What Are Your Earth Day Plans?
Good day, bloggers.
Earth Day is upon us. Today, I am serving as a cleanup volunteer at one of our local parks. Green living has been top of mind at my home lately. I am getting a huge kick out of my three-year-old son, who frequently asks if the trash he generates gets composted or recycled. My daughter’s school has launched a huge green initiative – trash cans are labeled “landfill” rather than “trash” to encourage sustainable living. It does make one pause and think before pitching out every single item.
So tell me: What green programs impress you the most? And how do you plan to spend this glorious Earth Day 2010?
I am happy that you enjoyed the HGTV Green Home 2010 special. Sabrina, Jamie and the production team did such a great job. Their passion for this home shines through.
Here are answers to your recently posted questions:
Q. Does the attic hatch feature pull-down stairs or a sliding ladder for access to the attic?
A. The attic hatch on the second floor is for access by code only. It is not built or designed as a storage area. The basement area has been designed to accommodate homeowner storage.
Q. In the Master Bath, I understand there are two different showerheads: the removable pulsating hand shower and the rain-can showerhead. Is there a lever to run both or can you only use one at a time?
A. The hand shower and showerhead can be operated independently or simultaneously. A diverter controls the flow of water between the two.
Q. Where is the closest shopping area?
A. The Pinehills features its own grocery store. The Market is a two-minute walk from the home. There are also plenty of cute shops in downtown Plymouth.
Q. Why were vegetable, herb and fruit (other than blueberry) gardens omitted from the landscape design?
A. They were not omitted from the landscape design. Keep in mind that HGTV Green Home 2010 is located in the Northeast where the growing season is short. Landscape beds were planted in October, after completion of the home. Vegetables and herbs can be grown in a small garden or in container gardens that one can place on the porch or patio.
Q. Are pets allowed at the Pinehills?
A. Pets are allowed at the Pinehills. Homeowners are often spotted walking their dogs along the community’s miles of walking trails. Be aware that Plymouth does enforce a leash law.
Your Super Fan,
Gail
The honor society that I am an officer for at my college planted trees with daycare children on campus. I brought my son and daughter and they loved it. Thanks for the answers to those questions. I would love to know more about the basement space. I think this is a beautiful home. My husband and I will be transferring to a college on the east coast and winning this home would give us a great opportunity. Not too far from Boston which is a plus for us. My daughter was born with half a heart, and has had three open heart surgeries. The doctor told us the high venous pressures she has with the high altitude where we live could cause her to have liver damage. This is why we need to move. Boston has the number one children's hospital when it comes to cardiac care. I really hope we win. Otherwise, we will be chancing the move with only a few thousand dollars. I would also love to give my children a beautiful home while my husband and I continue working towards our degrees.
This house is absolutely beautiful! We have been dreaming of moving back to Massachusetts for years now. Plymouth is one of my favorite places to visit when we go home each summer. It's been great imagining living there, as I enter to win that amazing home. I love everything about it:).
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/photo_template/article/0,3140,HPRO_28216_5946481_08,00.html
i believe this is the photo of the basement frame addy was referring to
I've never been there but it looks lovely.Thanks to everyone for their nice comments and help in answering my questions.I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY.GOD BLESS.PS I will keep entering because I would love to live here.The WOOD FLOORS are awesome.
Not if it functioned well in the day time for sun shade as well.
Perhaps the owner of the adjacent property would allow a garden built until the lot sells to a buyer. It appears the developers of Pine Hill are very reasonable and kind people.
I discussed the basement with the builder. He said there is only 700 square feet avilable to refinish and it would have two very small windows and no outside access.
Well I would have to remove all the furniture and re- paint the room. Place one full size bed and one Armoire for a guest bedroom. It was decorated very cute for children but not practical without a closet.
Love the house. As soon as I saw it on TV, I ran to my computer to enter. It's about time HGTV built something small that is still spacious and has a lot of charm and curb appeal. I'm concerned about the lead-coated roof, though. Wouldn't it poison the ground water every time it rains or snows? I'm also concerned about the huge taxes the winner would have to pay to keep the house. Do they get billed right away? I also wonder how much they would get for the house in this depressed market if they tried to sell it. Perhaps sell short and end up in debt?
Does anyone know if there is a security system? I would certainly want one if people all over the country have seen the house inside and out. Is Pine Hills a gated community?
Also does the winner have the option of trading in the SUV for a smaller model?
