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If you dream of going off the grid…  If you giggle at the thought of paying less than $500 a year for electricity…today’s solar power may be perfect for you.  

Here are a Few Resources and Tips to Help You Decide

1. Read Ed Begley Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living
2. Watch the Planet Green channel
3. Do a home energy audit at energystar.org or call your power company.
4. Find Cash Back Offers.  Tax incentives abound for energy savings.   Too see what is offered in your area, check for incentives and rebates on a federal, state and local level. 
5. Check Tax Rebate and Credit websites dsireusa.org and greenmadesimple.com

Improvements in solar technology mean financial savings within 6 years, depending on your location and property.  Check it out.  Solar may be the perfect answer for your needs.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and rent website.  We provide Free Home Listings, MLS and Realtor.com packages, Legal Forms and More.  We’ve helped buyer and seller connect for 21 years.  We can help you, too!!

Great news for home buyers, sellers and owners, alike.  The homebuyer tax credit has been expanded to include step up buyers, who have owned a home for 5 years.  It also extends the tax credit through the end of 2010.  

GREAT NEWS! 

It appears that Senate Democrats have recognized the tremendous value of the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit and odds are it will be renewed soon. At this time, it is believed that the credit will allow anyone purchasing a home, by April 30, 2010, to participate and receive the full credit available.

The credit will continue until the end of 2010, but the amount of tax credit will drop by 2 percent every 90 days.  The graduated benefit should help the housing market recover into and through the 2010 summer selling season.

Here is the text of the story as reported in Bloomberg News today:
Senate Democrats on Board with Credit Extension

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) says Senate Democrats have agreed to extend the first-time home buyer tax credit.  The latest version extends the program to home sales signed not closed by April 30. Purchasers would have another 60 days to close the sale.  The credit will also be expanded to include so-called step-up buyers who have lived in their current home for at least five years.

The credit would be cut slightly to a $7,290 cap.  Income eligibility for first-time home buyers would stay the same, but it would rise for step-up buyers to $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.
Source: Bloomberg News, Dawn Kopecki and Ryan Donmoyer (10/27/2009)

If you are considering an update for the old vinyl flooring in your home,  go natural.  Natural linoleum, made from wood and cork, limestone dust, pine rosin and linseed oil, is a fantastic, green material substitution for the petroleum-based products of old.    Natural linoleum is available in either sheets or individual tiles, it offers an endless suppliy of color and pattern choices and is a great product for residential or commercial use.

Why We Like Natural Linoleum

It’s Versatile.  Marmoleum is available either sheet or tile forms.  It is used in both residential and commercial settings.  Great for resturants and offices, too.  The product can be used on floors and countertop surfaces.  It is sold in a wide range of colors and patterns.  Some patterns mimic quarried stone, others are mottled for subtle texture and other options include high tech MRI images.  The applications and decorating options are only limited by the owner’s imagination and tastes.  A Do-It-Yourselfer can easily install the tiles themselves, just like vinyl.      It’s Low Maintenance.  Manufacturers estimate the lifespan of natural linoleum at 30-40 years, compared to 10-20 for vinyl.  Scratches are no problem.  The surface is hard, and even becomes harder over time.  Additionally, any surface scratch can be buffed out, because the color extends through the entire thickness.  For cleaning, a dry mop is recommended for routine maintenance.

It’s Green and Better for the Environment.  Natural linoleum is much better for the environment than petroleum based, vinyl products.  Vinyl’s are not sustainable and are highly polluting in their manufacturing process.  Natural linoleum is made from wood, rosin, limestone and linseed oil.  All these materials occur naturally and are sustainable.  When it’s time to remodel, natural linoleum can be shredded and turned into compost for the garden versus filling a landfill.  Additional bonus, natural linoleum will last and look good for a least least twice as long as vinyl.

Disadvantages.  The linseed oil in the products “off gas” and some people are sensitive to its fumes.  We advise that you air out the product for a few weeks before you install it, if you have a sensitive reaction to the smell.   Like most plant-based products, linoleum doesn’t perform well in area’s with constant moisture.  Test the moisture content of floor slabs before installation.  Use Caulk to seal edges around tubs and showers where flooring abuts.  The only other disadvantage is probably the initial cost of the product.  Marmoleum costs around $4.00 per square foot, compared with $1.50 to $2.00 for vinyl flooring.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net FREE homes for sale and lease website.  Search for properties or post your listing.  We connect thousands of buyers and sellers each day, and we can help you get more exposure, too.

Thomas Edison’s light bulb, invented in 1879, will not be sold in the U.S. after January 1, 2012. 

As part of the Clean Energy Bill, signed in 2007, most wattages of incandescent light bulbs, will go the way of leaded gas and oil based paint.   Australia started the light bulb ban in 2007.  Europe followed in September, this year. 

