011

All new Dallas construction must be certifiable under LEED for Homes standards established by the USGBC (US Green Building Council), or similar standards i.e. Green Built North Texas.

Further details available at http://www.greendallas.net/green_standard.html.

happy thanksgiving!

Enjoy a bountiful holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Product Recall - GE Wall Ovens

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the General Electric Company (GE) have announced a recall to inspect and repair certain GE®, GE Profile™, Monogram® and Kenmore wall ovens. This recall includes 244,000 wall ovens manufactured from October 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003.

Here's the direct link to learn more:

http://www.geappliances.com/products/recall/wall_oven_08/

homebuyers seeing green

Nine out of 10 homebuyers say they want environmentally friendly homes and are willing to pay more for green features, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Features homebuyers find important are:

90% Reduced heating and cooling costs

73% Energy-efficient appliances

70% Energy-efficient lighting

51% Environmentally friendly community

49% Green landscaping

The National Association of Realtors has responded with the establishment of a local green designation to train residential agents in green home sales. I'll be expanding on my EcoBroker training by participating in this course next week.

To find out more here is the link to Sales Trends: The Green House Effect, Friday's feature article on the front page of the Dallas Morning News Business Section:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/111408dnbusgoinggreen.3a2c77f.html?nl

trick or treat!

HAPPY
HALLOWEEN!

something special for you!

As a special favor to my former and future clients, I've partnered with TexEnergy Solutions to SAVE 20% OFF your HOME ENERGY AUDIT and reduce energy consumption by GREEN-O-VATING your current home.

Taking steps to save money on monthly utility bills can lead to improving your home’s marketability. A Home Energy Audit is a step in the right direction! A home energy audit will:

1. locate and quantify energy waste and comfort issues in your home,
2. propose and prioritize reasonable, affordable solutions,
3. provide an evaluation of the proposed alternatives, and
4. calculate your payback timeframes and return on investment.

A reputable certified energy auditor will provide documentation every step of the way. Your energy audit will establish a benchmark by considering the current condition of your home and utilizing your recent utility bills. You will learn how your home stacks up against the Energy Star requirements before you perform the improvements and you will be able to quantify which improvements or repairs will have the greatest impact and attach a price-tag to each improvement individually.

Your energy auditor’s diagnostic inspection will probably include, but may not be limited to:

Your attic, insulation, and ductwork. In the heat of the summer, attic temperatures can reach 130 degrees. Leaking and improperly insulated duct systems cause an average loss of 30% of conditioned air in a typical home.

Testing of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Nearly half of an average home’s total energy bill is for space heating and cooling. Not only should your HVAC system be in optimum operating condition, it should also be properly sized. Believe it or not, an over-sized system can use energy inefficiently, resulting in unnecessarily high utility bills and high temperature swings during mild weather.

Thermostats. A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to bring a space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by maintaining the highest or lowest required temperatures for four or five hours a day instead of 24 hours, a programmable thermostat can pay for itself in energy saved within four years.

Windows and doors. Audits will expose air penetration and leakage. A blower door test for air and duct leakage. It’s important to determine the air infiltration rate of a building for several reasons: reduced energy consumption, avoidance of moisture condensation problems and uncomfortable drafts, and analysis of indoor air quality. Airborne contaminants impact allergies, asthma and other illnesses.

Appliances.

Hot water system.

Lighting system and bulbs.

Shower heads and toilets.

Irrigation system and swimming pool/spa, if applicable.

The inspection will help you make an informed decision once you know the cost and the effectiveness of each of the recommended improvements. The payback calculation will give you a reliable estimate of the timeframe for you to recover your costs and begin to achieve a positive return on your investment.

If you would like to take advantage of this offer, call me at 214.528.5888 or send an email to joan@AlexColeRealEstate.com. I'll send you a card to present to TexEnergy Solutions so you can take advantage of this opportunity between now and March 30, 2009.

what's in your tap water?

Well, I did it! I bought my SIGG bottles (two of them) at Whole Earth Provisions where both Klean Kanteen and SIGG are available. I chose SIGG because I loved their design choices!

