Dallas Real Estate News, Housing Trends, Home Prices, Home Tours, Candy Evans, DallasDirt Blog D Magazine » Green Home Building

New Resource Group Forms: Dallas Green Building Alliance

Catherine Horsey — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:10:36 +0000

Last year a group of contractors, while working together on a sustainable/green/resource-efficient residential project on Walnut Hill, started hanging out together to talk about sustainability, how to make their projects more sustainable, and how to support each other in those efforts. After months of once-a-week conversations, they decided to start a new group, the Dallas Green Building Alliance. Their mission is to be a resource for homeowners, Realtors, builders–anyone with an interest in learning more about building and remodeling in a sustainable way. Their brand-new website is absolutely loaded with information, technical and otherwise, on heating and air conditioning systems, low-VOC finishes, solar, projects, etc. Yes, they are looking for business, but they have definitely drunk the Kool-Aid and they are really committed to this. Check it out.

Green Certification Class for Realtors This Week

Catherine Horsey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:43:44 +0000

You’ll remember that last year the National Association of Realtors developed a pretty comprehensive certification for Realtors that covered many different aspects of “green” buildings. There’s a two-day core curriculum class, being offered this week at MetroTex/dfwRealtors, and then a one-day elective in residential, commercial or property management. It’s hard to give up two days, but you Realtors will be amazed at how much has been crammed into the class–all of which will come in handy sooner or later.

Green Labron Ctd.

Josh Hixson — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:33:01 +0000

I had the chance to take a tour of the Green Labron home in June and if you are looking for a few good “green” ideas then this stop on the AIA Dallas house tour is definitely worth your time. While these guys shot for the moon (LEED Platinum certification) when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint, you don’t have to spend as much green to help the environment. Simple things like installing energy star appliances, dual flush toilets and tankless water heaters will make your home more engery efficient. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat that allows you to set different temperatures during the day and at night (or while on vacation) then I recommend getting one — it’s an easy DIY project that will only cost you around $75. I just installed one in my 1970s circa home and my wife no longer complains about waking up to a cold house in the morning. If you need more inspiration, head on over to the Green Labron website.

Also, if you’re curious to read about a teeny, tiny struggle they had with the city of Dallas then click here. But keep it on the DL, because more than a few people are unhappy I wrote that article.

Now THIS Is A House Tour!

Catherine Horsey — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:34:42 +0000

Photo by Charles D. Smith AIA

This year’s AIA Dallas house tour, November 7-8, has some truly extraordinary houses designed by some of the very best local architects. One of the houses, on Labron, we wrote about here many moons ago. Designed by Kelly Mitchell and Sean Garman, two of the most fun folks around as well as really good architects, it’ll be well worth the price of admission on its own. And I want to see the rest, so see you there.

Dream Pool, Ctd.

Candy Evans — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:10 +0000

This pool at Wimberley Place overlooks Twin Creeks Golf Course — see the fairway, not power lines in the back yard!

Dallas Real Estate: Do We Love Radiant Barriers?

Candy Evans — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:58:01 +0000

My colleague Josh Hixson is seeking homeowners who have had experience with radiant barriers in their home for a year or more. Love it, hate itation? Please email Josh at josh.hixson@peoplenewspapers.com

Energy-Efficiency Incentives For Home Buyers Are Growing, Blowing

Candy Evans — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:07:48 +0000

I’ve heard this from both coasts, and already happening in Austin. FHA is prepared to give borrowers up to 5% more in loans if they use the funds to make their homes more energy efficient. That could be an extra $15,000 on a $300,000 mortgage to use for tighter windows, improved insulation, tank less water heaters, etc. Remember that FHA only covers conforming loans, that is, up to $417,000 in our area. But still, this could not only help spur home sales but stir up business for the folks who make your home energy efficient. Stay tuned this week for an interview with a realtor who takes 1% of his commission, comes to your new house, and puts the money to work making your home superbly green.

