Lisa Abrams - RE/MAX REALTY SERVICES - Search Properties in Silver Spring,Bethesda,Potomac,Rockville,Gaithersburg, & Metro DC
Money Magazine rated Montgomery County Maryland as the NUMBER 1 place to retire!
Best Places to Retire 2008
1. Montgomery County, MD
Towns include: Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase ,Rockville, Kensington, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Montgomery Village, North Bethesda, North Potomac, Olney, Silver Spring,
Click here to search for homes in Montgomery County, Maryland
Life expectancy at birth: 81.31 years
Two top-ranked hospitals (Suburban and Naval, both in Bethesda) help make affluent, educated Montgomery County No. 1 for longevity.
Bethesda's downtown is compact, walk able, and connected to central Washington, D.C. by Metro. Outside of town, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park's scenic canal side trail helps keep residents in shape.
Planned communities such as The Kentlands, Fallsgrove and King Farm are pedestrian, neo urban communities, where you can live, work and play.
Last year, Montgomery's county seat of Rockville unveiled a new pedestrian-friendly town center, bringing together housing, jobs, shopping, and recreation.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Fast "Green" Facts About Your Home
Fast Facts About Your Home
Water:
· Older toilets use 3.7-7 gallons per flush
· Dishwashers use 8-14 gallons per cycle
· Top-loading washers use 45 gallons/load
· A dripping faucet waste 15-21 gallons per day
· US water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic-size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (300 billion gallons)
· Although our planet is 71 percent water, humans depend on a mere .65 percent of the water for survival – much of which is polluted.
Indoor Air Quality:
· US EPA ranks indoor air pollution among top five environmental risks. Unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings
· W.H.O. reports that indoor air pollution causes 14 times more deaths than outdoor air pollution (2.8 million lives)
· Of hundreds of EPA-regulated chemicals, only ozone and sulfur dioxide are more prevalent outdoor than indoors
· 20 percent of all housing in the US has too much lead dust or chippings (causes kidney and red blood cell damage, impairs mental and physical development, may increase high blood pressure)
Wood:
· Although the US is home to only 4.5 percent of the global population, it is responsible for over 15 percent of the world’s consumption of wood.
Pesticides:
· In the US, pesticides poison 110,000 people each year. More than one-third of calls to animal poison control centers result from pets exposed to pesticides.
· The volatile organic compounds (including pesticides) found indoors are believe to cause 3,000 cases of cancer a year in the US.
· According to the New York State Attorney General’s office, 95 percent of the pesticides used on residential lawns are considered probable carcinogens by the EPA
· 2,4-D—a component of Agent Orange—is used in about 1,500 lawn care products
Lisa Abrams
The Abrams Group/ReMax Realty Services Water:
· Older toilets use 3.7-7 gallons per flush
· Dishwashers use 8-14 gallons per cycle
· Top-loading washers use 45 gallons/load
· A dripping faucet waste 15-21 gallons per day
· US water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic-size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (300 billion gallons)
· Although our planet is 71 percent water, humans depend on a mere .65 percent of the water for survival – much of which is polluted.
Indoor Air Quality:
· US EPA ranks indoor air pollution among top five environmental risks. Unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings
· W.H.O. reports that indoor air pollution causes 14 times more deaths than outdoor air pollution (2.8 million lives)
· Of hundreds of EPA-regulated chemicals, only ozone and sulfur dioxide are more prevalent outdoor than indoors
· 20 percent of all housing in the US has too much lead dust or chippings (causes kidney and red blood cell damage, impairs mental and physical development, may increase high blood pressure)
Wood:
· Although the US is home to only 4.5 percent of the global population, it is responsible for over 15 percent of the world’s consumption of wood.
Pesticides:
· In the US, pesticides poison 110,000 people each year. More than one-third of calls to animal poison control centers result from pets exposed to pesticides.
· The volatile organic compounds (including pesticides) found indoors are believe to cause 3,000 cases of cancer a year in the US.
· According to the New York State Attorney General’s office, 95 percent of the pesticides used on residential lawns are considered probable carcinogens by the EPA
· 2,4-D—a component of Agent Orange—is used in about 1,500 lawn care products
Lisa Abrams
301-437-6742
Your Green Realtor
TheAbramsGroup@Gmail.com
www.LisaAbrams.com
Monday, October 6, 2008
Green Facts for your Home
Fast Facts About Your Home
Water:
· Older toilets use 3.7-7 gallons per flush
· Dishwashers use 8-14 gallons per cycle
· Top-loading washers use 45 gallons/load
· A dripping faucet waste 15-21 gallons per day
· US water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic-size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (300 billion gallons)
· Although our planet is 71 percent water, humans depend on a mere .65 percent of the water for survival – much of which is polluted.
Indoor Air Quality:
· US EPA ranks indoor air pollution among top five environmental risks. Unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings
· W.H.O. reports that indoor air pollution causes 14 times more deaths than outdoor air pollution (2.8 million lives)
· Of hundreds of EPA-regulated chemicals, only ozone and sulfur dioxide are more prevalent outdoor than indoors
· 20 percent of all housing in the US has too much lead dust or chippings (causes kidney and red blood cell damage, impairs mental and physical development, may increase high blood pressure)
Wood:
· Although the US is home to only 4.5 percent of the global population, it is responsible for over 15 percent of the world’s consumption of wood.
Pesticides:
· In the US, pesticides poison 110,000 people each year. More than one-third of calls to animal poison control centers result from pets exposed to pesticides.
· The volatile organic compounds (including pesticides) found indoors are believe to cause 3,000 cases of cancer a year in the US.
· According to the New York State Attorney General’s office, 95 percent of the pesticides used on residential lawns are considered probable carcinogens by the EPA
· 2,4-D—a component of Agent Orange—is used in about 1,500 lawn care products
Lisa Abrams The Abrams Group/ReMax Realty Services 301-437-6742Your Green Realtor TheAbramsGroup@Gmail.com
Saturday, September 27, 2008
10 Ways to Go Green
1. Save energy to save money.
o Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
o Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
o Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
o Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
o Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
2. Save water to save money.
o Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
o Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
o Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
o Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
o Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
o Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
o Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.
4. Eat smart.
o If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
o Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
o Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
o Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf]. This is especially true for seafood.
5. Skip the bottled water.
o Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
o Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
o Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.
6. Think before you buy.
Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
o Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
o When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
o Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.
7. Borrow instead of buying.
o Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
o Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
8. Buy smart.
o Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
o Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
o Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
o Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
o Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
o Recycle your cell phone.
o Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
o The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
o Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
o Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
o Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
o Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
o Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
o Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
2. Save water to save money.
o Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
o Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
o Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
o Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
o Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
o Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
o Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.
4. Eat smart.
o If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
o Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
o Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
o Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf]. This is especially true for seafood.
5. Skip the bottled water.
o Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
o Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
o Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.
6. Think before you buy.
Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
o Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
o When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
o Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.
7. Borrow instead of buying.
o Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
o Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
8. Buy smart.
o Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
o Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
o Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
o Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
o Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
o Recycle your cell phone.
o Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
o The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
o Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
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