Comments for Darryl Glade's New Orleans Real Estate Blog http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com I'm a Realtor with RE/MAX here in NOLA and would like to pass along the following info... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:15:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on How to avoid foreclosure by Costa Rica Retirement http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/how-to-avoid-foreclosure/#comment-385 Costa Rica Retirement Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:15:15 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=521#comment-385 Articles like this are truly valuable, thanks for taking the time to write it, as I am sure many people that is currently facing foreclosure are going to appreciate the reading Articles like this are truly valuable, thanks for taking the time to write it, as I am sure many people that is currently facing foreclosure are going to appreciate the reading

]]> Comment on Myth: Mortgage Interest Rates Will Plummet in 2008 by Paul Taylor http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/myth-mortgage-interest-rates-will-plummet-in-2008/#comment-369 Paul Taylor Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:20:56 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-369 This was a great help to me so thanks for the advice! This was a great help to me so thanks for the advice!

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – FHA-Insured Mortgages by Tris Millard http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/new-orleans-real-estate-fha-insured-mortgages/#comment-363 Tris Millard Wed, 13 May 2009 20:38:30 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=415#comment-363 FHA Question: I am going to be attending Tulane for 2 years. I would like to buy using an FHA as I don not want to put a lot of money down. I am going to stay a resident of NH, where my permanent address is but my principal residence will be in NOLA. Do I qualify? FHA Question:

I am going to be attending Tulane for 2 years. I would like to buy using an FHA as I don not want to put a lot of money down. I am going to stay a resident of NH, where my permanent address is but my principal residence will be in NOLA. Do I qualify?

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by P. Butler Ives, Jr. http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-361 P. Butler Ives, Jr. Fri, 08 May 2009 01:05:30 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-361 Ps...You are also assuming that utility rates will stay the same, which they do not. As stated in the Times Pic last summer, utility rates had gone up 65% over the past 5 years. Butler Ives Ps…You are also assuming that utility rates will stay the same, which they do not. As stated in the Times Pic last summer, utility rates had gone up 65% over the past 5 years.

Butler Ives

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by P. Butler Ives, Jr. http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-360 P. Butler Ives, Jr. Fri, 08 May 2009 00:46:38 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-360 I hear 'ya, but still disagree a little. I know we're on the same side and all, but just to clarify four Darry'l readers, with our Schuco systems the solar fraction (in New Orleans mind you) is 84.8% (not 70%). It all depends upon usage. My girlfriend takes very large, very long baths. We use more water than a couple who takes showers. Add a few kids and some laundry, and you are spending more than $50/month in heating the water for your home...no doubt. It also depends on if you are in NOLA or Metairie ( the rates for gas can be drastically different). And how old is your heater? Or, are you using electric? There are many variables. A 2.5 year return on investment is VERY typical for our clients who have families of 4 in Orleans Parish. I hope this helps. Butler Ives I hear ‘ya, but still disagree a little. I know we’re on the same side and all, but just to clarify four Darry’l readers, with our Schuco systems the solar fraction (in New Orleans mind you) is 84.8% (not 70%).

It all depends upon usage. My girlfriend takes very large, very long baths. We use more water than a couple who takes showers. Add a few kids and some laundry, and you are spending more than $50/month in heating the water for your home…no doubt.

It also depends on if you are in NOLA or Metairie ( the rates for gas can be drastically different).

And how old is your heater? Or, are you using electric? There are many variables.

A 2.5 year return on investment is VERY typical for our clients who have families of 4 in Orleans Parish.

I hope this helps.

Butler Ives

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by greenhomesamerica http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-359 greenhomesamerica Thu, 07 May 2009 21:38:25 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-359 A 2-3 return is certainly possible. But it's not typical. Using your (very reasonable!) cost of $8,750, that would be an annual SAVINGS of almost $585-875--and most 4-person-families have a hot water less than that. It's possible. But with average savings in the neighborhood of 70% of usage, 4-5 years is probably a better range given the very generous Louisiana incentives. Of course, we're in complete agreement that it makes a lot of sense, and that's true under either assumption. A 2-3 return is certainly possible. But it’s not typical. Using your (very reasonable!) cost of $8,750, that would be an annual SAVINGS of almost $585-875–and most 4-person-families have a hot water less than that. It’s possible. But with average savings in the neighborhood of 70% of usage, 4-5 years is probably a better range given the very generous Louisiana incentives. Of course, we’re in complete agreement that it makes a lot of sense, and that’s true under either assumption.

