Deep Energy Retrofits and Investing in Portland Maine Housing

For more than a few years now I’ve been thinking about how our homes use way too much energy.  How, I’ve wondered, will we make our existing homes significantly less energy dependent so that we’ll be able to afford to keep living in them comfortably?  For clarity, when I say significantly less energy dependent I mean reductions in total energy use of 70% or more for the typical house.  Techniques and technologies exist that can enable the typical home to become extremely energy efficient.  Committing to Deep Energy Retrofits (DER) is really paramount if we hope to afford to live in comfortable homes year round.  Calking holes and buying Energy Star refrigerators alone won’t do it.  Those things, however, are important and are part of a Deep Energy Retrofit. 

Portland Maine is home to some of the oldest housing stock in the nation.  It also happens to be a place where more and more people are coming to live.  Investing in bank owned properties and doing deep energy retrofits could possibly be one of the best long term investment strategies.  The best properties will be 4 unit buildings that are built in such a way as to make the DER technologies easy to apply.  A buy, improve, hold and rent strategy is the one likely to give the greatest return over time.  These are not “flips”.  For more information on how to select a building in the Portland Maine area for a Deep Energy Retrofit send me an email.

Revisiting my post from January 2008 "Time to Install Solar Hot Water in Maine"

In case you missed it in January of 2008 here it is again in it's entirety.  One update:  I installed my own solar hot water system in October of 2008.  I designed it and general contracted the work myself.  One word:  Fantastic! 

In the late 1970's when the Solar Hot Water Panels went on the White House we were getting back to a technology abandoned only a few decades earlier. Only a few short years later we would abandon this renewable energy technology again. I'll avoid a discussion of the politics here but suffice to say that fossil and nuclear energy companies didn't (and don't) like competing with the most infinitely renewable energy source (which falls freely on our heads and roofs!). Will we as a culture work aggressively now to put solar hot water technology on all of our homes and workplaces? The economics are so beneficial and easy to comprehend. The carbon output reduction is so simple to calculate. The planetary need is so obvious. The need for jobs in manufacturing and installation is so necessary at this time. Why wouldn't we do this? To learn more I recommend starting with the information at this link:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Alternative-Energy/2003-10-01/Save-With-Solar-Hot-Water.aspx

Let me know if you decide to do it!

South Portland's best deal on a Condominium

It is hard to believe but we have only one unit left here at Heron Cove!  Come live at 14 Cormorant Place.  A garden unit with it’s own patio and water views, this unit will be finished with hardwood floors and granite kitchen counter tops.  See the website for more details: http://www.whittenproperties.com/index.html

Energy Effiicent Homes in Maine...energy from the sun!

Kelsey Brook in Freeport (see the website here: http://www.whittenproperties.com/maine-green-homes/ ) is a beautiful location set amidst conservation land.  Working with local architects and craftspeople we’ve designed homes that will integrate into the landscape and provide much of the energy needs of the homes from energy freely arriving from the sun.  If you’d like to live in a beautiful and energy efficient home contact me and we’ll talk about how to make it happen.

Greening the Home (Really)

I've been daydreaming about writing the 20 things or 50 things version of the following article:  http://www.intlistings.com/articles/2007/greenify-your-home-100-tips-and-resources-to-make-your-house-environmentally-friendly/

Sarah Scrafford has done the 100 things version so well that sharing it with you is like shrinking my carbon footprint for the day!  Thanks to Sarah!

Energy Efficient Homes in Maine

Summer is almost here and winter seems far away but now is the time to get your home tightened up, insulated and to get your solar hot water system installed.  The challenges can be made easier by working with a qualified home evaluator and knowledgeable contractors.  With loans available from the State of Maine and from local banks and credit unions you can finance these energy efficiency improvements and keep your annual expenses within the budget.  Call me or email me to find out more about making your home more resilient in these turbulent times.  We all need to live in resilient homes.  Have a happier summer by preparing now for winter!

The Standard Bakery, Portland Maine

With a fresh loaf of Standard Bakery Organic Maine Grain sitting on my kitchen counter I was curious to get the ingredients list (I'm a curious home baker).  Alas, a quick Google search revealed what I suspected, no website for my favorite New England bakery.  Actually it was a relief.  They bake the best breads, rolls, breakfast treats, and other wonders.  They don't need more traffic at the store and they don't need the hassle of maintaining a website.  You, however, need to get to The Standard Bakery if you are coming to town.  The Standard Bakery is at 75 Commercial Street in behind the Hilton Garden Inn.  Call them at 207-773-2112 to find out when they are open.  You'll be glad you "found" them.

