By Molly, on June 27th, 2010%
I wrote a blog earlier about Backyard Cottages in Seattle or Detatched Dwelling Units. Since then, I’ve had numerous questions about them.
Whether you are considering a Backyard Cottage on your at least 4,000 square foot lot as a rental property, for an elderly family member, or a grown child you need to know the max square footage the structure can be is 800 sq ft. This includes any carport, attached garage, or storage.
You can decide to go through a contractor and architect or get a panelized or modular fabricated design. Fabricated is the fastest, and designed much like building blocks. Panelized takes a little more time and can be more customized.
It’s no secret adding a Backyard Cottage on your property can add extra monthly income. However there are some costs involved. Here is a link to a handy worksheet that breaks down Hard Costs and Soft Costs. Example of a Hard Cost is demolition or site preparation. A Soft Cost is a mortgage, or fees for utility hookups. Which aren’t cheap, by the way! Seattle City Light recommends separate electricity meters. This will save you way more money in the long run.
Make sure you save room for a parking space for your Backyard Cottage – this is a requirement!
For more information regarding Backyard Cottages and self help steps to diagrams, permits, and more – this site wins, hands down.
Check back frequently to www.cooperjacobs.com for our Backyard Cottage listings in Seattle City Limits.
By Courtney, on March 12th, 2009%
I just got my EcoBroker Certification, so I wanted to touch on Sustainable Landscape Architecture:
Don’t forget to check out my Green Seattle real estate info, too, if you get a chance!
Susan Black of Susan Black & Associates is a Seattle landscape architect that has been doing green landscaping for a long time! Check out this article I found written about LEED and Seattle landscaping back in 2001:
http://www.djc.com/news/ae/11121028.html
Green landscaping is a huge movement in Seattle and the Puget Sound – Designing sustainable landscapes is vital to the environmental health of our great city! I am happy to see that this is finally taking off, but I admire the early adapters of environmental causes!
Here’s some more about SBA and what Seattle landscape architect Susan Black can do for Seattle landscaping:
Seattle landscaping can be commercial or residential and SBA does it all. Susan Black & Associates have been doing some of the very best landscaping projects in Seattle and are among the most respected firms in the city when it comes to Seattle landscape architecture. They do some amazing projects and should be considered first when it comes to any project!
I have had the pleasure of knowing Susan Black for years and am constantly delighted to find the firm’s work is everywhere! Logan Park in Lynnwood, WA got a huge transformation by the firm and it is one of the best parks in Lynnwood now. Powell Barnett Park in Seattle has become a neighborhood favorite after being in ruins for years. Cities and Counties interested in project planning should consult this firm first for a quality job. Residents interested in making their landscaping the best it can be should get a hold of SBA.
Contact info:
Susan Black
206-789-2133
SBA is located in nearby Wallingford and has the capabilities of serving the greater Puget Sound.
Courtney Cooper, Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services – Helping you with all your Seattle real estate and Green Seattle real estate, too!
By Courtney, on September 19th, 2008%
I know it is early, but since the holiday stuff is popping up in the stores everywhere, I figured I better get this in! I have a lot of tips this year on having a green holiday, but this is a biggie and I am loving it!
Switch to Holiday LED Lights!!!!!
I had no idea that the newer Holiday LED Lights were so great!!!! I knew they were wonderful, but had no idea just how much of an impact they can make. If you can find the solar LED lights, too, then I will be in awe of you so let me know where you found them and how much, PLEASE.
OK – so here is the skinny on going green for the holidays by using LED light strings instead of the regular fire hazard energy guzzling lights:
The LEDs use a fraction of the energy of regular strings of lights and according to the info I found can last between 100,000 and 200,000 hours. That is a long time for less refuse and less energy used.
But this is the really cool part:
You can use up to 20 strings together on one circuit!!!!!! I am no electricity expert and as a result I am constantly shorting out strings of lights because I piggy back too many together so this is good news!
Other benefits?
Cool to the touch and the whole string stays lit even when a bulb is out so no more guessing at that!
Where to buy?
Bartell’s!!!! I love Bartell Drug Stores! The recycle CFL bulbs for free starting this month and they sell these for $10-$15 for a string of 70 lights.
Go green for the holidays!!!!! Are you interested in Green Seattle real estate? Cooper Jacobs is a member of Built Green and Seattle Realtor Courtney Cooper is also working on an ECOBROKER designation. If you have green holiday suggestions, please email them to realestate@cooperjacobs.com
By Courtney, on July 24th, 2008%
Looking for resources for green gardening in Seattle?
The Washington Toxics Coalition has a wonderful site for your education! They also offer cute little signs for your yard in exchange for pledging to a few things… I have seen these in some local Seattle front yards and I love that people are willing to show how much they care.
Seattle Green Gardening is Just The Beginning…
Green gardening is a huge part of going green in Seattle overall and pesticides have no place in my garden, but the Washington Toxics Coalition has information for the entire household that range from garden info to cleaning products to art and hobby materials or building materials that are toxic. This is great information to have on hand for anyone who is thinking about green remodeling or looking into the Built Green program.
Are you interested in Seattle green real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com