Earth Day and the Ag Exemption

Candy Evans — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:56:31 +0000

If you love trees and tree farms, then you should love what the Texas agriculture exemption has done for them. In honor of Earth Day, here’s an out-take from my recent post on farms and suburbs for the national land-use website The New Geography, an interesting aside relayed to me by Phillip Williams, developer of Montgomery Farm in Allen:

Margaret Crow thought that cows stank. Margaret was the elegant wife of Trammell Crow, Jr., a Dallas property developer who created the Dallas Design District, Dallas Market Center, Atlanta’s Peachtree Center and San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center.

The problem was that without any cows, Mr. Crow would not be able to obtain an agricultural exemption on his extensive properties and would instead pay full Texas property taxes. How the hell, he asked, can you get an ag exemption without any cows? He posed the question to a young CPA at Arthur Young, Crow’s accounting firm, who shot back a memo to Crow saying sir, you can have your agricultural exemption: plant a tree farm.

That CPA was young Philip Williams.

”By 1988,” says Williams, “Every major real estate developer in Texas had a tree farm.”

Dallas Dirt Comments

Candy Evans — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:21:26 +0000

We have people of superior intelligence commenting here on Dallas Dirt. Proof: someone just posted a comment that I think is brilliant and appropriate for Earth Day. Why don’t electricians wire houses so that, as you walk out the door, you could flip a switch and turn off all electrical outlets? Not only would that save electricity it would prevent potential fires from hair dryers/curling irons/irons/Christmas tree lights left plugged in. Our house is wired as a “smart house”, meaning we are able to access electronics (lights, music) from our cell phones or computer. Naturally, I have done it once in nine years. But if I could shut down the juice remotely, I might do it more often.

Whole Foods Lakewood: Special Parking For Hybrids

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:32:20 +0000

Vehicles, that is. I could park in this spot — not the truck. (Sorry!)

Whole Foods Lakewood: Kids Will Want To Wash And Dry Their (Germy Little) Hands

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:30:55 +0000

This is a Dyson sanitizing hand dryer in the ladies’ bathroom. Pop in your hands, they are dried and cleansed. Rather OCD myself, I love this concept (just ordered my sanitizing wand for hotel rooms) and will be in the bathroom over there every day. As will the kids, I’m sure — just hope they don’t go sticking little Gerbils in there — oh Lord — horrors. �

Whole Foods Lakewood: No More Excuses Not To Cook

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:29:14 +0000

Or, like me, let meat and poultry get freezer burn in my freezer while I doodle around with recipe books. One-of-a-kind, this tech-age scale weighs your meat choice (even venison and buffalo), prices it, then prints off three recipes so you know what the hecvk to do with it, AND serve with it: appropriate side-dishes and the perfect wine selections are also included. Will it suggest the perfect guests? Spouse? Will it do the dishes?

Whole Foods Lakewood

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:23:49 +0000

60-foot long timeline marking notable events in Lakewood history and important dates in Whole Foods Market History. Anyone remember the Bluebonnet Cafe?

Whole Foods Lakewood

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:22:29 +0000

Since this store marks the move of the famous, 22 year staple Whole Foods on Lower Greenville, WFMI went to extra lengths to make this store a significant “crunchy” showcase and take a nod to the community’s as well as the chain’s lineage, as depicted with this 60-foot long wall timeline.

Whole Foods Lakewood

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:20:51 +0000

Counters are made of recycled bottles and jars.

Whole Foods Lakewood

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:19:44 +0000

Go green: Lights in the frozen food cases are motion-activated, turn on when a shopper walks by.

Whole Foods Lakewood — Way Cool Interiors

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:16:58 +0000

This store will receive L.E.E.D. certification for reducing its environmental impact and improving store occupants’ health and well-being. There are 47 skylights for natural sunlight and photo-responsive daylight controls that turn off when the daylight is sufficient. In other words, strong energy savings.

Whole Foods Lakewood — Sneak Peak Inside The New Store

Candy Evans — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:15:11 +0000

Whole Foods Market opens its long-anticipated Lakewood store Monday, March 2…. and Lakewood homeowners will celebrate not only what is possibly the most “green” Whole Foods store in the chain (Austin, earmuffs) but a tremendous boost for Lakewood home values. “That store,” said Realtor Scott Carlson, “is going to give us all even more of an appreciation boost.” Not that Lakewood needs any help: though there’s plenty of inventory, sensibly priced homes there are selling well, agents tell me.�

Golf Porn: The Tribute

Candy Evans — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:31:07 +0000

Nice and green in more ways than one.

