How I Make A Difference

Gotta toot my own horn sometimes.... I'm featured in an article on Realtor.com for my green business practices! A few months ago, Sandy Keith and I were interview by a liaison of the National Association of Realtors and the US Deparment of Energy. Super cool, right? Below is the excerpt about me and here's a link to the entire article: http://www.realtor.org/rmosales_and_marketing/articles/2009/0911_sales_greenpractitioners. Special thanks to Julie Hawkins. What a pleasure to work with you.

It's the Little Things

Christina Pitchford of Allen Real Estate Services in Sarasota, Fla., has always made resource conservation part of her business. Pitchford has a Green certification from Green Real Estate Education and makes use of technology to be more green. She does a majority of her transactions over e-mail with PDF files rather than multiple faxes. She prefers linking to disclosures and other documents rather than printing them on paper. Pitchford also cuts down on driving by working with clients over the Internet to screen out listings that don't make the cut.

"My key to success is staying true to myself," says Pitchford. "The environment has always been a concern to me, so I started articulating green features to my clients. I always ask them what green features they're interested in."

It pays off. Pitchford gets most of her referrals from green-minded clients.

"What I hear most from referrals with environmental values is that they can trust me and that I understand what they are looking for," she says. "I won't hesitate to walk into million-dollar homes that are lit up like Christmas trees and turn off all the lights. I do it so my clients can then see how well the home is lit by the sun during the day. Little things like that can make a big difference on an energy bill, especially in a large home."

Pitchford works to educate her fellow practitioners as well. She and Sandra Keith of Lighthouse Realty, also in Sarasota, are founding members of the Green REALTORS® Alliance of Sarasota, which has held two annual Green Home Expos. The expos introduced green vendors to the public and to real estate professionals. Through these events, GRAS has convinced Sarasota County's Green Business Partners to become affiliate members of the Sarasota Board of REALTORS® and to educate and network extensively within the community.

Discounted Insulation Upgrade From FPL?

See if you qualify for a free FPL Home Energy Survey and if FPL thinks you need more insultion, you'll get a discount of 11 cents per square foot!

Check it out: http://www.fpl.com/residential/savings/energy_advisor/building_envelope/guide_insulating.shtml?WT.ac=HMRB03?WT.mc_id=NSL2172009EM01&wt.mc_ev=EmailClick&acctnum=1618029266.

If your home was built before 1982, chances are you need to upgrade your ceiling insulation. FPL has an incentive program to help you pay for it. Check out our insulation guide for more information.

Latest Stimulus Package Update As It Pertains To Real Estate

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

H.R. 1, the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” passed the United States House and United States Senate on February 13, 2009. President Obama is expected to sign the bill TODAY. The bill is a $780 billion package, with roughly 35% of the package devoted to tax cuts (mostly for 2009) and the rest to spending intended to occur in 2009 and 2010.

The mix of provisions of interest to REALTORS® changed frequently throughout the legislative process, with changes continuing to be made just hours before the measure was released prior to the vote. In the end, the elements of NAR’s housing agenda were included. Congress and the President have announced that a finance and housing package (including tax provisions) will be the next “big” initiative, so Congress has by no means finished its work as it affects the housing industry and REALTORS®.

The bill includes the following provisions:

Homebuyer Tax Credit – The bill provides for an $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loan Limits -The bill reinstates last year's 2008 loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae loans. These limits were equal to the greater of 125% of the 2008 local area median home price or $271,050 for FHA and $417,000 for Fannie and Freddie, with an overall maximum cap of $729,750. For the few areas where the 2009 limits were higher, the higher limits will apply. In addition, the bill includes language providing the HUD Secretary with the discretion, if warranted, to increase the loan limit for any “sub-area”, i.e. an area smaller than a county. The Secretary's discretion is again limited by the $729,750 cap. These 2009 limits will expire December 31, 2009.

The inclusion of these loan limit provisions in the final bill is a victory for homeowners, buyers and REALTORS®.

Neighborhood Stabilization – Division A, Title XII of the bill provides $2,000,000,000 in additional funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The NSP was created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2089 (Public Law 110–289) to provide grants through the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) to states and localities to address the problems that can be created when whole neighborhoods are decimated by foreclosures. The funds can be used to purchase, manage, repair and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties. In addition, the funds can also be used by states and localities to establish financing methods for the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed properties. After purchase the homes must be used to assist individuals and families with incomes at or below 120% of area median income. Twenty-five percent of funds must be used for households with incomes at or below 50% of area median income. By leveraging their expertise in partnership with others from both the public and private sector, REALTORS® in many communities have been making important contributions to their local communities’ neighborhood stabilization programs.

