Posts Tagged ‘Theresa Wellman’

San Jose Makes Effort to Become Completely Energy Independent

By Theresa Wellman | September 8th, 2009 0 Comments

San Jose Councilman talks about San Jose’s plans for becoming energy independent.

Led by Mayor Chuck Reed, San Jose, CA is working toward a 15-year plan to Go Green and become energy independent with the design to also grow the local economy in the process. The unique plan is focused on three main elements: Clean Tech Innovation, Sustainability, and Green Mobility.

San Jose’s Green Vision includes:

1. increasing trail connectivity for alternate transportation

2. converting all public fleet vehicles to alternate fuel

3. planting 100,000 new trees

4. converting all street lights to zero-emission lighting

5. recycling or reusing 100% of our waste water.

6. getting 100% of it’s power from renewable sources

7. divert waste from our landfills

8. adopt a plan for sustainable development

One key challenge the mayor set forth, is for local solar companies to come up with creative financing so San Jose residents can install photovoltaic systems on their homes. The intention is obvious; to help the local businesses grow and decrease energy consumption in San Jose’s neighborhoods. The mayor even put solar cells on his own home just this past month.

Local students at Santa Clara University and California College of the Arts are creating excitement about green and sustainable building too by building their very own Refract House, a Zero-Energy Home. It is obvious this topic is on the top of the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, so it is great to see our local leadership today making goals and progress toward a green and more sustainable future as well.

Green is not just a fad, it’s a new way of living that we are seeing more and more apparent in the homes we sell in Silicon Valley. Energy consumption and sustainable materials are a concern for many of my clients and friends and family.

To learn more about green living in a home you are looking to buy or sell, talk to a certified EcoBroker.

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Protect Your Investment & Pick Your Home Inspector Carefully

By Theresa Wellman | June 4th, 2009 1 Comment

house1Today with many of the homes available for sale being REOs and short sales, there is even more to watch out for. Typical REOs and short sale homes had owners who did not take care of their homes or worse yet, left damage. So choosing a thorough property inspector is an essential piece of a home purchase process.

Why Can’t You Do It Yourself?

I know, now that you are getting your own home, you want to care for it and desire to know its ins and outs. The inspection period when buying a home is not the time for this. Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector (Do you inspect 2-3 homes per day as your job?). An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance, building codes and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.

How Do You Choose a Home Inspector?

1. Work with your real estate agent’s recommendation.

a. Agents who have experience in the business can tell a thorough inspector from one who just breezes through a quick checklist. Agents do not get anything from recommending one inspector other than piece of mind that a professional is looking at the home. If a property inspector misses something, there could potentially be a lawsuit and no experienced agent wants to risk that.

2. Check your local ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) chapter for recommendations in your area. It is very important that your inspector be aware of the area and what is normal for local homes or what items to look out for. Be wise making one of the largest investments in your life and hire a qualified home inspector!

Any other recommendations on how to find a good inspector?

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