Santa Monica Property Blog

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO BUY + INSTALL GREEN ROOFS ON YOUR REAL ESTATE

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO BUY + INSTALL GREEN ROOFS ON YOUR REAL ESTATE

Green is still good. The latest government motivation is toward green roof installations.

Among the benefits of the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 (S.320) introduced by Sen. Maria E. Cantwell (D-Wash.) is to provide financial incentives for homeowners or commercial building owners which chose to install green roofs on their buildings.

A green (or sod) roof features of vegetation-usually drought-tolerant plants, or shrubs-that is planted in a growth medium. The roof generally involves a multilayer system of waterproof and root-repellent membranes, a drainage system, filter cloth, and lightweight soil.

Sedums are a suggest plant, as the 400+ varieties range from annuals and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves.

Green roofs have been around for thousands of years.  One of the first notable appearances of green roofs occurred in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon around 500 BC.  The site is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The thrust of the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 is to create green-collar jobs and revitalize the economy through clean energy investments.

Section 506 of the bill, offers property owners a 30 percent tax credit for qualified green roof expenses. The tax credit applies to both new and retrofit projects, but it requires that at least 50 percent of the roof area be covered with vegetation. 

“This is a watershed moment for the green roof industry,” observes Steven W. Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which worked with the American Society of Landscape Architects to help Sen. Cantwell’s office draft the section of the bill that is focused on the green roof incentive. “This bill will deliver an enormous number of green collar jobs, not just today, but also in five years from now, while also saving energy, improving stormwater management, cooling cities, cleansing the air, and

beautifying our rooftops.”

Modern green roofs trends began in Germany in the 1960s; today, it is estimated that about 10% of all German roofs have been “greened.” Several European Countries have very active associations promoting green roofs including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Sweden and the UK. The City of Linz in Austria has been paying developers to install green roofs since 1983 and in Switzerland it has been a Federal law since the late 1990s. In the UK their up-take has been slow but a number of cities have developed policies to encourage their use, notably in London and Sheffield.

Green roof advocates note a variety of benefits for property owners, including added insulation and cooling. It has been found that they can retain up to 75% of rainwater, gradually releasing it back into the atmosphere via condensation and transpiration, while retaining pollutants in their soil.

“If you install enough in an area, it cools the area, which saves money in energy costs and limits greenhouse gas,” offers Peck.

Cities like Los Angeles can truly benefit from the cooling effect, as green roofs reduce the “heat island effect,” a situation in which traditional building materials such as asphalt roofs in a city-absorb sunlight and radiate it back into the atmosphere as heat, making cities at least 4 degrees Celsius (7 °F) hotter than surrounding areas.

The new California Academy of Sciences building in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has a green roof that provides 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) of native vegetation designed as a habitat for indigenous species, including the threatened Bay checkerspot butterfly. According to the Academy’s fact sheet on the building, the building consumes 30-35% less energy than required by code.

Green roofs have also been found to dramatically improve a roof’s insulation value. A study conducted by Environment Canada found a 26% reduction in summer cooling needs and a 26% reduction in winter heat losses when a green roof is used. In addition, greening a roof is expected to lengthen a roof’s lifespan by two or three times, according to Penn State University’s Green Roof Research Center.

Another upside of green roofs is added local employment, as green roof installations tend to be local projects. “For every dollar spent, the $2 or $3 generated goes toward creating jobs where the roof is installed,” he boasts.

Sen. Cantwell noted this benefit as well in a statement introducing the bill. “In these times of economic uncertainty, growing the green economy and investing in clean energy technologies is the key to job growth and breaking the United States’ debilitating dependence on foreign oil,” she said. “While installing a green roof may seem like a small step, these upgrades save energy, filter and absorb pollution, and store carbon. As individuals and businesses continue to look for ways to combat high energy costs and improve the health of their neighborhoods and environment, providing green roof incentives just makes sense.”

Builder magazine reports that, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has launched a new, multi-disciplinary Green Roof Professional (GRP) program–much like U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Professional Accreditation-and will administer the first exam at its annual conference this June in Atlanta. Under the program, an individual can become GRP-accredited to provide green roof design, products, and installation services to meet the new demands that potentially could be generated from this bill.

American landscape architects and a Canadian nonprofit green roof industry association says that the United States could see a surge in green roof installations if a provision in a recently introduced Senate stimulus bill becomes law.

Information from:

http://www.builderonline.com/green-building/financial-incentives-in-stimulus

http://egrfaculty.villanova.edu/public/Civil_Environmental/WREE/VUSP_Web_Folder/GR_web_folder/GR_paper_files/image002.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedum

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/iruss001/architecture/green_roof.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_roof

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/calroof3.jpg

http://www.localecology.org/images/deyoung_casgreenroof.jpg

http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/green_roof.jpg

http://www.lotuslive.org/buildings/files/norwaygreenroof.png

THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES FOR OWNING REAL ESTATE

THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES FOR OWNING REAL ESTATE

By Jodi Summers…

Forbes is one the most interesting sources of real estate information. A particular favorite is their top 10 lists….a recent favorite is World’s Priciest Cities To Own A Home…

 In a nutshell…

1.    Monte Carlo, Monaco

Price per square foot (US$): $4,420.10 U.S.

