Santa Monica Property Blog

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S GOLF COURSE GETS AUDUBON CERTIFICATION

December 25, 2009 on 12:08 am | In Fascinating Information, Fun, Green, Uncategorized, WOW, all | 6 Comments

THE GREENEST GOLF COURSE GETS AUDUBON CERTIFICATION

By Jodi Summers

Who has a great voice, umpteen million dollars, their own golf course and is socially conscious? Justin Timberlake, mega successful solo artist and all around good guy has opened up the nation’s first eco-friendly golf course in Memphis, Tennessee.

Originally called Woodstock Hills, the golf course is said to be the first place golf-enthusiast and former member of ‘NSYNC learned to hit a golf ball.

“…Last year we found out they were going to auction it off and turn it into a development,” Justin revealed. “So we thought it was such a landmark for the community, we’d scoop it and save it. And we did. We were able to before it was auctioned off.”

A couple of decades and $16 million later, the newly renamed Mirimichi Golf Course is the “greenest” golfing destination in the U.S….

“I’m excited about every aspect of the course,” Justin confessed. “We basically created a whole new course. It’s a completely different track and doesn’t look anything like what it did. It’s exciting. There’s literally a creek around the whole course. We’ve dug 7 new lakes—the construction we’ve done lengthened the course by almost 1000 yards. We’ll have a great first tee program for kids and families. We’ll have a 9-hole executive course, but it’s really to use for the first tee program out there. We’ll have junior tournaments to get more young people into the game. I like the values the game teaches like honesty, patience, focus, and tenacity. Also, it’s close to my house. And my parents had their wedding reception there.”

The Mirimichi Golf Course is the first project in the U.S. to receive the Audubon International’s Classic Sanctuary certification.The course features irrigation systems that maximize the use of rainwater, native landscaping and solar-powered electric golf carts.

“I love my new course Mirimichi,” Justin confessed. “I love it for so many reasons. I feel like we did something great for the community. And we ended up doing something great for the world—a lot of people will pay attention to how eco-friendly this establishment is and I hope it will make some waves.”

When asked about who his idea golf foursome would be, Justin confided,” Bobby Jones because he never took a dollar for the game and always loved the purity of the game. Tiger Woods because he’s without a doubt the best golfer of all time. And has taken every dollar for the game! And my dad because he taught me how to play. He’s my favorite person to play golf with.”

http://www.justintimberlake.com/news/a_quick_9_with_jt_a_golf_qa

http://earth911.com/blog/2009/07/23/justin-timberlake-opens-first-eco-friendly-golf-course/

http://allfunmusik.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/justin_timberlake_01.jpg

http://www.wreg.com/media/photo/2009-07/48038279.jpg

http://ontheredcarpet.typepad.com/.a/6a010536c12963970b0115723cb64c970b-pi

http://media.commercialappeal.com/mca/content/img/photos/2009/07/25/22mirimichi1.jpeg

BUILDINGGREEN’S TOP 10 GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

December 18, 2009 on 12:02 am | In Fascinating Information, For Your Purchasing Pleasure, Green, Market Trends, Problem Solving, Uncategorized, good advice | 5 Comments

BUILDINGGREEN’S TOP 10 GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

BuildingGreen, is offering its seventh annual list of its top 10 green building products.

Half of the products on the annual have been deemed green because they are made from natural or rapidly renewable materials or agricultural waste. Such products require significantly less energy to manufacture.

And this year’s Top 10 Green Building products are:

Resource Monitor by Agilewaves

http://www.agilewaves.com/products.html

Developed by former NASA engineers, Agilewaves’ flagship product constantly monitors electric, gas and water use and provides accurate consumption and carbon footprint information in real-time, from any web enabled device, from anywhere in the world.

Compacted Earth Brick by Integrity Block

http://www.integrityblock.com/product_line.php

A seamless green replacement for conventional concrete block (CMU), as Inegrity Block products come in a variety of common form factors and sizes. Integrity Block products also meet relevant ASTM (C-90) performance standards for load bearing CMU.

Natura Paint by Benjamin Moore

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_aura_hiddenPage&NodeUUID=%2FBEA+Repository%2F574014

Natura premium interior waterborne paint is a zero VOC, virtually odorless formula that doesn’t compromise on performance. It dries fast, has excellent adhesion and provides a durable finish with an unlimited color selection. Natura features our Green Promise designation, so you can breathe easy knowing that you’ve used the very best for your environmentally sensitive projects.

