NASHVILLE GREEN HOME

A real estate investor's perspective on "green" homes

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:26:00 +0000

I found this interesting post on "green" homes from a real estate investing website. I do believe that some of these points apply to the average homeowner. I guess the moral of the story is to do your research on green products and be careful about the hype. Click here to read the post from the Bigger Pockets website.

Living Green Expo in Franklin this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:17:00 +0000

The Factory in Franklin will be the host of the Living Green Expo this Saturday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. For more info go to www.keepwilliamsonbeautiful.org.

Nashville home owners doing their own green renovations

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:22:00 +0000

Here is a cool profile from www.re-nest.com of some Nashville home owners doing their own green kitchen renovation. Click HERE to read more.

Info from the US Green Building Council on green remodeling

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:17:00 +0000

I talk a lot about new construction that features various green building certifications such as LEED and Earthcraft, but the fact of the matter is that there are many more existing home than new construction homes. That being said, there is a ton of interest in remodeling using green building techniques. The US Green Building Council has put together a pretty cool program and website that focuses on remodeling. The beauty is that "remodeling" your home can be anything from painting a room or two, to building and addition. Go to http://www.regreenprogram.org/ to check it out.

Results interesting on the TVA's energy efficient home program

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:31:00 +0000

This mornings article in the Tennessean describes the results that the TVA is getting doing research on energy efficient home. Going so far as to put solar panels on homes among other upgrades, the energy cost savings are significant, but the up front costs are significant too. One has to consider the pay back period on such a big investment. The fact is that big energy savings can be achieved without big costs, particularly to older and existing homes. Caulking, programmable thermostats, and weather stripping for example are all affordable and offer big saving. So, read the article here to see what you think.

From the City Paper

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:42:00 +0000

GREENER PASTURES IN HOUSING

In their post-flood rebuilding and rehabbing, many Nashvillians are looking for environmentally sensitive solutions.

By William Williams

In the wake of the Great Flood of 2010, Nashvillians looking to rebuild and rehab their homes are turning to “green construction” materials and methods, according to local industry officials. READ MORE

LEED Home Tour

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Join E3 Innovate for a LEED home tour Thursday July 22 from 3:00-6:00pm at 712 Ebenway Drive in West Meade. For more information click here.

Back in the saddle again

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:56:00 +0000

So, clearly it has been a while since I have posted anything. I have been slacking a good bit on the blogging side of my world, but I am back in action. I found a great blog post by Jim Simcoe who is a sustainability consultant for businesses and involved in real estate. This post pertains primarily to real estate, but has some useful information for us all.

10 of the Latest Green Trends

by Jim Simcoe on July 16, 2010

I thought I’d some green trends I’m seeing in the real estate marketplace right now. This isn’t proven, specific data but these are real trends I am seeing on my projects all over the US Right now I am working (or about to work on) projects in NJ, Pittsburg, San Diego, Los Angeles, Detroit, Florida, Arizona. Here’s what I’m seeing:................

CONTINUE READING

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:36:00 +0000

Spring, the time of the year when the temperatures start warming up and energy costs start rising. All homeowners will have to replace an HVAC system, windows, a roof, or insulate at some point. Whether you are performing these upgrades for a more energy efficient home or need to do a routine replacement, there are tax credits out there that can make the cost of certain repairs easier to stomach.

The current Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency program is set to expire at the end of 2010. A homeowner can receive up to $1500 in tax credits for the purchase of a new energy efficient product. So, if you have already done some work or are planning to do some work on your home, click here to see what tax credit for which you may be eligible.

Want to live in a metal box?

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Cool article from Earth911. Old shipping containers are now being recycled to be used as eco-friendly and affordable housing. Pretty cool idea. It would be similar to modular housing. Mobile, cheap, and earth friendly. There could be tons of useful applications for this type of housing. Take a look here.

From our friends at (n)-Habit

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:22:00 +0000

This is a post swiped from the blog of (n)-Habit. If you are not familiar with them, they have a great environmental supply store in the 12South area. This post is about Nashville and the LEED for homes program in our area. Check it out here.

