Green Real Estate Appraiser

Is Your House on an Acre and You Want More Than Lawn?

Posted on August 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

What about a self-sufficient Homestead?

Your 1-acre homestead can be divided into land for raising livestock and a garden for raising fruits, vegetables, plus some grain and forage crops.

You must check the zoning laws in your town to find out if this type of project is legal in your town. Some towns will not allow livestock or large gardens.

Will this add value to your home? Again it depends. If you are making a living from your farming that may be taken into account as your property may now be income producing. If you have further questions regarding value contact the appraisers at www.socalappraisalserv.com.Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/modern-homesteading/self-sufficient-homestead-zm0z11zkon.aspx

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only

What is a HERS Rating?

Posted on August 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

A Whole-House Home Energy Rating is a comprehensive evaluation of the efficiency of the entire home. The homeowner receives a written report that includes a numeric score or “rating” of the home, plus recommendations for improvements that will reduce energy bills and make the home more comfortable. Knowing the energy rating of your home is similar to knowing the miles per gallon rating of your car.

What kind of tests will they do in your home?:

Test and seal air leaks in the “building envelope.” They will do what is called a blower door test and the pressure test will show where the air is leaking out so you can “plug” the leaks and make your home less drafty. You want to keep heat and AC inside your home. Leaks let that conditioned air escape resulting in higher energy bills.
Inspect attic insulation to make sure you have properly installed insulation and possibly increase attic insulation to R-3.
Test and seal air ducts.
Tune-up the heating and cooling system.
Appliance tests.

Will this add value to your home? Depends. If you have a HERS rating that can be presented to the appraiser that is one tool for the appraiser to determine value for your property being energy-efficient. The appraisers at Southern California Appraisal Services have been working with UCSD’s Environmental Engineering Department on ways to use a HERS rating to determine value of a property’s energy efficiency. If you have questions regarding value contact the appraisers at www.socalappraisalserv.com

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes.

Property Spotlight – Biodegradable House

Posted on August 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

An architect and a artist have built a biodegradable house in northwest Ireland.

The couple purchased a five-acre lot in Cloone for around $12,500, and began to build a house that embodies their vision of sustainability. They went as low-tech as possible, used locally sourced materials, and minimized the building’s footprint. Their house all but disappears into the hillside, and will actually vanish if left unattended for a decade or so.

In the living room, the vertical timber columns that support the roof are in plain sight.

The couple built their house in deliberate opposition to a new status quo that has developed in this country in the last 15 years, due to a booming economy fueled by high-tech industries, the unification of Europe, and rising property values.

Disclaimer: For Information and Entertainment Purposes Only

Is Your House on an Acre and You Want More Than Lawn?

What is a HERS Rating?

Property Spotlight – Biodegradable House

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