Comments on: Puppies and houses http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/ Learning to live green and live together Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:56:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Will http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-63 Will Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:33:36 +0000 http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-63 That works some places and not others. One of the places we've looked at is separated into three floors, so it's not something that can be changed by knocking down walls. The other (that we're thinking more seriously about) actually had a wall put in by the current owner that we'd probably take down. Location requirements aren't that flexible for us, since we want to be within walking distance (no more than 3 miles) of downtown and in a place where we actually can walk (so nothing across a highway). That narrows it down to about three neighborhoods in our approximate price range, since the university takes up a big chunk of that space. Maggie is actually taking a PV class sometimes soon, so that would definitely be something we'd consider! Of course, the more we have to spend knocking down walls, the less we'll be able to spend on solar panels, etc. That works some places and not others. One of the places we’ve looked at is separated into three floors, so it’s not something that can be changed by knocking down walls. The other (that we’re thinking more seriously about) actually had a wall put in by the current owner that we’d probably take down. Location requirements aren’t that flexible for us, since we want to be within walking distance (no more than 3 miles) of downtown and in a place where we actually can walk (so nothing across a highway). That narrows it down to about three neighborhoods in our approximate price range, since the university takes up a big chunk of that space.

Maggie is actually taking a PV class sometimes soon, so that would definitely be something we’d consider! Of course, the more we have to spend knocking down walls, the less we’ll be able to spend on solar panels, etc.

]]> By: Linnea http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-61 Linnea Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:51:20 +0000 http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-61 Oh, i forgot to mention... If you're going to renovate a space to fix the layout, what better time to put in radiant floor heating, gray water systems, and solar panels. Oh, i forgot to mention… If you’re going to renovate a space to fix the layout, what better time to put in radiant floor heating, gray water systems, and solar panels.

]]> By: Linnea http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-60 Linnea Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:48:57 +0000 http://greencouple.com/2008/02/15/puppies-and-houses/#comment-60 If you're able to renovate, layout is one of the easiest things to fudge. I dunno if you ever watch HGTV, but there's a show called Hidden Potential that deals with just that. Assuming it's not a load bearing wall, you can usually make some adjustments to give the space more of an open plan. A yard is harder to fudge, unless you're willing to build a roof garden, or get into terracing. You can't fudge location, but generally speaking location requirements are more flexible. That's my two cents. If you're not in love with a place yet, you can always knock out a wall. If you’re able to renovate, layout is one of the easiest things to fudge. I dunno if you ever watch HGTV, but there’s a show called Hidden Potential that deals with just that. Assuming it’s not a load bearing wall, you can usually make some adjustments to give the space more of an open plan. A yard is harder to fudge, unless you’re willing to build a roof garden, or get into terracing. You can’t fudge location, but generally speaking location requirements are more flexible.

That’s my two cents. If you’re not in love with a place yet, you can always knock out a wall.

]]>