Thanks.
I just love all the Red and it is my favorite color All I need is a tooth brush . This I think is the Best year ever. All the colors are bright & cheery . Love the outside kitchen & you can close the door on it when you are finished cooking . Great concept!!
I discussed with the builder how much space would be available to finish and he said 700 square ft. He also said there would be two small windows. It would work for a small office, media room because it is dark and storage for off season clothing. I am not the least bit concerned about the 50 million applicants because it is my husbands birthday on June 23 and I feel the good energy from this home. I'm waiting for the crew to show up on June 23. I will have dinner waiting we will all party that night! I receive this miracle!
I love GreenHome2010….However I was looking up information about pat winner and was saddened to see that ALL of the previous winner of the dream home/Green homes sold their prize! (Well, except for these years winners-we'll see) I find that so sad! Why would you enter if you don't want to LIVE there?!? There are people who actually love these homes, their locations, and are willing to work hard to relocate and keep their prize. Well, I just wanted to vent a little. Good luck to everyone and I hope ya'll appreciate the great opportunity we're being given here.
I love this home myself!! I pray that I get it … It would be prefect for my family.. I wonder how the schools are down there.
QUESTIONS: Within the Master Bathroom, is there a second door that leads to the commode area? I wanted to know if it was necessary to walk around the tub to get to it.
Will there be pictures of the basement AND will there be drywall in it?
Hi Mary –
What a great green home!
Can you please answer some questions for me?
1. How is the house oriented? My guess is the front door faces southeast. I'm basing my guess on the position of the solar panels.
2. I would like to see pics of the basement, if you can. Does the basement have a door to outside? Is there running water in the basement, for bathroom hookups?
3. Where would you put a vegetable garden?
4. Are you sure your 5012 sq ft of lot is correct? That is 1 tenth of an acre!
5. I there air conditioning?
Thanks for your answers!
Unfortunately the taxes are about 50% of the prize and most people can't afford to keep the home. I would LOVE to keep this one (if I were lucky enough to win) but sadly would have trouble coming up with the $385,000 tax.
Schools are good. And it's a very safe area for kids. I lived there for five years and didn't even have locks on my windows. Wonderful place. Good luck to you.
So I was reading about the taxes being approximately 50% of the prize, is this to be paid upfront and then what are the yearly property taxes? I can understand why the previous prize winners have sold their properties, you would almost have to be rich to win.
I had been wondering this too. Although using the kids room as a guest room could work, as long as your guest is ok with maybe having to sleep in the top bunk.
I live in Oregon, where leash laws and poop cleanup are required. Since Pine Hills has neither, why did the Green Team not completely enclose the lot with a picket fence and gates?
That would be my first task, after winning. would be to enclose the property, so wandering pets didn't use my yard for their bathroom duties.
The fence and gates are not functional, but decorative.
Also, having grown up in Connecticut on the water, I know how cold the winds can be. I was wondering, why the team did not make a four season porch, or at least part of a four season porch.
Any thoughts?
Actiually, its not turn off the lights, its unplug the lights. and any appliance not currently in use.
Use surge protectors. New England is famous for
rolling brownouts, which are ten times worse then blackouts.
Use, thermal covers for all exposed ducts or units that support the house. Again New England Winters can be brutal. Keep your termastats at the same temp. that way your home equalizes inside.
Keep blinds shut during the hottest part of the day to keep inside temp cooler.
Invest in many pairs of good wool socks. They will change your outlook on life.
And, check with an arborist about those pine trees they put back in. They have a shallow root system,
and are not the best in a wind storm. I am surprised they put them that close to the house.
One falling over could wipe out the house.
They should have added in Trees that create Shade in the summer.
I love this house. And, its design. I love the tower, I am sure I would switch the chaise and the desk, just for safety, as the chair is tool close to the stairs. but it is beautiful.
I was curious about how much additional storage space between garage and basement there is?
And, to the woman who wants a third bedroom, maybe add one to the basement.
Mary,
could you please show a aerial shot of the entire property so we have an idea of how the house sits on the land.
And, a floor plan of the basement and where the mechanicals are, what type and how they help the house run better?
I would check with architect to see if a studio space could be built over the garage. Not just for guests, but for a Home office or an Aritst Studio. That way, you have an additional space that could double as an extra quest suite. The other idea is to use a pull out sofa. I do not think the one in the living area is a sofa sleeper, but it should have been.
