My goodness, what is THAT?
We have talked these past few weeks about the building and really looking at it in ways that might not have crossed our minds before. However, the million-dollar question when it comes to cutting...
Energy Is Sexy
When I was at Prometheus Real Estate Group, I used to have a bumper sticker outside my office door that said, “Energy is Sexy.” It was a slightly “blue” statement for a corporate office,...
Setting expectations: a Christmas wish
When I was in second grade, a schoolmate friend of mine had a nativity set. While at her house one day, as I admired the little hand painted figurines of camels, shepherds, wise men,...
What will whole building data reveal?
“Don’t be upset by the results you didn’t get for the work you didn’t do.” --Unknown
On January 25, 2024, HUD, the DOE and EPA joined forces in a superhero mashup to sign a joint...
I have learned from my mistakes. I am pretty sure I can repeat them...
In 2016, I was so very excited and honored to arrange and moderate a panel discussion at NMHC’s OPTECH called “Net Zero: Coming Soon to a Code Near You”. I wanted to help my...
Which is the “worst” is very personal
When it comes to emissions Scopes, which is the worst? I get asked that a lot. I think it is sort of subjective and depends on where you are standing and what “worst” you...
Let’s talk about sewer
When Salt-N-Pepa’s song “Let’s talk about sex” came out in August of 1991, I thought it was important. I am not certain that they are related but, within 24 months, the Japanese book, “Everyone...
Let’s talk about my favorite “F” word…. Free (Sort of)
I am not much for wearing makeup because I cannot stop rubbing my face. Typically, any applied eye makeup ends up on my check, neck, sleeves, and on any furniture I happen to encounter....
The opportunity in commercial conversions
When I first started in multifamily, I heard an acronym that I admit I had to look up: NIMBY. Not In My Back Yard. As I learned from many conversations with developers, there is...
Exploring the energy-water nexus
I am normally not a Dane Cook fan. As far as comedians go, I am more of a George Carlin and Doug Stanhope fan. Stanhope’s “Kick How You Kick” piece basically gave me permission...
Where the water goes
People have said to me, “we cannot control our property’s water consumption because we cannot affect what the residents do in their units.” Oh, really? According to EPA’s WaterSense program, 26.7% of all indoor water...
Eat your vegetables!
When my cousin was five, he hated peas. Passionately. I remember one family dinner at my grandmother’s house where he had consumed everything on his plate except a small pile of green peas and...
Water management is elemental
Since California got a hose-in-the-sky rain this week, it is a good time for us to think about water. Right now, California has loads of water, possibly more than its infrastructure was designed to...
The tech it is a changin
I do not particularly care for the movie “Pretty Woman”, but I do think it provides an important frame of reference. Specifically, there is a scene in which one rich character uses a cell...
Thar’s Gold in Them Thar Dumpsters!
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently hosted a webcast on managing Scope 3 emissions in commercial real estate. The primary discussion was around trash and how they are engaging their tenants to encourage composting...
