The Lightkeeper by Dan Tyree

Now I know I usually write about green building and sustainability. First let me say that I’m fully aware that spreading away from the urban center is a “no-no”, but then again I’ve already shared my feelings about new urbanism. In regards to building big, I have no intention of building bigger than I feel my family needs, I just have a big family… Now that I’ve provided the disclaimer, here’s my attempt to rationalize my decision.

First of all, just look at this small snippet of the view around here (northern Utah):

It looks much the same all around, not to mention a great view of the valley below. To counter-act myself: Isn’t that what I’m trying to protect? It is…

That’s why I’ll do it with straw bales. I would also put in photovoltaic panels (remember, this is a dream home) and wind turbines. By the way, the wind up on that hill is amazing! I would plant my own small forest and turn the landscape into a permaculture garden. When the air car comes out, I’ll be set. I think I’d be pretty carbon-nuetral at that point. Now, if I can only figure out how to get a road level enough for my air car to make the trip…

A note about the designer:

Dan Tyree is a well respected and creative home designer out of Winter Park, FL. His designs contribute a timeless nature to residential architecture that is a kind of sustainability all it’s own. His homes are in many styles inlcuding, but not limited to, beachfront, craftsman, and modern. His work can be found all around the gulf of mexico and up the eastern seaboard, with several others along the western coast. These homes are found in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, Grand Cayman Islands, and Honduras. He is a member of the Front Porch Design Society, AIBD, and the National Trust of Historic Preservation. He sell his plans digitally and works in the sunlight.

His plans can be found at The Plan Collection.

Author Rex Nutting reported on word from the National Association of Realtors. “Sales of single-family homes rose 2.8% in February to 4.47 million, the second increase in a row and the fastest sales pace since August,” wrote Nutting. He quoted Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisers who said “”We seem to be finding a bottom in home sales even as prices keep falling.” One user commented “It’s all about spin baby, thats all it is.”

While the increase in sales and the decrease in homes on the market is a good sign, it’s interesting that 175 comments in one accord sang disgust. Usually commentators tend to argue one with another, some with the proceeding article, some against. Not this time. Are we being overly pessimistic when we doubt reports from the National Association of Realtors? What possible benefit do they have in tweaking the truth? It will be telling when other organizations follow up with their own studies.

Commentators often toted the ridiculous appreciation rates of homes compared to inflation from the last couple of years. They noted that it was bound to crash. Many laughed at American’s tendency to buy much more than they can afford, trying to “keep up with the Jones’.” I think the best approach was from an “economist for Wachovia” who did so with “cautious optimism.”

Among the featured goodies that CNET found are a power strip that tells you how much power you’re using, a mop that cleans with water alone, a space heater that uses less electricity, and an array of water bottles.

I thought the report was interesting. It’s nice to see companies responding to green concerns. CNET did a good job at explaining the products they featured, and pointing out greenwashing possibilities. Check out the article and research the products. Buying green is as important as building green, and can have farther reaching affects. Here’s your link.

Layoffs and closures are never fun. Many people lose their jobs and the good that the company could have done for an area turns into nothing more than a vacant lot. However, Pardee Homes has, so far, stayed committed to the region with plans to develop when the market is healing itself. With a recently reported 8.5 months worth of new homes available for sale on the market, the last thing we need is for builders to keep going, even if they are making some kind of profit. The sooner we fix the over supply problem, the sooner the market can recover.

A large factor in the whole housing crisis has been shifty dealings in selling homes and subprime mortgages. Lenders and builders have put themselves in a desparate situation, and dishonesty is likely to occur when builders keep adding to the over supply and the pressure to sell. This is very bad for the market and will only bring harsh ramifications for the buyers and the sellers. So good job Pardee. You made a tough decision, but a good one.

On a hopeful note, the lending business is under stricter scrutiny and legislature is in the works to force a higher standard of ethics. The credit crisis (lenders inability to lend due to an inability to collect) will still see darker days before any improvements, but positive government influence could very well turn the tide. Now, if only we could get these big publicly owned building companies to slow down a bit more…