Project Sunroof: Google's Latest

Now Google can help you decide if it's worth it to get solar panels on your home. Well, they can help if you live in San Francisco, Fresno or Boston, the areas where the rollout has begun. Project Sunroof estimates how much you could save by going solar, and how much it might cost you.

Since Colorado isn't on the list, I used my sister's San Francisco address to test it out. Here's a bird's eye view of her neighborhood with a color key - purple is shade and yellow is sun.

Since she's only lived there a few months, they don't yet have a very good picture of her monthly electric bill, which is a self-set field on the Sunroof site to more accurately estimate savings. I'm going to go with $150 based on some anecdotal evidence and some data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. San Francisco turns out to be a good place to start looking at potential solar savings, not just because it is in Googleplex's backyard. Residents of the city paid 64% more than the national average per kWh in July of this year. In fact, prices have exceeded the national average by at least 60% in the past 5 years.

With this information, Project Sunroof estimates that 62% of my sister's electricity could be offset by solar panels of 4.25Kw, or 300sqft (which may just fit on the 305sqft available, Google optimistically figures). This percentage is based on daily analysis of weather patterns in the area that conclude there are 1,410 hours of usable sunlight per year shining down on their heads and roofs.

It also informs her that she can lease with zero money down and see an annual savings of $500, or $10,000 over the course of the 20-year lease. Alternatively, she can buy the system for $12,000 upfront and, while it will take 8 years to see a return on investment, in 20 years she will realize $21,000 in savings. From there, you can link to a list of solar providers in the area.

The site is easy and clear, and hopefully can take some of the hesitancy out of the decision for consumers, some of whom still look at solar power like my mom looks at a smartphone. Google says they will continue to expand availability over the next few months.

By the way, what do you think of Google's new look? I prefer the old serif font, myself.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Why Homebuyers Should Hire a Professional

Buying a home can be an overwhelming experience. Using a buyer's representative to help you navigate the many obstacles, find a home quickly and make better offers. As an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), I put my clients' needs first. 

Consider these important points, broken down by RealtyTimes. And then give me a call!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Stickin' It to Xcel

We have a love/hate relationship with our energy companies. We love our cars and gadgets, we need our heating and cooling, we buy things manufactured and brought to us under different types of power. But when that bill comes - oh, boy.

Panels these days are very unobtrusive.

By now you've seen solar panels perched on houses in your neighborhood. They are becoming more popular everyday, but there is still misinformation that makes homeowners hesitate to add this tool to their sustainability plan. Folks are afraid the upfront costs will be high (they're not), or that it will take years to see value (it doesn't), or that the panels will scare buyers off in the future and reduce their home value (they don't).

Last summer, I had SolarCity install panels on my roof in Broomfield. Our home faces east/southeast, and though not very big there was still adequate room for enough panels to make it worthwhile. My representative, David, was able to see a satellite picture of my home online and determine that the home was a candidate for solar and had no trees blocking the rays.

Installation was easy - until we needed the cooperation of Xcel to install a new metering system. As you can imagine, they were not quite as excited as I was to start making my own power. But after a few weeks of delays (that I was warned about from the beginning), the meter was installed and I could load the SolarCity software onto my computer to monitor power generation. So cool!

My house from a hot air balloon. I wasn't, but you could.

SolarCity has a few different options depending on your needs - I have a 20 year lease agreement. SolarCity owns the panels and takes full responsibility for their care and liability. I have a fixed payment for the power I am generating and that is lower than what I was paying to Xcel. I basically feed power to the grid when I'm making more than I'm consuming, and I pull out power at night and when it's overcast. I still pay Xcel for gas, but my total payments to both companies this past year have been on average 18% less than they were before.

The lease is transferrable to new owners should you sell, and solar panels add value to your home. Younger generations of homebuyers cite sustainability and energy efficiency as a high priority when it comes to purchasing a home. Should you need to get a new roof, SolarCity will come and take the panels off and put them back on when you're done at no charge.

I have had a great experience with SolarCity, though I'm sure there are other companies offering similar types of deals. The important thing is to patronize the industry - call me if I can help you get started!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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FOR SALE: 1028 Turnberry Circle, Louisville

 

Brand new listing in Coal Creek Ranch!  Enjoy coffee on the private two-level back deck or take a short walk to the community pool, park and tennis courts!

1028 Turnberry Circle, Louisville, CO

Hardwood floors throughout the main floor, gas fireplace and stove, walkout basement, built-in cabinets, large windows and lots of light.  With four bedrooms upstairs, this is a very popular model. This neighborhood has a golf course and Monarch schools.  3 baths, 2 car garage, listing price is $510,000 - your chance to get into Coal Creek Ranch!

Come out and visit me at the Open House Sunday, July 19 from 1-3pm. Inventory in the city is still low; make sure you get a chance to visit. Feel free to email or call me if you'd like more details. Between the vibrant downtown, Streetfaires, Friday Artwalks, Taste of Louisville and the farmers' market, Louisville has so much to offer! 

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Greater Connectivity

This month, the Ruth Roberts Connector Trail opened, joining the Broomfield Lake Link Trail and the Boulder County Rock Creek Trail. The project received a $45,000 grant from Colorado State Trails/Great Outdoors Colorado.