Brentwood municipal buildings going green

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Think about all of the large municipal buildings out there in cities just burning through the electricity. Inefficient lighting, computers that are always on, and old HVAC systems running, can cause municipalities to burn through a lot of money operating their buildings. Private commercial buildings are getting leaner and greener each year, and more municipal buildings are jumping on the wagon. The city of Nashville requires all new buildings to have LEED certification, and now Bretnwood is getting more efficient. The money and electricity that they are saving is astounding. Check it out here.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Houses Shrink, But Some 'Must Haves' Remain

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:56:00 +0000

It is interesting, but no surprise given the economic times, that home buyers are purchasing smaller homes. Home buyers are still demanding a lot of features in a home despite a smaller package. Of note, energy efficient appliances and windows, and programmable thermostats.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Houses Shrink, But Some 'Must Haves' Remain

Going Mainstream

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:56:00 +0000

Here is a link to a great post from Jed Peterson at Allard Ward Architects in Nashville about how we can take green design and construction mainstream. Jed raises a lot of great questions that may only be answered in the future. Read it here.

Nashville continues to be recognized for green efforts.

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:49:00 +0000

Most Nashvillians are familiar with a lot of the "green" progress that has been taking place in our city, but Nashville is becoming more and more recognized outside of our city. Check out this article from Livability.com. Read it here.

Mayor's Green Ribbon Council Report Card

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:46:00 +0000

The Mayor's Green Ribbon Committee has been one of Karl Dean's most interesting and bold initiatives while in office. It has certainly been interesting to see how many of the goals that the Green Ribbon Committee laid out have been accomplished. Either way, I can appreciate the the effort at least. Check out this article from the City Paper discussing how successful the committee has been. Click here to read.

Top 10 Green Building Products of 2009 from Waller Sustainability Blog

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:02:00 +0000

Cool list of the Top 10 Green Building Products of 2009. Some are a little out there, but several could be applied to current home construction. Check it out here.

"Zero" energy homes at Ft. Campbell

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:59:00 +0000

Pretty cool article about the effort to build LEED Platinum homes at Ft. Campbell. Nice to see the army going for it. The savings numbers were pretty impressive. Read more here.

Blog about local couple's construction of LEED home

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:17:00 +0000

A local Nashville couple has started a blog about their construction of their LEED certified home. Check out their blog here. They are using local architect Mark West and builders Green Home for the design and construction.

Gateway Village Is Rutherford County's First LEED-Certified Building

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Murfreesboro will getting it mixed use facility that will have LEED certified components.

Read More

Nashville's green policy featured in American Institute of Architects report

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Nashville has been featured as a case study conducted by the American Institute of Architects. Nashville was recognized for several green policy decisions including local and state green initiatives such as the mayor's Green Ribbon Committee. Check out the link below for the case study.

The American Institute of Architects - Local Leaders in Sustainability Homepage, Local

National Trust for Historic Preservation balances preservation and sustainability

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Recently, the National Trust For Historic Preservation met in Nashville and created what they call the Nashville Challenge. The Trust is working hard on ways to balance historic preservation with sustainability. It is an interesting challenge indeed, but very necessary. Click here to read more about the Nashville Challenge and provide feedback.

Habitat for Humanity building green homes in Franklin

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Habitat for Humanity is building green homes in Franklin following the National Association of Homebuilders green building standards. It is great to see that even affordable homes are being built using green building techniques. Hopefully, we will continue to see green homes available to a larger portion of the population. Click here to read more.

Green Jobs Conference

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:37:00 +0000

There will be a green jobs conference on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at the Cohn Adult Learning center. The conference is sponsored by the Tennessee Alliance for Progress and features a large number of local environmental organizations. Click here for more information.

A little inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (TOM HALL EcoBroker, ABR) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:05:00 +0000

The GreenSource website highlights a different sustainable home each month. Check out these home for a little green living inspiration here.