LaDonna Miller, Real Estate Broker

Excellence in Buying and Selling Homes

LaDonna combines her knowledge of Real Estate, Sustainable Building practices and passion for the building & design industry with 23 years of successful communicating, negotiating and tremendous marketing experience to assist buyers and sellers.

Her experience includes working with a wide spectrum of clients from first time buyers purchasing their first property to clients who have bought and sold many properties. As a trade ally of Energy Trust of Oregon, LaDonna can tell you about energy-efficient features and improvements for your home.

Certified Graduate of the S.T.A.R. Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals at Earth Advantage Institute.

LaDonna Miller
Oregon First Real Estate
8700 SW Creekside Place, Ste. B
Beaverton, OR. 97008
(503) 310-9076
ladonnamiller@earthlink.net
www.PortlandResidences.com

Tips on purchasing a home

1. What is a green home?
2. The benefits of green home
3. Purchasing an existing home
4. Smaller homes vs. McMansions
5. Learning your real estate requirements
6. Moving tips

What is a green home?

The goal of green building is to optimize the energy efficiency and performance of all of the systems so that homeowners experience the greatest comfort, health and safety with the least amount of waste.

Green home performance is described by designers and builders in terms of energy and water consumption, indoor air quality, durability and structural integrity. Homeowners experience comfort, lower utility costs, health, safety, low maintenance and better quality of materials.

The benefits of a green home

1. Energy Efficient: Greater comfort and lower utility bills
2. Water Efficient: Lower water and sewer bills
3. Good indoor air quality: A healthy place to raise a family
4. Durable: A long-lasting, easy to maintain home
5. Made with non-toxic materials: Better personal and environmental health
6. Environmentally Responsible: A conscious commitment to conservation for future generations.

Purchasing an existing home

Purchase an existing home in one of Portland’s older neighborhoods and consider completing energy efficient upgrades.

In many respects, older existing homes are green because we are not manufacturing new materials for the construction of a home.

According to Earth Advantage, “Many of the materials used in homes built before 1960 have proven to be extremely durable, and often are reused and refurbished as the house is updated. Many of these materials no longer give off toxic fumes and therefore do not cause indoor air quality issues.”

The Earth Advantage Institute had some great energy items to consider when purchasing an existing home:

1. What is the age and functionality of the home’s major systems?
2. What is the energy-efficiency rating for heating and cooling systems?
3. Are there noticeable drafts in the home, especially near doors and windows?
4. Are exhaust fans functioning effectively?
5. What type of insulation, if any, has been used to insulate walls, ceilings, floors and the foundation?
6. How old are the home’s appliances? Are they Energy Star appliances?
7. What type of hot water heater has been installed and how old is it?
8. Are there signs of recent moisture stains, noticeable mildew odors, or any visible mold?
9. How old are the plumbing fixtures? Are there low-flow toilets, showerheads or faucets?
10. Do you notice any leaks around plumbing fixtures?
11. Are there any materials made with asbestos in the home?
12. Is there any lead-based paint in the home?
13. How is the home oriented with regard to sun exposure?
14. How much natural light does each room receive?
15. Are trees planted to provide shade where needed?
16. What are the current landscaping irrigation needs for the home?
17. How is storm water managed on the property?

Potential green remodeling upgrades:

1. Add insulation to attics, exteriors walls, floors and basement walls.
2. Install high-efficiency, dual-glazed or triple-glazed windows.
3. Install a high-efficiency heating system.
4. Install a whole-house fan.
5. Seal ducts and air leaks.
6. Install energy efficient appliances and lighting.
7. Improve day lighting by bringing in more natural light into a space.
8. Improve water efficiency with low-flush toilets, showerheads and faucets.
9. Improve indoor air quality by removaling toxic materials such as lead-based paint, asbestos and mold.
10. Make the home solar ready to meet energy needs.
11. Install a more efficient water heater.
12. Replace the flooring with linoleum, recycled or green certified carpet, or FSC-certified wood.
13. Use low VOC or no VOC paints, stains, sealers and adhesives.
14. Install landscaping that requires little to no irrigation.
15. Plant trees to provide appropriate shading.

Smaller homes vs McMansions

Well-known architect and writer Sarah Susanka published her famous “Creating the not so Big House” in 1998.

She wrote, “Homeowners are clearly more than ready for an alternative to the huge impersonal starter castles that are filling our new suburbs and developments. People are eager for an alternative to the bigger is better approach to home design.”

Homes that are 1,500 sq. ft. or less are inherently greener than larger homes, even if a larger home has green features. Smaller homes require less energy to heat, cool and light. Also, smaller homes require fewer resources from building materials and appliances, to finishes to furniture.

More consumers want quality over quantity.  They put more thought into design and upgraded finishes, and incorporate energy efficient features on their wishlist when purchasing a home.

For more information on purchasing an existing property to remodel please contact: LaDonna Miller- Broker Oregon First Real Estate (503) 310-9076 or email: ladonnamiller@earthlink.net

Learning your real estate requirements

Think over the following questions so that I can help define your housing requirements.

Basic information:

What is the best way to communicate (mail, e-mail, or telephone)?
What is your ideal timeframe for finding your new home?
What types of information would you like me to provide you with to find your new home?

• MLS listings
• Referrals to mortgage brokers
• Referrals to professionals in the skilled trades
• Comparative market analysis of your current neighborhood with other Portland neighborhoods

What is your ideal price range?
Do you already have a mortgage broker?

What you want in your new home:
Do you want to move into a larger or smaller home, or one that is about the same size?
What characteristics are you looking for in your new home?
How many bedrooms ?
How many bathrooms?
Do you want a formal dining room?
How large of a home do you want (approximate square footage)?
Do you prefer a ranch or a multi-level home?
Do you want the home to be handicapped-accessible ?
Do you want any of the following features:

• Lots of natural light
• Gourmet kitchen
• Plenty of closets
• Full basement with plenty of storage space
• Partially finished basement with windows

Do you want a garage? If so, how large (how many cars)?
Which rooms in your home do you spend the most or least amount of time in?
Does anyone in your family have particular interests or special needs?

What you want in your new neighborhood:

What are you looking for in your new neighborhood?
What type of home do you prefer?

• New construction
• Older, established
• Innovative (urban lofts, etc.)
• Lots of trees
• Near public transportation or cycling trails
• Near recreational opportunities

What sort of a commute to work do you want? Do you plan to drive, use public transportation, walk or bicycle?

Moving tips

To help your move proceed as smoothly as possible, here are some tips about preparing for moving day

Preparing to move out:

• Give the post office your forwarding address 2–4 weeks before the move.
• Inform credit card companies, your local bank, magazine subscriptions, your telephone service provider(s), and utility companies of your new address.
• Prepare a list of friends and relatives who should be notified of your move.
• Arrange to have utilities (gas, water, electric, telephone, cable) disconnected at your current home and connected at the new one.
• Cancel your newspaper subscription.
• Speak with your insurance agent about coverage during the move. Moving companies generally provide coverage only on the items they pack.
• Set aside one or more boxes as “Open Me First.” Pack items that you will need right away into those boxes (for example, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, other tools, flashlight, pencils and paper, toilet paper, light bulbs, soap, some dishes, towels, pillows and bed linens).