For more maps and detailed information on Broomfield's open space plans, visit their website.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Energy Surveys and Assessments

Everyone would like to decrease the energy costs of their homes, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Beyond trading your old incandescents for CFLs or LEDs, you may be wondering how to really improve your home's systems and family's usage. Energy surveys and assessments are a great tool to conduct your evaluation.

* "Other" includes small electronic devices, heating elements,
motors, swimming pool and hot tub heaters, outdoor grills,
and natural gas outdoor lighting.
Source: HomeEnergySaver

Let's first take a look at how residential energy costs typically break down. This pie chart represents a typical home in a northern climate, where heating is the largest need. For homes in warmer climates, you'll probably see the heating and cooling numbers reversed. Most energy evaluations will focus on the heating and cooling, the building envelope, and water heating systems.

An energy survey is a visual inspection without any diagnostic testing and can take about an hour. Your local utility company can usually provide you with a list of registered contractors in your area who are qualified to conduct the survey. During the survey, the contractor will inspect the walls, windows, doors, insulation, ductwork, heating and cooling systems, appliances, lighting, and comfort and health issues, as well as reviewing utility bills. The report will provide the homeowner with suggestions for improving energy efficiency, including low-cost or DIY items, any applicable rebates or incentives, cost estimates, and any recommendations for more detailed evaluation.

Thermographic scanning uses infrared technology to identify
building envelope defects.
Source: National Renewable Energy Lab

An energy assessment is a more thorough process that uses performance tests to identify issues within a building. Sometimes the term audit is used for an assessment but sometimes it describes a higher or lower level or evaluation; be sure you ask your professional specifically what his process includes. To make the best use of your time with the assessor, prepare a list of existing problems ahead of time and gather copies of utility bills for review. The assessor will ask you about the residents of the home and their habits. He will utilize tests such as the Blower Door Test to measure air infiltration through the building envelope. He may use infrared scanners to identify insulation gaps or other areas where there are significant temperature differences. He will measure appliance efficiency, humidity levels, appliance power loads and computer analysis to provide you with detailed information and suggestions to make your home and systems more energy efficient. He may even supply cost analysis, priority investments and information on energy efficient mortgages (EEMs).

Here are a few other sources to find professionals in your area:

• Building Performance Institute
• Association of Energy Engineers
• U.S. Green Building Council

More and more homebuyers are citing energy efficiency as an important factor when buying a home. If you are thinking about selling, you may be able to add value and thousands onto your listing price by being energy conscious. Let me know if I can help!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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All The Clucking and Buzzing in Broomfield

More and more people are getting interested in their own chicken and beekeeping, and municipalities are keeping up with the trend. If you live in Broomfield, following are the city's rules for your backyard coops and hives.

Chickens are allowed. A license is $25 and subjected to the following restrictions:
(1) No more than five chickens are permitted per residential lot;
(2) Roosters are prohibited;
(3) Chickens must be contained within a coop and enclosure;
(4) Chickens may not be kept within a front yard;
(5) Coops and enclosures must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line;
(6) Outside slaughtering is prohibited:
(7) Coops and enclosures less than six feet in height or coops 32 square feet or less shall not
require a building permit. Coops and enclosures six feet or greater in height or coops greater than 32 square feet shall require a building permit through the Building Division of the Department of Community Development.

Beekeeping is allowed. A license is $25 and subjected to the following restrictions:

(1) Maximum number of hives per lot:
     (a) One-quarter acre or less: two hives;
     (b) More than one-quarter acre up to and including one-half acre: four hives;
     (e) More than one-half acre but less than one acre: six hives;
     (d) One acre or larger: eight hives;
     (e) Regardless of lot size, where all hives are situated at least 200 feet from all property lines of the lot on which the hives are located, there shall be no limit to the number of hives;
     (f) For each two hives authorized above, there may be maintained upon the same lot one nucleus colony in a hive structure as required from time to time for management of swarms, said hive structure to comply with the other requirements of this section;
(2) Location: Hives shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines and shall not be located in a front yard.
(3) Flyway barrier: If a hive is within 25 feet of a property line a flyway barrier at least six feet tall extending at least two feet beyond the hive shall be maintained between the hive and property line. A privacy fence a minimum of six feet in height, on or inside the property line, meets this requirement.
(4) Water: A supply of fresh water shall be maintained on the lot in a location readily accessible to all bee colonies to keep bees from congregating at water sources on nearby properties.
(5) Africanized bees: Africanized bees are prohibited.
(6) Queens: If a colony becomes aggressive or swarms, the beekeeper shall re-queen the colony with a queen selected from stock bred for gentleness and nonswarming characteristics.
(7) Nuisance: Any swarm or colony of bees not residing in a maintained hive structure is declared a nuisance. Any bee colonies not in compliance with this chapter or declared a nuisance may be destroyed or removed at the direction of the City and County Manager or his designee.

Chickens and bees are also allowed in Boulder, Louisville and Lafayette; please contact the cities directly for their set of guidelines. Homeowners Associations may have rules that further restrict or ban the above practices. Be sure to research your neighborhood for specifics before building your backyard coop or hive.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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