Energy Efficiency, Green Homes, Sellers

Low cost/affordable energy improvements available for 2,000 homes in Central or Southeast Seattle NOW

Leave a comment

I recently learned of a company that has entered the Pacific Northwest home+energy market, called Energy Savvy. They have been contracted by the City of Seattle to provide a method to roll out affordable energy efficiency upgrades to home owners. It’s called Community Power Works. A press release in April provides the meat of the matter, but here is a brief summary:

Community Power Works for Home plans to upgrade 2,000 homes in its service area over the next two years. The project serves the central and southeast neighborhoods of Seattle, areas which have historically been underserved by energy efficiency programs. It will give residents of those neighborhoods an affordable way to make their homes more comfortable and healthy while making energy-efficient upgrades to their homes.

“Our leaky old houses waste so much energy, it’s like having a window open 24 hours a day, every day of the year,” says contractor Jason Lear, of Batt + Lear, a Seattle green design/build company. “We find our customers like having a home that is far less drafty. They had no idea how much more comfortable they could be in their home, in winter and in summer. And what so many people don’t know is that when you improve the energy savings of a home, you inevitably improve the comfort, the durability and the health of the home, too. ”

Community Power Works for Home is part of a $20 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant awarded through the Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings program. Over a two-year period, Community Power Works is leveraging these federal dollars to produce an additional $25 million in economic activity in the region from state funding, utility rebates, and homeowner investments in their homes. All of this investment will put a charge into a local green industry to preserve and create hundreds of living–‐wage jobs, help homeowners save energy, and reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

(read the whole press release here.)

Community Power Works offers:

  • A deeply discounted home energy assessment. Thanks to incentives from Seattle City Light, this assessment costs only $95 – a $305 savings.
  • Certified contractors to do the work.
  • Rebates and incentives to bring down the cost of your upgrade by up to $3,000.
  • Affordable loans with easy terms to qualify.
  • Energy Experts to help you every step of the way and make sure the job is done right.

From their website:
Community Power Works is offered by the City of Seattle with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the program is to achieve energy savings of at least 15 percent in each home served. The special incentives and financing are available only to projects that meet or exceed this savings level.

See if your house is inside the coverage area – map here.

What all of this means is that you need to jump on this opportunity if you are within the area served. Not only will you save money on your utility bills (I know you keep hearing this over and over) but what it ALSO does it make your home more sell-able in the future.

I can talk about this all day. If you’re interested in learning more about this whole concept of a “house as a building system” and nothing more, and how to improve your current home, please talk to me. Send an email using the button on the right, message on Facebook, or call me at 206.686.HOME (4663).

Thanks! and have a wonderful weekend!

Wendy Hughes-Jelen

Uncategorized

How much insulation do I need in the attic of my Seattle home?

Leave a comment

I was asked to write a 200-300 word response to the question, “How much insulation do I need in the attic of my Seattle home?” This comes in at 298 words. I had to keep editing it down so if I had my own way it would have more information, but this is all the words that would fit the space!

Getting Started
As a homeowner you might wonder where do I start with this whole attic insulation project? What type of insulation should I use? How much do I need?

In Seattle it is recommended that your total insulation obtain a factor of R-38 to R-49 (38 if you are using oil or gas or a heat pump with forced air heating, 49 if you are using electric heat like a baseboard or forced air register). The “R” means a measure of insulating power or “ability to resist the flow of heat”.

Attic insulation for the Do-It-Yourselfer
You can choose between roll out insulation (batts can be made of fiberglass of cotton from recycled denim), or “blown in” insulation, which is loose (cellulose, fiberglass, or rock wool) and can be purchased by the bag.

To know how much to add determine how much you currently have. Each inch in depth of your current insulation corresponds to an R factor depending on the material it is made of. Multiply the factor number to the number of inches in depth currently in place, and then make up the difference to reach 38-49 with new insulation.

