Go Green Quad Cities

New East Davenport Home For Sale

2011-09-09T13:05:57Z

You will not want to miss out on this fabulous new Davenport ranch home. Shop and compare, you will not be disappointed.

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Increase Your Home Buying Power

2011-08-12T17:05:23Z

Since I've been selling real estate in the Quad Cities interest rates have always been good, historically speaking of coarse. In 2003 rates were somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-7%. A few short years later the rates dipped down into the 5's and even 4's. For over a decade now purchasers have had access to phenomenal interest rates and I think buyers today are starting to take these rates for granted. After all, it wont be long ...

Financing Programs for Military Service Members in Iowa

2011-04-01T12:44:00Z

The following article was written by guest bloger Matt Polsky of VAMortgageCenter.com.

Making environmentally-friendly improvements to your home doesn’t have drain your savings, especially if you’re a military homeowner or a prospective one. The VA Home Loan Guaranty program enables service members and veterans to finance the home of their dreams

10 Simple Ways To Save Energy Without Breaking The Bank

2011-03-06T21:56:00Z

In a world that had become rather technological in all the ways to save energy I thought I would point out some simple tips that are easy to do, dont cost an arm and a leg and pretty much anyone can do them.

1. Replace your incandescent bulbs ...

Part 2 of the Top Green Building Trends for the Upcoming Year

2011-02-01T14:24:00Z

I'm sure you see plenty of them in print material and/or hear them on the news so, in an effort to not disappoint anyone, here are some more predictions for 2011.

In an earlier post titled Top 10 Green Building Trends For The Upcoming Year (I would link back to it but somehow the entire post got deleted once I started this one), Jerry Yudelson outlined 10 tre nds that he thought would be the next fad in green building. I recently came ...

Your New Master Bath Cost What!?

2011-01-27T14:32:00Z

I have got into the habit of reading Remodeling magazine's annual "Cost vs. Value Report" in my REALTOR magazine. And every year I shake my head at it and wonder where in the heck they get their information from. Well, actually they do tell me exactly where they get their info. but, its just not accurate, at least, not in my opinion (click here to get the specific criteria). ...

Quad City Real Estate Market Snapshot 2010

2011-01-10T13:55:00Z

In an effort to keep my subscribers up to date I am passing along information pertaining to the 2010 real estate market in the Iowa Quad Cities. Even as a REALTOR in the Quad Cities who is in this business everyday, its interesting to look back at the statistics. When I preform a Price Analysis for my prospective sellers I take a long look and analyze the current market stats. I guess you could say that I'm kind of a stat. guy when it comes to real estate.

Below you will see several tables that summarize different aspects ...

2011 Business Plan...Already?

2011-01-03T14:33:00Z

As December came and went (in like a lamb and out like a lion) I find myself asking, What Happened!? As most other REALTORS know, the beginning of December marks that break-off point of getting one last deal in before the end of the year.Before we know it that month has surpassed us and for many, that one last deal never happened. In fact, personally, that 'one last deal' mentality came much sooner than December. It was more like late September early November when I was hoping to at least get one or t

Energy Efficient Tax Incentives May Get Extended

2010-12-22T16:51:00Z

One of the perks of my EcoBroker® designation is they keep me up to date on the latest issues that pertain to energy efficiency and sustainability. The latest news comes from www.energytaxincentives.org in which they discuss the likely hood of extending the home energy tax incentives. These include rebates on new homes, home ...

Find Your Next Quad City Dream Home

2010-05-28T14:00:00Z

How do you search for homes for sale in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas? The most common answer to that question would most likely be the internet. Statistics show that over 85% of buyers start their search online.

Well, how many web sites do you think there are in a particular geographical market that allow potential buyers to search for properties? Dozens? hundreds? There are thousands if you include each agents individual site. And how many of those sites are geared specifically to searching for properties and do not try to get you to use their service, ...

Quad City Subdivision Is Now Bank Owned

2010-02-19T14:04:00Z

Eagle Ridge began its development in early 2006 and was completed by the end of that year. The residential building lots were originally listed in December of 2006 and the first recorded sale was June of 2007. To date, 13 of the 32 total lots have sold. At first those numbers seem dismal. After all that's only .35 sales per month, or 4.2 sales per year. Most new developments need many more sales than that to survive the first couple years. In fact, a developer does not usually ...