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by P. Butler Ives, Jr. http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-358 P. Butler Ives, Jr. Thu, 07 May 2009 16:42:09 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-358 Actually, Depending upon usage of course, a family of 4 could easily have a 2-3 year return. Actually,

Depending upon usage of course, a family of 4 could easily have a 2-3 year return.

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by greenhomesamerica http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-357 greenhomesamerica Thu, 07 May 2009 02:34:33 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-357 Right on! Good post. Solar hot water is quite affordable and depending on several variables can pay for itself in 5-7 years. It works in sunny climates--and it works in cloudy climates. It's a great entree into renewables. See a basic description of the system we use at http://greenhomesamerica.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/shedding-light-on-solar-hot-water/. Thanks and good luck! Mike Right on! Good post. Solar hot water is quite affordable and depending on several variables can pay for itself in 5-7 years. It works in sunny climates–and it works in cloudy climates. It’s a great entree into renewables. See a basic description of the system we use at http://greenhomesamerica.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/shedding-light-on-solar-hot-water/.

Thanks and good luck!
Mike

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Solar Water Heater by P. Butler Ives, Jr. http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/new-orleans-real-estate-solar-water-heater/#comment-355 P. Butler Ives, Jr. Wed, 06 May 2009 14:06:38 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=398#comment-355 Just to elaborate, and to be very up front, I work for South Coast Solar, and my name is Butler Ives. Our cost on a typical installation is $8,750. That includes all taxes (which most if not all other companies will add sales tax, and we don't) That includes us pulling all permits, and using a licensed plumber ( as Parish laws require). That price also includes using a company that will stand behind it' product (us) on workmanship for 5 years and uses a flashable mounting system, and is fully licensed (workers comp and general liability). We also have both our LA State commercial and home improvement licenses, which a lot of mom and pop water heater companies will not have, which you need to get YOUR tax credits. Another issue, is that some companies here will install open loop systems, which are less expensive BUT ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NEW ORLEANS BECAUSE OF THE CALCIUM WE HAVE IN OUR WATER. Unless you have a water softener, we would not recommend this because it will shorten the life of your system, which is why we chose the one we use www.schuco.com So, Daryl, we look forward to hearing from you, and thanks for writing about heating your home's water with the Sun!! If you have 3 or more people in your home, it is a no-brainer. I just wanted your readers to know WHY it is that our price may appear higher than others. It boils down quite simply to, "you get what you pay for". Sincerely, Butler Ives Senior Solar Energy Consultant South Coast Solar 504.343.4956 butler@southcoastsolar.com Just to elaborate, and to be very up front, I work for South Coast Solar, and my name is Butler Ives.

Our cost on a typical installation is $8,750. That includes all taxes (which most if not all other companies will add sales tax, and we don’t)

That includes us pulling all permits, and using a licensed plumber ( as Parish laws require). That price also includes using a company that will stand behind it’ product (us) on workmanship for 5 years and uses a flashable mounting system, and is fully licensed (workers comp and general liability).

We also have both our LA State commercial and home improvement licenses, which a lot of mom and pop water heater companies will not have, which you need to get YOUR tax credits.

Another issue, is that some companies here will install open loop systems, which are less expensive BUT ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NEW ORLEANS BECAUSE OF THE CALCIUM WE HAVE IN OUR WATER. Unless you have a water softener, we would not recommend this because it will shorten the life of your system, which is why we chose the one we use http://www.schuco.com

So, Daryl, we look forward to hearing from you, and thanks for writing about heating your home’s water with the Sun!! If you have 3 or more people in your home, it is a no-brainer. I just wanted your readers to know WHY it is that our price may appear higher than others. It boils down quite simply to, “you get what you pay for”.

Sincerely,

Butler Ives
Senior Solar Energy Consultant
South Coast Solar
504.343.4956
butler@southcoastsolar.com

]]> Comment on New Orleans Real Estate – Bottoms Up? by Harold Scott http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/new-orleans-real-estate-bottoms-up/#comment-353 Harold Scott Tue, 05 May 2009 14:50:17 +0000 http://nolarealestate.wordpress.com/?p=394#comment-353 Darryl, Keep up the great work on the blog. I am a luxury realtor form Vero Beach, FLorida. However, I have a personal interest in NOLA and have visited multiple times in years past. You are my go to resource for NOLA RE. Darryl,
Keep up the great work on the blog. I am a luxury realtor form Vero Beach, FLorida. However, I have a personal interest in NOLA and have visited multiple times in years past. You are my go to resource for NOLA RE.

]]>