GreenBlog SF

In this Article from Realtor Magazine, the IRS has finally told us what documentation will be needed to qualify for, submit and receive the 1st time homebuyers Tax Credit and the Step-up Buyers Tax Credit.  Move through these pages and click on the additional links to go all the way to the IRS website which gives you directions on how to get it all done!

I am not a tax person and you should always consult with your tax professional on all matters concerning your taxes, though I like to keep my clientele informed and make resources available to them.

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010022201?OpenDocument

Some quick tips for how to get organized and add some green and sustainable practices to your life.

1. Invest in a reusable water bottle….saves so many plastic bottles, and space in your kitchen for the palletes of water bottles.

2. Reduce your paper billing – whenever you get the chance to pay bills online- do so!

3. Bring your lunch to work and use washable/reuseable containers to cut down on wasteful disposable packaging!!!

4. When looking to buy or rent San Francisco Real Estate, think and look for GREEN properties, and detail with your Realtor, Landlord and anyone involved on how to make the property more sustainable!

Carbon Monoxide injuries and fatalities occur most often during the winter months.  Unlike natural gas, carbon monoxide has no smell and is virtually undetectable.  Closed windows limit fresh air circulation so that the danger of carbon monoxide poising is greatest.

Possible sources of that poinsoning are from gas burning appliances such as ranges, ovens, waterheaters, furnaces, etc. Malfunctioning gas burners, defective appliance flues or a damaged furnace are all conditions which can allow carbon monoxide to enter the living space.

Another common source of carbon monoxide entry is from either an improperly lit fireplace or a chimney with inadequate draft.  This could be caused from improperly lighting a fire, a partially opened damper or clogged chimney flue.

The symptoms vary from very mild (headaches, drowsiness, joint aches, dizziness) to extreme (flu-like symptoms, severe headaches, difficulty breathing, allergy symptoms, nausea). Depending on the level and length of exposure, carbon monoxide is lethal.  Carbon monoxide detectors (similar in design to a standard smoke detector) are readily available (drug stores, hardware stores,  home improvement stores) and cost under twenty-five dollars.  They are designed to sound a loud alarm when measuring any low level condition of carbon monxide.

In the City of San Francisco an Energy and Water inspection is mandated before the roperty can transfer.  During this inspection, the number, placement and effectiveness of smoke detectors are inspected, corrected and/or installed.  This is a perfect opportunity to ask for a carbon monoxide detector or the combination smoke and carbon momxide detector to be installed.  It may reflect a slightly higher cost for the Buyer or Seller but will be well worth the addition of an important detector that could save lives.  OR make sure that you update all of your current smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and go ahead and install them yourself – TODAY!!!

It’s true.  It’s New Years Day and I love to do things like clean out closets.  So my husband stays smartly out of the way and just came up to tell me that he had insulated our hot water pipes.

  Now you may have guessed, we are a GREEN household and always seeing to improve our recycling, energy efficiency, use of natural and re-use products, native gardening improvements and general home repair GREEn upgrades.  Natuarally I was pleased to hear he had insulated the pipes.

My husband also happens to be a plumbing contractor in the City of San Francisco and personally he is an avid recycler and energy improver! If he makes a plumbing call to your house, you can almost be sure he will advise you about what you can do to optimize your recylcling and energy comsumption.

Why Insulating your Hot Water Pipes are good:

The water in the pipe stays hotter longer so you are not wasting water, when you turn on the hot faucet – while waiting for water to get or be hot from that faucet.

We don’t have an exact figure, but this saves gallons of water.  Now you are a contributor in stemming the annual shortages in California, and to keeping your water bill down.

Our local San Francisco website for all things GREEN including         San Francisco Programs and Policies, Resources plus links to get anything recycled in SF!
Check it out at: www.sfenvironment.org

We are GREENing the Sky’s now as Southwest Airlines launches a green plane to their fleet.

They made the planes lighter, helping to reduce fuel emissions.  Their approach seems a bit gratuitous for now as they aim for replacing cabin materials with longer lasting product with the aim of reducing waste.  They have achieved LEED standards in Water Efficiency and more.  I’m always encouraged when any big businesss takes an interest in “being GREEN”.  I do love the name of Southwest’s Greening Initiative.  ”Our Planet. Our Plane. Our Plan. ” 

It’s similar to my San Francisco Real Estate initiative. Real People. Real Property. Real Service.

Link to Southwet’s Greening Initiative:

http://www.southwest.com/greenplane/?RMID=091107_IAN&RRID=ZXJpa2FidXJrZUB6ZXBoeXJzZi5jb20.&src=MAILIANWKND000000091107

Here is a Great Link for Goodwill Industries. They propose a wonderful costume recycling idea. You can gather friends and families costumes and pass them along! Click on the link to find a center near you!
http://app.en25.com/e/es.aspx?s=1259&e=139&elq=01cab37cba7548a696917571c63b8853

Remember to pass the word along.  I pass along GREEN Tips, recycling information and any other resource I have, every day in mySan Francisco Real Estate practice.

Howdy!  Look what I received today in my ValPak mailer.  A coupon from PG&E promoting Recycling, and energy savings.  The info below is what was on the coupon with all of their website links too!

Check out the program put into place by PG&E in San Francisco

It’s easy to recycle your old (still working) refigerator!  Guess who will do it for free and you will receive $35 dollars too!

www.ApplianceRecycling.com/PGE or PHONE 1-800-299-7573

Here are some other PG&E Links you might find useful

• Rebates on energy -efficient products for your home.  www.pge.com/rebates
• Winter Gas Savings – You can earn credit during the winter by conserving gas – www.pge.com/wintergasssavings
• CFL’s – Look for PG&E sticker and receive instant savings. www.pge.com/cfl

Here in our San Francisco market, I urge all of my buyers to gain pre-approval for a loan before they begin their home search. Many people seem to think that pre-approval is like applying for your entire loan, but it is not.

Once you have chosen a direct lender, Bank, or Mortgage Broker, they will ask you to fill out a loan application and assist you in gathering the necessary documentation and verifications to complete what will eventually become your “loan Package”.

Once the loan professional has verified your income, assets and employment, they are able to estimate the type and amount of loan you will likely qualify for. This will assist you in knowing what your monthly payment, insurance, property taxes and interest will be and in turn, you will know the right price range to look in when shopping for your home!

Now that you have that pre-approval letter you are ready to search. This will give you a competitive advantage, as you will be able to submit offers immediately on what could be the “perfect” property for you with that valuable pre-approval letter. This letter lets the listing agent know that this buyer is already working toward their loan approval and has the right income and assets to qualify for that particular purchase. What do you think about loan pre-approval and working with an agent. Do you feel it is necessary?