Daily Archives: June 22, 2013

A bright spot of the 2013 U.S. solar market: PV for homes | Cross River Real Estate

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The U.S. market is forecast to install 4.4 GW of solar panels this year, a 33 percent increase from 2012, thanks in part by an expected surge in residential installations, according to a report released Tuesday.

The country added 723 MW of solar panels in the first quarter of 2013, up 33 percent from the first quarter of 2012, said the report by the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research.

The anticipated growth in 2013 would be slower that what took place in 2012, when the amount of new solar generation jumped 76 percent.

The growing popularity of solar leases, falling prices for solar panels and efforts to reduce the costs of marketing, sales and permitting, have steadily boosted the growth of the solar market in recent years. The pace of installation has quickened, in particular, in the residential market, which  grew 53 percent from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013.

While federal, state and other local incentives still play a big role in the overall expansion of the solar market, their important will likely diminish as the incentive programs come to an end and solar companies, from manufacturers to installers, find ways to adjust and continue to grow their business.

The report highlighted California as a local market in which state incentives for residential systems have disappeared in two of the three big utilities’ territories, yet installation pace has continued to grow. Solar companies in California reported that they are increasingly able to install solar energy systems that could produce electricity at rates comparable to the retail prices charged by major utilities even if they use only the federal tax credit that covers 30 percent of the price of a system.

From the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of this year, the national average price for residential solar systems fell 15.8 percent to reach $4.93 per watt.

Declining state incentives is crimping the growth of the commercial market segment, which serves businesses, government agencies and other non-residential, non-utility customers. This segment is set to grow 18 percent in 2013; in 2012 it grew 29 percent, the report said.

Commercial installations tend to be larger, and customers want as short a pay-back period as possible and expect good energy savings by going solar. Those savings could be harder to achieve with lower subsidies. Commercial installations fell from the fourth quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of this year in key market such as California, Arizona, Hawaii and Massachusetts. New Jersey bucked the trend by growing 50 percent quarter over quarter.

The average price for commercial systems fell 15.6 percent to reach $3.92 per watt year over year.

 

A bright spot of the 2013 U.S. solar market: PV for homes — GigaOM Pro.

Photo giant Instagram integrates video, brings exciting new element to real estate | Katonah Realtor

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Photo giant Instagram has been a steadfast favorite for budding and professional photographers from around the world. The real estate community has had a colorful presence among the photos in the Instagram community, many of whom create large followings, close deals, lead generate and connect with other local residents. From listing photos, community landmarks and hot spots, the creative filters give agents a social edge, and can even show off their creative branding with their followers, creating a visual brand.

Today the announcement came that Instagram has integrated video in its latest update, allowing users to create up to 15 seconds of video, with the availability of its filter tools, video stabilization and social sharing. It is a strategic move to keep and capture its large user base, as well as sway current Vine app users away from their six-second GIF-creation platform.

It still remains to be seen, but based on the Twitter chatter, many in the social sphere are excited about the features to Instagram, as many already have quite a following on the platform. Real estate marketers might find this easier to work into their photographic workflow, as well as have some new creative ideas on how to use video to market themselves or their communities. The brilliant connections that photography can inspire now has a 15-second bigger chance in video.

Jay Thompson, director of social media and industry outreach of Zillow, noted, “I’m sure there will be “InstaVideos” of listings flooding the Interwebs soon, but does 15 seconds really do a home justice? Now if one were to get creative, I can see some cool uses for sharing community stuff. Could be a catchy and fun way to show off certain community aspects.”

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and if Vine will be considered a tight competitor or stand on its own. Vine hasn’t quite taken off in the real estate community as a viable real estate marketing platform, but Instagram may force users to decide.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/next/photo-giant-instagram-integrates-video-brings-exciting-new-element-to-real-estate/#sthash.N24K8jG2.dpuf

 

Photo giant Instagram integrates video, brings exciting new element to real estate | Inman News.

Fed bungle may prompt higher mortgage rates | Bedford Hills Real Estate

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The days are getting shorter now, football closer — at least the Fed can’t take that away from us. Given its fantastic bungling this week, it might try.

First, let’s get the fairy tales out of the way. No, President Obama has not asked Fed Chair Ben Bernanke to leave; Bernanke is exhausted (which may explain some of this week), and orderly competition to succeed him began in January. And no, the market wrecks this week do not invalidate the quantitative easing (QE) campaign. It was exactly the right thing to have done.

Bernanke is an American hero, his inventiveness and courage without parallel in our peacetime history. However, the skills and instincts necessary to save us in the post-Lehman event are completely different from those required to manage a gradual tightening of policy.

Bernanke on May 22 did an expert and appropriate job of mumbling. Markets needed to be warned that QE might taper in the next several months, and be reminded that someday QE would end altogether, and in the long run Federal Reserve policy would normalize. The Fed chair’s muffled jawbone took the 10-year T-note from a broad range 1.7 percent-2.05 percent into June’s 2.08 percent-2.25 percent, mortgages just above 4 percent.

