Buy GREEN with your REBATE from the Government: As you are probably aware, the US Congress is hoping to pass an emergency rebate that many of us will receive in the next few months.  They are doing this to stimulate the economy. I have been listening to the pundits talk about what they “hope” people do with this extra cash. Spending it is key. They want us to spend. So, I have ideas as to what to spend it on:

BUY GREEN. Buy Local, Buy organic if possible. Here are some ideas:

Buy into one of our local organic farmers for the growing season.Buy those compact fluorescent bulbs you haven’t bought yet

Buy organic & bamboo clothes at the Lotus Boutique 637 Chapala Street (on the corner of Cota St.)

Call Eco-Errands for non-toxic house cleaning or organic grocery delivery.

Go to Livingreen and buy no-VOC paint and spruce up a room with color. 

Use Move Green for your next move, they only use bio-diesel in their trucks “re-think the way you move”  805-845-6600  or  1-866-MV-GREEN

Invest in a drought tolerant landscape and save money and water!  Daniel at Wilson Environmental Landscape Design can help you create a beautiful low maintenance yard!

If you get enough back to be in the market to buy a house, I’d be happy to help you find your next Green Home! www.GreenHomesSB.com

This is a tiny example to get you thinking about using your rebate in a way to help the economy and to also support those companies that will help keep our world GREEN.

http://www.villagesite.com/blog/  The latest thoughts on the Santa Barbara and Montecito real estate market and area information.

You ask, what’s new for 2008? I see the green building trend hitting the mainstream! I recently came across the SmartMarket Report on residential green building published by McGraw-Hill, it takes a solid look at the residential green building marketplace and I thought I would share the highlights. Indicators show that residential green building will escalate in the next year at a significant rate. What is considered a green home today, the report notes will be the industry standard tomorrow! A growth of 30% over 2006 numbers is expected. More than two-thirds of builders will be building green homes. Beyond 2007, the sheer number of participants in the green home building market will pull the rest of the market up to green standards just to stay competitive.

I definitely feel the market for green homes will be on the rise locally. Look for some exciting new local activities in 2008 that will raise awareness such as Green Home Tour, Green Expo and Conference and don’t miss the “Join the Green Revolution” community education classes which I will be involved in again. If I can help answer any green home questions please feel free to give me a call.   Thanks,  DeAnn Bauer, EcoBroker  805.451.7488