No more plastic bottles for us! We have a water filter in our kitchen so we always have easy access to clear, clean-tasting filtered water. I will never live without a water filter again! But in the event you decide to drink tap water you may want to know in advance what's in your water. The Environmental Working Group has established a Tap Water Database using the water quality reports available through the Environmental Protection Agency. You can plug in your zip code and find out whether your local water is up to par.

Want to try it? Here's the link:

http://www.ewg.org/tapwater/yourwater/index.php

the environmental impact of plastic bottles

"More than 90 percent of the environmental impacts from a disposable plastic bottle happen before the consumer opens it," said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist at the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council. "Oil for plastic, oil for shipping, oil for refrigeration and, in a small % of bottles, oil for recycling – sadly most PET bottles go to landfills." As a rule of thumb, scientists say that you can fill a PET bottle ¼ of the way with oil to symbolize how much energy goes into every bottle.
Worldwide, over 60 billion tons of plastic waste is produced every year. Plastic is particularly damaging because it is not biodegradable and plastic particles eventually become part of the food chain - as they have for example in our oceans. In some parts of the sea, there is five times more plastic than plankton. Neil Seldman, a waste recycling expert, has labeled our plastic problem as "potentially more dangerous than global warming." (SOURCE: http://www.sigg.com/)

Want to FREE YOURSELF from the plastic bottle? Both Klean Kanteen and SIGG provide a great alternative. To find out more visit their websites and check them out. Wouldn't they make fabulous Christmas gifts?!

http://www.kleankanteen.com/index.html

http://www.sigg.ch/

Dallas/Ft Worth tops major metro areas for job growth

The Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that total employment in July 2008 for the Dallas region stood at just over three million, an increase of 68,000 jobs over the year, while nationwide jobs declined by 0.1%. Find out more...

http://www.dallaschamber.org/NewsLetter/october_2008/jobs.html

Urban Reserve...in the news again

If you haven't already seen it, be sure to pick up a copy of the October FD Insert to the Dallas Morning News. The By Design Section features the Urban Oasis at Urban Reserve. And if you haven't yet taken a drive down Vanguard Way you are in for a real treat! Be sure to check out Lot #7 and Lot #12. Lot # 7 will be Jay's and my future home and Lot # 12 can be yours!

Here's a link for a preview to the FD/By Design article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/classifieds/news/homecenter/realestate/stories/DN-fdluxe_urbanreserve_1002fas.ART.State.Edition1.47e34e6.html

texas state fair

Have you visited the Texas State Fair yet? The weather couldn't be better! I took these photos with my cell phone so they're not quite as distinct as one would like to see....but you get the idea. Mother nature is alive and well at the Fair!

Don't miss the bird show. It's fabulous - as always! The white bird is an albino red-tailed hawk......and of course the owl is one of many others that fly unrestricted at the bird show.

And be sure to check out Skies of Butterflies at Texas Discovery Gardens. The chart we received at Skies of Butterflies indicates this was a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. In addition to a number of varieties of butterflies they are also featuring garden plants that attract butterflies.

fresh, local foods

Austin Farmers Market

Scott Arbor, Seguin, Texas

Dewberry Farm, Brookshire, Texas

People seem to be rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. Fresh from the ground means richer taste and more nutritious. It is also good for our local economy--buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business. Check out Local Harvest to find out where you can find locally produced foods.

http://www.localharvest.org/

EcoBroker Update - how GREEN is your presidential candidate?

With just about a month to go before one of the most anticipated presidential elections in U.S. history, EcoBroker International thought that you might appreciate a non-partisan snapshot on where the candidates stand on climate and energy issues.

Here's the link:

http://www.ecobroker.com/userdef/EBUpdates/EBUpdate9.08.htm#Election_2008_–_How_Green_is_Your_Presidential_Candidate

This is not an endorsement of either candidate. The important thing is simply to remember to VOTE! The last day to register to vote in Texas is Monday October 6th!

IRS issues guidance on tax credit

The IRS has issued additional guidance regarding the $7500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Click on the link below to find out more:

http://www.realtor.org/fedistrk.nsf/pages/wk09222008?OpenDocument&WT.mc_id=LS092408&CAT=Gov#report_4_09_22_2008

GREEN links added

It IS easy bein' green! To access recently-added GREEN links, just scroll down. The links appear to the right.