The economy may or may not be self-sustaining, but asset prices in 2013 might have begun to pre-bubble. Maybe. New Fed Gov. Jeremy Stein began to thump the bubble tub immediately on arrival. Household net worth jumped $3 trillion in the first 90 days of the year, all on stocks and houses. The delicate conundrum: Rising asset values were a principal purpose of QE and have the economy doing better; at what point do they become a bubble? Hedge the bet by bubble-burble.

The June Fed meeting concluded on Wednesday, and the written statement was harmless. Then in the post-meeting press conference Bernanke gave the most unfortunate public performance by a chairman in my memory. He is compelled to transparency and specifics of future intentions, which made QE work, but are disastrous in a tightening cycle. And he clearly does not understand why.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/06/21/fed-bungle-may-prompt-higher-mortgage-rates/#sthash.B3LcAU5U.dpuf

 

Fed bungle may prompt higher mortgage rates | Inman News.

Connecticut Warns Of Possible Unsafe Water Conditions After Heavy Rains | Armonk Real Estate

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Water conditions in rivers and streams may be unsafe due to recent heavy rains throughout Fairfield County and the rest of the state, the state warns.

Many of Connecticut’s rivers and streams are experiencing higher than normal water levels and faster than normal currents, so anyone near the water or planning to go into the water needs to be aware of the conditions and use caution, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“This weekend’s weather forecast is for beautiful weather, and we encourage everyone to get out and safely enjoy Connecticut’s outdoors,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen. “Unfortunately, we have had incidents in recent days where people have been tubing or rafting on a fast-moving river and have gone missing. The state has experienced heavy rains in recent days, which mean that our rivers and streams are high and running fast, so everyone near the water needs to be extra careful.”

Canoeists and kayakers should scout all waterways before attempting to run the swollen rivers or streams, DEEP said on its website. Waterways may have dramatically changed since the last time it was traveled due to high water, strong currents and moved debris. Debris in swift moving water may catch a boat and force it and its passengers under the water, causing serious injuries or drowning, DEEP said.

Boaters on larger bodies of water and especially on rivers should also keep a sharp eye out – debris may lay just under the surface of the water and can be very difficult to spot in the muddied waters, DEEP said.

Tubing and rafting safety tips:

  • DEEP strongly recommends that everyone wear a life jacket – Connecticut law requires children under the age of 13 wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol while engaging in water-related outdoor activities.
  • Know how to swim if entering the water.
  • Know the condition of the water and know your abilities – if there is any doubt about the water conditions – do not go.
  • Wear water shoes – especially if the waterbody is known to be rocky.
  • Never raft alone and always let someone know where you are going to and where and when you plan to return.
  • Check the weather forecast for your area and for areas upstream before departing for your trip.

Basic water safety tips:

  • Learn to swim – the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
  • Never swim alone – always enter the water with a companion.
  • Supervise children at all times – even at areas with lifeguards.
  • Select an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions.

 

Connecticut Warns Of Possible Unsafe Water Conditions After Heavy Rains | The Greenwich Daily Voice.

Mobilizing Your Website, What You Need to Know | Bedford NY Realtor

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Is your website or blog mobile-ready?

Are you wondering how to optimize it for mobile users?

To learn about the opportunities available in the mobile marketing world, I interview Greg Hickman for this episode of the Social Media Marketing podcast.

More About This Show

Social Media Marketing Podcast w/ Michael Stelzner

 

The Social Media Marketing podcast is a show from Social Media Examiner.

It’s designed to help busy marketers and business owners discover what works with social media marketing.

The show format is on-demand talk radio (also known as podcasting).

In this episode, I interview Greg Hickman, the founder of Mobile Mixed, a website that specializes in training marketers in mobile marketing. He also hosts The Mobile Mixed Podcast. Greg advises big brands on mobile marketing, including AT&T, Electronic Arts, Cabelas and Sony Pictures.

Greg shares what businesses should do to make their mobile experience more user-friendly.

You’ll learn about the best tools available to build your own mobile site and how to discover the kind of devices people are using to visit your site.

Share your feedback, read the show notes and get the links mentioned in this episode below!

Listen Now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can also subscribe via iTunes, RSS, Stitcher or Blackberry.

Here are some of the things you’ll discover in this show:

Mobilizing Your Website

Why it’s important for businesses to think about the unique needs of mobile users

Greg shares why you have to think where your customer or audience is coming from. The way we consume content today—whether it be email, social, using search or listening to podcasts—is mainly through a mobile device.

The first entry point to you, your business or brand is more likely to be a mobile phone. You want the customers’ experience to be very friendly and optimized to whatever device they are on. Around 53% of the US population has a smartphone.

mobile mixed iphone screenshot

Mobile Mixed via smartphone.

You’ll discover why Greg believes email is overlooked when it comes to mobile.

Listen to the show to find out why Greg believes mobile email is an opportunity for marketers.

How to find out if mobile users are coming to your website

Greg recommends that the first thing you should do is look at analysis software such as Google Analytics. It will show you how many people in your current audience are coming to your site from a mobile device. It will also break out the numbers by specific device.

google analytics mobile

Google Analytics offers a great mobile analytics service.

