Go Green Quad Cities

Quad City Subdivision Is Now Bank Owned

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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?

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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!

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 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% ...

Scott County's Plant Some Shade Program

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-09-30T14:28:00Z

On October 2, 2008, the Scott County Conservation Board is sponsoring a "Plant Some Shade" program funded by MidAmerican Energy and administered by the Iowa Dept of Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry. MidAmerican Energy customers who live in Iowa are eligible to purchase trees for $25 each. Trees available are: Swamp White Oak, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Adams Flowering Crabapple and Norway Spruce. Tree purchase is initially limited to two trees per household to ensure all customers have an opportunity to purchase trees. Advanced purchase is recommended. In ...

Five Fantastic Freebies

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-09-22T22:45:00Z

These days, many people are looking for new ways to cut costs and save money. Here are five great ideas from the editors of Kiplinger.com

Free TV & Movies: Full episodes of more than 300 shows from NBC Universal and Fox stations are available on www.hulu.com. The site also offers over 165 free full-length movies in a variety of genres. In addition, other networks like ABC and CBS are also starting to post full episodes of various shows ...

Energy Efficient Mortgages an Untapped Resource in the Quad Cities

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-08-22T13:18:00Z

Upon reading this most of you are probably unaware such a thing even exists. I was also oblivious to Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM's) and I sell real estate for a living. It was only after entering into my EcoBroker® Certification course several months back that Energy Efficient Mortgages were brought to my attention. Subsequently, I checked with a couple local Quad City lenders who were listed as qualified EEM providers to see exactly what kind of demand existed, if any, for this type of financing. ...

Making a home cooked dinner without the use of electricity

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-07-24T12:42:00Z

Instead of using your traditional oven there may be another way to cook your food. The energy source: its directly overhead.

I discovered an article which discussed the different ways in which people are making use of solar power. An interesting topic was cooking by using the sun. And no I'm not talking about cracking an egg on the hood of your car on a 90+ degree day, or even warming up some chocolate chip cookies on your cars dashboard. I'm talking about cooking a full sized turkey, baking bread, steaming vegetables or whatever else you'd like to eat, by placing the food inside ...

Quad City Real Estate Market

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-06-23T14:33:00Z

There has been a lot of discussion with family, friends and clients about the status of the local real estate market. Everywhere we turn real estate is a hot topic. It amazes me as to how many different opinions I get from people about their views of the local market.

I feel the local market has its ups and downs. It all depends on what price range were talking about, or if the homes are new construction, condos or resale. I have been responding to these many questions now with usually a similar variation of one answer..."the overall Iowa Quad City market is ...

QC BARRELS AVAILABLE STARTING WED, JUN 25

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-06-23T14:07:00Z

Update on Rain Barrels...

"Well they came in during the flood...we've been displaced for
about a week...but now we're ready to start selling again!!"

"Please send us an email or call [563.322.2969] to arrange for picking up your
rain barrel starting this Wednesday. Our office ours are from 8-5 Monday to
Friday and address is 822 E. River Drive. Hope to see you soon."

Sincerely,

Jeff Cornelius
River Action
jeff@riveraction.org

Interesting fact:
A 1,000 square foot roof accepts approximately 625 gallons of water in a 1 inch rain.

...

On Demand Water Heaters

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-06-13T13:14:00Z

Another source of water heaters is available but, is anyone using it? Their called on-demand or instantaneous water heaters. In contrast to the traditional method of keeping 40 to 80 gallons of hot water stored in an insulated tank, on-demand heaters produce hot water only when it is needed. Since hot water is generally required for less than a few hours each day instead of 24, owners can easily benefit from high efficiency modern designs that provide hot water on demand. Less fuel is required for a given volume and temperature of water, not to ...

Quad Cities gets drenched. Where are the rain barrels?

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-06-04T01:58:38Z

In a matter of 3 hours parts of the Davenport area reported nearly 2 inches of rainfall this morning. When Davenport receives a large amount of rain we can experience serious flash flooding relatively quick. Duck Creek was out of its banks, surrounding steams and creeks were gushing with water, the Wapsi is now well above flood stage and of course, basements leaked (mine being one of them).

These are the obvious effects of large amounts of rain water. People just assume that when it rains, streams and creeks will flood. Well, why is that? Its because of every home & every business (except the Davenport Police Station) directs their ...

Mid American Energy offers free energy audit

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-05-29T03:09:00Z

If you think going green will cost you more than its worth, think again. In the Iowa Quad Cities Mid American Energy offers a free energy audit upon request. I belie they call it an energy home check because it is not a full fledge energy audit. The only catch is that; 1) you must be a current customer of Mid American and 2) the requested home must be at least 10 years old. Simply call 800-545-0762 and ask for the energy check. They will schedule for an auditor to come to your house and assess the home for ...

Davenport subdivision offers green capabilities

ckaufmann@melfosterco.com (Chris Kaufmann) — 2008-05-28T22:59:00Z

Eagle Ridge is a new single family residential development on the west end of Davenport, Iowa within Scott County limits. The exact location lies on the south east corner of hwy 61 south and 100th Ave. Map As you can see from the map this neighborhood has close access to many highways, West Lake Park, The Mississippi River, award winning schools and downtown Davenport. Eagle Ridge offers unusually large lots for a residential subdivision. Lots range from .69 acres to 1.4 acres. The land is quite hilly and thus, 50% of these lots offer walk-out & daylight capabilities. For ...