Groundbreaking Sustainable Living Space

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Gizmodo featured an article this morning that caught our immediate attention – a walk-through of a 350 square foot apartment that’s been customized to fold and expand into up to eight different rooms. To boot, the apartment’s owner is the founder of treehugger.com.

The reason this landed to well with us is the obviousness of how innovative apartment designs such as this one is the shift in direction we should be going to secure a sustainable future. Not only does the space serve multiple uses in such a confined space, but the ability to do so may be exactly the innovative construction method required to prevent future housing shortage crises.

Maximizing this amount of space is not only effective for the inhabitant, but for the rest of the building, as if each apartment were optimized in such a manner it would be startling how much smaller the building would in fact need to be. In other words, we should consider this method in order to improve the number of apartments that are able to be developed within new buildings as large expansive spaces become a thing of the past…maybe.

Obviously there will always be a market for more outlandish properties. However, if the option were readily available to optimize a living space in the same way as the apartment in the video below, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were a positive shift towards this design alternative in order to save money on square footage, and to take full advantage of every inch.

GIZMODO – The Tiny Transforming Apartment That Packs Eight Rooms into 350 Square Feet from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

For more real estate and environmental news, follow us on Twitter @enviromint.

image courtesy of Gizmodo.

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Agents Need To Step It Up

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Technology has revolutionized many industries throughout the course of time. It’s permitted for the development of new realms of employment and opportunity, while simultaneously doing the exact opposite. We’ve replaced bank tellers with ATM’s, cashiers with automatic registers, industrial workers with computerized assembly lines and manufacturing technologies, accountants with accounting software, and now potentially real estate agents with online buying and selling platforms.

Services such as BuyerCurious.com are clearly out to replace the age of the agent. This web-based platform allows for buyers and sellers to execute efficient real estate transactions and services while taking agents out of the picture in every aspect. Why? To remove the commission rates and keep more money in everybody’s pockets. Well…everyone except the agents. Though this service hasn’t reached Canada yet, one can only predict that the appeal this style of product offering has will entice the development of a Canadian version thereof in the near future.

The livelihood of real estate agents is sadly coming to a crossroads where the incessant usability improvements and revolutionary concepts applied to publicly available online services are threatening their existence. So now we need to ask ourselves: Will real estate agents make like the dinosaurs and run from the asteroid, or rise up and literally fight the machine?

This question has no easy answer, but it’s becoming very clear that if real estate agents want to stick around and justify the commission rates they reap they need to pick up their socks and present unprecedented value and services to their clients; things that websites and computers will never be able to provide. Obviously commission rates are a touchy topic, hence the public’s weening away from them, so to earn these rates agents need to renew their personas into that of marketing experts on their clients’ behalf rather than playing the typical role an overpaid tour guide.

To stand the test of time agents need to step up their game or pack up their things…there doesn’t seem to be much middle-ground at this point. Have some ideas on how agents can overcome this technology wave? Shoot us a reply in the comments below or on Twitter @enviromint.

image courtesy of DucDigital

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A New Year For Sustainability

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Headed into 2013, there’s a seemingly increased incentive on behalf of some large companies to improve their sustainable policies and pushing harder on recycling materials.

For instance, Starbucks has announced that this coming Thursday, $1 re-usable plastic cups will be available to consumers at their cafe’s. Being largely responsible for unfathomable amounts of paper cup waste, this is most certainly a step in the right direction to encourage sustainable behaviour amongst the organization, and more importantly their consumer base. Looks like Starbucks is taking a page out of our book and making an effort to #gopaperless headed into 2013 in order to earn their keep in the battle against the current climate disaster, which seems to get shakier every day.

NASA has also displayed a heightened interest for similar policies, as they have started a space recycling program wherein old parts are being recycled in space to develop new materials. Another step in the right direction headed into a fresh year.

