Luba Muzichenko

San Francisco Realtor

San Francisco Green

Gone Fishin'

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It’s that time of year for me again.  It’s time for summer vacation.  And as I do most years, I am heading up to Lake County for some fishing, boating, kayaking and general relaxation. This year, I’ll add smoke inhalation to the list thanks to all the fires that are burning, but I digress.

I’ll be back in town on the 12th Of July, and will resume the usual blog posting schedule when I return, along with a hectic listing schedule (I’ll have a handful of new listings on the market when I come back – check back towards the middle of July to get the full scoop on them.)

If you really miss me,  you can follow me on Twitter where I might pop in occasionally to say “hi.” 

When I come back, I’ll be ready to jump back into the San Francisco real estate market, so if you need help buying or selling property in the new year, know that I’ll be relaxed, refreshed and ready to work my butt off!

What's Hot in "Green?"

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Occasionally, I like to invite a guest blogger to share some insights about their field of expertise. Sometimes it’s about San Francisco real estate, and sometimes, it’s just about stuff that San Franciscans care about. Today’s guest blogger is Chris Connors of San Francisco’s Design Solutions, a team of Certified Green Building Professionals. He’s been kind enough to post here before in “How to Save Money by Remodeling Green” and “How to Keep it Green Underfoot”. But this time, well be discussing what’s in demand in the world of green building. Read on for Chris’s commentary about “Greening” your remodel.

Knock on wood (sustainable wood of course) that even with the current economic woes, being a green remodeler in SF is a good thing these days.   According the latest Remodeling Cost Vs Value Report, you can currently recoup 100% of your costs if you do a remodel of your kitchen, bathroom, basement as well as a deck addition and replacement of windows. 
 
And while greening your remodel may not increase your return on your investment (at least not yet), more and more people are asking that we “green their remodel” anyway.  
Here’s a list of what people are either asking for or what we are recommending:
 
Green Cabinets – Since most of our projects include a kitchen and/or bathroom, most of our clients have cabinets at or near the top of their list.  Bamboo is a popular choice but also a risky one due to the temptation to harvest the trees before they are mature enough which can lead to an inferior product.  Ask for FSC-certified bamboo now that is available.
 
Green Windows - Also referred to as “Low-E” windows, they have special glazing for using sunlight were it is needed (free heat and natural light) and deflecting the sun’s power when it’s not needed as well as glazing to minimize heat loss.  Specifying which window to use in which part of your house or building is called Passive Solar Design.  Most of the leading window manufacturers now offer a green window option.
 
Lighting – 50% of your lighting in your kitchen and bathroom must be energy efficient as required by the state’s Title 24 code.  We have been installing LED light strips under cabinets and LED light trim kits in recessed ceiling fixtures as an alternative to fluorescent fixtures since they don’t carry mercury which is a problem when it comes time to dispose of fluorescent bulbs. LED’s are also now available in different light spectrums including a warm option which is close to incandescent. 
 
Tankless Water Heaters – Also referred to as “On Demand” water heaters, they are more expensive than traditional water heaters but last longer and in most cases, more energy efficient and save water.  They come in different sizes based on usage so make sure to order the correct one or you could run out of hot water.
I hope that some of these ideas excite you.  If you have questions about green remodels or need advice on how to go green, contact us, we’re happy to help.

Free Canvas Grocery Bags for Luba's SF Real Estate Blog Readers

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A while ago I noted that San Francisco had put a ban on plastic grocery bags. Since then, many cities have followed suit, or at least have contemplated following suit.
The problem is that stores aren’t using the biodegradable starch based bags and instead are using paper bags – a big problem for tree lovers and trees alike. The problem is that while a paper bag won’t sit in landfill for thousands of years like a plastic bag will, it actually takes more energy to make a paper bag than a plastic bag.
My suggestion, although probably controversial, is stop selling paper bags too.
Stores can then charge anywhere from $0.10 to $0.25 a bag for the starch based bags. People will learn that you either need to pay up or bring your own bag. And stores can stop bitching that the starch based bags are too expensive and cut into their profits.
In Europe, everywhere I went I wasn’t handed a bag unless I asked for it, and paid for it. And no one complained.
My suggestion – bring your own grocery bags to the store with you.
What? You say you don’t have any reusable grocery bags? Give me a holler – I’ll hook you up with a free canvas grocery bag while I’ve got ’em.

I apologize, but I am no longer shipping the bags outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. (I actually no longer ship the bags – I either drop them off locally, or leave them at my office for people to pick up.)

The bags are to help people “go green” but the amount of energy it takes to ship something as small as a canvas bag across the country is very wasteful, as is the packaging required to ship it.

I hope you understand and I apologize for any inconvenience.