How do I calculate how much I need?
1) Measure the length and width of your attic space in “feet”
2) Multiply those two numbers together to get the total “square feet”
3) Then you just need to buy enough material to cover the whole attic!
*Be sure to check the label for batt width (if you have joists), and R-value for the material.

If your attic is constructed so there isn’t enough space or access to put in the full amount you calculated, just add insulation where you can. Be sure to wear eye protection, gloves, and long sleeves! And maybe get some help!

Buyers, Sellers, Uncategorized

Outdoor living spaces can really sell a home

Leave a comment

There’s a reason why summer time helps sell your home – your yard is looking at its best. Curb appeal makes so much difference, you really can’t ignore it.

“Outdoor living spaces” have been a huge trend in the last 5 years. During recession time families have spent more time at home “cocooning”, so have invested time and money on making their homes and outdoors spaces more enjoyable.

An added green bonus: If you keep your gardening spaces and lawn pesticide free, this is really a selling point for families with children and pets, since lawn fertilizers and weed killers and bare feet/paws really don’t mix.

There is an article in today’s Realty Times that gives some more Summertime Selling Tips.

Also, HGTV has a great article out today,
Beautify your outdoor living space with easy-to-tackle projects that can be done in a weekend or less

If you are in the Seattle area and are looking to buy or sell a home, or RENT and need to move, please contact me at 206.686.HOME (4663) for a more personalized search experience.

Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive
EcoBroker Certified® | Earth Advantage® Broker | Built Green® Certified Professional

SW Cycle Court in the Built Green Certified neighborhood of High Point (in West Seattle) - is reminscent of a beachside village retreat.

UPDATE: 6/17/2011
Landscape Appeal Helps Sell Homes
———————————
If you’re like many sellers, listing your home for sale creates a challenge to keep the home show-ready at all times. That can be difficult enough.
Full Story: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20110617_landscape.htm

For Rent, Uncategorized

Frustrated with trying to find a place to rent in Seattle?

Leave a comment

Are you one of those people beating the Craigslist bushes trying to find a decent place to rent? You probably did not know that real estate brokers also have access to a list of rentals that often are not marketed for rent anywhere else.

How do rentals work when using a real estate broker to find one?
It does not cost you, the renter, anything out of pocket. Much like a home for sale, it is the property owner who pays a commission to an agent who lists their property for rent. Often it’s part of the fee they pay to be provided full time management of the property. That rental listing agent decides what to offer to other agents who might bring a good tenant. The property (condo, house, sometimes small office) is listed in the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) and it says in the listing what it will pay to the agent bringing a tenant who passes screening and signs a 12 month lease. Most often it is one week’s rent in compensation, sometimes between $200-$300.  And actually, the money always goes to the brokerage first, the agent just gets whatever is agreed upon between them and their managing broker.  So in my case, my company would keep 35% of that, I would ultimately see only 65% of tbe a commission dollar amount. 

So why do it?
I feel called to help people with rentals. I first got my start in property management over 20 years ago, and have about 5 years in residential/multifamily property management experience, along with a couple years spent in retail/office management as well – all at the corporate office level. I understand tenant’s rights, landlord’s obligations, and from a home-search perspective, how to help the renter prioritize their life to pick the right place to live.

Of course the amount I get paid does not take into account how many hours it takes to match the right person with the right property. Last week I sunk 10 hours and three tours into trying to find a cohabitating couple a place to rent when they couldn’t even agree on what they were looking for. Ultimately they found their own place, probably off CL, which in itself is a miracle since they had been looking for 6 months. The fact that they had been looking for so long is actually a tip off that it would be nigh on impossible for me to find something that would suit both of them. I’ve worked with home BUYERS for much less time, shopping wise, but then there is the work of managing the sales contract to sucessful closing. When helping with rentals, all I do is tour people around, help them pick one, and then hand them over to the listing agent to manage the screening process and signing of a lease.

But I like a challenge and I love solving people’s problems. In last week’s sitation, it got me out into the field to tour rentals which I normally wouldn’t have seen and to observe human interaction, often amusing, sometimes frustrating!

