 Going Green ... One Change At a Time!
Welcome to Green Real Estate. This is our home page that offers information on green homes and green real estate information. Some topics include home improvements, bank incentives, Government Programs with Rebates and helpful "green" living tips.
"Green is now the “new black" Green Real Estate is on the rise! It is the direction the market is moving in. Homeowners are getting into the green movement and we are starting to see an increased growing demand by consumers to help improve our planet.
Most people are interested in becoming more eco friendly at home and that's important. Because a majority of your time is spent at home, any changes you implement there have a direct effect on your quality of life, increased health, reducing and lowering energy costs therefore making your home more energy efficient and helping save money. Beyond all that, having a green home will improve the value of your home, becoming a greater investment and most importantly affects the world around you in a more positive way.
Green is here to stay and it will likely become a big part in the way homes and buildings are built in our future. Anything you can do to protect and better the environment no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Remember "going green" ... only takes one change at a time!
Thank You to the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) for naming me "Green Agent" of the Month. Being a Green Agent and Member of NAGAB allows me to provide Buyers and Sellers important information on how we can be more Environmentally Conscious as Homeowners.
How Can A Green Agent "Help You" Buy Or Sell A Home?
Tracey Victoria Adams has been a full time award winning real estate agent specializing in Residential Real Estate with over 18 years experience. Tracey is a Certified Accredited Greenagent with the National Association of Green Realtors and Brokers (NAGAB). As an Accredited Greenagent, Tracey has specialized in Home Efficiency, Home Hydro usage, Green Heating and Cooling Systems, Home Energy Evaluations, Geothermal and Solar Technology. Being able to identify the benefits for green real estate not only makes financial sense, it helps our environment all at the same time.
As an Accredited Greenagent, Tracey can offer the following guidance:
It makes perfect sense from a buyers perspective to purchase a home that has been given superior energy ratings and uses EnerGuide related appliances and is built with many sustainable material available today.
For sellers green has become a great option to position properties in the real estate market, with energy costs increasing rapidly and increased awareness of environment issues in the general public, selling "green" means giving your property an edge on the competition.
Help the Planet, Help Your Wallet
CMHC has added environmentally friendly features to the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offers. If you use CMHC insured financing to buy an energy-efficient home, purchase a home and make energy-saving renovations or renovate your existing home to make it more energy-efficient, a 10% refund on the Mortgage Loan Insurance premium may be available. You could also have the added flexibility of an extended amortization (up to a maximum of 30 years) without a premium surcharge. Call Tracey today for further information.
Green up your home and SAVE!
Save money and help protect the environment all at the same time. At TD Canada Trust, they are committed to helping protect the environment and support customers who make environmentally friendly choices. When you go “green” with your mortgage, you’ll be eligible for cash rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified purchases or the purchase of CSA approved solar panels for your home.
* Rate discount - Get 1.0% off the posted interest rate on a five - year fixed rate mortgage or on a five - year rate portion of a HELOC.
* Cash rebate - TD will rebate you up to 1% of the amount of the mortgage or the fixed rate portion of the HELOC when you make ENERGY STAR® qualified purchases or the purchase of CSA® approved solar panels.
* Plus, TD will donate $100.00 to the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
* This offer is available to new and existing customers
If you have an existing TD Canada Trust Mortgage or HELOC fixed rate portion, you can renew or refinance it into this offer. If you are an existing TD Canda Trust HELOC, you can choose to lock-in all or a portion of the balance into the five - year Fixed Rate Advantage Option.
For further information www.tdcanadatrust.com/greenhome
Now For Some Great News!
To help home Ontarians The Ontario Government has taken 10% off your electricity bill - including electricity costs, regulatory charges, the debt retirement charage and taxes. You will receive the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit on every bill for the next five years as our province continues to build our clean energy future.
Fridge and Freezer Pick-up Anyone?
If you have a fridge or freezer that is 15 years old or more and in working condition, Hydro One will haul it out of your home and recycle it in an environmentally friendly way for FREE. So you won't have to pay or do a thing,
And by ridding yourself of that old, energy guzzling appliance, you will not only conserve enery and help the environment, but you can also save up to $125 a year on your electricity costs. Window air conditioners and dehumidifiers can also be removed if you book and appointment for at least one eligible fridge or freezer.
Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca or
visit www.HydroOne.com/fridgepickup or call 1-877-797-9473
What is a Home Energy Efficiency Audit?
A home energy evaluation measures the energy performance of a home. It identifies the annual energy costs for the home, indicates where the house loses heat over the year, outlines the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment in the home, outlines recommendations for specific improvements that will help improve each part of the homes energy efficiency, provides homeowners with a rating of their home and en powers homeowners with valuable information. Home energy evaluations is where the market is moving ... Be ahead of the game!
The Evaluation Process
1. A homeowner calls a certified advisor from the Natural Resources Canada and makes an
appointment.
2. The advisor arrives to conduct the evaluation.
3. The homeowner briefs advisor on the home.
4. The evaluation process begins:
Exterior Data Collection, Interior Data Collection and Blower Test
5. Reviews findings with homeowner and forwards evaluation to Natural Resources of Canada
on homeowners behalf.
Energy Efficiency Evaluation Report
In about 2-4 weeks the homeowner will receive the energy efficiency evaluation report.
It contains:
- The details of the evaluation.
- Breakdown of the home's energy consumption, estimated annual heat loss
and equivilent leakage areas.
-Recommendations for improvements throughout the home.
- Provide the EnerGuide rating of the home.
- Potential new rating of the home if all the recommended upgrades have been completed.
-Homeowners may qualify to get Ontario's rebate of $150.00 off of their first energy evaluation.
Benefits to The Seller :
- Gain a thorough understanding of the homes energy usage.
- Access to valuable Government grants and "green" financing products from major banks.
- Recommendations for energy efficient improvements that will help save money on home energy costs.
- Reduce energy consumption.
- Improve the comfort and health of the home.
- Sellers want maximum value for their home.
- Having the information up front can help speed up the sale process.
- Most importantly helps sell the home faster and for more money.
Benefits to the Buyer :
- Home owners want to know what they are "buying" thus giving homebuyers 'peace of mind'.
- Helps homebuyers gain access to valuable Government grants and "green" financing from major banks.
- Increase resale by high-lighting energy improvements already made to the home to the next buyer.
- Helps buyers improve the comfort and quality of their new home.
- Helps homebuyers make the best informed decision and helps them to save money all at the same time.
Help Celebrate Earth Day
Earth day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Earth day is a perfect time to reflect and think about what each of us can do to help protect our environment. We can all make a difference, one day at a time.
1. Fill Up - Ensure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on! Dishwashers are more energy and water efficient when used at off-peak times and remember to use the air-dry setting. Researchers have also found that machines consistently do a better job with less water - than hand washing.
2. Don't Waste - Don't run the water when brushing your teeth. Think of the water you will be saving in a full year!
3. Green Products - Consider using organic cleaning products, like vinegar, borax and baking soda.
4. Bag It - Bring your own bags to the grocery store. If given a choice between Plastic and paper, opt for paper.
5. Go Paperless At Home And Work - Consider reading your newspaper and magazines subscription online. Swith to electronic banking and credit card payments too.
6. Light Solutions - Replace your home's incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. You will save energy with the lower wattage it taks to power the bulbs but, also from reducing cooler costs- incandenscent bulbs give off 90 percent of their energys heat.
7. Buy Locally - Find Farmer's Markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food closer to home.
8. Vampires Beware of Phantom Loads - Unplug all of the electronics throughout your home when you are not using them. This will also help save your monthly energy bill.
9. Dry Smart - Dry two or more loads of laundry in a row to take advantage of an already warm dryer. Clean the lint filter before every load. A clogged filter can increase energy use up to as much as 30 per cent and also presents a serious safety hazard.
10. Composting Anyone - Why not start a compost in your own back yard. It's easy to do!
11. Thinking Outside Of The Box - At Holiday's and birthdays, give your family and friends the gift of saving the earth. Donate to their favourite environmental group, foundation or organizatiin.
12. Educate The Kids - Teach our children about the environment. It will be their future to protect!
Remember: Every day is Earth Day!
Think Green!
Live Green!
Save Green!
The ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program provides grants up to $5,000 to help homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient and reduce the burden of high energy costs. The Government of Canada has renewed the program from June 6, 2011, until March 31, 2012. Grants may not be as lucrative as they are now; in the near immediate future. What a great opportunity to save some green. Call today before this great program is no longer available.
| 
