(Almost) Free Solar!!! Tax credit/rebate madness!!!

Attached to the latest bailout plan passed by the Fine Folks on Capitol Hill, was an extension and amendment of the federal solar tax credit.  The tax credit is extended for an additional 8 years.  Before this renewal, there was a cap at $2000 for the tax credit.  No more!  The federal tax credit is now up to 30% and can be applied alongside other state and local incentives to go solar.

San Francisco is leading the way by encouraging homeowners and landlords to go solar.  In additon to being the first city to pass stringent green building ordinances, Gavin championed this little number below.

From dsireusa.org:

“The City and County of San Francisco, through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), are providing rebates to residents and businesses who install photovoltaic (PV) systems on their properties. Systems must be at least one kilowatt (kW) in capacity, and there is no maximum size limit to participate. There are four distinct funding levels for residential installations. First, basic installations of systems are eligible for rebates of $3,000. Residential systems installed by a local installer qualify for a higher incentive of $4,000. Residential installations in lower income and racially diverse neighborhoods considered “environmental justice districts” because of their proximity to industrial sites and major highways are eligible for an even higher incentive of $5,000. Systems installed by individuals trained through the city’s workforce development system can receive an incentive of $6,000.

Commercial, non-profit and industrial installations receive a capacity-based incentive of $1,500 per kW, up to a maximum amount of $10,000. Multi-unit residential buildings that are operated by a non-profit may receive up to $4,500 per kW (depending on the number of units) up to a maximum of $30,000.

The San Francisco rebates can be combined with the state-level California Solar Initiative, in addition to the federal tax credit. To simplify the application process, San Francisco will approve of any system which qualifies for the California Solar Initiative.

The San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Pilot Program is funded with $3 million from the SFPUC renewable energy fund, which comes from the sale of power generated by the Hetch Hetchy dam. The renewable energy funds previously provided funding just for solar installations on city buildings, which is expected to continue with a portion of the fund.”

So, if the Fed, Sacramento, and The City are all willing to pitch in, why wouldn’t you go solar?  It increases the value of your home, decreases your dependence on carbon-emitting fossil fuels, and give your home the certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ of cool, green cache.

I happen to know a few solar outfits here in The Bay.  If you’re curious about solar for your home or office, give me a call and I can set you up with the right folks to get the ball rolling.

Green TIC’s in Noe Valley: Free Prius??!

Mid-Century swank Green Homes in Noe Valley with gorgeous views of The City, plus a chance for a free Prius!  Can’t you just imagine the view from your Eames Chair in the living room?

If you would like a private showing of these fabulous Green TIC’s, I can set it up and would be delighted to negotiate on your behalf to ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish.  Just fill out the contact form on the ‘About Me‘ page.  Don’t forget I give a $1000 gift certificate to The Green Home Center to all my closed buyers as a way of jumpstarting the greening of your new home.

Huge price reduction – PLUS a FREE PRIUS to the first buyer of any of the three 2BR units. Twilight Champage open this Thursday 10/16 from 6-8pm, and by appointment. If you have not seen these units, take a look at www.158Laidley.com

Three 2bd units $699-769K  -  1bd $509,000  -  Studio $359,000
All units feature:
• Sweeping views of Downtown & Bay Bridge
• 1 car garage parking – huge storage space - in-unit laundry
• CaesarStone counters, Bosch appliances, Maple cabinets
• Eco-friendly finishes and low VOC paint

PRICE REDUCTION. Remarkable eco-modern renovation of mid-century view property, finished to highest standards of any new construction you’ll find in the City. Fabulous neighborhood. Sweeping views. Eco-friendly bamboo & cork floors, wool carpet, low VOC paint. Bosch & FisherPaykel appliances, CaesarStone counters, maple kitchen cabinets. Massive picture windows. All building systems updated. Totally wired for cable and internet. State-of-the-art soundproofing. An extraordinary place to live.

Again, for a private showing, please contact me at 415.652.8161 and I’ll set it up.  Thanks for your business!

Wanna live like DJ Jazzy Jeff?

If DJ Jazzy Jeff were buying a new place here in The City, I bet it’d be here.  There are only two units remaining for sale at the Heritage on Fillmore. Right in the heart of the newly revitalized Fillmore, this tower is built above the new (and awesome) Yoshi’s.

I am a member of the Buchanan YMCA right around the corner, and so am in this neighborhood almost every day.  It’s changing a lot, with new-fangled fro-yo places opening up and the incredible soul food at 1300Fillmore showing how the heritage of a neighborhood can be preserved amidst the waves of gentrification.   Basically, it’s right by Hayes Valley, Lower Pac Hts, J-town,the Van Ness corridor, and close to Civic Center.  I consider it to be very centrally located, and generally sunnier than some other neighborhoods.

With only two units remaining, I bet they’re ready to get them sold and call it a done deal.  Between you and me, I bet they’re bracing themselves for some serious negotiation.

If you’re interested in having a look around at either of these two units, I can arrange a private showing and would be happy to stand by your side as your exclusive Buyer’s agent in negotiating the transaction.

Oh, and don’t forget, I give a $1000 gift certificate to The Green Home Center to all my closed Buyers.  A way to jumpstart the green outiftting of your jazzy new condo in the Fillmore.

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1960′s Modern meets Green in Noe Valley

from Inhabitat

” Nestled in Noe Valley, a San Francisco neighborhood known for its contradictions, rests the Choy Residence, a newly remodeled 1960’s home turned modern dwelling. Terry & Terry Architecture took a decidedly “less is more” approach to the project, literally carving out the 1960’s home’s front entry and center core, straight through to the rear facade. The results of their carefully crafted subtractions is an exterior deck with a view and an entry that allows tremendous amounts of natural daylight to flood the interior spaces while increasing natural ventilation and circulation.

The bands of wood running along the home’s interior and exterior contribute more than visual appeal – they’re part of a double-wall system that allows the exterior panels to breathe and avoid heat build-up. The wood itself is IPE, a sustainably harvested Brazilian Hardwood that has the natural ability to resist mold, rot, and insects without the application of any chemicals.

During the rainy season, the roof of the Choy Residence collects all the runoff and drops it into storage tanks in the basement to be used to irrigate the landscape during the dry season. Provisions have been provided on the north end of the roof, for a soon-to-come solar array that will capture energy whenever the sun shines down on the home.