Real Living Expert Advice | Real Living Blog

Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:23:56 -0400

Alright, so you recycle paper and plastic, limit your water usage and conserve gas. You’re taking strides for the environment, but maybe you’re ready for a more progressive leap. Try incorporating these principles into the foundation of your home by using eco-friendly building materials to spruce-up your space and add value. Here are some “green” products to blend into the interior and exterior of your home:

Accoya™

Accoya™ has recently gained a reputation for its durability and resourcefulness. A process called acetylation gives Accoya™ its competitive advantage—resistance. Accoya™ withstands water deterioration and UV damage for long periods of time. In fact, it has even been used to line canals. The self-sustainable nature of this product classifies it as an eco-friendly, renewable resource. If you’re looking for a great environmentally-friendly building material for boat decks, patio furniture, sheds or tree houses, Accoya™ is a great candidate for the job.

Bamboo

Consider using a dynamic and versatile material like bamboo to create an eastern aesthetic that works well in urban spaces. As a great organic alternative to plastics and carpets with high VOCs and toxic adhesives, bamboo is being used more frequently as an alternative to wood. It quickly regenerates after the stalk is cut, and provides a sturdy frame for sleek furniture and rugs. It can also be spun into yarn for bedding and drapery. Small urban spaces are an ideal setting for the clean, contemporary lines of bamboo furnishings.

Ekobe®

Looking for an eco-friendly, yet exotic flair? Look no further than Ekobe® tiles. These tiles add an organic feel to sleek, contemporary spaces as they provide the utmost durability. The texture of a coconut shell can provide an array of eclectic designs and subtle style. Bring the tropics to your home through Ekobe® tiles.

Teak

From the forests of South Asia, teak is one material you don’t want to overlook. It’s durable, eco-friendly and in high demand. Purchase new teak or search for old pieces to refurbish. Either way, teak is a great choice for living room furniture or backyard patio displays.

X-Board

It’s used in aerospace engineering, packaging and automotives, but it can also be an eco-friendly addition to your home. This extreme building material boasts a core composed of 100% recycled paper and 100% natural fibers. X-board’s light, but durable composition makes it a great candidate for tables, benches, partitions and countertops. Look no further if you want durable shelves or a cutting-edge side table.

If you have the option, try and reupholster furniture and reuse old materials. This is a simple, but effective way to promote eco-friendly living. It will also increase resale value. For more information on eco-friendly building materials, check out Real Living’s Green Program or contact your local agent today!

Real Estate Agents Expand Their Networks through Social Media

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:27:20 -0400

Are you looking for a new home, but don’t want to spend all weekend walking around neighborhoods? Well now you don’t have to. Many REALTORS® have joined in on the Web 2.0 movement.

Blogs— There are now hundreds of ways to search for a home online. One of the newer methods is through blogging. Updated about once a week with content ranging from listing information, marketing and more general real estate topics, blogs have become another great way for REALTORS® to highlight incredible listings. Blog sites like Active Rain allow REALTORS® to communicate and network with one another.

Podcasts— Agents have also turned to podcasts to increase listing visibility. Web sites like MLbroadcast allow REALTORS® to post audio and video podcasts of the homes they are selling. There are also hundreds of podcasts on iTunes about the real estate market, investments, mortgages, real estate talk radio and much more. Even the President of Real Living, Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, has an iTunes podcast feed.

Social Networks— Jumping into the Web 2.0 movement also means REALTORS® have started creating Facebook and Myspace profiles. This allows them to easily reach out to Generation X and Y, who are traditionally first-time home buyers and don’t always know how or where to look for an agent. Using social media sites allows agents to communicate instantly with their clients in a user-friendly manner. Clients are also able to see if that particular agent is a good match for them by viewing his/her profile. Facebook, Myspace and many others allow clients and agents to connect on a real and personal level.

Online Videos— The use of online videos is also popular right now. Sites that allow you to post video content, like YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace are slowly enhancing the real estate industry because agents are able to post virtual video tours of homes. Clients can then get a better feel for a home before even stepping inside. This feature of the Web 2.0 movement is great for people looking to move to a different city or state. Viewing a video of homes in the area allows them to narrow down exactly what houses they like and don’t like. All in all, the Web 2.0 movement is advancing the real estate industry by making it more enjoyable and easier for you to find an agent and a home that is right for you.

For more information on how to market your home online, contact your local agent today!

Home Emergency Kits

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:49:57 -0400

It's Better to Be Safe Than Sorry

Since emergencies can happen without notice, it’s important for you to prepare and be ready for all types of situations. Proper preparation can make a difference and ensure the well-being of yourself and the people you love should an emergency happen.

There are several great ways you can be prepared. One of the best and most important is to create a home emergency kit. Home emergency kits can be created using a large plastic container or a duffle bag. The container you choose should be large enough to hold at least three days worth of supplies, yet be moveable if evacuation is necessary.

Here are some items to include when assembling your kit:

One gallon of water per person, per day (warmer climates might require more)
Non-perishable food, low in salt to avoid excess thirst
Eating utensils, including a manual can opener
First Aid Kits
Battery powered flashlights and radios with spare batteries
Anti-stress items such as magazines, games, crosswords, etc.
If applicable, canned pet food and extra water
Blankets
Fire Extinguisher

Education is a key part of being prepared. Educate yourself and your family on proper procedures to take when an emergency does occur. Be certain that each family member knows where the emergency kit is located as well as how to use what’s inside. Following these simple tips will ensure that you and your family are prepared in case of emergency.

For more information regarding home emergency kits, visit www.ready.gov.

Purchasing a Historic Home

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:57:27 -0400

What constitutes a historic home and why should I buy one?

What Constitutes a Historic Home?

According to the National Register of Historic Places, a home is classified as a historic home through one or more of the following stipulations:

Associated with events that have contributed to broad patterns of history.
Associated with significant individuals in the past.
Important artistic or architectural aspects that represent a type, period, method of construction or particular craftsman.
Yield information on history or prehistory.

Benefits of Buying a Historic Home

Keeping this in mind, if you own or are considering buying a historic home, why would you want to spend your resources on such a massive undertaking? After all, historic homes require several inspections and continuous efforts toward preservation. Well, some individuals choose to preserve historic homes because they appreciate the home’s significance to the past or its unique architectural features. Others opt to restore and preserve historic homes because of the tax benefits involved. Check to see what tax incentives your state may offer to individuals preserving or restoring historic structures. A great place to start your researching is at the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information, contact your local agent today!