Mari Trosclair

I am working with an investor client who is interested in low cost condo and townhome properties. We are, of course, considering location to public transportation, changing neighborhood demographics, etc. A new component of the due diligence for these properties is checking the Bed Bug Registry.

In our high income, ultra educated area there are already four confirmed cases of bed bugs. This may affect the property value for some time and will no doubt affect cash flow short term.

When showing properties where you consider there may be a possibility of bedbugs, fleas, etc. wear light colored pants. They will show the bugs the quickest. Do not take a purse or backpack in to these properties. Keep a trash bag in the car and change of clothes. If need be, you can change clothes and keep your infested clothing in the trash bag until you reach a washing machine with hot water. Freezing works, too.

This weekend I attended a two day workshop in Pittsboro on solar power. We discussed the pros and cons of grid tied systems (about 95% of systems), hybrid grid tied systems (more complicated but useful in areas that have frequent power outages) and off grid systems.

Other topics and exercises included:

· Using a multi meter to measure volts and current in various pv modules (panels)

· Finding the amount of sunlight a site would receive year round by measuring with a solar pathfinder (such a cool tool and great for gardeners, too!)

· Measuring temperature of the panel itself· .

Wiring the charge controller and safety disconnect to attach to the inverter, batteries and pv module that powers the small off grid Abundance Foundation office seen here in the picture

The skill level of the attendees was all over the spectrum; electricians, contractors, homeowners, non-profit staff, and moi. Our instructor, Rebekah Hren, a NABCEP certified solar PV installer and licensed NC electrician somehow kept us all engaged. I believe everyone left with loads more knowledge and skill than when they arrived on Saturday morning.

My reason for attending was to better serve my real estate clients buying or selling a home with solar components or systems. The experience with a recent transaction, mentioned here earlier, made clear having a good working knowledge of the difference in systems, a ballpark figure of cost/lifespan and how they work could translate in thousands of dollars in the cost of the home for buyers or the sale price of the home for the sellers.

During the transaction I mentioned earlier, I was working with the buyer and the lack of expertise of the appraiser sent by the lender in solar saved my buyer a bundle, but it was clear I needed a group a professionals to call upon the next time I have solar power systems in a property. Happily, I now can call upon the expertise of a team of professionals that include an appraiser with solar knowledge, lender with green certification, and solar inspector.

That's me below, genuflecting to the sun god.

Rebekah Hren and her husband Steven wrote a book featuring 36 projects to work toward The Carbon Free Home. While many of the projects might be extreme for most folks. Almost everyone can use some of the ideas and projects in the book.

Rebekah, who is a nationally sought after solar instructor for Solar Energy International. This month her new book, Let the Sun Shine In, a buyers guide to photovoltaics and solar thermal, will be available.

The holiday season is fast approaching. If fighting the crowds, the long lines and the parking lot at the Carrboro Post Office hold no appeal to you, drive on down 54 west to Harry's Market.

The have a contract post office with friendly staff and rarely a wait. In addition, you can shop for gifts, vitamins, grass fed beef, yummy baked goods and there is always a surprise.

During fall (if we ever GET fall) there is music on Friday and Satruday evenings. Wood fired baked pizza is available. Bring your folding chairs and relax!

When things break, they always break at the worst time. You know, on the weekend, during a party, etc. When our well pump stopped working it was in mid shower on the weekend. After a tirade of colorful language, my husband did the smart thing. He turned off the well pump. We had enough hot water stored in the tank for the necessities until morning.

Happily, we had the phone number to the repair person on a magnetic business card on our hot water tank and he came right away. Even though I have numberous resource numbers in my database, it was comforting to not have to rifle through names and numbers while under the stress of no water.

The take away? Have your repair service contacts at the point of the problem; electrician at the breaker box, HVAC person at the air handler, etc.

By the way, turns out a fuse caused our problem. My husband saved our pump by turning it off.

Bike to Weaver St. Market in Hillsborough! This home has two and half baths, the master on the main and two additional bedrooms upstairs. The marble surround fireplace is the focal point in open concept living space downstairs.

The charming wood fenced backyard provides entertaining and family space on the deck, in the gardens and on the playset. A large site built wooden shed is nestled among the trees.

The location is fabulous! UNC and DUKE are a 20 minute commute. The home itself is on a dead end street at the cul-de-sac.

Come see this like new home for more reasons you will want to call it home. unbelievalbe at only $169,900 MLS 1731121 Virtual Tour:
www.TourFactory.com/636018