A U.S. standard for green homes has emerged. On January 29, 2009, the American National Standards Institute, ANSI, approved the first rating system for residential real estate, the National Green Building Standard (TM) (ICC 700-2008). Encompassing not just single-family (detached) properties, but also apartments and condominiums, the standard will serve as a benchmark for green homes in the United States.
The green building standard will guide owners of green homes in operations and maintenance, plus remodelers and those working on residential development and construction. In defining practices for green building, this rating system will figure prominently in efforts for certification of green homes through the National Association of Home Builders’ NAHBGreen and similar programs.
While the rating system describes what’s acceptable for being considered green, it allows for variations in climate, geography, budget and style preferences. The year-long process to develop and approve this green building standard involved an international group of building industry, regulatory and environmental experts, four public meetings and more than 2,000 comments.
For more about the standard, visit the National Association of Home Builders Web site.
A U.S. Standard for green homes will provide a benchmark for home owners, builders, remodelers and local officials interested in green building practices.
Is Web 2.0 working for you?
Real estate professionals and consumers are making better, stronger and speedier connections through "Web 2.0" -- so it's our discussion topic for the next installment of the Third Thursday Technology Series at Keller Williams Alexandria/Kingstowne, VA. I'll be moderating the one-hour session, and seek comments from this online community -- so, please just post a comment or contribute feedback via www.HomeInNOVA.com! We'll be reviewing comments-to-date on Thursday, 05/15/08 at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET as part of the event.
For sparking conversation, I have fodder from the book Naked Conversations by Scoble and Israel and from the Web 2.0 article by Frank in the March 2008 issue of "REALTOR" Magazine. Browsing social networking site(s) (like Facebook) and reading blogs (like this!) rank as useful activities to learn about current online offerings, especially in advance of Thursday's tech talk.
We warmly welcome your presence, in person or via Web comments, and invite you to share your thoughts about Web 2.0 and real estate. Please help us shape the discussion!
Cheerfully, Lee
REALTOR, Certified e-PRO Trainer, eAgent 
 |
|
|
LEE ELLIS & HomeInNOVA.com Guide Clients to Buy, Sell & Invest in Northern Virginia & Washington, DC Area Homes - Offering Marketing, Staging, Technology, & Green Consulting for Homeowners and Agents.
My Northern Virginia home base, just outside Washington, DC, affords me a wealth of resources to meet clients, and their needs. I'm a versatile, energetic real estate consultant with a penchant for environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and high-tech homes, plus showcasing space to enjoy it to the fullest.
Home buying and selling can encompass a great deal of work, and streamlining the process is one of my goals, both for clients and colleagues. I work diligently to ensure a smooth sale and a smart move. I love referrals and crafting win-win outcomes!
Even if a home doesn't start as especially "green," a homeowner may transform a property into a reasonably resource-efficient, healthy, sustainable home. It's a matter of choices, budget and time.
Staging can involve a great deal of recycling, as I tend to re-use materials found in a home first, then purchase new items or bring in my own inventory to spruce up a property. Technology options have made home marketing more complicated for some, and my extensive background in computer applications, usability, information architecture, customer experience, online marketing and Web design helps in simplifying and streamlining projects.
My work encompasses:
Green and Eco-friendly Properties Technology and Marketing Consulting
High-tech Homes Staging a Home for Sale, Staging a Home to Live In
Homes for Growing Families Web, Print and Communications Design
For tips on making a home more eco-friendly and maximizing the marketability of a property, please feel free to contact me!
With a vibrant economy and so many people moving in and out each year, the Washington, DC area -- including southern Maryland and Northern Virginia -- offers a broad variety of homes, and they tend to keep their value fairly well, with positive appreciation rates on a five to seven-year average.
Northern Virginia, or NoVA as we often call it, is a diverse and robust area with great amenities. The area features terrific schools (including the nation's top-ranked high school) and nifty transportation options, and the job market is strong. The mid-Atlantic boasts mild weather with notably beautiful scenes each season.
What's different about my approach?
I offer a full range of services for listing a home for sale and for buyer's representation, and even leases, too. The details of marketing materials, brochures, signs, fliers, advertising, property make-ready, Staging, inspections, comparative market analysis, mortgage lender coordination, property mapping, open house events, showing service, document handling, settlement preparation, etc. are all included. And there's ample ongoing consultation after the initial agreements are signed. A guiding principle within my brokerage is to seek a win-win scenario for the parties; and we have the skills, talents and old-fashioned customer service attitude to accomplish that.
For more information about the area, or how I may help you sell, buy, invest in and lease property in Northern Virginia and beyond, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Routinely, clients say I'm a "Wealth of Real Estate Resources," so it's now on my business cards!
Customer Service is very important in my team; try us out!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
