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    Even after two decades writing about the personal finance aspects of housing, Elizabeth Razzi finds there’s always more to talk about. Buying and selling, improving, insuring, squabbling with the homeowners association -- whatever the housing topic, let this be your virtual back fence.
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Local Address: October 4, 2009 - October 10, 2009

Low-Tech Sustainable Houses and The Weekend Poll

I chatted about the way we've drifted away from old, low-tech solutions the other day with Lance Davis, a member of the American Institute of Architects' environmental committee. We were looking at the "dogtrot" -- a traditional Cajun breezeway that's part of the University of Louisiana's Decathlon house. I have to paraphrase here, but he noted that technology, in many ways, has allowed architects and designers to drift away from sensible solutions. A room can be built without operable windows, for example, thanks to the availability of air conditioning.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  October 9, 2009; 2:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Fortress Home , Home features , New construction , Outdoors , Poll , Remodeling and repair , Weekend Poll  
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Early Peek at Solar Decathlon Houses

Twenty prototype solar houses are taking shape on the National Mall, racing to be ready for the contest's opening on Thursday, and public viewing starting Friday. I haven't been inside any yet but picked up a few interesting tidbits.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  October 8, 2009; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Home features , New construction , Outdoors , Remodeling and repair  
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Sidewalk Superintendent Browses Solar Decathlon

The village of solar-powered prototype homes was going up rapidly on the National Mall over the weekend. Though the exhibit doesn't open for public viewing until Friday, passersby were allowed to stroll down a corridor cutting straight through the construction sites. I wandered through on Friday evening to the sound of drills and cranes and, at some, the aroma of fresh drywall mud.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  October 5, 2009; 9:49 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Home features , New construction , Outdoors , Remodeling and repair  
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