Tenants deserve service too!
So that’s why I bother to help renters find a place to live. Tenants deserve service too! The competition for rentals listed in the NWMLS is equal to how many real estate brokers who “bother with rentals”. Honestly that’s not too many so if you team up with a professional working in your area they could really shorten your search and often you end up in a professionally managed property, making your entire rental experience so much better. No more lazy, law-breaking landlords! If you continue searching on your own you should target rentals being advertised by a management company, it’s an extra voice on your hebalf when problems happen with the property.

Seattle Homes and Condos For Rent
So as of Saturday afternoon Memorial Day weekend, this is what is currently for rent in Seattle

And my personal area of expertise? See what’s for rent in West Seattle

I am in town this weekend so if you want to talk about finding a new place to rent, call me at 206.686.HOME (206.686.4663)

Have a great holiday weekend!

Uncategorized

Complimentary passes to Get Motivated! – Fabulous lineup of speakers June 7th (Value: $225 at the door)

Leave a comment

Get Motivated! – Fabulous line up of speakers and entertainment June 7th. I am handing out 120 complimentary tickets to the KeyArena or ShoWare Satellite location.

What a lineup of awesome and inspiring speakers to get everyone recharged midway through the year. I ordered 120 tickets to this event and I am giving them to people who will really benefit from this injection of energy and expertise.

Here’s who’s coming:
Former First Lady Laura Bush is a Special Guest
Rudy Giuliani, America’s Mayor speaks on Perseverance
Bill Cosby, America’s Favorite Comedian speaks on Success
Joe Montana, The NFL’s Greatest Quarterback speaks on Teamwork
Brian Tracy, America’s Authority on Selling speaks on Sales & Negotiation
Gen. Colin Powell, World Famous Soldier Statesman speaks on Leadership
Dan Rather, Award Winning Journalist speaks on Communication
Howard Putnam, Acclaimed CEO of Southwest Airlines speaks on Management
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Celebrated Four Star General speaks on Excellence
Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes, Inc. speaks on Business Skills

You need to connect with me in person before June 7th to get your free ticket(s). The speakers will be live at KeyArena, and they will be broadcasted at the Satellite location ShoWare Center. If you go to the ShoWare Center you get lunch, a workbook voucher comes with your ticket, and many of the speakers will be coming directly from KeyArena to ShoWare for in-person Q&As and to autograph books.

I will be attending the ShoWare Center event with my husband. I have 120 tickets total between the two locations. At the door it will cost $225 to get in. I will give you tickets for free. Contact Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive, by email at wendyhj@greenspacesrealestate.com or call her AccessLine at 206.686.4663.

Uncategorized

MINI SUVs – drive and compare on May 25th in Fife

Leave a comment
Sophia, Italian greyhoud, co-pilot and sidekick

MINI Rocks the Rivals competition driving tour arrives at Northwest MINI in Fife next Wednesday. This is your chance to test drive a MINI Countryman (4-wheel drive) and then also drive and compare it to a Nissan Juke, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Toyota Rav.

I’ll be there at 2 pm. I am still waiting for the MINI Electric – but if they GAVE me one I would take it. A chance to win a 2011 MINI Countryman just for showing up!!!

Of course there IS no comparison to a MINI, in my opinion. A Rav, seriously? hehe

Read about the KISS-inspired MINI Countryman SUVs and see one of them on Wednesday.

Uncategorized

“Remodeling at Highest Level in Four Years”

Leave a comment

Gee, look at this. Right after I posted information about a loan available for remodeling/energy efficiency improvements to your home! I guess we already knew this.

Remodeling at Highest Level in Four Years
—————————————–
Spending stalled across the board in the housing market over the past few years. As lending tightened, many buyers found themselves foregoing moves and holding off on remodels. That trend is changing, however, as consumer confidence returns and homeowners once again gear up for remodeling projects.

Read the Full Story