Even though Americans hate forced change, there are some reasons this change makes sense.  According to Energy Star, “a qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months.  It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.” 

Futhermore, Noah Horowitz, with the Natural Resources Defense Council stated “it would eliminate the need to build 30 new coal power plants and save as much electricity as used by all the homes in Texas.”

Astounding Energy Savings, No More Coal Plants and Free Money, too, what’s not to love??  Well, a couple of things…First of all, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury.  Remember the dangers of mercury?  If a bulb breaks, the mercury scatters around the room or hides in the carpet and toys.  And, don’t throw the new bulbs into the trash.  To dispose of these bulbs, if they don’t break first, they need to be handled like hazardous waste, ie: paint, chemicals, batteries, etc.  Home Depot, True Value, IKEA and other retailers will recycle them, but you need to carefully pack them up and drive them to the store.

Secondly, fluorescents can’t be used with a dimmer switch.  My personal favorite trick for creating ambiance.  And, I’ve already tried CFL’s and found they don’t produce enough light, or maybe the right hue of light, for easy reading and other close up tasks.  And, probably most concerning, they also aren’t a great light for those of us who look for bulbs that cast flattering, soft light ):

Change is coming.  Adjust or stock up before January 2012.   Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net your FREE homes for sale and lease website.  Have a great weekend and happy home selling and buying.

The large number of foreclosed homes have become a blight on the residential landscape.   But, swimming pools in abandoned, foreclosed homes, with no electricity, pose special problems.   Swimming pools become stagnate and unsantitary due to a lack of chemicals, then quickly grow thick with algae that is unsightly, and expensive to get rid of.

Enter the pleco algae eating fish, which are commonly found and abundant in fresh water lakes.   Only 15 pleco fish, placed in an abandoned pool, quickly eat away the algae and keep it away.

The environmentally smart solution leaves pools more sanitary, makes the homes more attractive to prospective home buyer’s and saves thousands of dollars in upkeep.   After the new owner moves in, they can return the fish to the lake or leave them in the pool for backyard fishing fun.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale and rent complimentary website.  Search for some great deals or post your property for more exposure.  It’s FREE!!

I’m sure we’ve all heard our parents warn, “and, don’t let the bed bugs bite”, as we toddled off to bed…but most of us have never considered that bed bugs were real pests, because most of us have never seen a bed bug.  

As creepy as it is, Bed Bugs are real and they are back with a vengence.  The use of DDT eradicated bed bugs more than 50 years ago, which explains why most of us have never seen one.   Today, exterminators use roach traps, instead of insecticide sprays, which do not wipe out the bed bugs along with the roaches.  So, the tiny bed bug is making a resurgence in a big way.

How Can You Find Bed Bugs before You’re Eaten?  READ MORE…..

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Cash for Refrigerators.  $300 million dollars of stimulus money has been set aside for consumer’s who purchase new, energy saving appliances.   Rebates of $50.00-$200.00 will be available in October on purchases of refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and air conditioners.

Program Eligibility:

1. To qualify, the consumer must purchase appliances with an Energy Star designation.
2. You don’t have to “trash” your old appliance to qualify.
3. States must apply to the program before October 15, 2009

Pro’s:

1. Upgrading to an Energy Star rated appliance saves a family $50-$150 per year in utility costs.
2. Rebates will ease the transition into new efficient appliances and help some consumers avoid going into debt in order to upgrade.
3. Could provide a boost to the beleaguered appliance and home improvement industries who are suffering in the bad economy.
4. Helps the environment.

Con’s:

1. No plan for the Trashed Appliances.  Currently there is no plan for proper disposal for the trashed appliances.  Old appliances can be donated or resold, which will not help the environment.
2. If we can’t find a way to recycle old appliances, the program will add more trash to the planet.

Tips for Consumers:

1. Most retailers will haul away your old appliances, when you purchase a new one.   Ask the retailer what happens to the old one, after they pick it up.   Buy only from retailers who can prove that they recycle or destroy the old appliances.
2. Use a Good Recycler to Take the Appliance Away.  Good recyclers will capture all coolants in the units which cause serious harm to the environment.  In addition, they will recycle all the metal and foam contained in the old unit.
3. GE and KitchenAid are offering additional manufacturer rebates on Energy Star Rated appliances now.  Click on the company name for details.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  We hope that Cash for Refrigerators is as successful as Cash for Clunkers.  If you have been waiting to update your appliances, October will be an excellent time.

Green News Alert:  A new paint additive, Insuladd, developed by the government, cuts energy costs and reduces mold and mildew.

Insuladd insulating paint additive increases the “Mean Radiant Temperature” of any home or office and provides energy savings by reflecting and dissipating heat.   Reports show an average decrease in utility bills of 20 percent (and, as high as 40 percent for in some homes) after a home or building has been painted with the additive.  