Green Building Increases In Dallas Exponentially

Catherine Horsey — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:01:06 +0000

Just came from the Texas Green Home Summit–which had almost 700 attendees, blowing everyone’s estimates out of the water. Mayor Leppert reaffirmed the City of Dallas’s commitment to green building, both for the health of the universe and for the bottom line. Michelle Russo from McGraw Hill had some great data on how much green building has increased over the last couple of years and how much it’s expected to increase over time (basically becoming the only way to build), as well as what consumers are looking for. (Presentations are expected to be posted on the website.)

But the best news came from someone in the City building department, who told me that permits are UP over the same period last year. Now that’s some good news. Long may it continue.

Ice Storm

Candy Evans — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:37:59 +0000

It’s almost time to leave the house, darn it — had such a great time lolling about, getting spooked by the sound of ice chunks sliding down the roof. Question: are you more productive in a condo? That was one of my thoughts this morning — and last night — as I battened down the hatches, made sure the pool was on freeze guard, the outside shower turned off, the garage door sealed, the porch plants covered, the heater on in the plastic greenhouse (oh forgot that one), dogs peed and ice wiped from paws, all doors shut and mental note to have insulation re-done on back door to patio — the seal is like a cold air sieve. Ironically, my ice maker is broken: no margaritas. So here I sit at home, tootling on the computer, drinking coffee, petting the dogs, and I think how much more productive I’d be if I lived in a condo closer to everything. A place where you could just walk — or slide — to work. I think this because we went to the Tate Lecture Series last night and I am concerned over my geographical footprint which must be the size of Bigfoot. After listening attentively to Chris Jordan and admiring his work, I wanted to grab the mike and ask him if we shouldn’t just all give it up. I mean, the only way for us to stop contaminating this world is to stop virtually everything we do, especially living as the way we know it. No more wood floors in our homes — let’s go back to living in caves. No long distance travel, just stay in the tribe. Let de-throned financial types hunt for food (eating only what is in a ten mile radius, though I suppose with accelerated fitness they could dig up Arlington zucchinis). Shut down Whole Foods. Quit trucking in those berries from Mexico, even though they are loaded with anti-oxidants! As for the owners of 10,000 square foot houses, you might as well Photoshop Bigfoot, enlarge and stretch him out over five acres.

Thoughts? �

Modernist Excellence in an Unexpected Spot

Catherine Horsey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:06:06 +0000

The Dallas Morning News has a great piece on Ron Wommack’s quite wonderful house off Douglas Avenue. Despite the challenges of skyrocketing materials prices and a couple of subs with questionable expertise, Wommack designed a house that takes full advantage of the site and optimizes its space. And he fully deserves all the accolades. So does Monica.

802 Salmon on the Home Stretch

Catherine Horsey — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:09:06 +0000

On Thursday night, Preservation Dallas is hosting a preview of 802 Salmon, which, when I was over there this morning, was a veritable vortex of activity. 802 Salmon, you’ll recall, is intended as a model project: how to take a modest but historical (1926) bungalow and rehab it in a way that is both energy- and cost-efficient. And looks fabulous as well. In fact, I want it.

USGBC and Home Builders Team Up

Catherine Horsey — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:25:31 +0000

Looking for info on where green building is headed in the coming year? The US Green Building Council and the Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas are collaborating on the 2009 Texas Green Home Summit at the Convention Center on January 29. Mayor Leppert will speak, as will folks from the sponsoring organizations and from McGraw Hill, who have done considerable research into what buyers are looking for in “green” homes.

And we don’t have to drive to Plano!

A House Is Not Necessarily The Same House

Candy Evans — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:11:15 +0000

Remember The House By Phillipe Starck? Remember this? I’m told sales are going slow but also told that folks confuse the The House with The Glass House. OK, here’s our lesson for the day: The Glass House is a high-end, high rise rental unit, leasing just starting this month. The House By Phillipe Starck is a high-end, high rise condo where I’m told model furniture is en route and models should be rolling out the red carpet for buyers any minute now. You rent at The Glass House, you buy at The House — David Griffin is the broker. Pop quiz in twenty.

