Getting a little greener...

What are some simple ways to "go green" in your house without going crazy?
1. Turn down the thermostat a few degrees in the winter, and open your windows a little more in the summer.
2. Switch your regular incandescent light bulbs over to compact flourescent bulbs.
3. A fridge with a freezer on top uses between 10-25% less energy than the more traditional side-by-side or bottom-mounted freezer.
4. Think about where the warmer water comes from: either further insulate your pipes or think about getting a tankless water heater.
5. Use your dishwasher. It uses less water than hand washing.
6. Consider using a power strip instead of plugging items into the wall.
Thanks to the CRS Residential Specialist July/August 2010 magazine article that listed these ideas and got us thinking greener!

Are things looking up?

Realty Times released an interesting article on their website:

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100816_realestateoutlook.htm

It suggests that the real estate market is experiencing a modest recovery! Check it out for more details.

Is it all about the rates?

A recent article highlighting the SUPER low interest rates states that perhaps it isn't all about the rates afterall. Perhaps there is more to a market picking up.... but what?
Check it out at http://rismedia.com/2010-08-02/mortgage-rates-hit-new-low-are-buyers-responding/.