Product Features:

• Increase the R value by making paint insulating.
• It is safe and non-toxic
• It can be applied to roofs, walls and ceilings.  Interior or exterior.
• It works in hot or cold climates.
• Reduced heating and cooling costs, while increasing comfort.
• It prevents mold and mildew by blocking moisture and condensation.
• It can be added to any house paint.
• Can be used for all residential or commercial paint applications

Tips for Using the Product:

• Add the mixture to your paint, then stir throughly before applying.
• If you want a satin or gloss finish, add Insuladd to the primer coat and first coat.  Apply a finish coat without the additive.
• If you want a high gloss coat on trim, don’t use the additive.
• Insuladd will leave a very slight texture to the walls that can be felt, but usually isn’t visable.  It may hide cosmetic defects such as gouges, dents and surface imperfections if 2 coats are applied.
• Insuladd is ideal for light colored paints and you will notice no change in the color of your paint.
• If you are using a dark paint, Insuladd may lighten the color by up to one shade.   If this is a problem, tint the paint one shade darker at purchase.
• Don’t pour the mixture into a one gallon paint can to avoid overflow.  The additive will overfill a full gallon of paint.  Pour the paint into a 5 gallon can, add additive and mix.  Left over paint with additive can be stored in the original container for touch ups.

Paint, insulate, save money on energy bills, increase the comfort of your living space, prevent mold and mildew.  What’s not to love.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net.  We have been helping home sellers since 1988 and we can help you too.  Check out all the freebies on our site.

A delight for commuters and motorcycle enthusiasts alike, The Zero is a new electric motorcycle with sharp style and enough speed to embarrass other bikers at stop lights. 

Made in California, the Zero is fast, agile and a joy to ride.   “People have waited decades for these things to be practical”, said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder.  “We make every part of the bike”, said Saiki, “It’s very light and half the weight of a normal motorcycle.”  In addition to being pollution-free, the street and dirt versions of the bike are silent when running. 

One limitation for consumers may be the bike’s range and price.  It runs between 40 and 60 miles, before it needs to be re-charged.  And, the price is a bit steep at $13,500, which is about double the cost of a gas powered equivalent.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale or rent website.  Seller’s can post property information on InfoTube.net for FREE.  Buyers can search the database for thousands of properties often seen no where else on the web.

Being raised in rural Missouri, the concept of using goats (goating out a property) to clear and maintain land is not a new one.  But, for many people, the idea of using goats, instead of noisy mowers, to help with the chores is an option they never considered.

Goats, What’s Not to Love?  In addition to being very cute and smart, goats are great at clearing brush and weeds without using gasoline, polluting the air or disturbing the peace.  Mowing by goat means less work for busy people, it is chemical free and the little darlings automatically fertilize as they work. 

Even Silicon Valley and other metro area’s are looking to the environmentally, friendly goat as a non-tech means of maintaining their grounds and property.  Google “hired” 200 goats to maintain the grounds at its Mt. View, CA headquarters.  Yahoo, located just a stones throw away, must have loved the idea because they also rented goats to cut their grass.  Even cities are joining in the goat movement.  Mesa, AZ has used goats to maintain the land around their water reclaimation plant for quite some time.

All “Kidding” Aside….  If Rent-A-Goat appeals to your lazy and green side, renting one is as easy as locating your nearest goat farm.  Or, you can visit GoatFinder.com, which has a directory for goat rentals for 10 states.  But beware before you rent, using goats has risks, like a deep attachment.  Goats are so cute and friendly, it can be very hard to say Goodbye when the work is done. 

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Cluck, Cluck…Do the funky chicken.  A new movement is occurring across urban area’s and cities in the country, namely raising chickens for “pure” food, fun and profit.  

Not just a hobby for hippies.  Today, urban Chicken farming has caught fire in some of the most sophisticated cities from coast to coast.  Madison, WI was among the first cities to allow limited numbers of chickens.  New York city has allowed chickens for years.  Other major metro area’s which give a thumbs up to fresh eggs from suburban back yards include:  Chicago, IL; Albuquerque, NM; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; and many other major area’s.

• Don’t Run Afowl of the Law:  If raising cute little chicks appeals to you, make sure you know the laws in your area before you buy a cool coop.  Many cities, or nosy neighbors, may take issue.  For example, in Kansas City, MO, the birds can’t roam or be raised within 100 feet of a home or business.  No Crowing Roosters in Madison, only layers are allowed.  Some cities limit the number of chickens on residential property to 5 or 6.  So, please check the law before you get too excited about raising your own omelet.

Birds Eye View:  After looking into the new trend, we give a thumbs up for the chickens coming home to roost.   With Americans ripping up sod to grow victory gardens, aren’t chicken’s a natural next step?  And, who doesn’t think fresh eggs are better for your family and better tasting?  What do we have to lose?  Chickens are cool and advocates for urban chickens say that they are quieter and cleaner than dogs.  And, children of all ages love feeding them and gathering their own breakfast eggs.  

