Posted: April 29th, 2008 | Author: Nathan Blair | Filed under: ducks, economy | Tags: duck crossing, rising prices, U.S. economy | No Comments »
Food prices are up!
Gas prices are up!!
Coal prices are up which will drive electricity prices up!!!
Stamps go up in two weeks!!!!
Utah foreclosures are way up!!!!!
Is there anything down (besides consumer confidence)?? Ummm…frugality?
No really, despite what they would have you believe, the world is not coming to an end. As long as there is human decency, there’s still hope for us all. Like this police officer who stopped traffic on the freeway to allow a duck and her ducklings to cross.
Now that’s some human decency. Good for you, Officer Carrell.
Tags: ducks, U.S. economy, gas prices, food prices
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Posted: April 25th, 2008 | Author: Nathan Blair | Filed under: green bubble, green housing | Tags: environmental friendliness, going green, green bubble, real estate bubble | 4 Comments »
Today I was reading on Inman News, and one of their quick polls attracted my attention. It was entitled “What will be the next bubble to burst?” Although only about 18 had voted when I viewed the poll, which is not indicative of any widespread opinion, the results showed that the real estate bubble having burst already, the “green” bubble will be the next in line.
I’ve really liked the idea of “green” products and “green” housing, but this poll made me step back and think about it a little bit. Is it more than just a passing phase to all of us? Will I be as concerned about it in 20 or 30 years? My conclusion is that environmental friendliness will never go out of style, although we may cease to label everything “green” that helps the environment. I think the energy efficient lifestyle is a trend or a novelty to some people, but a permanent way of life for others. There really is no ‘bubble’ to those who truly care about the earth and will continue to live their lives according to those principles.
As energy efficient products are used on a wider scale, their general usage will establish them as the norm and prices will decrease. It would make no sense to me for any company who has established an energy efficient line of products to stop making them. Of course, the consumer will dictate if it makes sense for the manufacturers to make them, but as prices drop, why would consumers not buy a product that saves them money on their energy bills? They’re just smarter products. Why revert to energy hogs?
Some products may never drop to the price levels of thier non-green competitors. Cleaning products, bags, clothes, etc. may always cost significantly more to produce, so their price will remain higher. But I still think some people will buy those products. They are very popular among certain demographics.
You can’t compare other bubbles, such as the real estate bubble, to a so-called ‘green’ bubble. Housing and hybrids are two entirely different things. My prediction is that we’ll see more labeling of products as ‘green’ and energy efficient as time goes on, until they become commonplace. There will be holdouts, just as there are Ford F-350 owners who will never buy a Prius, but the Prius and its green friends will continue to thrive.
Tags: green bubble, green housing, energy efficient, real estate bubble, environment
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Posted: April 24th, 2008 | Author: Nathan Blair | Filed under: home staging |, pottery barn | Tags: Pottery Barn decorating class, Pottery Barn Trolley Square, Salt Lake City home staging | No Comments »
These Pottery Barn decorating classes aren’t marketed as classes for home-sellers, but I like to announce them on my blog because I think they can serve sellers greatly.
Coming up on Sunday, May 4th, a class called “The Art of Botanical Arranging” will be offered at the Trolley Square Pottery Barn. The hosts will present on how to artfully display flower arrangements and faux flowers.
A home-seller might want to attend this class for the simple reason that superior staging and decorating sells homes quicker. Sometimes you just don’t have much to work with when staging your home, so you need focal points that stand out and attract attention. Your home may be spotless, but it helps to go above and beyond clean – and a well-designed flower arrangement in the kitchen or the main entrance will add life to the home. Faux flowers might work best for home-staging so that you don’t have to keep replacing flowers as they die. Just be sure to buy nice looking faux flowers.
Again, the class will be at the Trolley Square Pottery Barn, located at 552 South 602 East. Call 801-322-4050 for exact times.
Tags: Pottery Barn, home staging, real estate, home decorating
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Posted: April 22nd, 2008 | Author: Nathan Blair | Filed under: Earth Day | Tags: Earth Day, home curb appeal, plant a tree | No Comments »
I guess you could consider today’s post as a sort of follow-up to yesterday’s post on enhancing your curb appeal.
Today is Earth Day, so what better day to spruce up your yard than today, by planting a tree? I’m going to plant a few flowering pear trees in the parking strip to match a bunch of other yards on the street that have done the same thing. We might not be able to enjoy the white blossoms in our own yard this year, but we will look forward to this time next year when they all are in full bloom.
So plant a tree, flowers, or anything that will make your little piece of earth better.
Tags: Earth Day, Trees, home yard maintenance, real estate
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