Green Ways to Clean your Hoboken Home

Many of today’s cleaning supplies commonly used in your Hoboken home may contain generous applications of chlorine, ammonia, lye and phosphates. In some brands you can even find acetone, formaldehyde and phosphoric acid. Household-cleaner manufacturers do not always list the toxic chemicals that are contained in their products, but some states are now starting to require them to do so.

When you mix together acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as vinegar and baking soda it will kill bacteria and take care of most household grime without any trouble. All you need to do is add water and use baking soda as a paste; vinegar also works well as a straight solution. And by the way, it is also fine to use diluted bleach occasionally where disinfection is needed.

While vinegar and baking soda are great for cleaning your new home, for help in finding and closing on your perfect Hoboken home, contact Eddie Perez, Broker-REALTOR, CDPE. Eddie’s market includes Hoboken, a progressive city where they’re always coming up with new ways of making it a better place to live, Jersey City, Weehawken and Union City. Eddie can also be reached by phone at 201-344-2886.

Going Green in 2011

Make it your New Year’s Resolution this year to
go green in your Hoboken household!

Following are some simple steps you can take to help make an impact on the environment:

Many cities have recycling programs with drop-off dumpsters and centers in convenient locations. Remember that cardboard, paper, plastic bags, glass jars and milk jugs are just a few of the items you can recycle instead of sending them to a landfill.

Since the winter season is upon us be sure your insulation, windows, and seals are in good condition. If you have any cracks or openings around windows and doors your energy consumption will really increase.

Consider using cleaning supplies that are free of harsh chemicals. Currently, there are options for everything from surface cleaners to detergents. If you are creative you can even make your own cleaners. An easy way to create your own cleaner is by mixing together 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. This is a great alternative to clean dirt and soap scum.

Simply turning your heat down just a few degrees can save you cash, and while help the environment. If you can consider putting a sweater on instead of raising the thermostat.

For help in getting pre-qualified, as well as finding and closing on your perfect Hoboken home, contact Eddie Perez, Broker-REALTOR, CDPE. Eddie’s market includes Hoboken, a progressive city  where they’re always coming up with new ways of making it a better place to live, Jersey City, Weehawken and Union City. Eddie can also be reached by phone at 201-344-2886.

 

A New Incentive for Energy-Saving Improvements

There will be a new pilot program launched by HUD that will offer borrowers with good credit an opportunity to obtain low-cost loans to make energy-saving improvements to their homes. The new PowerSaver loans are backed by the FHA and will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements that include, duct sealing, doors and windows, HVAC systems, water heaters, solar panels, installation of insulation and geothermal systems.

FHA mortgage insurance will cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount in case of default. Lenders will retain the remainder of the risk on each loan, to ensure responsible underwriting and lending standards. There will also be insurance claims payment procedures on PowerSaver loans. Lenders may also be eligible for incentive grant payments from FHA to allow more benefits to borrowers, such as lowering interest rates.

For help in finding and closing on your perfect Hoboken home, contact Eddie Perez, Broker-REALTOR, CDPE. Eddie’s market includes Hoboken, a progressive city  where they’re always coming up with new ways of making it a better place to live, Jersey City, Weehawken and Union City. Eddie can also be reached by phone at 201-344-2886.

Tougher Standards for the Energy Star Label

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for an appliance to be labeled by Energy Star it needs to pass a set of tough guidelines.

Energy Star labels have been appearing on numerous products, including, clothes washers, refrigerators, water coolers, computers, cordless phones, televisions, fans, furnaces, water heaters, light bulbs and fixtures. The Energy Star label can also can be found on commercial-grade kitchen appliances, as well as, windows, doors and skylights.

Tougher standards will ensure the Energy Star certification is a genuine benefit for consumers and not an inappropriate product label.

Manufacturers who want to qualify for a product to be labeled as Energy Star-certified now must submit complete lab reports and results for EPA review and approval before they are permitted to use the Energy Star label.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy is testing some of the most common Energy Star-rated products to make sure they’re compliant with the program’s requirements.

