November Housing Data ~ Darien, Rowayton & New Canaan, Ct.

November Housing Data ~ Darien, Rowayton & New Canaan, Ct.

As we are nearing the end of 2010 we are beginning to see the house trend for single family homes for the year 2010. The numbers seem to indicate and upward momentum from 2009 with more homes sold and with an average home price up in some markets. Darien number of sales year to date (YTD) as of November is up 43% from last year with a YTD average sales price of $1,681,472. New Canaan’s home sales year to date as of November compared to last year up 47% and Rowayton showing steady at a gain of 2%.

Single Family Properties.

Darien ~ November 2010

• Current sales for November were 10 homes.
• The Year to Date (YTD) Average Sales Price to November 2010 is $1,681,472.
• Year to date November 2010 number sold units is 226 up from totals in YTD November 2009 of 157 single family homes.
• Current month inventory of homes 157 with market time sold 144 days.

New Canaan ~ November 2010

• Current sales for November were 15 homes.
• The Year to Date Average Sales Price of November 2010 is $1,718,456.
• Year to date unit sales November 2010 is 181 up from YTD November 2009 of 123.

Rowayton ~ November 2010

• Current sales for November were 3 homes.
• Year to day November 2010 number sold is 45, YTD of November 2009 was 44.
• The Year to Date Average Sales Price to November 2010 is $1,460,144, up from YTD average sales price November 2009 of $ 1,003,407.

*This information is based on the William Raveis Real Estate Local Housing Data report and is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed. Information deemed critical to buying decision should be independently verified.

William Raveis Website, Raveis.com, has a great tool for owners, sellers & buyers called ‘Local Housing Data’.  On this page it will give you all the local up to date data & statistic for the town you are interested in.

Median Price: is half are below, half are above

Average Price: are all sold prices are added together into a sum; the sum is then divided by the number of houses that sold.

 

David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien. David is a lifetime Fairfield County resident who grew up in Rowayton, Ct. and a resident of Darien, Ct since 2004.   

An accredited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). 

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

What is LEED for Homes? ~ Part Two.

 

What is LEED for Homes ?    Part Two. 

This is part two of a series about LEED for Homes volunteer green build rating program that the U.S. Green Build Council’s (USGBC) developed. LEED for Homes is made up of 8 categories, five are environmental, two are residential specific and the eighth one is about Innovations and Design. Each category carry credits that can be earned for green building and some categories have prerequisites that must be met. Below is a brief preview of each of the eight categories.

1.     Innovation & Design Process (ID)   ~ total points available to earn 11

• Integrated Project Planning intended to create an integrated and systems oriented approach to design and building. Then incorporating that with a Durability Management Process to promote durability and high performance and create a path to follow.
• Innovative or Regional Design gives points to project teams to implement building practices, technology that is not currently in the LEED for Homes rating system.

2.     Location & Linkages (LL)  ~ total points available to earn 10

• Location and Linkage (LL) along with Awareness and Education (AE) are the two residential specific related categories. LL deals with site selection, neighborhood development and approxcimay to community resources such as public transportation, restaurants, stores, parks and public buildings.

3.     Awareness &Education (AE)  ~ total points available to earn 3

• Requires the project team to educate the owner and tenants on how properly to use the home and its green features, provides an owner manual.
• Project team can do an open house to educate the public on green homes. If a building manager is involved provide education about operations and maintenance.

The next five categories are the environmental sectors.

4.     Sustainable Sites (SS)   ~ total points available to earn 22

• To design a site that minimizes adverse effect on the environment. Such as minimize damage to area during construction, prevent erosion, manage rainwater, landscape development to minimize water demand and invasive plants.
• Manage and implement pest control alternatives, reduce heat island effect and promote community livability.

5.     Water Efficiency (WE)  ~ total points available to earn 15

• Use high efficiency fixtures, efficient smart irrigation systems and water reuse such as rainwater and gray water.

6.     Energy and Atmosphere (EA)  ~ total points available to earn 38

• Either a Performance or a Prescriptive Path can be taken to earn points. The performance approach partakes in the EPA’s program Energy Star for Homes. The Prescriptive path breaks down the process by addressing insulation, air infiltration, windows, heating and cooling systems, water heating, lighting, appliances, renewable energy and residential refrigerant management.

 

7.     Material & Resources (MR)   ~ total points available to earn 16

• Address construction waste and reduction, material efficiency framing techniques, environmental preferred products such as FSC certified wood and using renewable and recycled products.

8.     Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)  ~ total points avail. to earn 21

• To promote improved indoor air quality and comfortably of the home. Issues addressed here are proper venting, moisture control, distribution of heat and cooling, air filtration, reduce airborne contaminants, radon protection and minimize garage pollutant into the living space.

 

LEED for Homes has a total of 136 possible points to earn from 67 different credits.  There are a total of 18 prerequisites that must be met to earn certification. There are four certification levels in the program, the required points need to reach each level is:-

• Certified                    45 to 59  points
• Silver                          60 to 74  points
• Gold                           75 to 89   points
• Platinum                   90 to 136 points

 

David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien. 

