Green Tips for Home

Front of the snake bridge on Broadway

Tucson Realtor Homes and Real Estate

Tony Ray Baker, ABR, CRS, GRI
NARgreen, EcoBroker
(520) 631-TONY (8669)
Tierra Antigua Realty
TonyRay@MyGreenTucson.com

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Pedestrian Snake Bridge over Broadway

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Things To Do In Tucson
# 10 Diamondback Bridge

Take a stroll through the belly of desert art.
This award winning pedestrian bridge
crosses over Broadway at the
Aviation parkway near
downtown Tucson.

Simon Donovan, the artist, won an
award for one of the nation's
best road projects from
the Federal Highway
Administration.

And after you exit the tail end of the snake,
head over to the new basket bridge.
Hey, it's something to do.

Have fun, Tony Ray

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Green Tips For Home

Tail of Snake Pedestrian Bridge over Broadway

Below are the things I do to contribute. Doing just a few, makes a big difference.

Recycle: It’s really easy. I keep two garbage bins next to each other in the house. One for garbage and one for recycle. Before I throw something away, I check the bottom of the item to see which recycle number it has on it. Read Tucson Recycles for more information.

Unplug Small Appliances And Phone Charges: They all use some electricity when plugged in. It’s called standby power usage or you may hear someone call it vampire power usage. I’ve made it a habit of unplugging each appliance in my kitchen right after I use it. According to http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html , standby power accounts for 5% of residential electricity use in the U.S each year. That’s only residential and only the United States. That’s about 4 billion dollars! You should check out the other countries spending.

Electronic Billing: If you ask, most companies will send your bill via email and stop sending paper bills. You can save them and copy them if whenever you need. I have found that it’s actually easier. When the bill arrives, I schedule it in my calendar and save to file.

Online Bill Pay: I stopped using paper checks years ago. It was weird at first, but I got used to it very quickly. Just remember to put each transaction into you check register. When bills arrive online, I pay online, and save another check and a stamp and an envelope.

Walk: As you know, I sell real estate and Realtors drive a lot. One of the ways I did something different was to stop using my Jeep Grand Cherokee as often instead of selling it (which would not be a good financial move for me). Instead, I moved into central Tucson and now I walk a lot more. So much more that I reduced the mileage on my Jeep by more than 10,000 plus miles in 2007.

Grocery Bags: Paper or plastic. Neither. I use washable canvass bags that I take with me. Do I always remember? No, of course not, I’m just like everyone else. But I definitely try and the more I do the more it becomes a habit.

Plastic Water Bottles. Stop buying them. Use a filtered water pitcher and carry your own bottle. Preferably stainless steal.

Shop At Your Local Farmers Markets: It takes 4-17 times less oil to produce local food. Also saves on a lot more packaging necessary to protect produce on long trips.

Natural Cleaning Products: I use natural, non-toxic, biodegradable products in my home. First, a large percentage of indoor air pollution comes from the chemicals you use. Second, there are companies that help the planet by creating earth friendly products and have earth friendly policies and procedures. So you can breath easier, literally, and you can breath easier knowing your healthier and saving the planet. PS My favorite company is Shaklee. I love the cleaning and laundry products and they are a very green company.

Energy Star: I always look for the Energy Star label. My washer and dryer save a lot of water and electricity. The “Star” lets you know that the product meets energy efficient guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. You can find out more at http://www.energystar.gov

Save Water: I pour left over water from drinking glasses on the plants, not down the drain. The ivy plant really likes that. I also set my irrigation system to water less in the winter and them monitor the plants as it gets hotter. For showers, even though I could sleep standing under the hot water sometimes, I try to get in and out as quickly as possible. I also use as little hot water as possible without screaming.

Dishwasher: I only run it when it’s full.

Heating: I turn down the thermostat about four degrees and run a small humidifier. The moist air feels warmer, is better for you skin and you plants, and costs less than running heater.

No VOC paints: If I’m helping a client sell a home or redecorate after move-in, I always encourage no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints. In February of 2008 we listed a vacant home that needed interior paint, basic cleaning and carpets. We used Sherwin Williams no VOC paint. It was incredible to work with and I didn’t miss the fumes at all. We also had the home cleaned with Shaklee cleaning products and used a green carpet cleaning company. What a refreshing difference. Indoor air quality on that home got an A+ and it sold in 47 days.