Watch for more links to be added soon!

just listed

green homes sell

One segment of the market remains strong—energy-efficient homes built with green, nontoxic materials.

This article in living green online magazine by Richard Kujawski is very informative and includes several good, green websites. It's definitely worth reading.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program is discussed near the end of the article. Last week I had the opportunity to complete the LEED for Homes Program Review Workshop hosted by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) in Arlington, TX. This was only the 2nd national presentation of this workshop - the first was held in Houston.

http://www.livinggreenmag.com/green_building.html

how the first time homebuyer tax credit works

Under the new housing bill, home buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years will be eligible for a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the property up to a maximum of $7,500. Here’s how it works:

The credit is $3,750 for married couples filing separately. Unmarried people who jointly purchase a home will be able to divide the $7,500 credit.

This program is actually a loan, which home buyers must repay over 15 years at zero percent interest beginning in the second year after they purchase the home. A home buyer who qualified for the whole credit would pay $500 for 15 years or about $41.67 per month.

The credit applies only to homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008, and before July 1, 2009.

High-income home buyers don’t qualify: Eligibility begins phasing out for single filers with adjusted income of more than $75,000 and $150,000 for joint filers. It completely phases out at $95,000 for singles and $170,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Source: Realtor Magazine, August 4, 2008

what is hazardous and how do we recycle it? let's keep America beautiful!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans generate approximately 1.6 million tons of hazardous waste each year. The EPA groups all waste into categories then places items on lists based on the ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity of each material. Most people suspect that gasoline, pesticides and herbicides make the list, but what about motor oil? Thermostats? Car batteries? Old prescriptions from the medicine cabinet? The EPA website Household Recycling pages provide lots of disposal information and relevant links. Go to http://www.epa.gov/Region4/recycle/householdrecycling.htm

A good, user-friendly place to start is http://earth911.org/. At the top of their homepage is a banner to enter what type of trash homeowners/buyers have (or just type “household hazardous waste”), along with their ZIP code or City, State. Press GO and a list appears of all HHW disposal sites within 25 miles of that area.

how many miles to the gallon does that home get?

The Ft Worth Star Telegram had an interesting article a couple of weeks ago related to a miles per gallon rating for homes. There are a number of interesting variables to consider when deciding WHERE to rent, buy, or build your next home. Here's the link:

http://www.star-telegram.com/118/story/816523.html

have I mentioned energy-efficient windows?

An energy-efficient home is truly a "system". One of the components of this system is energy-efficient windows. If you're planning to add or replace windows you may find the labels to be a bit confusing.

The NFRC label (National Fenestration Rating Council) appears on ENERGYStar rated products and allows for reliable comparisons. Energy Star requirements for windows vary by climate zone and are based only on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC).

U-Factor measures the window’s rate of heat loss. In Texas, ENERGY Star requires a U-Factor ≤ .40.

Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. In Texas, the ENERGY Star requirement is ≤ .40.

Visible Transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through the window in the range between 0 and 1. To maximize daylight and view, select windows with a higher VT. ENERGY Star has no required VT rating.

Air Leakage (AL) rating is expressed as cubic ft of air passing through a square foot of window area. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly. Windows ≤ .30 or less are recommended. ENERGY Star has no required rating.

Condensation Resistance is scored on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the resistance factor, the less condensation build-up the window allows. Again, there is no ENERGY Star requirement.

Here are a couple of links if you want to do more research:

http://www.efficientwindows.org/factsheets/Texas.pdf

http://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=2

an environmentally-friendly fireplace

In July I participated in the EcoBroker International Green Real Estate Conference in Denver, Colorado. Eco-Flame fireplaces were getting alot of attention from the attendees. The EcoSmart Fire burns clean and is fueled by denatured alcohol instead of wood. This totally new concept developed in Australia is an open fireplace which does not require a chimney. It was amazing how effectively this fireplace projected the heat! Here's the link if you're interested in finding out more:

http://www.ecoflameco.com/

what's the plan?

There's been alot of news coverage about the Pickens Plan for the development of alternative energy. Click here to find out more.....



