Sustainable Real Estate.

The by product of Sustainability.

     How far can the boundaries of sustainability be applied.  When I decided to move two years ago, I had a few things on the wish list for the new property.  First of all it could not be new, I wasn't looking for new construction, not that their is any wrong with new construction.  I was just in the market for a property with a little bit of  history to it.  I have a love for old things. I just wanted something a little more challenging.  I want to know if it were possible to save an other wise train wreck of a property and transform it into a self sustaining livable home.  It had to have a considerable amount of green space, front, side and backyard space that lends itself to be transformed into a sustainable garden.  A place where fruit trees and vegetables could be grown.  Not to mention it had to face south. In this direction it would be possible  to  maximize the suns rays when I finally install the solar panels and solar water heater.  Lastly it had to be within the five boroughs of New York City, I am not quiet ready to break away from the bright lights of city life.

     I could not believe that this place existed, I purchased my dream house and my wife's nightmare. It is everything  I was looking for.  It met all of the requirements and much more.  I don't know how I managed to convince the owner to sell to me, he must of felt my enthusiasm, knowing deep down inside I want to take this home to a whole new level.  The realtor, had mentioned to me that this particular seller had turned down multiple offers, therefore I should not keep my hopes up and not expect much.  She went on to explain that because of the size of the property local land developers had made mulitipal offers. They're interest in the property was only to tear the house down and subdivide into two equal  lots making allowing for two much smaller homes.  This is not what the seller wanted for the future of this property. During my first tour of the home with the owner, which lasted about an hour, I explained to the seller what I was trying to accomplish with the property such as the one he was selling and he loved my ideas.  As luck would have it, he agreed to sell to me!  I had just accomplished my first goal towards sustainability.  I saved an other wise doomed home. One which would have been be torn down to make way for smaller housing.  Had this happen it would have altered the look and feel of this neighbor.  As I think back I imagine all the wood and debre I saved from going into a land fill just by buying this older home.  The Planet just thanked me. Your welcome!

     Right after purchasing this home, I started making changes to it making it more energy efficient. Allowing me to  move in the direction of a sustainable life style and the beginning of my social experiment.  I changed light fixtures, light bulbs, water fixtures, toilets and installed a rain barrel on the down spouts to collect rain water for the garden.  I decided to build growing beds and establish a vegetable garden, growing as much as I could that very summer.  However, I felt that there was something missing in the garden.  I felt the need  for movement within the garden itself, the feeling of something alive. As I thought about sustainability and the over all look and feel I wanted to give this vintage home, a bit of nostalgia set in. I thought about the individuals who had built this home in 1809.  I thought about the livestock which they might have raised on this very property.  Then I thought about bringing it full circle, what if I could  be able to raise some sort of livestock within the city limits that would provide some sort of protein.  I decided on chickens. They seemed small enough, and provided protein in the form of eggs.  I located a women here on the island which hatched chickens every spring. After a few conversations with her, she brought me up to speed on do's and don't of backyard chickens.  I felt having chickens complimented the sustainable life style, therefore, I went a head and built a chicken coop and acquired my first set of chicks.

     These ladies are all grown up now. I  currently have 5 egg laying hen's that act as my weed and pest control squad without the use of pesticides or herbicides.  I provide them with room and board, food and water and they reward me freshly laid eggs.  What could be more sustainable than pets that give something a back.  These hens also provide fertilizer, in the form of chicken manure. I incorporate the manure into my compost bin for later use on my vegetable beds.  Its a win, win situation. It has been a learning experience, I had to learn the art of poultry management, understand the proper diet which is required for egg laying hens in order to maximize their egg laying abilities.  Finding a source for quality chicken feed required some searching.  Also getting to know the city codes in regards to having chickens within the city limits.  However, I do believe I have started a trend, now two of my neighbors have acquired chicken too.   I think this sustainability concept is catching on.

     As far as my plans for this property go, the list is large! How far I get will be my journey into a sustainable life style and my personnel social experiment.  The wish list goes as follows:

• Solar panels on the roof along with a solar water heater.
• A Geo Thermal heating and cooling system.  
• A Wind Turbine to supplement the solar power.
• Gray water capability.
• An Omega Garden for year round growing of vegetables indoors.(One out of this world Growing room!)   

     It seems to me that as urban dwellers we work ever so hard to make a living.  Why not are homes too, it seems the homes of tomorrow will have to work just as hard for us in order to be as efficient as we are.  Will I get to accomplish all these things on my wish list, well I am going to find out.  Welcome to my sustainable journey....I will keep you posted for this will be a work in progress.  The next time you find yourself in the market for a home, and you have a love for the country life within the city limits, try looking for a fixer upper which can be transformed into an urban farm.  Many older neighbors have larger lots and make for a more beautiful neighborhood when lawn are transformed into vegetable beds.  When the need for picking fruit will only require a trip to your backyard. As our Urban landscape go from cookie cutter architecture to Urban agriculture with the ability to be self sustainable.

      As I raise my face to feel the warmth of the sun, I smile and whisper to the four corner's of the Earth, "LETTUCE BEE SUSTAINABLE" , with Real estate!



My pest control squad.