Time to Install Solar Hot Water in Maine

In the late 1970's when the Solar Hot Water Panels went on the White House we were getting back to a technology abandoned only a few decades earlier. Only a few short years later we would abandon this renewable energy technology again. I'll avoid a discussion of the politics here but suffice to say that fossil and nuclear energy companies didn't (and don't) like competing with the most infinitely renewable energy source (which falls freely on our heads and roofs!). Will we as a culture work aggressively now to put solar hot water technology on all of our homes and workplaces? The economics are so beneficial and easy to comprehend. The carbon output reduction is so simple to calculate. The planetary need is so obvious. The need for jobs in manufacturing and installation is so necessary at this time. Why wouldn't we do this? To learn more I recommend starting with the information at this link:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Alternative-Energy/2003-10-01/Save-With-Solar-Hot-Water.aspx

Let me know if you decide to do it!

Top Ten Reasons it's a Great Time to Buy...

Here is a pretty good rendition of the ubiquitous "Top Ten Reasons" to buy real estate right now.  This one is from Paul Pastore out in Arizona.  Most of what he talks about applies in Maine (except some of the Phoenix stats, of course).  Here it is in its entirety - thanks Paul!

1. Selection, selection, selection. There are about 57,000 resale homes on the market in Maricopa county(Phoenix). Regardless of the price range a buyer desires, there are plenty of houses from which to choose. Just a few years ago the resale inventory dropped below 5,000 units. A buyer was forced to make compromises if they were going to locate the home of their dreams. There is a great selection of attached homes, condos, and townhouses. You can find large lots, small lots, and a lot that will accommodate your boat or RV. There are lots of options in this market.
2. No Bidding Wars. In 2005 we had one client that made an offer on ten homes. They lost the first nine to the 'feeding frenzy' that existed. Other buyers bid the properties up substantially from the original listing price. There were escalation clauses where buyers authorized their agents to outbid other offers by thousands of dollars. There is no competitive bidding in this buyer's market.
3. You can make an offer. A few years ago when you made an offer, the only question was how high above the list price could the buyer reach in hopes of being the best offer on the table. Today the sell price list vs. price ration is about 96%. A seller will not be insulted if you 'make them an offer they can't refuse'.
4. Patience is tolerated. In the hot seller's market that existed everything was rushed. Find a house before other buyers did. Hurry up and make the offer.  Today a buyer can take their time. Look at several homes and think about your decision for a few hours.
5. Due diligence is welcomed. In this market a buyer is encouraged to obtain a home inspection, termite inspection, and appraisal. In 2005 many buyers waived these contingencies in order gain an advantage with multiple offers.
6. There are plenty of specs. In the not too distant past buyer had to 'play games' if they wanted a new home. There were lotteries and waiting lists in order to obtain new construction. Some buyers slept in their cars in order to get to the head of the lines. R.L. Brown estimates that builders have thousands of specs ready for immediate occupancy.
7. Repair requests are welcomed. After a buyer completes a home inspection, they are allowed to submit a repair request to the seller. In the past a seller might insist the home was sold 'as is'. Many times, there were back-up buyers waiting for a primary buyer to upset the seller whose home was increasing in value almost daily.
8. Few, if any investors. It is estimated that one third of all sales in 2005 were to investors. These non-owner occupied buyer caused the market to inflate and affordability to decline. Mortgage fraud became commonplace. It's a great time to buy without having to compete with hundreds of prospective landlords.
9. Location, location, location. Today's buyers can find homes closer to work. In the past buyers flocked to Maricopa and Queen Creek in order to find affordable homes. In this market, reasonably priced homes are within biking or walking distance to schools, rapid transit lines, and relatives.
10. Real Financing is available. The 'wink, wink' zero down, no doc, adjustable, sub-prime loans are gone. Fixed rates are back. FHA financing, first time homeowner bond programs, special loans for teachers, and police officers are back in business. It's a great time to buy real estate!

Featured: South Portland Maine Waterfront Condos

We are pleased to offer not one, but two fabulous condominiums in South Portland's Anchorage Place neighborhood.  These homes do not become available very often and, honestly, there are not as many waterfront condos on Portland Harbor as you might think - so these represent two great opportunities.  Both units have waterfront access via the adjacent marina.

The first is 9 Anchorage Place, offered at $385,000 with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and views of the Portland skyline from almost every room.

Then we have 10 Anchorage place - very spacious at more than 2,500 square feet and offered at $725,000.

These are truly must-see properties.  Give us a call to learn more.