Matrix Total Home System by NTI

http://www.ntimatrix.com/

For our planet and our children, NTI has spent almost 10 years developing, testing and perfecting the technology of The Matrix to deliver a premium system that incorporates a Condensing Water Heater, Condensing Furnace, Condensing Boiler and Heat Recovery Ventilator, and which is already pre-wired for air conditioning. All of these functions are contained in one powerful system that requires less energy to operate than competing products.

Safe N’ Sound Emerald Doors by Masonite

http://www.masonite.com/product_newProducts.php

Masonite’s Safe‘N Sound® is said to be a door that is truly environmentally responsible. Manufactured with DorCor™, a low density fiberboard made from wheat straw, an annually renewable agricultural wheat by-product with a formaldehyde-free synthetic resin.

Natural Fiber Fabrics by O Ecotextiles

http://www.oecotextiles.com/

You can have an immense impact on lightening your environmental footprint by the textile choices you make.

Plyboo by Smith & Fong

http://www.plyboo.com/

Plyboo bamboo flooring and plywood products offer endless possibilities for architects and interior designers, whether the focus is on green building or cutting-edge design.

H2OG by Rainwater HOG

http://rainwaterhog.com/

The rainwater from your roof is a valuable commodity: use Rainwater HOG modular tanks to catch and store your rainwater for reuse on your garden and even in your house. Irrigate with it, hose with it, even shower with it!

SunCache Solar Water Heating System by Harpiris Energy

http://www.harpiris.com/whatissuncache.html

SunCache is an inexpensive solar water heating (SWH) system for residential applications in Sunbelt locations which pre-heats cold water before it enters a conventional backup water heater.

PolyWhey Floor Finish by Vermont Natural Coatings

http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/VNCFloor.html

A clear, durable, topcoat seal for new bare wood flooring or previously stained wood floors. Available in semi-gloss and satin finishes.

“Our selections of the Top 10 Green Building Products represent a wide range of product types in many different application areas,” says BuildingGreen president Alex Wilson.

The Top 10 Green Products list has become a yearly ritual in which the Vermont publisher recognizes the most exciting products drawn from the more than 200 products added to its GreenSpec Directory in the last year.

An appearance on BuildingGreen’s list is seen by many in the industry as a significant event, as the company’s endorsement signals that a product is legitimately sustainable. “New products seem to be appearing all the time, making it a challenge for our staff to keep up,” Wilson says.

This year’s list includes the very first Forest Stewardship Council-certified and formaldehyde-free bamboo flooring, doors made with wheat-straw particleboard, a transparent finish produced from a byproduct of cheese making, and a compressed-earth masonry block. Three of the remaining products save energy, including a low-cost, solar water-heating system; a combination heating, water heating, and heat-recovery ventilation system; and a system for monitoring real-time energy (and water) use in buildings.

More info -

http://www.builderonline.com/green-products/buildinggreen-names-top-10-green-products-for-08.aspx?cid=BLDR081215003

Sustainable Industries’ Top 10 Green Building Products of 2009

December 11, 2009 on 12:07 am | In Fascinating Information, For Your Purchasing Pleasure, Green, Problem Solving, Recycling, Uncategorized, all, websites | 9 Comments

Sustainable Industries’ Top 10 Green Building Products of 2009

Edited by Jodi Summers

Not to be outdone by other trends, Sustainable Industries magazine has made their choices
 for the 2009 Top 10 Green Building Products. These industry-leading green building products
 winners were selected by a panel of expert judges and the Sustainable Industries editorial team.

based on their environmental performance, scalability/market impact, innovation,design aesthetic, value and compatibility with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

The 2009 Top 10 Green Building Product winners are:

Acadia Combined Heating and Cooling System

Made by Hallowell International

(www.gotohallowell.com)

The Acadia is not just another heating and cooling system. It maintains 200 percent efficiency even when outdoor temperatures drop well below zero..should global climate change ever affect us that severely. Acadia users can save up to 70 percent of their home heating energy costs.

ec-H20

Made by Tennant Co.

(www.tennantco.com)

Requiring no chemicals, ec-H2O uses tap water to clean most any surface of most any substance. Each machine reduces water usage by 70 to 80 percent, and the potential of 245 million gallons of water each year if it were installed in all new floor-cleaning machines.

InSpire Wall

Made by ATAS International

(www.atas.com)

This simple technology uses the power of the sun to heat outdoor air before sending it indoors, thereby slashing energy use while boosting indoor air quality. Depending on what kind of heating fuel is being replaced, this product can reduce heating costs by up to $5 for each square foot of InSpire Wall installed.

kama EEBS Structural Systems

Made by kama Energy Efficient Building Systems Inc.

