Chic vs. Geek: Going Net Zero @ Home

“Net zero” is what happens when the renewable energy you use to power your home matches the need, meaning you have no net impact on the environment. With new heating technology and lower-cost renewable energy systems, any home can get to net zero. Need help getting started? That’s why we’re here!

CHIC (PEARL)

Like any home improvements, there are upfront costs to going net zero, but an investment today could help lock in your energy prices for the next 25+ years. Roof-mounted solar is currently the most affordable way to generate your own energy. With a good financing plan, a photovoltaic (PV) system can deliver electricity at 60% to 70% of what you’re paying PG&E. And because of widespread adoption, solar has never been cheaper! You can also upgrade to efficient electric heating and cooling systems like heat pumps and floor coils.

GEEK (KEVIN)

When it comes to energy efficiency, there’s nothing like some good, old fashioned repairs and upgrades. First, check the air sealing on your home and shore it up where you can. This will give you the biggest bang for your buck year round. Combine that with better insulation, and you can save more money downsizing to a smaller heating/cooling system. And don’t forget to replace old, drafty windows and doors with high-performance, triple-pane brands or storm windows. This will reduce heat loss and provide plenty of natural light.

Chic vs. Geek: How do you flex?

Last week’s excessive heat wave caused flex alerts that asked Californians to conserve energy during peak hours from 4-9pm in order to prevent blackouts. What are some ways you cut back to help out?

CHIC (PEARL)

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m in love with my air conditioning. But with rising energy rates and calls to conserve, I’ve also had to admit that it’s a luxury we can live without for a few hours a day. So we started pre-cooling our house before 4pm, preparing for the hottest time of day. At 9pm, we checked the air outside and either opened up all the windows or cranked that lovely AC. It may have been rough, but we’re lucky to have these options in the first place.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Anybody who knows me knows I love food, and dinner is a very important time of my day. I’m usually in the kitchen during flex hours, cooking with multiple burners, heating up the oven, and going in and out of the fridge and freezer. The flex alerts forced me to change up our routine, eating dinner later in the evening or DoorDashing from one of our favorite restaurants. It’s a great way to support local businesses while you’re flexing your power.

Chic vs. Geek: Homeowner’s Title Insurance

When you buy a home, Santa Clara County and most jurisdictions require you to purchase an insurance policy on your title, aka homeowner’s title insurance. While it may seem like an additional burden, you never know when you’re going to need it, and it’s important to know what it covers — and what it doesn’t!

CHIC (PEARL)

Even after your real estate company conducts a title search and explores all the publicly available details about a property, there is still a risk that new problems will arise. Title insurance can provide you with security against things like ownership claims from other parties including undisclosed heirs, flawed public records, false signatures on documents, including fraud and forgery, outstanding liens and lawsuits, judgments or encumbrances, and unrecorded easements or other restrictive covenants that reduce a property’s value.

GEEK (KEVIN)

As you can see from Pearl’s take, title insurance covers a lot, but it isn’t cheap, so it’s good to know where it comes up short. You won’t get any protection against infestations from termites and other pests, mold and mildew, fire or weather damage, underground fuel tanks (this comes up more often than you’d think), or any issues not caused by the previous homeowners. Depending on your location and the insurer, fire and storm coverage may be included in your homeowner’s insurance policy or offered as an add-on.

Chic vs. Geek: Thinking of adding an ADU?

Accessory dwelling units, aka ADUs, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but adding one to your property may not be the right fit. It’s important to know the ins and outs and plan ahead. We’re here to help!

CHIC (PEARL)

ADUs can provide housing for aging family members, an affordable option for teachers and others in the “missing middle,” and a reliable source of additional income for you and your household. As we experience a boon in the ADU market thanks to loosened regulations, there’s a variety of vendors out there. It can be hard to know where to start. I recommend you figure out what kind of ADU you need first. Function should come before form in this case, given the investment of time and resources you’re about to make.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The key to adding an ADU on your property is making sure the project pencils out. That means keeping costs down without sacrificing a quality product that will stand the test of time. You can find a lot of savings on the front end of the process when choosing an architect, designer, and/or builder. Doing a little research to find vendors with strong track records will pay dividends later when you get the project done right the first time. The best contractors also know their way around local government permits!

Chic vs. Geek: Taking Advantage of SB9

More and more, we have many clients with an interest in splitting their lot to take advantage of new state law to build a second home they can rent out. How can you use SB9 to your benefit?

CHIC (PEARL)

Senate Bill 9 was signed by the governor last year to streamline the creation of new housing units in traditionally single family neighborhoods to combat our housing crisis. But while some cities and communities have resisted the change, others like San José have embraced the new law and updated their local rules to reflect it. That means an opportunity for a savvy homeowner with a little money to invest. Here’s some info from the California Association of Realtors (CAR) to get you started.

GEEK (KEVIN)

At the end of the day, all SB9 does is allow for change to happen. That doesn’t mean your neighborhood is about to flip from single family homes to fourplexes. The conversion still has to pencil out, and that’s no guarantee with the cost of construction and labor these days — not to mention high interest rates if you don’t have all the cash up front..There’s also the question of lot size and eligibility. Need more insights? Have a look at this CAR slide deck and quick guide to lot splitting, or just send us an email.