View my page on PickensPlan

home energy audits

Today's Dallas Morning News Business Section referred to the increasing demand for Home Energy Audits. Here's the link to the article, followed by excerpts from my article related to Home Energy Audits published in April 08 edition of The Dallas Peace Times.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/energy/stories/080608dnbusefficiency.40f4d3e.html

..."Contrary to the way it may sometimes feel, individual homeowners are empowered to reduce energy usage, save money, and make a viable contribution to the greening of our planet at the grass roots level. But where do we start?

Taking steps to save money on monthly utility bills can lead to improving your home’s marketability. A Home Energy Audit is a step in the right direction! A home energy audit will:

* locate and quantify energy waste and comfort issues in your home,
* propose and prioritize reasonable, affordable solutions,
* provide an evaluation of the proposed alternatives, and
* calculate your payback timeframes and return on investment.

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is a not for profit corporation recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy. It is a national standards-making body for building energy efficiency rating systems. Find a certified energy auditor through the RESNET website at

http://www.natresnet.org/directory/raters.aspx

A reputable certified energy auditor will provide documentation every step of the way. Your energy audit will establish a benchmark by considering the current condition of your home and utilizing your recent utility bills. Your home energy audit will also show how your home stacks up against the Energy Star requirements before you make any improvements - vs - how it can be expected to stack up after the completion of the improvements. The report should include a priority list to quantify which improvements or repairs will have the greatest impact and attach a price-tag to each improvement individually....

The inspection will allow you to obtain maximum efficiency relative to your budget. You’ll be able to make an informed decision once you know the cost and the effectiveness of each of the recommended improvements. The payback calculation will give you a reliable estimate of the timeframe for you to recover your costs and begin to achieve a positive return on your investment.

Ask your energy auditor if they will apply the cost of the audit toward future repairs or improvements if you decide to hire them to do the work.

A home energy rating is now a recognized tool in the mortgage industry. Energy mortgages are available which credit a home’s energy efficiency in the home loan. Lenders are increasingly using energy mortgages to make homes more affordable and poising their companies to capture this new market trend. There are two types of energy mortgages:
Energy Improvement Mortgages finance the energy upgrades of an existing home in the mortgage loan using monthly energy savings.

Energy Efficient Mortgages use the energy savings from a new energy efficient home to increase the home buying power of consumers and capitalizes the energy savings in the appraisal. The RESNET website includes additional information about energy loans. Find out more at

http://www.resnet.us/ratings/mortgages/

What about tax breaks? Congress passed and President Bush signed legislation that extends the tax incentives related to increasing your home’s energy efficiency. Learn more at

http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/

To summarize, a home energy audit will give you the edge when choosing the green features most important to you and your family...."

energy-efficient cars

Last week my friend, Tully, let me test drive his SMART car. What a surprise to learn how large the interior of the car feels - and there's plenty of room for luggage or groceries behind the seats! Did you know you can reserve a SMART car for only $99?

There is alot of interest brewing in energy-efficient cars. A Dallas man is opening Dallas' first business devoted exclusively to selling all-electric vehicles. It includes a comparison of 3 all-electric vehicles: the GEM, the ZENN, and the EGA-2. Check out the links:

http://www.kvue.com/projectgreen/greenarticles/stories/073008kvueelectriccars-cb.19255139.html

http://www.gemcar.com/

http://www.zenncars.com/

http://www.smartusa.com/

waterpower

This is a very interesting video! With the high prices on gasoline it is an even MORE interesting concept!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF__Qlhtnws

green-o-vate your existing home

LIVING GREEN doesn't mean you have to build a new HUT!

Click on the link below to access 45 tips to GREEN the not-so-new house.

http://www.greenhomeguide.org/features/45_ways_to_green_the_not_so_new_house.html

a gift from our architects

We have completed Phase One of the design process and now have a floorplan with exterior elevations. The other day we received a gift from Brett Wolfe at Specht Harpman - Brett superimposed our photos onto the front yard of our new home! It looks like we already live there! What do you think?