(www.kama-eebs.com)

kama EEBS Structural Systems integrate light gauge metal stud framing system with expanded polystyrene insulation in a proprietary design that eliminates thermal bridging and helps to create a tight, energy-efficient building envelope.

PlybooPure Bamboo Plywood

Made by Smith & Fong Co.

(www.plyboo.com)

Because it’s technically a grass, bamboo had not previously been eligible for FSC certification. But in January 2008, after two years of lobbying, Smith & Fong achieved this first that propelled it to recognition on this year’s Top 10 list.

RainTube

Made by GLI Systems Inc.

(www.raintube.com)

This product received more Top 10 nominations than any other product this year. RainTube is a rain gutter filter made of 100 percent post-consumer high-density polyethylene – old milk jugs, in other words. This product is also Cradle to Cradle-certified, meaning that GLI Systems Inc had to develop a Post-Use Recovery Plan that goes out with every product.

Separett Villa

Made by Separett

(www.ecovita.net/villa)

This urine-diverting composting toilet – which is 100 percent PVC fee –uses no water and keeps solids separate from liquids, reducing odor and making it possible to reuse waste and urine for composting and fertilizing. The Separett Villa can be deployed where no plumbing exists, allowing for a greater reach of the technology.

Serious Windows

Made by Serious Materials

(www.seriouswindows.com)

Serious Windows are so efficient they have the potential to allow for the elimination of a building’s heating system, allowing waste heat from building appliances to serve as the main heat source in some applications. The windows have a full-frame R value of at least five and up to 11, which can cut a building’s energy bills by up to 50 percent per month.

Solatube Daylighting Systems

Made by Solatube International

(www.solatube.com)

This patented technology catches direct sunlight and redirects it down an adjustable-length tube, bringing daylight to parts of buildings that would not otherwise have access to natural light. The Vista, Calif.-based company recently launched a product specifically designed for commercial applications, making it ideal for large-roofed warehouses and manufacturing facilities, as well as retail stores and schools – allplaces that have been shown to benefit from increased daylight, as daylight is linked to higher worker productivity, decreased absenteeism and better retail sales.

Your Old Light Fixture

Made by Eleek

(www.eleekinc.com)

Eleek is the only business to make the Top 10 Green Building Products list all four years. Though not a product, Eleek’s lighting restoration service speaks to the important concept of the re-use of existing goods. When Eleek restores a light fixture, every piece of a fixture is taken apart, repaired and restored to its original splendor. Its wiring is updated to comply with modern codes and standards and a new lamp base is installed so it works with energy-efficient lamps such as CFLs and LEDs.

Original article @ http://www.sustainableindustries.com/greenbuilding/49012336.html

SANTA MONICA PROPERTY SNAPSHOT – DECEMBER 2009

December 2, 2009 on 11:13 pm | In Fascinating Information, Statistics, Uncategorized, all, fUNNY...mONEY | 8 Comments

SANTA MONICA PROPERTY SNAPSHOT – DECEMBER 2009

By Jodi Summers

CONDOS

This month we’re going to start with the Santa Monica condo market, because there’s some really exciting news to share…we’re starting a growth curve. Clarus Market Metrics is showing that between November - 2007 vs. November - 2009 the number of sold condo properties is up 4%, the number of condos under contract properties is up 50%. And to tighten up our condo market even more, the number of for sale properties is down 36%.

50% more Santa Monica condos under contract

And although condo prices have dropped, you’ll realize that it’s not so much in the two-year, year-over-year analysis. The median price of for sale properties is down 2% and the median price of sold properties is down 7% - with the current median condo price being $757,000 – down from $815,000 two years ago.

for sale / sold

More good news! From November - 2007 vs. November - 2009: The average month supply of inventory is down -65.0% from 15.1 months of volume to 5.3 months of unsold property on the market. This information is huge! Condo sellers get ready to put your properties on the market!

**

SINGLE FAMILY

November is not such a great reference point in the single family market in Santa Monica. Between November - 2007 vs. November – 2009…sorry to say, the median sold price is down 44%…from $2,340,000 to $1,312,000.

for sale / sold

The median price of for sale properties is down 6% …number of sold properties is down 11%…number of properties under contract down 8%. The slightly bright note is that the month’s supply of inventory is down from 4.8 months of volume to 3.7 months of inventory. In other words, if you don’t have to sell, don’t.

Looking for some specific details? Would you like to be our client – we’ll take good care of you. Contact the SoCal Investment Group through Jodi Summers, Jodi@jodisummers.com.

**

http://www.clarusresource.com/