To find Energy Star-certified products, use the look-up feature on the EnergyStar.com website.

For more great ideas for your home, please go to The best furniture picks.

Currently, there are many great opportunities to purchase a home in Hoboken. Perhaps you are considering buying your very first home, or you may be at the point in your life that you are searching for your ultimate dream home. If either may be the case or if it is something in between, contact Eddie Perez at (201) 344-2886 or go to Hoboken Condo Expert.

MLS Goes Green

Are environmental features at the top of your list of priorities for thenext home you purchase? If the answer is yes, you may be interested to learn that the there is a plan to include environmental related information into the Multiple Listing Services (MLSs).

According to the National Association of Realtors,  The Green MLS Tool Kit gives realty brokers and salespeople a way to “add a green initiative” to their local MLS. Since there are approximately 800 MLSs, owned by realty associations and brokers, in the U.S., there is no exact timeline for the entire program implementation.

Once the plan takes full effect, Realtors should have more information about which homes have green features that may appeal to a large group of potential buyers.

For more great ideas for your home, please go to The best furniture picks.

Currently, there are many great opportunities to purchase a home in Hoboken. Perhaps you are considering buying your very first home, or you may be at the point in your life that you are searching for your ultimate dream home. If either may be the case or if it is something in between, contact Eddie Perez at (201) 344-2886 or go to Hoboken Condo Expert.

Are You Using Fluorescent Lights?

Did you know that the use of fluorescent light bulbs in your home is a great way to save energy costs in your home?

But there are people who dislike the blue glow that fluorescent light bulbs give. If you are are a part of the growing number of people who are using fluorescent bulbs than there is a way to reduce that bluish glow. When you are shopping for fluorescent light bulbs, choose the 3,000 degree Kelvin and a color rendering index (CRI) of 80 or greater. By doing this you will reduce the cold blue glow and at the same time save cash and energy.

For more great ideas for your home, please go to The best furniture picks.

If you have been patiently waiting to buy a Hoboken home, now is the time to do it while the home buyer’s tax credit is still in effect. All of the key factors are in place to ensure that your home purchase will be a major, positive life changing event.  With low mortgage rates available, along with the recent passing of the new tax credits, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. Please click on tax credit information for more details.  Make 2010 the year you purchase your dream home. For more information contact Eddie Perez, Broker-REALTOR, CDPE. Eddie’s market includes Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken and Union City.  Eddie can be reached at eddie@InvestHoboken.com or 201-344-2886.

Going Green in Hoboken

I am sure you have heard by now that Hoboken is the home of a new
green building. The Garden Street Lofts located at 1401 Garden St. was once was a coconut processing and storage warehouse is now transformed into Hoboken’s hippest, smartest, and only green residence.

The Garden Street Lofts is committed to a belief in building green by demonstrating its decision to seek LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S.Green Building Council,the standard bearer for ecologically-conscious building practices in America.

Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well being of their occupants and support a healthy community and natural environment. In practical terms, green building is a whole-systems-approach to building that includes:

· Designing for livable communities

· Using sun and site to the building’s advantage for natural heating, cooling, and light

· Building quality, durable structures

· Reducing and recycling construction and demolition waste

· Insulating well and ventilating appropriately

· Incorporating durable, salvaged, recycled, and harvested materials

· Using healthy products and building practices

· Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, fixtures and technology

When implemented holistically, these strategies serve to preserve our
environment for future generations by conserving natural resources and
protecting air and water quality. They provide benefits for us today by
increasing comfort and well-being and helping to maintain healthy air quality.

Finally, green building strategies are good for everyone’s pocketbook by
reducing maintenance and replacement requirements, reducing utility bills and lowering the cost of home ownership, and increasing property and resale values.

If you would like to take a tour of The Garden Street Lofts, or for assistance in finding the perfect home in Hoboken, contact Eddie Perez at (201) 344-2886 or go to Hoboken Condo Expert.