Team Diva Real Estate is joining forces with some of our favorite Real Estate mavens in Seattle to bring you a rare look at a fabulous sampling of Green Built modern homes in the Central District. Join the Divas, Dararith Marith, Kimberly & Mark Hobbs and others as we bring you homes by some of our favorite Green Built projects.

The Central District in the midst of a Green Building renaissance. Over the past four years this fabulous neighborhood has seen strategic infilling of abandoned lots by Green construction and design entrepreneurs. Their design utilizes innovated techniques like capturing and re-purposing rain water to experimentation with low environmental impact building materials utilized in these amazing homes. The result is fresh take on how one can live in modern spaces while still integrating into the existing community around you. Truly a new modern community is taking hold in the Central District!

Update: Meet Up Location Released
Coleman Park Modern Cottages by BCH
1808 & 1806 24th Ave S, Seattle, Wa 98144

Homes on Display

• Modern Community on 26th Ave – by Greenleaf Construction
• Judkins Park Modern Cottages – by BCH
• Urban Trees – by gProjects
• Inspired Modern at Jackson Place – by BCH
• HyBrid Pre-Fab – by Hybrid

Tour Details:
Saturday, February 19, 2011
12 noon – 3:00 PM
RSVP Required -> Email the Divas at TheDiva@TeamDivaRealEstate.com or RSVP on Facebook

Green Built Central District Tweet Chat
Join us for a twitter chat next Tuesday, February 15th with a key team member from Benjamin Custom Homes Dararith Marith @dmarith and the Divas @SeattleDivas

More Information About The Central District
The Central District (the CD as it is called by locals) is one of the oldest and most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. This is a community teaming with an eclectic mix of residents and architecture, where modern designer dwellings sit next to beautifully restored turn of the century homes. Its proximity to Downtown, Capitol Hill and easy access to the Eastside makes the CD a perfect place for any urbanite to call home!
Shop Local Spot: All Purpose Pizza
Hood Blog: Central District News

Last month I attended the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center’s “Home Design & Remodel Fair.” Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of using reclaimed materials for my home projects.

Team Diva Real Estate love a good Green home – whether they are new-built or remodeled homes. We aren’t the only ones. Seattle home buyers are increasingly attracted to homes that are either built with or have incorporated green materials into their construction. More and more home stores are offering materials and fixtures that are earth friendly, making green design more accessible to homeowners. One option that home owners aren’t as aware of is using reclaimed materials for their home.

While at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Home Design and Remodel Fair, I had the chance to talk to the guys from The RE Store, a community-based non-profit organization that offers high quality used building materials, salvage services, community education and workshops. The RE Store, and other stores like it, offer a wide variety of lumber, furniture, fixtures and hardware. You can put in hardwood floors without the need to cut down any new trees, or you can use vintage hardware to replace the door knobs throughout your home, giving it a unique look.  Whether it’s for big projects or for small ones, the variety of reclaimed materials and fixtures available enable you to find that one-of-a-kind piece that will make your home express you.

The RE Store – Seattle Location

1440 NW 52nd St.

206.297.9119

Team Diva Real Estate notes on this weeks round up of news. First off we were appalled last week at the shootings in Arizona. Our hearts go out to everyone who was impacted. From a global perspective, we really hope people will take the time to increase their civility to those with opposing views. Who knows what we can learn?

On a local level, the Divas have seen a crazy increase in the number of requests for rental properties. This goes back to our note from last week that Seattle is seeing super low vacancy levels in apartments. Specifically, we are seeing this in core neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Central District, Ballard, Wallingford, etc. Our own Swedish FIUTS exchange student is getting ready to pay close to $500 a month to rent a very small room up on Capitol Hill. So I ask all of you – Is it time to buy rental properties?

Green Built inventory is also at record lows right now. The demand rate in the Central Area is hovering around 1.8 for Green Built homes (anything less than 2.5 is considered a Sellers market). In West Seattle there are only 3 properties on the market for the Admiral/Alki area that are Green Built and in an affordable price point. Expect to see resale and new Green Built fly off the market this Spring!

Zillow: Seattle’s one of the worst markets to invest in. Diva Pal Tad sent this article over. The interesting thing is that if you make the right buy right now this is a seriously good opportunity to get into an investment property. Low rates + the masses have yet to return to the market + low rental inventory = Profit!

Housing starts expected to climb in 2011: A 21% increase over 2010 is predicted.

Economists become more upbeat: Economists are increasingly optimistic about the pace of the recovery, predicting better than a 3.2% annual rate in each quarter this year.

Mortgage rates decline to 4 week low: After a few weeks of rising rates, a bit of relief.

Seven mortgage trends to expect in 2011: While expected to continue their climb, interest rates are still near historic lows.

Parents investing in child’s future mortgage: A once common way to get into a first home, this tactic is becoming popular again.

Foreclosure crisis still bleak: The Divas just want to say we are still fairing way better than most!

Banks Housing Giveaway: An interesting take on the perpetual reductions caused by distressed sales.

No McMansions for Millennials: Less is more is what every urbanite needs!

Home sale gains seen: Economists see resale housing making gains this Spring.

Just received the most recent Built Green newsletter for August and was comelled to repost one of the calls for submission. Seattle Public Utilities is looking for submission for Hypbrid Deconstruction pilot projects. We were fascinated by the term “Hybrid Deconstruction”. Is it car? A new inner city housing complex? Speak in plain English folks! Basically it refers to the process of deconstructing an existing building while reusing and reallocating as much of the old building materials as possible. The Divas are really fascinated by this process and would love to see someone take (as the french say “bidionville”) or crack shack and turn into something interesting and livable.

Seattle Public Utilities Hybrid Deconstruction pilot projects for 2010: Call for Submissions
Seattle Public Utilities is seeking additional Hybrid Deconstruction pilot projects for 2010 to support deconstruction research and training program development. Pilot projects wil potentially be eligible to receive a portion of the grant to support the following: research and development of hybrid techniques; development of training programs and on-the-job training; and research on lumber grading and re-use standards. If your company has any potential deconstruction projects in 2010 and are interested in the above goals, please contact Seattle Public Utilities Green Building department or King County GreenTools.

Find out more fabulous Built Green goodies after the jump <<GreenBuiltSeattle>>