Construction has taken a step in the right direction already this year with a slight shove from some bright minds. For instance, the following office building was built using predominantly shipping containers…brilliant. Instead of creating a need for new materials, encouraged re-usability of existing resources is where developments need to be aimed in order to prevent a mass exhaustion of resources, while conveniently displacing most likely unused materials and giving them new purpose; a recipe for a brighter future.


© Playz Architects/ Bartosz Kolonko via TreeHugger

Any other inspiring environmental efforts being put forth? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you, so don’t be shy.

For more environmental and real estate news, follow us on Twitter @enviromint.

 

image courtesy of epSos.de

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Easing Your Way Into 2013

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The end of the world never came, so here we are back to the grind at the start of what we’d like to hope will be another great year.

One of the biggest issues with the new year is getting back into work mode. Everybody suffers from this (you’re lying if you deny it) including ourselves, so we’ve decided to pass along a few tools that will help ease the blow and keep your productivity optimized. We’ve gathered a compilation of some of our favourite extensions for our favourite browser: Google Chrome.

Not a Chrome user? You should be. Here’s a few Chrome extensions and apps to take some of the pain out of your first days back at work.

Short Link Getter: Does it drive you insane when a colleague passes a link along that’s about as long as the first chapter of Lord of the Rings? Fear no more. The Short Link Getter is the perfect tool to add to your browser to have a short URL for whatever page you’re on with the click of a button. No more are the days of copying, pasting into a shortener, re-copying your tiny URL, and sending it off. Just click, copy, and paste.

Google Mail Checker and YouSendIt For Webmail: Like us, many use GMail to keep our e-mail in order; personal or professional. With these two plugins, GMail just got even better. Receive instant inbox updates right to your toolbar with the Google Mail Checker, preventing having to incessantly check your inbox to see if you’ve got mail. Now, you just know. Have trouble sending large files through GMail? Just download the YouSendIt for Webmail extension and watch your fears melt away. Easily attach large files right to your GMail to share them with colleagues and friends alike with the click of a button. No more need 3rd party sites/programs or “WHY WON’T THIS SEND? BE SMALLER!” moments, just a simplified process.

Highlight to Search: One of the smaller aggravations encountered around many offices is the highlight, copy, paste, and search process, which can be tedious when doing ample research. This extension allows for a quick and easy process. Just highlight the keyword, click, and Google it. It’s that easy.

TooManyTabs and Page Snooze: A predominant issue when conducting research is the eventual maelstrom of ‘tabs’ that consumes the top of your browser. Ever wished for a way to save some of these for later, or to organize them is an efficient way? These two extensions allow you to do just that. Organize and categorize your tabs with TooManyTabs, or simply put them to sleep for up to two weeks with Page Snooze. Happy tabbing!

Speed Dial: If you’re a frequent flyer to a set of specific sites, this is your dream. Speed Dial allows users to customize their ‘new tab’ to have a set grid of sites ready to go at the click of a mouse rather than a) remembering them all, and b) typing them in one after the other. Getting to your sources is now a total breeze.

Adblock for Youtube™: Last but not least, we present you the most handy gadget of the bunch. Not because it improves productivity, but because it’s the internet’s Advil when it comes to the ever-annoying ads that YouTube displays before, during, and after their videos. Now you can get back to how it used to be and skip all that garbage with the Adblock for Youtube™ extension.

Now, get out there, download Google Chrome, and start your year off the right way: as easy as possible.

Have some personal favourites that we missed? Be sure to share them in the comments below.

 

image courtesy of Lisa Brewster

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The End Is Near

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The past year has been one of many great steps forward. One might even say we’re using this year to triple-jump into 2013 by launching a new version of our software jam-packed with great features for all to enjoy. It’s not exactly a Christmas present…but it’s close.

Full Article Explaining Our New Software: http://www.realestateaccountingsoftware.ca/general/christmas-early/

 

We were also fortunate enough to expand the frontiers of our organization by aligning ourselves with the reputable EstateVue in order to bring an all-in-one option for all real estate agent and brokerage services spanning from accounting to marketing.