David is an accredited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) .

 David has over twenty-five years experience in residential construction and over twenty commercial and retail interior outfit/renovations projects completed.

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

 

What is LEED for Homes? Part 1 of 2 series.

What is LEED for Homes?  Part 1 of 2 series.

 

LEED for Homes gives the architect, builder, homeowner a voluntary rating system in to which they can implement practical and measurable green building design, construction, operation and maintenance in the residential sector.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) designed the LEED programs and is a recognized green building certification system. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

There are numerous LEED certification programs for commercial building; New Construction, Schools, Retail, Core & Shell, Commercial Interiors, Building Operation & Maintenance and LEED for Neighborhood Development which we will not address in this article.

Why Green Homes?

Earth’s population is growing, thus a demand for more natural resources which are in a finite amount. The EPA has done a study in the United States and building accounts for:

• Ø 39% of total energy consumption
• Ø 68% of electrical usage
• Ø 38% or carbon dioxide emissions (20.6% residential)
• Ø 12% water consumption (74% residential)
• Ø Building related construction and demolition approximately 160 million tons per year.

Green homebuilding promotes construction of homes that have higher performance levels, using sustainable building practices, renewable and recycled materials. The goal is to build a healthier non-toxic home, that last longer and cost less to maintain and operate.

LEED for Homes has five environmental categories, two specific categories for residential sector and an Innovation and Design category to address practices not covered in the five environmental categories.

1. Sustainable Sites
2. Water Efficiency
3. Energy and Atmosphere
4. Material & Resources
5. Indoor Environmental Quality

Innovation & Design

1. Location & Linkage
2. Awareness &Education

 

Rating and Certification of LEED for Homes is done by a third party called the LEED for Home Certification Provider (LEED Provider). The LEED Provider and as team of LEED Raters who conduct field inspections and performance testing and is independent from the construction of the project.

LEED certification is based on the scorecard of 18 prerequisites and 67 credits from the 8 categories above, in total 136 credit points are available. The certification levels are:

• Certified                    45 to 59  points
• Silver                          60 to 74  points
• Gold                           75 to 89   points
• Platinum                   90 to 136 points

 

How to start?

1. Contact a LEED for Homes Provider
2. Identify project team, architect, builder, landscaper, engineer, subcontractors before or at the beginning of design and location.
3. Preliminary Project Checklist
4. Decide on design and location
5. Build to stated goals, verify with Green Rater and Provider
6. Certify Home
7. Post certification education and awareness to public, PR and marketing.

This is just a brief over view of the steps and amount of work it takes. There are adjustments, verification procedures, calculations and more to work through. Every project is different, applying to different credits following different prescriptive and/or performance paths. Contact your local LEED Provider for more information, local LEED AP for HOMEs builder/architect or go to USGBC website. (LEED AP for Homes are professional credentials that specialize in design and construction of green homes accredited by USGBC).

 

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David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien. 

David is an accredited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) .

 David has over twenty-five years experience in residential construction and over twenty commercial and retail interior outfit/renovations projects completed.

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

 

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To Find a Home, get Local Housing Data, view area Mapping please click here

 

~ David A. Popoff ~ Licensed Connecticut Realtor ~ LEED GA accredited ~ Cell (203) 228-0646 ~

 ~ www.DavidPopoffCT.com ~ DavidPopoffCt@Hotmail.com ~ http://davidpopoffct.wordpress.com/ ~

 

       

Gourmet Prepared Meals for the Holidays, New Canaan, Ct.

  Gourmet Prepared Meals for the Holidays, New Canaan, Ct.    

The Christmas Menu is out, gourmet prepared meals for the whole family. This isn’t your run of the mill fast food stop but high quality delicious items that the whole family will enjoy. Five star main entrees include such wonderful treats as  Beef Wellington, Lobster Thermidor and Poach Salmon  with yummy sides of potatoes au gratin, roasted beets with blue cheese, saffron and pea risotto just to mention a few of the specialties. But it does not stop there, homemade soups, specialty hors d’oureves, breads and desserts are available as well.

All this is available right in the middle of New Canaan, Ct at Fishtales Seafood Company. Not just seafood, but prepared dinners, raw bars, catering and take out are also available. The Christmas Menu is only available through special advance ordering; place your order soon, only a limited number will be served. See below for full selection of this menu. Call 203-966-6300 and talk to Houston, Dan or Cathy on amounts and serving suggestion.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO FISHTALES SEAFOOD COMPANY FACEBOOK PAGE AND FULL MENU.

David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien. David a lifetime Fairfield County resident who grew up in Rowayton, Ct. and after school would work at the local Seafood & Lobster Co-op. Now a resident of Darien, Ct since 2004, he is an accredited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) .