You’ll probably discover that 20-50% of the overall visits to your site are coming from a mobile device.

Secondly, depending on your email service provider, some will offer insights into how many of the email opens are coming from mobile. You’ll find out why this is a good indicator if you’re a big emailer.

Greg shares how you can look to see from a social perspective if people engage with you from a mobile device on Twitter or Facebook.

 

Mobilizing Your Website, What You Need to Know | Social Media Examiner.

Instagram Videos: This Week in Social Media | Pound Ridge Realtor

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What’s New This Week?

Video Now on Instagram: Instagram users now have another way to share stories: video. “When you go to take a photo on Instagram, you’ll now see a movie camera icon. Tap it to enter video mode, where you can take up to 15 seconds of video through the Instagram camera.”

Facebook Allows You to Attach Photos to Comments in Timeline:  You can now attach a photo directly when commenting on a post in the Facebook Timeline.

facebook comment photo

You can now attach photos to comments on updates in Facebook profile timelines.

Discussion From Our Networking Clubs: Thousands of social media marketers and small business owners are asking questions and helping others in our free Networking Clubs. Here are a few interesting discussions worth highlighting:

Facebook Updates Page Insights: Facebook is rolling out updates to the Page Insights tool and inviting a select group of Page admins to participate in this preview. “These global changes include improvements to the way Facebook organizes and reports the People Talking About This (PTAT) and Virality metrics.”

facebook page insights update

These new updates to Facebook Page Insights aim to give you “more insights about the people who interact with your Page content.”

Facebook Gives Developers New Open Graph Tags: The new Open Graph tags will “help people follow their favorite media publishers and journalists.”

facebook tags for pubishers

Media publishers can now “include Open Graph tags in their article’s HTML to generate better previews of their content when shared on Facebook.”

Facebook Enables Comment Sorting by Recent Activity on Business Pages: Mari Smith notes, “If you have the Replies feature enabled on your fan Page, you can now sort comments by Recent Activity.”

TweetDeck Makes it Easier to Arrange Columns: The popular Twitter management tool has made a few improvements to make it easier to use.

 

Instagram Videos: This Week in Social Media | Social Media Examiner.

A new material coating could put chips inside our bodies | Bedford Corners Realtor

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Silicon is cheap — a feature that has made it a darling of the electronics industry. But it has a major problem: It doesn’t play well with people.

“People are the worst enemy of silicon,” said Paul Berger, an electrical and computer engineering professor at Ohio State University. “When we sweat, we sweat sodium and potassium out of our pores. That is the bane of a silicon device.” The electrolytes are common inside the body too, where they perform tasks like regulating fluid content and controlling muscles. Silicon sensors inserted under the skin quickly attract and absorb sodium and potassium, rendering them unreliable.

Berger and his colleagues decided to search for a way to protect silicon from electrolytes. They settled on aluminum oxide, which is used in everything from toothpaste to sandpaper. When a silicon sensor is coated with aluminum oxide, it can last up to 24 hours inside the human body.

The coating’s first application could be a quick 5-to-10 minute diagnostic test that can determine if a transplant recipient is in danger of rejecting an organ. Medical professionals would insert a needle covered in silicon sensors into a patient’s body to sense if proteins that indicate organ stress are present. Then they would do something Berger said is key: throw the needle away. Needles need to be disposable, and silicon can make that affordable.

 

Humans and silicon don’t mix, but a new material coating could put chips inside our bodies — Tech News and Analysis.

Lane Closures, Detours Begin Monday For Route 100-C In Mount Pleasant | Chappaqua Realtor

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Work on the Route 100C bridge over the Sprain Brook Parkway will cause lane closures and detours beginning Monday.

All eastbound lanes on Grasslands Road over the bridge will be closed to traffic, with detours onto Route 9A, Brighton Avenue and Route 100.

No westbound lane closures are planned during the project.

The bridge work is expected to last through August 30.

Residents should expect traffic delays and use alternate routes whenever possible.

 

Lane Closures, Detours Begin Monday For Route 100-C In Mount Pleasant | The Chappaqua Daily Voice.

Rye Playland Hosts Latino Music Festival Sunday | Armonk Realtor

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Rye Playland will celebrate Latin American culture this Sunday when it hosts its annual Latino Music Festival.

The event will be hosted by comedian Rupert Vanderpool and feature performances by Latin Grammy-winning Dominican singer Milly Quezada and Otra Ruta. Special guests will include Banda Libre and El Jeffrey.

The festival will be held Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Entry is free with admission to the park.

 

Rye Playland Hosts Latino Music Festival Sunday | The White Plains Daily Voice.

Mt. Kisco Seafood Named To Best Of Westchester List | Mt. Kisco NY Homes

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MT. KISCO, N.Y. – Mt. Kisco Seafood was honored by Westchester Magazine’s readers in its annual “Best of Westchester” issue.

Mt. Kisco Seafood was selected at the “Best Fish Market.” It’s located at 477 Lexington Ave.

Each year, the magazine has readers select the best restaurants, shopping, spas and more.

 

Mt. Kisco Seafood Named To Best Of Westchester List | The Mt. Kisco Daily Voice.