View the full press release here: http://www.realestateaccountingsoftware.ca/industry-news/announcing-partnership-estatevue/

To make known our newly minted relationship with EstateVue, we hit the road and were fortunate enough to attend the Royal LePage National Sales Conference together to establish some new relationships and educate the masses about all we have to offer. More to come next year!

RLPNSC Overview article found here: http://www.realestateaccountingsoftware.ca/industry-news/rlpnsc-2/

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year so great; we can’t wait to speak to you on the other side. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

image courtesy of bvalium

 

 

 

 

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Batteries Take A Step In The Right Direction

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Literally. Doubtful? Don’t be.

Apple has in fact recently patented movement-powered charging technology. (Now in English) Apple has patented technology that will potentially provide future iPhone owners with the ability to charge their phone simply by walking with their device in their pocket. Pretty cool stuff isn’t it?

Not only this, but new research developments have actually led to the discovery of a longer-lasting and ultra low-cost battery made with water and blue dye…which seems even more far-fetched from the previous statement. But with these in mind, imagine the future possibilities of these technologies…or even if they were fused together into an ultimate hybrid battery that could potentially be used in all mobile devices. Now there’s some food for thought.

The breakthroughs we’re seeing scream one thing: sustainability. Not only do these advances contribute to sustainable technology in the sense of waste-prevention, but in preservation of resources and new explorations into alternatives to develop a sustainable future through battery and alternative technology.

These steps are taking cleantech in the right direction and showing us that batteries are a future energy force that’s not to be reckoned with. Even vehicles are slowly making the switch from fuel to battery-powered engines, proving the imminent role battery power is to play heading into the development of a world with cleaner technology and cleaner air.

Heading into 2013 it’s no mystery that we’re bound to see some leaps forward in sustainable methods, so stay tuned to our Twitter account to be on top of the latest and greatest in cleantech, environmental news, real estate, and much more.

image courtesy of scalespeeder

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Climate Change Is Killing You Too

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Those still unconvinced of the potential detriment we are about to bring upon ourselves by forcing hands to participate in an economic structure that will eventually dissipate is damning not only society’s financial structure, but the future of employment, and most importantly, the health of those involved, and those who aren’t.

Economics aside, the risk that the fossil fuel industry poses for employment is quite great, with seemingly little regard for the future of the industry and its employees. Currently, a monolithic number of citizens are employed across the globe (for very appealing wages) because of the oil industry, creating an influx of employees and industry -a ‘bubble’, if you will. When we look at the future complications of said system, it screams disaster. Not only will the entire industry collapse once the Earth meets its end for oil output, but in one foul swoop, we will single-handedly cripple a global workforce leaving them with no future employment or direction. Furthering the exploration of clean-tech could provide an employable future workforce (one that has no literal end in sight), while bettering the conditions of the planet, progressing industry, expanding economic paradigms…Sound like a no-brainer?!

Renewable and sustainable methods are the way of the future, not only for environmental reasons, but social ones. Through the progression of sustainable methods and technologies, we can provide a potentially infinite supply of employment, while contributing to the well-needed recovery of Earth; not to mention we can cease to emit chemicals in the air that are harming individuals worldwide, whether it be through water pollution, contamination of clean air, or various other atrocities derived through the process of fossil fuel extraction.

 

image courtesy of Valerie Everett

 

 

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Christmas Came Early

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Well, not fully, but let us at least give you something to get excited about heading into the New Year. We will be re-branding our Real E.Net document, transaction and business management software for real estate, and releasing the anticipated version 2.0 under its new name: Deal Manager.

The new Deal Manager is designed to boost your productivity to a whole new level with unparalleled features in real estate technology like instant updates throughout the transaction process, which will be available in the New Year thanks to our new Deal Tracker; one of the many 2.0 software feature upgrades. Stay tuned everybody, this will be coming your way very soon.