2.    Moscow, Russia

Price per square foot: $1,937.30 U.S.

3.    London, U.K.

Price per square foot: $1,928.30 U.S.

4.    Tokyo, Japan

Price per square foot: $1,672.10 U.S.

5.    Hong Kong

Price per square foot: $1,498 U.S.

6.    New York, N.Y.

Price per square foot: $1,384.10 U.S.

7.    Paris, France

Price per square foot: $1,126.20 U.S.

8.    Singapore

Price per square foot: $901.20 U.S.

9.    Rome, Italy

Price per square foot: $851.50 U.S.

10. Mumbai, India

Price per square foot: $851.30 U.S.

“Monte Carlo is a city of the rich, small and concentrated,” noted Matthew Montagu-Pollock, publisher of Globalpropertyguide.com, the online real estate research firm that released the report.  “The primary reasons for such high prices are related to a shortage of space and tax havens.”

Our national favorite, New York, drop to 6 from 2, as growth in Asian markets pushed Hong Kong and Tokyo to the top five.

“Even in these trying economic times, there is still tremendous wealth out there,” says Nikki Field, senior vice president of Sotheby’s International in New York. The drop in New York prices can be attributed to the banking collapse, and the “hesitancy for conspicuous consumption. The need and ability still exists to buy at the upper tier, but people are scared to publicly spend.”

**

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/09/cities-top-expensive-lifestyle-real-estate_0209_cities.html?partner=alerts

http://www.russiablog.org/2007/09/kommersant_5_million_russians.php

http://www.ccisabroad.org/program.php?link=russia_moscow

http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/singapore-tourism.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Singapore_skyline_night_1.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High-rise.apartments.in.rome.italy.arp.jpg

http://kara.allthingsd.com/files/2007/11/monaco_photo_1_1.jpg

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/new-york/nyc/things-to-do-in-new-york-city.php

ECONOMISTS BELIEVE THE RECOVERY IS UNDERWAY

ECONOMISTS BELIEVE THE RECOVERY IS UNDERWAY

By Jodi Summers

In the 4^th quarter of last year, our economy slid like a beginning skier on an ice patch…completely out control. Because we went down so hard and so fast, there are a number of economists who feel the U.S.  is beginning our recovery.

Here’s what smart people have to say about our economic recovery -

Lakshman Achuthan, managing director of Economic Cycle Research Institute: The economy could be as close to four months away from a recovery.

He says his firms’ readings on long-term and short-term economic indicators give him significantly more hope that the economy is closer to a turnaround than he had thought… Among the more than dozen different things his firm looks at are home prices, the jobs picture and stock prices.

“These readings don’t really turn unless something is happening,” he said.

**

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com:  Believes that a recovery could be closer than most people think.

“We’re starting to see some pent up demand for goods. But first things first, we need to see job losses moderate,” he said.

Zandi said just a slowing rate of job losses should help make people more confident about their own job outlook, as will a continuation of the recent gains for stocks.

Those two factors, plus a sign that home price declines have ended will help to turn around consumer confidence, Zandi said. That should help spur more spending.

**

Robert Brusca of FAO Economics:  There will be a fairly sharp recovery, mainly because this recession was so much worse than the ones in 1991 and 2001.

A slow, jobless recovery took place after those recessions, which were both fairly mild by historical standards. But the economy has often bounced back sharply following more severe recessions.

Brusca points out that, prior to the 1991 and 2001 downturns, the nation’s gross domestic product has gained about 7%, on average, during the first year of a recovery.

For this reason, he is predicting strong growth in at least one of the year’s final two quarters as well as a quicker return to health for the labor market.

“You’ve lost 5 million jobs. It shouldn’t be hard to put 2.5 million jobs back on rather quickly after you hit bottom,” he said.

**

Joseph Carson, chief economist at AllianceBernstein: The economy is already showing early indications of turning around. In addition to improving home sales and positive signs from the stock and bond markets, retail sales in February and March were stronger than expected.

“Stimulus has a much better chance of working if trends are already turning up than if it needs to halt a decline,” he said.

Info courtesy of:

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2009040701?OpenDocument

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/06/news/economy/recovery/index.htm

http://www.davickservices.com/flag.jpg

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/US/10/10/economy.qanda/art.achuthan.cnn.jpg

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2009/02/23/zanccc84579816.jpg

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/images/economy/july-dec98/dw3.jpg

http://www.alliancebernstein.com/CmsObjectABD/images/people/full_size/carson_joe.jpg

HISTORIC PROPERTY WEBSITES

HISTORIC PROPERTY WEBSITES

edited by Jodi Summers

We thought you might enjoy these links to historic property websites…

Site Name: National trust for Historic Preservation

Link: http://www.nationaltrust.org/index.html

Description: Home page for NHT

Site Name: Victoriana.com

Link: http://www.victoriana.com/

Description: A fascinating resource for information about Victorian

Site Name: Living Victorian - Web Magazine

Link: http://www.livingvictorian.com/entrance.html

Description:

Living in the past on the internet

Site Name: National Register of Historic Places

Link: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/

Description: The Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation

Site Name: The Victorian Society of America

Link: http://www.victoriansociety.org/

Description: The Victorian Society In America is the only national non-profit organization committed to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education, and enjoyment of our nineteenth century heritage.

