"Calculate 'paybacks' before buying furnace

Good reminder from Inman News regarding the importance of whole home energy efficiency when considering purchasing a new furnace. I'm not positive the link will work; here is a tidbit:

"How efficient any heating system is going to be at keeping your home warm is dictated by how energy efficient the home is in the first place…So before you consider your new heating system, if possible you should complete any required energy upgrades your home needs. Your best bet is to have an energy audit done." 

Anyone have any energy auditors they've liked and wish to share?http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/paulbianchina/calculate-paybacks-buying-furnace

Green Defined

Good reminder here on defining/deciphering "Green" from our friends at Seattle Magazine, hosts of the local "Five Star Professional" list. At least one of you - I don't know who - nominated me this year; Thank You. If interested, you can find my ad on page FS38 of the current issue, available in newsstands now.http://www.seattlemag.com/article/shelter-green-houses

What do you think about the "new" manufactured homes?

What say you about the "new" manufactured homes? "Controlled manufacturing and assembly of homes is long overdue. Almost everything around you is made that way, yet we are still building homes by cutting and fabricating on site. It doesn't make sense." - Tryggvi Thorsteinsson (Dwell Magazine, Dec2011/Jan2012)

Why is it so complicated when I consider rental restrictions on the condo I wish to buy?

Let's assume you want to rent it out right away, or want to "know" you can later:

-If a condo association allows rentals today and capacity remains unfilled, you may be encouraged, but…

-Others may also be encouraged by existing capacity/rules, and may buy in the building specifically to rent, or may hold and rent instead of selling when they move on. And…

-The rules may later change. Each HOA has its own rules, but it seems that if somewhere between 51%-80% of your neighbors agree, such a rule can be changed. Why would do they this?

-Because “too many” rental homes in a building can cause difficulty in refinancing and new financing (normally needed in order to sell), most buildings without rental restrictions are talking about putting them in place.