Wallpaper* magazine's best young architects

Our architects, Scott Specht and Louise Harpman, are currently featured in the Wallpaper* magazine

"best young architects" directory for 2008. The print version of Wallpaper* magazine is now hitting the newsstands. Check out Specht Harpman's zeroHouse and their Modern Barn at this link to the online version.

http://www.wallpaper.com/directory/862

independence day in dallas

We enjoyed the 4th of July from the 19th floor of One Arts Plaza in downtown Dallas. We could see fireworks exploding across the entire Metroplex area. What a fabulous view! We hope to make this an annual affair!

investigating the geothermal option

We're planning to install a geothermal heating and cooling unit in our new energy-efficient home. Geothermal technology uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home or office using less energy than conventional systems. According to the California Energy Commission, studies show that approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable. Geothermal heating and cooling technology is efficient, comfortable, and quiet. The units are generally more costly to install initially than traditional HVAC units, but can produce markedly lower energy bills - 30 percent to 40 percent lower, according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who now includes geothermal heat pumps in the types of products rated in the EnergyStar® program.

Because they are mechanically simple and outside parts of the system are below ground and protected from the weather, maintenance costs are often lower as well. The underground piping used in the system is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free. The components inside the house are small and easily accessible for maintenance. Warm and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system.

Take a look at this video from Water Furnace which does a fabulous job of explaining how a geothermal heat pump system works for both heating and cooling. Of course Water Furnace is just one of a number of very functional units.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybfVoiN14HE

If you are interested in learning more about geothermal technology, here are some links to get you started.

http://www.geoexchange.org/

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/heating_cooling/geothermal.html

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_geothermal.htm

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/geothermal

EcoCab

My friend and client, Andrzej Kaminski, recently returned from a trip to Toronto, Canada. He sent me this photo of an EcoCab. Andrzej said "this is not a tourist attraction, it is a real cab..."

With a few adjustments would they work in Texas?

Thanks Andrzej!

power to choose

Jay and I feel it's important to select an electrical provider that uses 100% renewable sources. For this reason we currently use Green Mountain Energy and plan to continue service with them when we move to our new home. To initiate service call Green Mountain at 866.785.4668.

We've been very happy with Green Mountain & their rates are competitive. If you are inclined to compare rates and/or the level of renewable energy sources for all available providers for your area, click on the link below to see what is available in your zip code.

http://www.powertochoose.com/_content/_compare/

site visit

We had our first "official" site visit with our architects on 6/13/08. Louise Harpman, Scott Specht, and Brett Wolfe began by presenting us with 3 massing diagrams, 3 exterior elevation schemes, and 3 alternative floorplans. They were seeking our feedback re: the pros and cons of each of the alternatives to provide direction as they design the final plan. It was very exciting to see things beginning to take shape. We loved what we saw - Specht Harpman exceeded our expectations!



Here's a shot of us reviewing the LEED for Homes project checklist. That's me on the left, Scott Specht in the middle, and Brett Wolfe on the right. Photo courtesy of Louise Harpman.






After going over all the drawings we drove to the site and took another look at the drawings from the perspective of how the 3 elevations would look on our lot and the proximity to the trees and to our neighbors. We looked at our lot first and then walked through the entire project to get a general feel for everything from an overall perspective. It was fun and interesting to hear Louise and Scott share their insights. Photo courtesy of Brett Wolfe.

Now we wait.....they are back at the drawing board and we can't wait to see what they have in store for us next!

price of gasoline getting to you?

Gas is now over $4.00/gallon! A friend just returned from a trip to Norway and has reported that gas in Norway is now the equivalent of $12/gallon! It's difficult to consider ourselves lucky, but maybe we really are?

One of the criteria for a home's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is proximity to mass transit. Urban Reserve is only a short walk from the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) light rail station. At the current price of gasoline, DART is looking more and more inviting! Here's the link to DART in case you want to check your local schedule.

http://www.dart.org/

a great place to start

Austin Energy Green Building holds a Green by Design workshop four times a year - I attended in February and I loved it! If you're thinking about building green this workshop is a great place to start.

When I attended the workshop I learned about Eco-Wise. Recently I had a friend ask me about a source for environmentally friendly kitchen & bath countertops. Eco-Wise instantly came to mind!

Here are both links:

http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Building/Resources/GreenByDesign/index.htm

http://www.ecowise.com/

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.