As consumers continue to push for more verifiable sustainable products, a host of green certification programs are helping people make responsible and educated consumer decisions.
Here is a look at some of the leading certification programs that can help you make sustainable purchases.
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It’s important to set goals in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to career aspirations. Yet, how often do we consider setting goals to reduce our carbon footprint?
Making the switch to energy-efficient appliances, transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles and embracing renewable energy sources are all steps towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a more sustainable lifestyle.
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April does not have to be Earth Month for each of us to be aware of the importance of living a sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyle. That includes embracing this intentional way of life around the home.
It’s even more true when using “green” features to sell a home. Fun fact: When comparing the overall median sales price of a home sold in Western Washington in 2023, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported residential properties with a green certification sold for 20% more – $740K vs. the non-certified home sale of $591K. Wow!
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A roof inspection is one of those preventive maintenance jobs that are easy to overlook. Don’t! Add an annual reminder to your calendar, then go out on a warm day and address any roof problems you find.
If you’re uncomfortable about heights, don’t worry. You can do a thorough inspection from the ground using a pair of binoculars.
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Many Washingtonians may be in for a surprise on the real estate front when new laws take effect county by county that will greatly expand the use of accessory dwelling units – or ADUs – on parcels of land once exclusive to single-family homes.
When Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1337 into law this spring, he put into action changes that should have wide-reaching consequences for home density, affordability and supply. Even our climate should benefit.
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You’ve found the perfect home – sunny kitchen, the right number of bathrooms, and a big, beautiful yard. And then someone mentions a case of flooding in the area – far from any major body of water. You start wondering, could my dream home be at risk for flood damage?
The fact is home buyers need to pay attention to their flood risk and the need for flood control. All home buyers. As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fact sheet says, “Anywhere it can rain, it can flood.”
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Whether you plan to age in place or soon prepare the home for sale, think about making your place shine today.
Here are suggestions on where you can make a difference in and around the home and the potential costs related to those improvements.
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Nobody truly loves change. It can be difficult to adapt and adjust. That is particularly true when discussing the possibility of changing your address when getting older.
I have heard it from you, my clients: “The stairs are getting too difficult to climb,” or “I’ve lived here most of my life and no other place will seem like home.”
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If you want to take control of your time, it’s important to work smarter, not harder. Working smarter reduces your stress levels and conserves your energy. One of the best ways to meet this goal is to use innovation in your daily life – and it starts in your home.
We are inundated with technology from the day we wake with a wristwatch or phone alarm to the final minutes of the day with sleepy sounds fed through a speaker. The only thing missing is a clap of the hands to turn off the bedroom light. Oh, you have one of those too? Even better!
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It’s indisputable: The earth is getting hotter. A global climate report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that our average temperature has increased virtually every month this century – and we have experienced the five warmest Julys on record within the last six years.
We are dispensing far too much carbon dioxide into our air, leading to increasing temperatures, drying lake beds, dying crops and rising sea levels. It’s beyond a recipe for disaster; it’s a global crisis that’s taking place before our eyes and an issue that affects us all.
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