Scorching hot days of summer inspire many of us (especially in the south) to plant additional trees on the south and west sides of our homes. Trees can keep homes up to 10 degrees cooler! Studiies have shown some trees attract lightening more than others. Species struck most often by lighte
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07/11/2010
Recently a water sample from a one of my listings came back positive for coliform. The buyer's agent had hired someone with no training. I had a second company test . The results came back negative for coliform. What made the difference? Possibly two or three variables. The second test was
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07/08/2010
Yesterday was my first inspection of a Geo-Thermal heating system on a re-sale home. Since these systems require a larger area of land than many suburban lots have, they are most often found in sub-rural and rural areas. Having worked with green builders for the last few years, I was familiar wi
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05/05/2010
When you think of buying a green built home, new home construction probably comes to mind. However in our area, solar (passive, active and hybrid) has been built for many years. Some of these homes are hitting the market for the first time as homeowners age out of family homes or retirement tak
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05/03/2010
While showing a house, I met a lovely couple who builds by hand log homes in the mountains of Virginia. They have a beauty for sale near Smith Mountain Lake. It has views of five counties! A home that becomes a family legacy. I have no affiliation with the sellers or agents, just love the area
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04/27/2010
The Piedmont Farm Tour was this last weekend. Every year small farms in the Triangle area open their farms to those of us who like to meet the folks who raise our food. It is also a great opportunity to learn how to do more in your garden or decide if farming is something you might like to do.
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04/27/2010
Small affordable homes never stopped selling in the area. What has changed in the last two months are the sales of homes in higher price points The listings I have in the $380-$499K range have enjoyed a rush of showings and are now under contract. There is a common thread in the listings th
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04/23/2010
We live in a service based economy, yet it seems like service is more abysmal than ever. I had two recent exceptions. Irvin Johnson Roofing out of Siler City did an excellent job of installing a new metal roof on our home and repairing the metal roof on our barn. Great job, good price, excel
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02/04/2010
Alternative agriculture is the fastest growing segment of agrobusiness. It is also a leading revenue and jobs generator in North Carolina. A grassroots effort is beginning to work together to see if the current Present Use Tax (or Ag Tax) can be expanded to to benefit small, highly productive f
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02/01/2010
National Geographic has a cool "Plastic Containers Buying Guide" on its Green Gude website. #2,#4 and #5 are best choices, they don't leach chemicals into food & are most recyclable. #3,#6,#7 are linked to various health problems. The website is also loaded with such tips as avoiding storing f
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02/01/2010