Jo Ellen Nash
Going Green to Save the Planet, Naples Florida and Your Pocketbook
July 2nd, 2008 Posted in Buzzworthy Items, Construction, Economy, Finances, Going Green, Homeowner Resource Center, Insider Prospectives, Lifestyles, Real Estate | 1 Comment »In today’s world of global warming and economic upheaval, there are a multitude of reasons to adjust our lifestyles in Naples Florida and follow the trend of environmentally friendly living. Natural disasters are on the rise, energy and fuel prices are skyrocketing and no matter who we are we are all seeing the effects on our daily living in some way. Following are some tips on how you can make a difference in the Earth’s future and in your bank account today.
- Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs - These use about 75% less energy than standard light bulbs. You’ll save energy and reduce your power bill.
More tips: Turn off lights when you leave the room; replace a porch light that is always on with an energy efficient light bulb.
- Replace your old appliances with new Energy Star models - This may cost you up front but you will save big in the long run with lower energy bills and less pollution. Energy Star appliances are at least 10 to 50% more efficient than standard models.
More tips: Air dry your clothes in the Spring and Summer instead of using the dryer. Run the washer with only full loads and in cold water. Run the dishwasher with only full loads and let the dishwashers air-dry.
- Install low flow water fixtures - Save water and money with low flow model toilets, showerheads and faucets which can save water consumption by 50% or more.More tips: Take showers instead of baths; take shorter showers or shower with a buddy. Shower at the club or gym after your workout.
- Turn down your water heater - Lowering the temperature on your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees will reduce your water heating costs from 6 to 10%.
- Get smart about heating and cooling - Most families use 50 to 70% of their energy costs on heating and cooling. Installing a programmable thermostat can save you $150 in a year. Turn your thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two degrees in the winter.
- Unplug chargers and electronics when not in use - Even when not charging or running anything, plugged in chargers and electronics suck up energy when not in use. American’s throw away about 8% of our electricity in this way. That may not seem like a lot, but the waste costs add up to billions of dollars.
- Put in low water and native plantings - Green carpet lawns take an enormous amount of water in dry climates. Plant drought tolerant native shrubs, trees and grasses like cactus or create a beautiful Japanese garden. You can even add rocks, stones or other features to add interest.
- Recycle - Place all steel (tin) cans, aluminum cans, and glass and plastic bottles in recycling containers. They won’t end up at landfills and you can even make money by taking them to recycling centers.
More tips: Get a reusable water bottle instead of buying disposables; use a washable mug for your morning coffee instead of a Styrofoam cup; use washable plates and utensils for take out and parties instead of paper and plastic goods; buy recycled products such as recycled paper for your printer; bring your own canvas bags to the store instead of using plastic or paper; get off junk mail lists to save paper that generally ends up at landfills.
- Buy locally grown and organic foods - 30% of fossil fuel used on farms goes into making fertilizers. Also buying locally saves on the amount of fossil fuels needed to transport your goods. Plus, organic foods are better for you.
- Buy a hybrid vehicle or one that’s more efficient - Better gas mileage saves you money at the pump and mean less emissions out the tailpipe.
More tips: Change your car’s air filter and check it monthly for up to 10% more MPG; drive 10 miles less per week; turn off the car instead of idling; take one less road-trip each year; Carpool, take public transit or telecommute one day per week instead of driving; keep your tire pressure adequately inflated for better gas mileage; drive the speed limit, gas mileage goes down when you don’t drive over 60 MPG; don’t drive aggressively by accelerating and braking rapidly, aggressive drivers use about 125 more gallons of gas per year than the average driver.
- Make sure your ceilings and walls are well insulated - Only 20% of pre-1980 homes are well insulated and newer homes can be checked for temperature leaks. Also, replace old windows with double-pane ones, they keep more heat inside so you use less energy.
Using the tips above could save on CO2 emissions by the tons per person, each year! Not to mention the personal cost savings. Now those savings are worth changing your life for!
Marketing Your Property to a New Breed of Buyers in Naples Florida
June 27th, 2008 Posted in Buzzworthy Items, Insider Prospectives, Lifestyles, Luxury, Real Estate | 3 Comments »
Lately, there has been a lot of focus in the media on the increased number of international real estate buyers in the U.S. I have even commented on it in regards to our local Naples Florida real estate market. However, there is another growing group of buyers that is largely overlooked, but definitely deserves another look, because they are the up and coming. Sometimes referred to as “Generation XYers” or “Instapreneurs”, this group is quickly becoming a force to reckon with in the real estate buyers world. If you are a home owner truly interested in selling your home, do not overlook this small but growing buying niche.
This group are often among the “movers and shakers” in their prospective industries. Never satisfied with mediocrity, these Type A, go-getters often start up and move on from several companies during their business lives. The constant drive to succeed, to stand out from the crowd, and play equally as hard as they work are among the hallmarks of this exciting new group of tycoons.
