Green Your Home: Save Now and Profit Later

With apologies to Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog, it is easy being a green homeowner. And it may be profitable, too.

To green your home you need to invest in a number of energy and water-saving measures that result in lower energy costs. While the initial cost of your green investment may be higher, greening your home can give you an immediate saving of 30% to 60% off your energy costs. Incentives offered by government and local electricity distribution companies will help too.

Best of all, when it's time to sell, you've increased your home's resale value - some say by as much as 10%.

A simple change of habits can start you on the road to a green home: For example, toasters, microwaves, computers and TVs steal "phantom power" - even when they're not in use. Unplug them for lower electricity bills.

Going greener may be as simple as installing energy efficient lighting, upgrading your appliances to Energy Star-rated products and switching to low-flow toilets and water-saving shower heads.

Outside, planting large deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your home moderates the temperature. The result: lower heating and cooling costs and an attractively landscaped yard.

To kick it up a notch, you could really reduce costs with energy efficient windows and insulation. A high-efficiency furnace will quickly pay for itself; as will an energy friendly air-conditioner.

You may even opt for installing solar panels to reduce your dependence on the electricity grid.

And when you're renovating, why not consider a green reno, using toxin-free building materials, cork or bamboo floors and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint.

Ready to sell? Don't forget to trumpet your green investments. They may just sell your home.

Why do I need a home inspection?

Because most homes are sold in as-is condition, it is up to the buyer to investigate the condition of the home by having a home inspection.

1. Negotiate a home inspection contingency in your purchase contract. A week to 14 days is standard.

2. Hire a certified home inspector to do a home inspection for you. Your real estate agent can recommend someone he or she trusts.

3. Review the written home inspection report carefully and ask the home inspector any questions you may have.

4. Get three estimates from licensed contractors regarding any home system repairs that are needed. Obtain a referral from your agent, a friend or a family member. Ask for the contractor's references.

5. Having information about the condition of the home is important for making the right investment decision.

Face Lift

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There are so many media sites that you need to be part of to stay connected in your profession. Internet presence is a full time job and is time consuming.
I hope the appearance is acceptable and look forward to adding post in 2012

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Home Inspector

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Affordable Home Inspections: Air handler Flow

Affordable Home Inspections: Air handler Flow: The return air is questionable and should be explained how the first and second floor is divided and how much return should be from ea...

Air handler Flow

The return air is questionable and should be explained how the first and second floor is divided and how much return should be from each floor.The first floor appears to have more square footage and one would think it would have the same and or larger return then the second floor.


As installed the first floor and second floor has 16x20 returns. One is in the first floor ceiling and one is above the door at the air handler. The first floor return is reduced to a 12" x 12" box installed at the floor of the air handler (why reduced) while the second floor above the door stays the same.