The Real Estate Report

February 2011

Volume 22 No. 2

Valentine’s Day at Home Between the Champagne, prix fixe dinner and a dozen roses, the costs of a romantic night out for Valentine’s Day can quickly add up and might end up being more than you can afford in these tough economic times. This year if money is tight, consider treating your sweetheart to a romantic evening in your own home. This DIY alternative is not only more intimate and less expensive, it also allows you to be more creative and thoughtful in showing your appreciation for your significant other. Here are a couple ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day in your own home: If you have a fireplace, light it up! If you don’t, this is the perfect occasion to use the soy candle set your sister got you for Christmas. If you’re not an experienced chef, don’t worry—there are plenty of simple recipes for beginners that will still look impressive arranged on your best dinnerware. Many Italian dishes like pizza or spaghetti are cost-effective and fun to make. If you are looking for a less traditional alternative, have breakfast in bed or a picnic on your living room floor. Champagne is typically seen as an expensive drink, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Skip the French vintage and opt for a nice Spanish cava or Italian prosecco, both of which offer many quality selections under $25. This Valentine’s Day, don’t just think pink—think green! What better way to show your sweetheart you care than by showing your love for the planet you inhabit? Make your meal from organic ingredients, buy a recycled card and buy your flowers from a local farmer. This year for Valentine’s Day, don’t stress over trying to get a reservation at an expensive steakhouse. Instead, celebrate your love in the most romantic and intimate setting possible—your own home. Back to the top

Green RemodelingIf you are looking for an exotic way to spruce up your home in 2011, consider using natural building materials. Not only are many of the choices in green building more cost-effective than synthetic alternatives, many times they are more stylish and better for your planet. If you are trying to be environmentally conscious in your home redesign, recycled materials should be used whenever possible. You can find carpets made from 100% recycled content and even countertops, walls and floors that blend recycled glass with concrete. When choosing lumber, look for materials that come from certified and managed forests, like Brazilian Cherry or White Tigerwood, or recycled or reclaimed wood. You can also seek out wood floors made from wood and sisal, a natural grasslike fiber. Another great way to give back to the environment without breaking the bank is with a tankless water heater. They are either gas or electric, although electric tankless water heaters cost less, while gas is more cost efficient. Tankless water heaters only heat water on demand, so you never run out of hot water and you aren’t wasting electricity by heating water when you aren’t using it. Installing a programmable thermostat, which you can program to automatically adjust to your heating or cooling needs up to four times a day, can also help lower your electric bill. If you’re thinking of repainting, be sure to choose a line with low- or no-VOCs. VOCs are volatile organic compounds, an air pollutant that includes toxic solvents and formaldehyde. These components are dangerous for you, your family and the environment, so try to avoid them if at all possible. Back to the top