Mel Foster Announces A New Real Estate Website

2009-12-18T19:48:00Z

Chris Kaufmann and Mel Foster Co. are excited to inform you that we launched our new company website on

Incorporate Natural Daylighting into your home

2009-10-05T19:00:00Z

Natural daylighting is simply using natural day light to illuminate a home or buildings interior instead of relying on electrical use during the day. Its been proven that people live happier and are more efficient at work when natural light floods their living space. Tests have been done on educational facilities and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration reports that children who were exposed to daylighting in their schools perform better and have a lower absenteeism rate.

Daylighting technologies are relatively easy to incorporate in new construction. Opportunities also exist in existing buildings but, may require a ...

How Does Energy Efficiency Stack Up With Buyers?

2009-07-07T22:34:00Z

In 2007 the National Association of Realtors conducted a survey of home buyers which asked how important energy efficiency was to them in making their purchase. Although they don't specify I suspect the survey was conducted based upon purchases in 2006 vs. 2007.

92% of all home buyers consider energy efficiency at least somewhat important and 46% ranked it as very important when it pertains to a home purchase.

Repeat buyers are more aware and more interested in efficiency then first time buyers. 50% of repeat buyers indicate that efficiency in the home is very important where as only 41% of first time ...

Available homes for sale in Davenport, Iowa

2009-04-09T13:57:00Z

Here is a preview of the many homes the Iowa Quad City real estate market has to offer. If you would like further information on any of these please email: ckaufmann@melfosterco.comDon't forget about the first time buyer (or those who have not owned in 3 yrs) tax credit of $8,000!! ...

Bettendorf, IA Green Home Built for Educational Purposes

2009-03-18T22:51:00Z

A few days ago our local newspaper, the Quad City Times, reported on a story pertaining to future green construction in one of the fastest growing parts of Bettendorf, IA. It was said that members of the Quad City Home Builders Association (QCHBA) were going to donate their time and provide materials at cost for the construction of a 1900sf ranch built to the Silver Award level set forth by the National Association of Home Builders. Ryan Windmiller of Aspen Homes was chosen to oversee ("general") the project. What they didn't elaborate on was what the specific level(s) entailed. Here's my ...

Eagle Ridge Announces Spring (recession) Pricing!

2009-02-17T19:48:00Z

Effective immediately for a limited time Eagle Ridge Subdivision is offering large discounts on many of our lots. We now have an entry level price of $39,900 down from $47,500. Many lots have been reduced by $5,000.

Eagle Ridge is located on the outskirts of Davenport, IA and offer low county taxes. The minimum size lots are nearly ¾’s of an acre on up and allow for detached buildings/garages. The subdivision will accommodate Passive Solar, Natural Daylighting, and has been graded to reduced storm water run off.

Second is a 1,595sf, 3Br, 3Bath, 3 ...

New Home Offers 20-30% Savings on Utility Bills

2009-02-04T15:24:00Z

The Quad City, IA real estate market is lacking one thing; the amount of homes which meet or exceed an Energy Efficient Rating System.

Many regions of the country offer different guidelines to build green. Some of which consist of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Built Green Colorado, Green Built Home in Milwaukee or perhaps a more common name, Energy Star. Mid American Energy, our local utility provider even offers an EnergyAdvantage® New Homes Program. My point here is that there are many resources for new ...

Chris Kaufmann featured in Radish Magazine

2008-11-12T18:46:00Z

The following is taken from the November issue of Radish Magazine.
EcoBrokers

Find a green home with help from the pros

By Steve Trainor

Looking to buy a green home, but not sure exactly where to look or what it should include? You might consider hiring an EcoBroker to help.

EcoBrokers are licensed real estate agents who have been certified by EcoBroker International of Evergreen, Colo. The program teaches agents ...

Executive Real Estate Available in Muscatine, IA

2008-11-12T14:37:00Z

The following prestigious home, located between Davenport, IA & Muscatine, IA, has recently been added to Chris Kaufmann's portfolio of homes for sale. We are listed at $389,900 with over 4,000sf ($96/sf), 4 Br's, 6+ car garage and originally built in 2000. Also included are many energy efficient features and a building orientation designed to save you hundreds every year. You can view more pictures at www.3486BigSky.com

This home is maintained by 2 heating and cooling systems allowing the buyer to zone certain parts of the house when not in use. Don’t let the square footage scare you. Both furnaces are 96% ...