LEED Certification -- shades of GREEN!

Much of the marketing material connected with Condominiums today will undoubtedly touch upon how GREEN a particular condominium might be, and how in-turn this might benefit the potential Buyer going forward. If we assume for the moment that GREEN is GOOD (and it is), how can we assess the nature of the GREEN reality the Developer / Builder is contemplating on building into his property, and how can you as a potential Buyer assure yourself that what you're paying for (or buying into) will actually translate into something of REAL value.

When it comes to discerning shades of GREEN, perhaps the best way to make this calculation is to refer to an already existing designation known within the industry as the " LEED " rating system. LEED is an acronym designating a system for rating buildings in accordance with just how GREEN and/or environmentally friendly they are. The acronym stands for " Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. " As a movement this rating system started in the U.S.A. in 1998. Initially this system tended to have greater relevance within the Commercial sector(s) of the U.S.A., although slowly but surely -- the benefits of this way of building meandered into the Residential side of the construction industry as well. In Canada -- the real impact of this system (as it relates to the residential condominium industry) dates from around 2004.

More specifically -- the system awards points (up to 70 points) in six different areas including the ff.

1) Sustainable site development
2) Water conservation
3) Energy efficiency
4) Selection of Materials and
5) Indoor Air Quality, and
6) Innovation and Design Process

Given the above point system, points are accredited towards the the fulfillment of certain prerequisite requirements and a designation is accorded in conjunction with same. Folowing are the four main LEED Designations:

1) Certified (26-32 points)
2) Silver (33-38 points)
3) Gold (39-51 points) and/or
4) Platinum (52-69 points).

As can be seen, the latter and/or Platinum Standard is the highest acheivable, and in consequence the most difficult to attain. The LEED Certified standard on the other hand, is the least difficult to secure and hence also the more frequently attempted LEED standard being built.

What are the implications of all of this for anyone contemplating the purchase of a LEED designated building? First and foremost -- be prepared to pay more for a building built to these higher standards, given that it will cost the Builder / Developer more to build this way. That said -- you should in-turn reap the long-term rewards of buying into a property with these greater efficiencies. Moreover, as our industry Develops, I am quite positive that these kinds of buildings (when and where they are indeed built to a higher set of REAL standards) will appreciate more than conventionally built Condomominiums, and hence will undoubtedly return more in terms of long-term resale value.

For more information about any of the fore-going and/or how it might relate to a property you are currently considering, pls. feel free e-mail me and/or call me directly (416) 879-1076. Although the fore-going is a fairly succinct description of how the LEED system operates within our industry, the nuances and reality of how it translates within our market (here in Toronto) is a whole other issue. You might say, it's a whole other shade of GREEN!

Real Estate Distractions

I don't know about all of you out there -- but every once in a while I do so enjoy a " distraction. " I know what you're thinking -- but given that this is a " kids' show " -- the distractions I'm talking about are more animated than physical, and less apt to cause any moral dilemma's after-wards (ahh -- after-wards!). Anyways, if it helps to ease the pressure of always taking things too seriously and/or always brooding over Real Estate, I thought I'd provide you with some links that might just hit the spot. If animation isn't your' thing - I've also included a sailing site called " Sailing Anarchy dot com " -- which will be of interest to anyone who's hankering to get out on the water and/or just find out what's going on beyond our borders (literally). If they wind up amusing any of you(s) -- half as much as they amuse me, I'll consider this distraction thing an incontrovertible success. Cheers!

371 Wallace Avenue (unit # 14)

For anyone who's an avid reader of " The Globe & Mail " (Real Estate section) check out todays " Home of the Week " feature. I recently secured a listing on a genuine LOFT property in the Junction (which is just north-east of where Bloor St. and Dundas St. intersect -- north of Roncesvalles) -- that I think might be of interest.

It's a large LOFT at right around 1250 square feet -- and contains 450 sq. feet of outdoor space (terrace etc...). The property is currently owned by a " finish carpenter " (the original owner) and every inch of it has been highly customized. Upgrades include high-end " Heartland " appliances, a cast iron claw foot tub, large screen HDTV Television (mounted on a bracket), Vermont Castings Stove and Salt-water Aquarium. The unit contains 12 to 15 different types of wood. The Kitchen is spectacular and is all hand rendered in a variety of woods including " curly sycamore and bubinga. " As befits a LOFT -- the property also includes the original " Post & Beam " framing, 14 foot ceilings, and original exposed brick walls.
The property comes with two parking spots and one locker.

If any of you out there are curious -- I will be doing an Open House here on saturday (May 17th) from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, so pls. feel free to stop by.

Mission Statement

Condo's in Toronto -- are amongst the most varied and unique condominium properties in the world. The vast majority of these are newer buildings, located throughout virtually every corner of the city, and built by hundreds of different Builders / Developers with their own sense of what a condominium ought to be.

Navigating this wide selection of myriad possibilities is hard enough for even the most seasoned of Realtors, so for a buyer new to the market securing the right fit for themselves -- is difficult, often problemmatic and undeniably daunting.

Given this circumstance, I have taken the liberty of creating this BLOG to help educate people on the " Toronto Condominium scene, " to create a forum through which you can ask questions, and to provide a place where you can get the " REAL SKINNY " on what's really going on out there in " CONDO LAND. "

Hence, when and if you have a question pls. feel free to post same and/or direct your' inquiries to thoeher@trebnet.com.