Chickens are a Good Thing.  For more information about raising chickens in your backyard, visit BackYardChickens.com, which boasts 30,000 members or urbanchickens.org.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net, your homes for sale or lease FREE website.   Please search through our listings for some great deals, and find a roost of your own!! For an MLS and Realtor.com listing for owners, builders and investors, click here.

Developer and Real estate trust ProLogis looks upward to ’electricify’ its cash flow and reduce its overhead. 

ProLogis, who owns more rooftops than anyone in the world, announced  plans to develop the rooftops (equal to 10,000 football fields) of their existing buildings, and lease the space to power companies to install solar panels.

From the press release:

Headquartered in Denver, Colo., as a manager and developer of real estate, ProLogis is actively seeking out electric utilities to lease out its rooftops as a way to earn extra income with no capital investment, while meeting the company’s goal of contributing to global sustainability.

As a real estate investment trust, ProLogis isn’t interested in owning the solar installations, but rather in engaging utilities as a renter of its space. Utilities make solid tenants that will enter long-term leases, as most power-purchase agreements for solar power generation are for 15 to 20 years.

ProLogis manages more than five hundred million square feet of industrial space and they are putting all of it to good use on three continents. Actually, ProLogis owns more rooftops than anyone in the world – they have available space in twenty-four countries across the globe. The amount of space is equivalent to approximately 10,000 football fields.

 Although Prologis continues to develop new buildings on virgin land, their plan to put solar panels on their rooftops is a win-win for ProLogis, power companies and the environment.  It makes good use of existing, undeveloped real estate, feeds the electrical grid and generates cash flowAdded Bonus:  In addition to increasing cash flow for ProLogis, adding the solar roof panels also insulates their buildings, reducing their operating costs and their carbon footprint, simultaneously.

Kudo’ to Prologis for thinking “out of the box” and on the grid.  Maybe it will encourage other developers to do the same.

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Creative real estate or housing anyone???  A friend sent me an email with pictures of a very sweet little pad.  I love this and wanted to share it.

Entry Way and Stair Case

Kitchen and Living Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bath with Walk in Shower

Doesn’t this home seem very modern?  Perhaps, something you would see in a swanky highrise condo in a big city????

SURPRISE:  HERE’S THE INCREDIBLE PART I LOVE

The one bedroom, one bath loft apartment was built inside a 1940’s grain silo.

The old grain silo was recycled into this upscale apartment, after it was purchased and relocated to the grounds of the Homestead Inn, located in New Braunfels, TX in 2007.

If this isn’t an example of creative craftmanship, I don’t know what is.  Love those Texan’s!!!

Thank you, Pat for forwarding this wonderful property information to me.  Hopefully, it will encourage others to think “out of the box” when it comes to creating affordable housing and perserving our resources.

Thank you for visiting InfoTube.net homes for sale website.  Feel free to place a free property listing, or search our database for thousands of great deals on real estate from coast-to-coast.  

If you know of a unique or smart piece of property, please send us the details and pictures.  Our readers love real estate and we love sharing the resourceful and creative spirit of the American people with our readers.

The History of the Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.

On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of irish bacon and cabbage.

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Today, cities around the world turn green and join together to celebrate St. Patty’s Day.   Check out the photoslide show from National Geographic for some fun unusual celebrations from around the world.

Happy Saint Patrick’s day from InfoTube.net homes for sale website.

It is very important that everyone understands that carbon monoxide is a deadly, silent killer. 

So, what is it?  Where does it come from?  How can you protect yourself and your family?

What is carbon monoxide?  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.  The gas is created when fuels containing carbon are burned.  The most common fuels containing carbon are coal, wood, oil and gas.  Carbon monoxide is poisonous and extremely harmful to all humans and animals.

Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?  It can be found wherever fuel is burned.  Sources of carbon fuels are wood, coal, charcoal, oil, propane, natural gas, fuel oil and kerosene.  Most applicances, fireplaces and machines burn carbon fuels, as do lawn mowers, grills, bbq’s, generator’s, heaters and cars.

How can I Protect Myself?  Carbon monoxide is not usually harmful or deadly, if an area is properly vented.  Carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive and can be easily installed in area’s of the home prone to leaks or problems.

What are the Signs of a Problem?  People complain of nausea, headaches and extreme fatigue.  Often, people think they have a flu or bug and do not seek medical treatment until it is too late.    If unexplainable symptom’s present themselves, immediately get outdoors into fresh air.  If you find yourself feeling better, call a professional inspector and stay out of the house.

Wintertime = High Alert.  Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for numerous deaths and severe illnesses each year.  Obviously, winter is a time of heightened risk, as heating systems and fireplaces are in use, and windows and doors are closed. 

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