Summers 2007
THINK GREEN
GREEN BUILDING BASICS

GREEN HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Didja know…cement is the critical ingredient that makes sand and gravel bind together and become hardened concrete. Manufacturing cement is energy intensive and hard on the environment. Research reveals; when a ton of cement is made, up to a ton of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. A solution is to be able to reduce the amount of cement mixed into concrete without affecting its structural integrity. Try fly ash, an industrial waste created at coal burning power plants. Fly ash is said to strengthen the concrete because it changes its chemical properties. Another option, opt in recycled glass cullets for gravel ->  made in part from the glass bottles.
 
The concept of green building is “Any structure, that is designed, constructed, renovated or operated in such a manner as to minimize its impact on the environment, protect the health of its occupants and utilize resources efficiently,” notes property columnist Paul Bianchina.

For those who want to build cleaner and meaner, there are two particular parts to green building – materials and occupant health.
American Honda Motor Co. is building an $89 million parts distribution center in Troy, Michigan. Set to open in autumn 2007, it will be Honda's fourth green-workplace building in the United States. It is to include a white roof to reflect rather than absorb the sun's heat, holding down cooling costs; motion sensors in rooms to shut lights off after people leave; energy-efficient light fixtures,  reduced-waterflow toilets to cut water waste, and fabric materials for wall and workplace coverings which can be eventually recycled as mulch.
VERSATILE OFFICE / WAREHOUSE NEAR LAX
Asking Price: $799,000

GREEN BUILDING TAX BREAKS

By U.S. standards, California tends to be a pretty environmentally friendly state. Back in 1978, in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption, we began developing Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. Lately, the Air Resources Board is considering standards that would ban toxic substances such as formaldehyde, which is present in cabinetry, pressed wood products, glues, and adhesives.

Now, the rest of the country is following suite. Legislation is moving green practices from the fringe to the mainstream, state-by-state, bill-by-bill. Nationally, the 2005 Energy Policy Act, encourages energy efficiency with tax credits to those who make green improvements to their homes in the 2006 and 2007 tax year.

The concept of green remodeling is to building for energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthier indoor air quality; using products and materials that are sustainable; and reusing or recycling materials rather than dumping more waste into a landfill.

As far as the government’s concerned, the bigger the project, the larger the tax credit. A solar power system for creating electricity carries with it a 30% of cost tax credit, up to $2,000. The same credit goes for solar-powered water heaters used for residential purposes.

"Solar water heaters in the right kind of climate are the most accepted technology," notes Warren Karlenzig, chief strategy officer of Sustain Lane, a green consulting firm. "But they're not as effective if you live in a place which doesn't get a lot of sun."

Any energy cell system that has an efficiency rating of 30% and a capacity of at least .5 kilowatts receives a 30% cost credit – and an additional $1,000 for every kilowatt of power the system can produce.
featured properties:
INGLEWOOD SHOPPING CENTER LEASE OPPORTUNITY
820 N LA BREA AVE, INGLEWOOD 90302


BIG HOUSE BIG LOT IN VENICE
1383 APPLETON WAY,
VENICE 90291


GREAT MAR VISTA OFFICE BUILDING
11311 VENICE BLVD. MAR VISTA 90066


ENDLESS OPPORTUNITY
716 VESTA ST. INGLEWOOD 90302


FINE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL IN SOUTH GATE
12305-12311 INDUSTRIAL AVE, SOUTH GATE


SUPERB WEST SIDE OFFICE BUILDING
3619 MOTOR AVE, LOS ANGELES, 90034

Where the Millionaires Live, Work + Buy

The number of U.S. millionaire households has risen to a record high of 9.3 million as of mid-2006, up 5 percent from 2005, according to TNS Global’s annual Affluent Market Research Program.

The millionaires’ mean net worth, not including their primary residence, is $2,167,167 with investable assets of $1,442,841. Their median age is 58 and 45 percent are retired.

Forty-six percent of millionaire households own investment real estate such as a second home, third home, rental properties, and undeveloped land. Thirty-four percent have a first mortgage on these residences and 25 percent have second mortgages on these additional residences.

The TNS study identified 10 counties with the highest number of millionaire residents.
  • Los Angeles County with 268,136
  • Cook County, Ill., 171,118
  • Orange County, Calif., 116,157
  • Maricopa County, Ariz., 113,414
  • San Diego County, Calif., 102,138
  • Harris County, Texas, 99,504
  • Nassau County, N.Y., 79,704
  • Santa Clara County, Calif., 74,824
  • Palm Beach County, Fla., 71,221
  • King County, Ore., 68,390
Source: Associated Press (05/01/07)
Carlsbad Flower Fields
April 2007
TIDBITS
POVERTY DECLINED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FROM 1999 TO 2005
While poverty increased for more than half of large U.S. cities from 1999 to 2005, Los Angeles and the other large Southern California cities experienced a decrease in both central-city and suburban poverty rates over the same period according to a report released last week by the Brookings Institute. The report used 2000 Census and 2005 American Community Survey (ACS) data to examine poverty trends in the largest 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).

Santa Monica Real Estate Courtesy of Jodi Summers and Sotheby's International Realty

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