Paul Chavez: Albuquerque Realtor, NM EcoBroker, and General Contractor

I am very excited to announce that Earth Origins Construction is gearing up to showcase our current green project, "Our Eco-Inspired Home", in the Green Built Tour New Mexico set to occur May 16th-17th 2009.

Our Eco-Inspired Home was designed to respect and honor the beauty and health of the earth, synchronizing green construction technologies with organic, natural aesthetics. This home reflects Earth Origins Construction's commitment to blending green building innovations with breathtaking beauty.

"Our Eco Inspired Home" features:

• Projected HERS rating at 56. Test administered by Larry Gorman with Building Energy Solution.
• Home exceeds high performance requirements of level 1 insulation of EPA's Energy Star Program. Insulation performed by Althouse Inc. normally reduceds heating energy requirement by 50%.
• Advanced framing:2X12 top & bottom plate w/ inner & outer 2X4 walls,24" on center for thermal break.
• R-50 ceilings, R-44 walls.
• Passive Solar Orientation.
• Thermal mass trombe walls & concrete floors.
• 93% efficient boiler.
• Energy Star Appliances, fans, & lighting.
• Cooling towers,window cross ventilation,overhangs.
• HVAC ductwork rigid pipe insulated w/R-6 Reflextix, 2 cooling zones, 2 stage air handler w/hyronic coil, 20seer 2stage air conditioner.
• Solar Tubes.
• Light stucco
• White membrane roof
• Designated switches for phantom energy loss
• Low-E windows.
• Advanced framing reduced wood requirement and headers were engineered laminate.
• Cork and concrete flooring.
• Cabinets locally built from sustainably harvested bamboo.
• American clay walls.
• No-VOC paint on ceilings, closets, and garage.
• Rammed Earth Trombe walls.
• American clay pigments in locally built concrete countertops.
• Cellulose insulation made from recycled paper.
• Sustainably harvested vigas.
• Doors locally made from U.S. grown Alder.
• "Fencing" made from rammed earth.
• Cork lighting fixtures.
• Locally produced concrete stucco.
• Soil supplemented w/organic compost.
• Non-toxic wood treatment.
• Roof rain water catchment system: Underground tank holds 1771 gallons.
• Grey water system:water from bathroom sinks, tubs & showers recycled.
• All toilets are Dual Flush (.8gpm/1.6gpm).
• Drought Tolerant/Native Landcaping Stragies: native vegetation, drip system, plants grouped with similar watering needs.
• Walkways and parking areas will be composed of permeable natural materials.
• Hot water recirculation system controlled by user on demand.
• Low-EMF design.
• Zero and low-VOC products used:American Clay, no-VOC Envirokote paint, Bioshield Sanded primer,all doors,windows, cabinets stained w/Bioshiled low-VOC resin & oil stain,kitchen & bath cabinets made from bamboo plywood (E-1 adhesives)& formaldehyde-free melamine,LEED conforming concrete sealer,non-toxic countertop & natural stone sealers,water-based duct work sealer.
• Ventilation:Energy Recovery Ventilator,ceiling fans,cooling towers,2nd kitchen exhaust fan,positive air pressure.
• "Active-ready" passive radon control system.
• Project is located in an infill site, served by existing roads, water and sewer.
• Land to be restored and enhanced to native, drought-tolerant landscaping, friendly to local wildlife.
• Family integrated into North Valley community, living in walking/biking distance to local library, parks, bike trails, farmers markets, and La Montanita Coop.

Now that we are in fall season, with some days feeling like winter, I am amazed at how much color still exists on in my mostly drought tolerant landscaped yard. This was the first year that I spent a lot of time planting, seeding, and gardening my yard and the aesthetic payoff has lasted months beyond expectation. So I thought I'd post a bit about the "wonders" of gardening a Southwest-inspired-by nature-landscape.

Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, anyone will tell you how dry it can get. And although it is imperative that we drink enough water everyday to keep our bodies healthy and hydrated, it does not have to be the case for our outdoor landscape. It only makes sense to plant trees and other vegetation that are native to the desert Southwest. Here are some things to keep in mind when we kick the Kentucky Bluegrass habit, plant some Buffalo and Blue Grama grass instead, and go the sustainable green path towards drought tolerant landscaping.

When most people think of the word "xeriscape" they conjure up images of a "zero-scape" yard: gravel, a cactus here or two, gravel, gravel, one boulder perhaps, and more and more gravel. Xeriscape has gotten a bad rap. Because it really just means creating a landscape which honors native vegetation.

Not only does drought tolerant landscape help to conserve our precious water supply, it is also easier to maintain and saves us money. (Who doesn't want to help save the planet, have more time to do what we love, and have extra bills in our pocket?) Xeriscaping supports the surrounding natural environment, by not only conserving water but also when you plant vegetation which is native to your particular area, your garden supports native wildlife too. Let your plants go to seed and provide feed for wild birds. Grow plants with purple, red, and yellow colors to attract and support butterflies and bees. So not only do you create a desert oasis of colorful, low-water vegetation, you also get to walk outside and be ssurrounded by our winged companions

These days when anytime a person hears the word "economy" it is never followed with a feel-good response. Growth and economy are never heard in the same sentence (unless it is something like "the US (or global) economy is experiencing fast, negative, rock bottom declining growth."

So I was happy to open up an email sent out by the Realtors Association of New Mexico Online News this morning to read that Housing Predictor forcasts the Albuquerque real estate housing market shows promise of stabilty, dependabilty, and maybe? even slight growth! The city of Albuquerque has avoided the subprime crisis and our economy is marked with healthy growth potential.

News like this is like taking a shot of coffee or wheat grass (for the truly smart health-inclined), to get one's energy, hope, and thoughts of possibility going. Let's start investing in a Green Economic Revolution and kick start a truly healthy economy across the globe. (And maybe sell some houses at the same time too!)

For most people, it comes as a suprise to learn that a home's interior exposes us to 2-5 times more pollution than we are exoposed to outdoors. Given that most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, and that many buildings are tightly sealed for energy efficiency, creating healthy indoor air is an important step toward "greening" our homes. Simple ways to improve indoor air quality are:

1) Increase air filtration and ventilation in your home. Just open up a window and let the air in.

2) Change your air filters in your heating and cooling duct systems often.

3) Grow houseplants. Plants not only consume carbon dioxide, they also filter out other pollutants.

4) Test for radon, the second leading source of lung cancer. Remediate with radon-filtering/ventilation system if radon is present.

5) Use only non-toxic cleaning solutions. Yes, most household "cleaning" solutions actually contain many cancer-causing ingredients, believe it or not. Save money by changing over to healthy household cleaning supplies. All you need is baking soda, lemon juice, borax, white vinegar, and a bit of elbow grease and you'll be covered.

Does anyone out there (in New Mexico) know of an appraiser that specializes (or at least has a wide knowledge base) in green home appraisals? Green built homes -should- carry a higher value per foot than do "non-eco" homes but there are so few green homes out there to compare.

In fact, The National Association of Realtors reports that Congress is actually considering legislation, HR 6078, which would require energy efficient, energy-conserving, and renewable energy sources be considered as improvements in an appraisal.

The house I am building right now is located in Albuquerque's North Valley, which anyone who knows, is itself a very diverse real estate market community. You can easily find a 70 year old 800 square foot house located next to a newly built one million dollar home. This house I am building is located just north of Griegos and West of Guadalupe Trail, an area which perfectly reflects the range of home values. So on top of getting an appraisal for a more difficult market to pin, I am also dealing with getting a fair and accuarte appraisal for a home which boasts offers features that are not normally included in a home (such as a rain catchment system, 12 inch walls, rammed earth trombe walls, etc), features which will also lower energy bills.

Any recommendations and/or thoughts on this issue are greatly appreciated. Thanks!