To tease you a bit more about why to get excited about the Deal Manager, allow us to present some of our latest features:

Single Deal Payout

  • Streamlines the payout of commission on a single deal. We’ve merged the batch processing power to a single deal, allowing for quick payouts, calculating agents’ commission and deductions, as well as cheque printing.

Agent Commission Cheque

  • We’ve revamped the cheque creation and presentation of the agent’s stub to include detailed information on the current commission payment. An Agent Revenue Summary is now included on the stub to provide your agents with a compressed and easy to read update of their current year’s progress.

Not enough? Wait until your agents sink their teeth into the Deal Manager to Go, our web app to trump all real estate web apps. Here are some (we can’t give it all away just yet) features of this revolutionary technology.

Commission Deal Calculator

  • Deals entered by agents now have a new powerful commission calculator that takes advantage of Brokerage defaults while allowing custom changes.

New Calendar

  • When entering dates, users now have the option of selecting from a popup calendar for improved efficiency and convenience.

Want more EnviroMint? Check out on Twitter for our latest and greatest in real estate and environmental news @enviromint

 

image courtesy of paparutzi

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Market Slump Contributes to Recovery

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You’d think that the market being down in the dumps would be something to worry about, but according to new theories put forth by several economists this could be somewhat of a God-send for real estate recovery.

Like we were saying in our post ‘Collaborative Recovery’, in order for the real estate market to recover, we need to see participation from all areas of society rather than the elite. Well, prices being as low as they currently are could in fact be what we’re looking for to jump-start the climb out of the market’s shriveled state. Couples, young families, or whomever else, have now been granted the opportunity of a low-cost housing index (for the most part) which is exactly the type of stimulus the market needs to recover. The low prices could very well be the icing on the cake for a lot of potential young buyers, who may otherwise not have been able to afford a home. Now that mortgage rates are so low and housing prices having practically never been lower (at least for quite some time), we may finally start to see the collaborative initiative required for a wholesome market recovery.

Through this, theories are also being put forth suggesting that the Canadian market won’t take a second dive like our neighbours to the South as statistics put forth suggesting a second crash were in fact misconstrued and did not account all factors, especially when compared to the US market. For example, the debt-to-income ratio, when compared to the US, didn’t take into account the amount of extra benefits Canadians receive through their debt such as healthcare and other subsidized services that the US doesn’t provide, therefore weighting economic predictions in a direction that may not be entirely comparable after all.

The only way to tell if any of these theories come true, is of course time. However, the prospects being put forth don’t seem shy of being on the right track…we hope.

For more real estate and environmental news, follow us on Twitter @enviromint.

 

image courtesy of USACE-Sacramento District

 

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Laying the Foundation for Cleantech

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Cleantech is a blanket term used by many to describe technologies related to furthering the sustainability of industry while preserving Earth’s life span. A recent Gigaom interview with a panel of cleantech investors unveiled a unique concept.

A comparison between the internet in it’s early days and cleantech in the sense that, much how the foundation for the internet was laid out by year 2000, the foundation for cleantech has been laid. The road has essentially been paved to allow cleantech to transition from a new technological concept, and into its potential to become an expansive industry – much like the internet.

Cleantech companies are emerging more and more, with innovative ideas, and brilliant advancements, which will not only benefit the planet, but its inhabitants. Now, the question is whether or not cleantech, now that it’s grasped its bearings, will be permitted the opportunity to expand in the same way the internet did. Unfortunately, the comparison with the internet is lackluster in this sense, as the internet did not suffer from massive inhibitions like cleantech does, such as the colossal oil and gas industry.

The foundation has most certainly been laid, however with restrictive paradigms surrounding this regime, there’s no real way to tell whether or not its implementation to society will go over successfully on the scale required to make a quantifiable change in the environmental crisis we are experiencing; the same crisis that has been caused by the very inhibition placed on cleantech expansion. Ironic, isn’t it?

For more real estate and environmental news, follow us on Twitter @enviromint.

 

image courtesy of Ruben Holthuijsen

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