We can’t help but trumpet the home that we just sold. You can have a look at the historic description that we did of the home in this article from earlier this year.

This is a unique home in Phoenix, in a neighborhood that you would not know is there, almost unless you just stumble on it. Homes of this nature are often on the market longer, just given their price point. What we have found, as well, is that many people who are seeking out larger homes like this are accustomed to open floor plans, which were not a thing when this home was built.

People seeking historic properties seem to come in two varieties: those who are comfortable with the older, smaller kitchens and formal, separated dining rooms; and those who can’t figure out why none of the homes they are looking at have great rooms. In this case, the buyer intends to open up the kitchen in to the dining room.

For purists among historic advocates, this is heresy. Oddly enough, we have been hearing clients recently talking about how the great room concept is less appealing. They don’t want to have to keep their kitchen spotless in the off-chance that somebody drops by. So, perhaps we are seeing a swing back toward the days of smaller kitchens and separate dining.

This may be especially true as people seem to be more comfortable living in smaller homes and condos.

Either way, we are ready. We’ve seen it all.

If you are thinking to sell a unique home like this, please contact us at 602-456-9388.

As a team we are often thinking sustainably. As you know, we highlight Going Green House cleaners because of the work they do to clean homes responsibly. We are also big fans of Greg Peterson’s Urban Farm website. We know that we need to change our relationship to our urban environment, too.

By the way, check out Greg’s podcast featuring the famous Jason Mraz, who has his own urban farming adventures.

So, we thought we’d share these two bits of brain food with you.

First, have you ever thought about the environmental impact of cement? We knew that it uses a lot of energy to create, but this article will give you an idea of just how much carbon is emitted from the production of cement. Cement is the second largest industrial emitter of carbon after the production of steel.

So, here’s the interesting thing: cement lasts longer and is more energy efficient than wood construction homes. But its manufacture is so much more energy intensive up front. Or, to think another way, our water infrastructure leaks enough water every day to serve 15 million households. However, the cement needed to solve that problem with new pipes will increase carbon emissions even further.

This article really explores the few options we have if we are thinking sustainably about cement.

Here’s another great find about how much plastic is in the world’s oceans, land and our bodies and what our options are to reduce its use. Hint: there are no easy solutions, but the knowledge is incredibly important to share.

You might find yourself sucked in to this Youtube page. Kurtzgesagt is the German word for “in a nutshell” and these folks provide entertaining and thought-provoking short videos about all nature of science, history and humanity.

Don’t let that video discourage you, though. Here is a handy website for how to generate less waste at home. Don’t feel over-whelmed! Its all about baby steps and changing habits.

As realtors we believe that we have a responsibility to think sustainably, and share that knowledge with you. You may own your home for more than 30 years –longer than the life of your mortgage. What will our life be like in the desert if we don’t pay more attention to water, carbon and our waste stream?

If you have questions about thinking sustainably, please hit us up at 602-456-9388!

Donna Reiner, a local historian and a good friend of Get Your PHX, has written many articles over the years for the Arizona Republic and others about what came before us. We use her services when we list properties of historic significance to help us tell the stories behind the homes.

We are happy that Donna is allowing us to re-publish some of her articles on a monthly basis. If you or your business ever needs a historian, let Donna know at laydeescholar@hotmail.com.

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Central Avenue north of Osborn Road has two concrete representations of math. Some might even consider these buildings to be quirky rather than elegant. And one of these two edifices even has a popular name.

The lesser known building is The Pyramid on Central located at 3507 N. Central Avenue. How many of you have ever paid attention to that building? Wow, an upside down pyramid. How is it supported and what does it look like inside? The pyramid and its more prominent neighbor to the south, The Financial Center, symbolize the changing landscape of that section of Central Avenue. From desert to farmland, then homes and a school. Eventually over time the commercial structures in this localized area grew from one to two stories to the Financial Center’s 18 stories.

Little was known about the Pyramid’s history for some time. The low square building previously on the property was occupied by the Great Southwest Land & Cattle Company which, along with its president, Ned Warren Sr., was involved in several major land frauds. With that much negative history, no wonder the developers of the property wanted to start with something new and different plus super modern.

Tempe City Hall, the first inverted pyramid design in the state, was nearly ten years old when our inverted pyramid was constructed in 1979. But the Phoenix structure has far less glass than the Tempe City Hall and that lessens its visibility to the casual driver. During the day we merely see a wide band of concrete and only a narrow band of glass. Illumination of the windows certainly would make it strikingly noticeable at night.

The identity of the architect was finally discovered last year in an old lease agreement. Thomas Hite, from Colorado, also designed the futuristic looking McDonald’s in Woody Allen’s movie “Sleeper.” Watch the movie again, just to see that building. By the way, it’s actually a church.

We suggest that you stop and really look at this beautiful geometric shape the next time you are in the area.