Hot Water Heater: I set my hot water heater at a lower setting

Green Companies: Patronize local companies that green. For marketing I buy recycled paper post it notes and post consumer bic pens.

Read Green Magazine. It’s a great newspaper, it's free and easy to find.

Eat at locally owned restaurants. There are a lot of fantastic places to eat in Tucson that are owned by people who live in Tucson and spend in Tucson.

Shop for recycled items and earth friendly items. I try to shop at local stores like 17th street so the money stays in Tucson.

Link Descriptions:

About Us: On this page you’ll find information about our company Tierra Antigua Realty, our history, my goals and my real estate designations - NAR green, EcoBroker, ABR, CRS, GRI.

Blog: I use this space to write whatever is on my mind on any given day. I might right about Tucson real estate, homes, mortgages, gardening, Tucson treasures, craft ideas, recipes, well, I’m sure you get the idea.

Buyers: As your Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), I will help you with all of your buying needs: Lofts, Condo's, Single Family Homes, Manufactured homes and Land. Use the form on this page to receive listings of homes for sale in the Tucson Realtor MLS. My computer system sends these homes to you within minutes of being listed so you see them before most other buyers and even most Realtors. If you are moving to Tucson, we'll send you a free relocation package.

Companies I Trust: The companies on this page are companies that I have worked with as a Realtor selling Tucson real estate ( many over 12 years). I can refer them with no reservation knowing that they will always take care of my clients and friends. You can trust that they will provide you with the best care and customer service. Let them know that Tony Ray referred you.

Contact Us: Find our contact information (Tony Ray Baker and Tierra Antigua Realty) or use the form on this page to send me your questions and / or comments about Tucson real estate.

EcoBroker: EcoBroker is an education and certification program for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficient and "green" features in homes and buildings. As your Tucson EcoBroker, I can help you identify homes with green features, market the green features of a home and help you make any home more green.

Environmental: This page has links to articles about environmental issues that can affect your home or buying real estate in Tucson. Indoor air quality, radon, asbestos, mold are some of the topics I will cover.

Green Homes: This section has information about green building issues for new homes or the home you already own. Solar, rainwater harvesting, recycled products, insulation, remodeling and many more ideas are to come.

Green Living: You can find out how to improve your indoor air quality by removing toxic chemicals from your home. How you can be better at recycling. What are no VOC paints? Green living is about everyday living and the things you can do to make your home safer and better.

Home Loans: If you need help understanding, Mortgages, APR’s, Fannie Mae, MIP, Interest Rates, etc., Phaedra is who I have referred my clients to for a long time. And I mean a long time. Many Realtor's in Tucson refer Phaedra. She is honest and will answer all of your questions in a simple, easy to understand way.

Home News: News and information, fun and serious, about real estate and home. This page is constantly changing, so check in often.

Lofts / Condos: Some of my favorite green projects are the stylish lofts around Tucson. The Ice House, Indigo Modern and Barrio Metalica are some of the ones I think you must see to compare. There are also some great condo projects, and apartments that have been converted into condominiums, if that’s more appealing to you.

Referrals: Since 1994, over 94% of my real estate business has been referred to me by clients, family and friends. Running my business by referral lets me spend more time working with my clients, not chasing new ones. My clients use the form on this page to refer someone who deserves the same service that I gave them.

Relocation: If you are moving to Tucson, be sure to fill out this easy form and we will send you a free, real estate relocation package.

Restaurants: Locally owned, great food, great customer service. Part of being a Realtor is eating out a lot, these are some of my favorite restaurants. Tell them Tony Ray referred you.

Sellers: Use the form on this page to receive a free, no cost or obligation, evaluation of your home. On this page, I also explain my full service real estate practice and unique marketing that sells homes even in slow markets. If you are moving away from Tucson, we can help with your relocation and refer you to a Realtor in your new city.

Short Sales: Information about short sales and foreclosures, including the Realtor Short Sale and Foreclosures Resource Certification.

Testimonials: My clients have something to say. On this page, they tell all about their experiences when buying and selling real estate with me.

Tierra Antigua Realty: Information about Tierra Antigua Realty and myself, our history, goals etc.

Tucson Weather: It’s all about Tucson’s beautiful weather, like our average temperature. It's one of the reason's so many people relocate to Tucson. I love it here. The weather allows me to enjoy the great outdoors almost any time I want. That is why I have put “Things to do” in Tucson on every page.