Site Name: Victorian Websites

Link: http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/Victorian.html

Description: Links to over 150 Victorian websites

Site Name: NTHP Rehabilitation Guide

Link: http://www.nationaltrust.org/help/financing_a_home.html

Description: Guidelines, Tax credits, etc. by state

Site Name: Preservation Magazine

Link: http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/

Description: National Trust For Historic Preservation magazine

Site Name: PBS Series - 1900 House

Link: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/index.html

Description: Interactive website featuring living at the turn of the century.

Site Name: Historic Properties.com

Link: http://www.historicproperties.com

Description: Historic properties for sale nationwide

Site Name: BBONLINE

Link: http://www.bbonline.com/

Description: Bed & Breakfasts nationwide

**

Info courtesy of:

http://garygestson.longandfoster.net/Content/Content.aspx?ContentID=291165

EARTH QUAKE PREP…DO YOU HAVE 7?

I’VE GOT 7 – DO YOU?!

September is National Disaster Preparedness month, and the City of Santa Monica

will be kicking off the annual “I’ve got 7” emergency preparedness campaign to

help residents, students, businesses and organizations in the Santa Monica community

be more prepared in the event of a disaster. The “I’ve got 7” campaign encourages everyone

to have seven items at all times that will help you take care of yourself for at least seven days.

The city is working with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Red Cross, the Chamber

of Commerce, and the Santa Monica Daily Press to help everyone prepare for earthquakes, fires, and

other destructive events. This September, be sure to take the time to be prepared for disasters by

following the seven steps to disaster preparedness at home, work, and in your car:

1. Food and Water Pack non-perishable, high-energy foods and foods that require no refrigeration,

preparation or cooking and little or no water. Have at least one gallon of water per person per day.

and disinfectants.

cards; birth certificate; passports; etc.; sanitary supplies; baby needs; pet supplies such as a pet

carrier, plastic bags, vaccination information.

7. Contact information A current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including

someone out of the area who may be easier to reach

Local art students are making the “I’ve Got 7” website (www.ivegot7.org) as attractive as it is useful.

Look for pledge cards, prizes and programs from the city and its partners to help you be ready

for anything!

http://www.smgov.net/seascape/08autumn/seascape_autumn08.pdf

COULD LOS ANGELES BE A GREENER CITY THAN SANTA MONICA?

COULD LOS ANGELES BE A GREENER CITY THAN SANTA MONICA?

LOS ANGELES WINS THE ENERGY STAR GREEN PRIZE

By Jodi Summers

Are you watching Santa Monica? We boast about being so energy efficient. We make moderate progress with our sustainable quality reports…are we watching the huge strides our mother city Los Angeles is making towards achieving its GREEN LA initiative?

The EPA recently dubbed Los is the most Energy Star efficient city in the United States!

Yup. The latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) index of the 25 U.S. cities with the most Energy Star buildings. Los Angeles leads the list with more than 260 buildings encompassing 74 million square feet, or about as much floor space as 27 Empire State buildings.

“We’re setting the green standard in LA. Reducing our carbon footprint by 35 percent below 1990 levels is the most ambitious goal set by a major American city,” stated Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The goal for the city’s GREEN LA imitative is to reduce Los Angeles’ greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This target is greatest reduction target of any large U.S. city. The core of GREEN LA is increasing the city’s use of renewable energy to 35 percent by 2020.

San Francisco, Houston, Washington, DC, and Dallas-Fort Worth round out the top five.

“Energy Star buildings typically use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less greenhouse gases than average buildings,” noted EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. “They are saving energy, saving money and protecting our environment.”

The EPA noted that Energy Star buildings in just the top five cities have saved more than $315 million in energy costs.

The list did have some surprises. Big East Coast hubs did not fare well, with just two — Washington, DC, and Atlanta — placing in the top 10. In fact, the total number of Energy Star buildings in New York (#12), Boston (11), Philadelphia (17) and Miami (23) was less than the number in Los Angeles, EPA reported.

Also being savvy enough to make the list were several smaller, Midwestern cities where energy tends to be cheaper, such as Grand Rapids, MI, and Madison, WI. Why is Santa Monica not on the list?

Details courtesy of http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=0F9ACA2C00BDA94C9DB4DED0A6B19C9B&ref=100&iid=123&cid=383F14EEE265B182474DA2442BACBBBF

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2007/2007-05-15-01.asp

http://www.daylife.com/topic/Antonio_Villaraigosa

“THE CORRECTION IN THE HOUSING MARKET IS ALMOST COMPLETE”

A California-focused report, “The California Economy: Running Out of Gas,” declares that the “the correction in the housing market is almost complete” in the state and “the downturn in the retail sector is nearing the end of its run.

http://www.inman.com/news/2009/03/25/ucla-forecast-tepid-recovery-in-2010?page=0%2C1