Summers 2007
THINK GREEN
GREEN BUILDING BASICS
GREEN HOME IMPROVEMENTS
The concept of green building is “Any structure, that is designed, constructed, renovated or operated in such a manner as to minimize its impact on the environment, protect the health of its occupants and utilize resources efficiently,” notes property columnist Paul Bianchina.
For those who want to build cleaner and meaner, there are two particular parts to green building – materials and occupant health.
Asking Price: $799,000
GREEN BUILDING TAX BREAKS
Now, the rest of the country is following suite. Legislation is moving green practices from the fringe to the mainstream, state-by-state, bill-by-bill. Nationally, the 2005 Energy Policy Act, encourages energy efficiency with tax credits to those who make green improvements to their homes in the 2006 and 2007 tax year.
The concept of green remodeling is to building for energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthier indoor air quality; using products and materials that are sustainable; and reusing or recycling materials rather than dumping more waste into a landfill.
As far as the government’s concerned, the bigger the project, the larger the tax credit. A solar power system for creating electricity carries with it a 30% of cost tax credit, up to $2,000. The same credit goes for solar-powered water heaters used for residential purposes.
"Solar water heaters in the right kind of climate are the most accepted technology," notes Warren Karlenzig, chief strategy officer of Sustain Lane, a green consulting firm. "But they're not as effective if you live in a place which doesn't get a lot of sun."
Any energy cell system that has an efficiency rating of 30% and a capacity of at least .5 kilowatts receives a 30% cost credit – and an additional $1,000 for every kilowatt of power the system can produce.
820 N LA BREA AVE, INGLEWOOD 90302
BIG HOUSE BIG LOT IN VENICE
1383 APPLETON WAY,
VENICE 90291
GREAT MAR VISTA OFFICE BUILDING
11311 VENICE BLVD. MAR VISTA 90066
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITY
716 VESTA ST. INGLEWOOD 90302
FINE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL IN SOUTH GATE
12305-12311 INDUSTRIAL AVE, SOUTH GATE
SUPERB WEST SIDE OFFICE BUILDING
3619 MOTOR AVE, LOS ANGELES, 90034
The number of U.S. millionaire households has risen to a record high of 9.3 million as of mid-2006, up 5 percent from 2005, according to TNS Global’s annual Affluent Market Research Program.
The millionaires’ mean net worth, not including their primary residence, is $2,167,167 with investable assets of $1,442,841. Their median age is 58 and 45 percent are retired.
Forty-six percent of millionaire households own investment real estate such as a second home, third home, rental properties, and undeveloped land. Thirty-four percent have a first mortgage on these residences and 25 percent have second mortgages on these additional residences.
The TNS study identified 10 counties with the highest number of millionaire residents.
- Los Angeles County with 268,136
- Cook County, Ill., 171,118
- Orange County, Calif., 116,157
- Maricopa County, Ariz., 113,414
- San Diego County, Calif., 102,138
- Harris County, Texas, 99,504
- Nassau County, N.Y., 79,704
- Santa Clara County, Calif., 74,824
- Palm Beach County, Fla., 71,221
- King County, Ore., 68,390
Carlsbad Flower Fields
April 2007
April 2007
TIDBITS
POVERTY DECLINED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FROM 1999 TO 2005
POVERTY DECLINED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FROM 1999 TO 2005