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

 

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To Find a Home, get Local Housing Data, view area Mapping please click here

 

~ David A. Popoff ~ Licensed Connecticut Realtor ~ LEED GA accredited ~ Cell (203) 228-0646 ~

 ~ www.DavidPopoffCT.com ~ DavidPopoffCt@Hotmail.com ~ http://davidpopoffct.wordpress.com/ ~

 

       

 

 

 

A Perfect House Warming Gift ~ Christmas Cactus.

Christmas Cactus in Connecticut.

 

Our Christmas Cactus we received as a house warming present when we bought our home here in Darien, Connecticut. The plant was only a few inches high, as you can see in the picture it is now huge and in full bloom. It is great gift that we enjoy yearly and easy to maintain.  During the summer we keep outside (medium indirect sunlight) and in the winter we move indoors.  Now if full bloom it reflects the festiveness of the season, enjoy.

 

 

 

Christmas Cactus also known as Holiday Cacti are from several closely related species in the Schlumbergera  and Hatiora family and tend to be hybrids.  They naturally bloom in the cooler months, 50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, which coincides with the holiday season in North America. The color of flowers produced range from red to pink – peach and white. Massive numbers on flowers can appear on a single plant which open in daylight and tend to close in the evening.

Watering should leave the soil evenly moist and an established plant will only need watering every two or three days in warm sunny weather, less in cooler, cloudy weather.

Propagation is easily done by removing a single segment and planting it a quarter of its length deep in a pot of slightly sandy soil. Place plant in well let area but not direct harsh sunlight and keep soil moist, the plant should show signs of growth within two to three weeks.

 

Happy Holidays To All, Prosperity, Health and Best Wishes for 2011.

 

David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien. David grew up in Rowayton, Ct. and has been a resident of Darien, Ct since 2004.  An accredited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) .

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtors, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

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To Find a Home, get Local Housing Data, view area Mapping please click here

 

~ David A. Popoff ~ Licensed Connecticut Realtor ~ LEED GA accredited ~ Cell (203) 228-0646 ~

 ~ www.DavidPopoffCT.com ~ DavidPopoffCt@Hotmail.com ~ http://davidpopoffct.wordpress.com/ ~

 

       

 

Green Building Trends Driving Growth In Today’s Economy.

 

Green Building construction starts were up 50% from 2008 to 2010 and represents 25% of all new construction activity in 2010 according to the McGraw-Hill Construction report,  Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth.

Green building is the bright spot in today’s tough economy, with a third of all new nonresidential construction being green, a $54 billion market. In the next five years nonresidential green building activity is expected to triple, to about $120 to $145 billion in new construction. Health care, education and office green construction are the strong sectors, due in part to the fact that bigger projects are more likely to go green. 71% of all projects valued over $50 million this year have mentioned the U.S. Green Building Council’sLEED specifications.

The 32 page “Green Outlook 2011″ report provides insights into key trends in the green building scene. Building owners have noticed many business benefits in green building such as:-

• Reduction in operating costs of 13.6% on average for new buildings and 8.5% for retrofits;
• Increase in building values of 10.9% for new buildings and 6.8% for retrofits; and
• Increase in return on investment (ROI) of 9.9% for new buildings and 19.2% for retrofits.

The 2011 Construction Outlook, another McGraw-Hill Construction report, is predicting an overall increase in U.S. construction starts for 2011 of 8% to $445.5 billion and this follows a predicted 2% decline for 2010. Details forecasts for the residential and commercial building sectors are:

• Single family housing in 2011 will climb 27% in dollars, corresponding to a 25% increase in the number of units to 565,000 (McGraw-Hill Construction basis).
• Multifamily housing will rise 24% in dollars and 23% in units, continuing to move gradually upward.
• Commercial buildings will increase 16%, following a three-year decline, which dropped contracting 62% in dollar terms. The levels of activity expected for stores, warehouses, offices and hotels in 2011 will still be quite weak by historical standards

 

Model Building Code 30% More Energy Efficient

Members of the International Code Council (ICC) approved changes in October 2010 to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and will be available for jurisdictions to adopt in April 2011, when the 2012 IECC is published. With these changes the predicted energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings should be by 30 percent over the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004. To see more of this article please click here.

David Popoff is a license Realtor in Connecticut with William Raveis office in Darien.  David is an acreddited LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) by the United States Green Build Council (USGBC) and a Certified Green Professional (CGP) of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) .

• Member of the Connecticut Association of Realtor’s, CAR.
• Member of the National Association of Realtor’s, NAR.
• Member of the Connecticut chapter (CTGBC).  
• Associate member of the  HBRA-Fairfield County, Ct. .
• Contact David Popoff for all your real estate needs in Darien, New Canaan, Rowayton and other parts of Connecticut.

 

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To Find a Home, get Local Housing Data, view area Mapping please click here

 

~ David A. Popoff ~ Licensed Connecticut Realtor ~ LEED GA accredited ~ Cell (203) 228-0646 ~

 ~ www.DavidPopoffCT.com ~ DavidPopoffCt@Hotmail.com ~ http://davidpopoffct.wordpress.com/ ~