Will Dallas Homes Get Smaller?

Candy Evans — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:52:32 +0000

D.W. Skelton and I have talked about this for the last five years — he contending that we will soon see the end of the mega mega home, even in Dallas. Now our Virginia McAlester agrees, and tells The Washington Post’sElizabeth Razzi that big homes were de rigeur at the turn of the 20th Century for the wealthy: 20 or 40 rooms, which required a tremendous income (and staff out the wazoo) to keep up. Now, predicts McAlester, you will see smaller homes built with tremendous green consciousness, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. Other experts say our homes will not get all that smaller — the average U.S. home size is increasing — but will focus more on quality, rather than size. So tell me, where is this happening in Dallas besides Little Forest Hills?

Another One Bites The Dust

Candy Evans — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:38:57 +0000

This home about five doors down from me.

Bush Home Landscaping?

Candy Evans — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:36:57 +0000

Wonder what that load of dirt will be used for?

Bush Home: No Holiday Lights??

Candy Evans — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:34:38 +0000

Workers hard at work at 10151 Daria Place shortly before Christmas.

DallasDirt Exclusive: The Bushes’ Dallas Home(s)???

Candy Evans — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:01:21 +0000

The President and Laura Bush will soon be coming home to Dallas. It won’t be long before we spot them in Tom Thumb at Preston Royal. For months we have obsessed over where they would end up living. Current cocktail chatter points to what I’ve said all along — Preston Hollow — and a nook of a street called Daria Place.

Here’s why: on October 1, Robert A. McCleskey bought a home at 10141 Daria Place. McCleskey is the Bushes’ Midland accountant and good friend of the First Couple. He’s also the man who placed the Bushes’ assets in a blind trust when W. became governor of Texas in 1995. McCleskey bought the home from Dan and Laura Boeckman. As far as I know, it hadn’t been on the market. (Of note: Dan Boeckman is one of the investors in Museum Tower.)

Daria Place is a sweet, leafy cul de sac off Daria Drive, which is off Meaders, in Preston Hollow, and across from Pershing Elementary School. (Read: uber safe.) Though the home was built in 1959, the interior has been completely refurbished and beautifully decked out — totally top notch, according to my sources, and contemporary. The one-story home has 8,501 square feet on 1.13 acres and no pool. The Bushes already have a pool at the Crawford ranch, which the President once called a “whine” pool. The kids whine so much, you just give in. This home has been placed in a trust.

Last week, the house next door, 10151 Daria Place, went under contract. The home, a sprawling 4,684-square-foot ranch on 1.26 acres, is unoccupied and in the estate of Joan Northway. It is listed for $1.6 million by LeeLee Gioia and Anne Goyler with Briggs-Freeman. The buyer on the contract: an Allie Beth Allman “property company and/or assigns.” The home is set to close December 10. Also no pool, just a creek running along the northern property line.

“We have no idea who the buyer is,” said Gioia, one of Briggs-Freeman’s most dynamic agents. “We operated like Madame X was buying the property.”

I called Pierce Allman over at ABA, since Allie Beth is the Bushes’ agent. He told me that all kinds of stories are circulating out there. He did not confirm my theory.

So here’s what I’m thinking: the Bushes will live at 10141 Daria and plop the Secret Service in 10151. They might also plop the President’s office in that home. Or they might tear it down for more land. Or they might live in 10141 while they build on 10151. All sorts of options.

This is the perfect setting for the Bushes for many reasons. A cul de sac, so the neighbors could agree to gate it off. Easy Tollway access down at Walnut Hill Lane (an entrance ramp south at Meaders would be mighty handy) or up at Royal. Cooper Aerobics is just a couple of miles north. Gosh, he could almost jog up there. And Laura could even volunteer at Pershing Elementary or St. Mark’s. But the best thing: both properties back up to two enormous Dallas estates — the 14.26-acre estate of Gene and Roxanne Phillips (just had a trout-filled lake installed on the property) and the 24-plus-acre estate of Thomas O. and Cinda Hicks, who hosted a fundraiser in their home for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani last year. Seclusion, safety, and true blue — make that red — friends all around them.

Welcome home!

Update: the DMN has now run with the story and obliquely given DallasDirt credit for the scoop.