Lastly, if you do not have small children, but do like to have a guest bedroom the childrens room could be reconfigured. I do not know what the weight limits on the upper bunk bed is, but the head room is not for an adult.
But you could do a trundle bed in that room easily.
Last but not least, ask if there is a Hotel in Pine Hills for guests. that way you can enjoy them, but they do not have to be under foot.
Hello Burgundy , are you signed in at HGTV message board, I'am signed under user name Allison B , for the Pets board, I would love to share something that happened two days ago if you have time , ( It's the reason I haven't been able to post back to you sooner ) My husband decided to add to our family , and it's not a cat, LOL ……..AliB
Hello Burgundy , I didn't realize it until I posted to you on page three under your comment that you are not signed in with Intense debate, so you may not see that comment ,….. I was just wondering if you are signed up on the HGTV message board, for the Pets. I have something that I wanted to share with you , and any of the other pet lovers that have posted to me about Buddy, My user name is Allison B ….. My Husband brought a surprised home two days ago, ( the Reason I haven't been able to post back to you sooner) It's a very Happy , Sad , situation, and maybe some of you can guide me along the way , I'm going to need all the help I can get. .. LOL …….AliB
Hi! Alib,
I don't think I am signed up at the HGTV message board. I will try to sign up on the message board and look for the Pets Board. Wow! That's great that you have a new addition to your family. Congratulations! I will let you know if I have any problems logging in. Renee
Is there a 1/2 bath on the first floor? where? where do I find the blue prints or floor plan…gosh I am entering daily as well,,,,but need a bath on first floor…and pondering where to put my office…I work from home…
Go down too the waterfront, with my bike of corse!!pack a lucnch(brown bag it). spend the day chaseing the seaguls and ducks, feeding them!!!being free of all negitive surroundings, mabey do some tai chi on the lake front sands in hope that people will be inspired too join in on being, of theGods free earth .Finding peace amongst the world and it's imperfections.
Go down too the waterfront, with my bike of corse!!pack a lucnch(brown bag it). spend the day chaseing the seaguls and ducks, feeding them!!!being free of all negitive surroundings, mabey do some tai chi on the lake front sands in hope that people will be inspired too join in on being, of theGods free earth .Finding peace amongst the world and it's imperfections.
Thank you HGTV for designing and building homes to give away. That is so cool! Whoever wins is going to feel really special for a long time. God bless you.
Just a thought, but maybe next year HGTV would give away a more modest home, but take care of all the taxes? (income and 1st year's property) Most people I speak to about the sweepstakes says the same thing, "too bad we wouldn't be able to keep it…" . The rest are not aware of the tax bracket your in when your income is over 3/4 of a million, (both federal, state and local).
Keep in mind the price tag they list for the home is a "retail" price. In todays poor real estate market you may wind up selling the home for 1/2 what is listed. Also, the government will tax you on what HGTV says the house is worth, not what you actually sell it for. Bottom line, Uncle Sam makes a bundle…
Just a thought, but maybe next year HGTV would give away a more modest home, but take care of all the taxes? (income and 1st year's property) Most people I speak to about the sweepstakes says the same thing, "too bad we wouldn't be able to keep it…" . The rest are not aware of the tax bracket your in when your income is over 3/4 of a million, (both federal, state and local).
And then, isn't there an odd irony to using paper and gas power to enter for a chance to win something green?
Have been researching Pinehills: what a fantastic, well planned community. Both of us have lived in age restricted communities (yes, I know Pinehills is not totally age restricted) but we thoroughly enjoyed the requirements and standard of living required to maintain a well balanced, well groomed community. The home appears to be more suited for a family of 2 or at most 3, I feel-perfect for a retired couple. The lot is somewhat smallish but the landscaping and distinctions between properties give a good feeling of privacy. I only wish we were close enough to do an on site tour but will settle for the internet.
THANK YOU LORD FOR ME AND MY MOTHERS NEW HOME! CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE IN. IT'S PERFECT FOR US AND OUR DOGS.
I think of new ways to conserve energy within my home everyday. I am in the process of switching to all LCD lighting inside and outside. I use everything down to nothing and then recycle all I can. I am growing my own herbs and veggies "naturally". I shut off the water while brushing my teeth and washing my hands…I use my own recycled cloth bags at the grocery stores and avoid "plastic" bags which are NOT good for the earth !!!!