Green Machine

The Green craze is a growing phenomenon in the Real estate industry.  More and more developers are striving to incorporate green technology and many are even going so far as to be become certified by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) as a Certified Green Professional.  By constructing homes that are qualified energy efficient, home builders are even receiving Tax credits.  From bringing your canvas tote to the grocery store, to driving in your hybrid car, or shopping the local farmers market for organic produce, there are ways that you too can become green.  While many of us live in older homes, from earlier in the decade or ancient ones like my home, which was built in 1906, there are ways to live green, and make your home more appealing for that future green buyer.  Here are just a few to consider implementing in your daily life.

~Paint the Town Red!~When painting in your home, use low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) paint.  The higher the VOC-the more toxic.

~Floor me~When remodeling a kitchen or bath, look into a more earth friendly flooring option.  Bamboo, cork, recycled rubber floors, and reclaimed hardwood are all great green options.

~Landscape Love~Looking to freshen up the outdoor area around your home?  Take a few extra minutes and research local plants and vegetation to the area, that will live through your changing climate and require less water.

~Light the way~And of course, the easiest way to start being Green is changing out the light bulbs in your home.  Compact Fluorescent light bulbs save energy!  If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
For more helpful green tips, feel free to contact us at: kjpremier@atproperties.com.

Outside Please~at ZED451

It’s summertime in Chicago, and of course, we must take advantage of the quick 3-4 mos. of fabulous weather!  I wanted to comment on a recent trip to a new joint called ZED451. It’s located in the trendy River North Neighborhood, amidst the new, glass highrises, and expensive, old Brownstones.  I was having a quick drink and appetizers with some co-workers, and arrived to the posh new spot, only to be stopped at the door, by a scrawny guy telling me that to get up to rooftop I must “wait here.”  Here before me was a line (it was only about 7pm on a Friday night~at a steakhouse mind you) that was already about 15 deep.  My 2 friends and I were meeting some colleuges already atop the new resturant, and we tried to tell this to the bouncer, but it didn’t matter.  We were to wait roughly 35 minutes, with the other poor souls in front of us, to experience this new heavenly oasis.  By the time we were finally let upstairs, I began to wonder what the wait was for as the patio seemed about half its capacity.   The service was slow, and the crowd was decent at best.  The plush couches and fancy cocktails were nice, but after I finally got my drink and chatted it up for an hour, I decided to spend the rest of the evening in my cozy backyard with immediate service and a place to put my feet up.  Hopefully this new hot spot will ditch the pretentious line outside, and with time, improve their service.