This past week one quarter of the planet closed their offices and returned home to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Feb 14 – the Year of the Golden Tiger. In Chinese astrology the tiger is considered to have courage, passion, fearlessness and power. On the other hand this year is considered an unlucky year
Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. For those renting, buying or renovating a pre-1978 home, receiving a copy of the EPA’s lead pamphlet is federal law, and duly warns against things like letting your children chew on the windowsills. Lead has been
As the mortgage and credit crisis continues, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is becoming a lifeline for homebuyers seeking affordable mortgages. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development the number of FHA-backed home loans rose from 3.7% in 2006 to 21.1% in 2009. Why are FHA loans so attractive? Because
One critical piece of legislation for the building industry up for vote this week is HB 2853 + SB 6656, “The Energy-Efficiency Financing Act.”This bill creates a mechanism for municipalities to finance and issue bonds that would set up loans to provide affordable up-front financing for energy efficiency projects/upgrades for residential and commercial properties. Loans
Save the Planet AND increase Quality of Life (Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities: Models for 21st Century Living) By John L Talbott, PE (Findhorn Foundation) Tuesday, January 26th, 7-8pm, Capitol Hill Space is limited! Please RSVP info@infinitiRED.com How can humanity create truly sustainable settlements for the 21st century and beyond which preserve, maintain and enhance the
Keeping an eye on upcoming green building trends is an important part of our work, and each new year brings a plethora of new predictions. Will the green building industry boom this year? How far will the envelope be pushed? What will homeowners and buyers be paying attention to. All good questions, and there are
We are very excited about the fact that the Seattle City Council voted this month to carry over the development standards of Backyard Cottages from Southeast Seattle to the rest of the city! Backyard Cottages, also referred to as “detached accessory dwelling units” or “DADUs”, have been allowed in Southeast Seattle since 2006, with approximately
It was only 3 years ago that Infiniti RED co-owner Danielle Johnson listed and sold a 13 unit townhome project for Martha Rose Construction in Seattle’s redeveloped Rainier Vista neighborhood. Formerly occupied by temporary housing from the 1940s, Rainier Vista is a 34 acre planned community in southeast Seattle located on the LINK Light Rail
Sightline’s Daily Score featured an article this week entitled “Walkable Neighborhoods Are Worth More”, which summarizes the findings of recent studies on walkability and its relationship to home prices. CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders building and sustaining the next generation of great American cities, took it upon themselves to ask –
We have just teamed up with Sloan Ritchie of Cascade Built to list his “Alley House” in Madison Valley, one of the first LEED platinum certified single-family houses in Seattle. This 1,830 square-foot, three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath modern home redefines urban infill development with it’s unique back alley location and tree-top views. It’s also chalk