Especially in this tight real estate market, it is important to make every effort possible for your home to stand out from the crowd. For “Gen XYers”, remember the cleaner the better, new homes will always have a better chance of catching the eye of this group, so if you have an older home upgrades are a plus. Close proximity to conveniences like airports, shopping, schools and medical care are also high precedence living requests. Owning a home with a panic room, is not just a Hollywood movie, it is becoming a popular request for luxury home buyers with small children who place security as priority number one.
Waterfront properties, luxury high-rise penthouses, anything one-of-a-kind and distinctive is in high demand. Our Naples Florida real estate market more than fits the bill. This writer would love to see an influx of that high energy into our community.
Luxury Real Estate Not Escaping Financial Ravages
June 20th, 2008 Posted in Buzzworthy Items, Economy, Florida Market Trends, Homeowner Resource Center, Insider Prospectives, International Real Estate, Investments, Lifestyles, Luxury, Luxury Real Estate, Naples Market Trends, National Market Trends, Real Estate | No Comments »
According to Integrated Asset Services, LLC, increasing numbers of higher priced and luxury homes (homes priced $417,000 and up, considered jumbo loans) are heading towards foreclosure or short sale (when more is owned on the property than what it is currently worth).
In April of 2008, California had 102 jumbo loan properties become real estate owned bank properties (REO’s) compared to only 13 in April 2007. It’s also taking lenders a much longer time to reach a sales price agreement for the jumbo loans compared to smaller loans as more money is at stake and the carrying costs (taxes, insurance, security, maintenance and HOA fees) are much greater so lenders are less inclined to offer incentives to pick up those costs.
The San Diego luxury home market has been one of the hardest hit areas and has seen a noticeable increase this past year in short sales and foreclosures. Several properties with loans in excess of $1 million dollars may end up as foreclosures if lenders are unable to come up with pricing reflecting the current market realities in the area. They are sure to end up at the least a short sale. One recent transaction for a prime coastal property took two appraisals and four months before reaching a sales-price agreement. Foreclosure sale was put off twice during that time. The property had an original loan amount of $1.2 million and only sold for $880,000. It was quite a loss for the lender but the loss would have been even greater had the home foreclosed.
The ultra-luxury real estate market is also experiencing the effects of the housing downturn. Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate offered in 2006 for $125 million, recently sold for only $100 million.
It is anticipated that there will be many more luxury short sales and REO’s before the real estate market recovers and many more areas outside of Southern California may be hard hit. This is good news though for luxury investors who can jump on the opportunity this presents. The Vail Valley has seen downturns before, but on the whole remains a popular market for second home and vacation home buyers particularly those from out of the U.S.
From the Luxury Home Digest
Pricing Your Property to Sell in Naples Florida
June 19th, 2008 Posted in Business and Industry, Florida Market Trends, Homeowner Resource Center, Insider Prospectives, International Real Estate, Investments, Luxury Real Estate, Naples Market Trends, National Market Trends, Real Estate | 1 Comment »
On the whole, the nation is currently experiencing a buyers market for housing. House prices are continuing to fall month over month. Making the transition from a sellers market to a buyers market can be painful as you watch the value of real estate decline. In the recent past when it was a sellers market, a house could be priced above the going value because the market was guaranteed to catch up soon. However, if you truly want to sell a property now, and quickly, pricing it right will bring the results you desire. Pricing a property ahead of the market is a great strategy. If during a sellers market, you price a property higher than the last selling price for a comparable home, then during a declining market, property should be priced lower than the last comparable sale.
Some points to remember when wanting to achieve a sale are:
- You need to anticipate the market in order to achieve a prompt sale.
- Adjust the price to overcome a home’s condition.
- Adjust the price to overcome a poorly located property.
- Adjust the price to overcome a challenging seller’s market.
Yes, the right price can make the difference between success and failure. A realistic reduction (5 to 10 percent) is a logical marketing strategy to bring results. To learn more, please visit our website.
Incentives for Homeowners to Go Green in Naples Florida
June 18th, 2008 Posted in Buzzworthy Items, Construction, Economy, Florida Market Trends, Going Green, Insider Prospectives, Investments, Lifestyles, Luxury, Luxury Real Estate, Naples Market Trends, National Market Trends, Real Estate | 3 Comments »
More states are offering tax incentives for those who use green building or remodeling methods. Some of these incentives include tax rebates or deductions for those who improve energy efficiency on their current homes or to new home owners who purchase environmentally friendly building construction.
The federal government also gives homeowner incentives for going green. One of these is the Residential Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit which gives a 30 percent tax credit, up to $2,000, for purchasing and installing residential solar electric and solar water heating products. This particular tax credit expires at the end of the year.
A list of additional opportunities has been compiled by the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and can be found at www.dsireusa.org.
Homeowners can also find out if a building or remodeling team is “green.” The National Association of Home Builders launched its Certified Green Professional designation program in February. In order to be designated, building professionals must have at least two years of experience in the construction industry, have involvement in building at least one green home within the prior two years, complete a business management course and adhere to a code of ethics. Additional information on this program can be found at www.nahb.org.