Commercial Real Estate - Commercial real estate is impacted primarily through those provisions of the bill focused on green building and energy efficiency as well as business tax incentives. H.R. 1 provides significant funds for state energy programs, which could be used to support commercial property owners' investment in energy efficiency upgrades while commercial property owners seeking to invest in alternative energy systems for onsite power generation would benefit from the Department of Energy Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees Program. Of particular benefit to small businesses would be certain provisions of the bill that provide tax relief in the area of bonus depreciation and capital expenditures, as well as the 5-Year carryback of net operating losses for small businesses.

Rural Housing Service – The bill provides an additional $500 million to existing USDA Rural Housing programs. The RHS provides both a guaranteed loan program and a direct housing loan program for those meeting the program’s eligibility criteria. The direct loan program will receive $270 million while $230 million will be allocated for unsubsidized guaranteed loans. It has been reported that this level of funding would provide for an additional 192,000 homeowners.

Low Income Housing Grants - Allow states to trade in a portion of their 2009 low-income housing tax credits for Treasury grants to finance the construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of low-income housing, including those with or without tax credit allocations.

Tax-Exempt Housing Bonds - Tax-exempt interest earned on specified state and local bonds issued during 2009 and 2010 will not be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). In addition, financial institutions will have greater capacity to purchase tax-exempt state and local bonds.

Energy Efficient Housing Tax Credits & Grants - The bill provides state and local governments with $6 billion in energy efficiency and conservation grants for energy audits, retrofits and financial incentives. Through 2010, homeowners will be able to claim a 30% tax credit (up from 10%) for purchases of new furnaces, windows and insulation. Another $5 billion will be available to modernize the nation’s electricity grid and install smart meters on homes that help to save consumers money. There is also $5 billion for weatherization assistance for low income households and $2 billion for federally assisted housing (section 8) efficiency efforts.

Transportation Investments - The bill provides $46.7 billion to states and localities for capital investment for surface transportation projects including highways, bridges, transit, and rail projects. NAR policy supports increased spending on the types of transportation infrastructure addressed in the bill with the exception of Amtrak and high-speed inter-city rail where NAR has no policy. These investments will tend to moderate traffic congestion and support a variety of transportation alternatives which will improve the quality of life of American communities and bolster the value of real estate.

Source: John M. Sebree, Vice President of Public Policy at the Florida Association of REALTORS®

Possible Septic Sorrows

A move by the Florida Department of Health to limit nitrogen seepage through septic systems could force some homeowners to install new and expensive septic systems. However, questions remain, and one component worries Realtors: It calls for a septic inspection at the time of a home sale and a likely septic tank replacement. The Department will hold a meeting on Feb. 19 in Orlando, and the public may attend and comment.

Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-021609.cfm.

We Want Green!

Today's home buyers are asking for more green features as a means of lowering costs, becoming more environmentally friendly, and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-012009.cfm

"House Buyers Must Beware Of Builder 'Greenwashing'"

Published: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 11:10 a.m.

If you are interested in buying an environmentally sound house or residing in a sustainable community, you need to become familiar with the term "greenwashing," which basically means proclaiming that something is environmentally sound when it really isn't.

A combination of the words "green" and "whitewash," the term reportedly was coined by suburban New York environmentalist Jay Westerveld in 1986 in an essay regarding the hotel industry's practice of promoting the reuse of guest towels in a supposed effort to conserve water, when, in fact, there was little or no effort toward waste recycling.

Back then, Westerveld focused on the hotel business. But the sad reality is that, today, greenwashing, aka "green sheen," is rife across the board in every business as companies rush to take advantage of the heightened consumer interest in environmentally safe or beneficial products.

For the full article:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090111/ARTICLE/901110302/2117/REALESTATE?Title=House_buyers_must_beware_of_builder__greenwashing_

Needs V. Wants

When the economy shrinks, so does the size of housing, sending the popularity of tiny apartments and condos soaring as construction costs rise and financial markets fall. Developers are also responding to buyers' penchant for urban living and their environmental awareness.

Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-120808.cfm.

Economic Stabilization Bill Includes Clean Energy Tax Incentives

Update from the Department Of Energy:

President Bush signed the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) into law last week, which also extended and enhanced critical tax credits and financing relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which was attached to H.R. 1424, provides a one-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy, keeping the credit in effect through 2009. The bill also provides a two-year PTC extension, through 2010, for electricity produced from geothermal, biomass, and solar energy facilities, as well as trash-to-energy facilities, small hydropower facilities using irrigation water, capacity additions to existing hydropower plants, and hydropower facilities added to existing dams. In addition, the bill creates a new PTC for electricity produced by marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems (also called advanced water power systems) with a rated capacity of at least 150 kilowatts and placed in service by 2011. To help on the financing end, the bill authorizes $800 million in new Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for all of the above technologies. See the White House press release: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081003-17.html.

While the PTC extensions and enhancements are good news for all major renewable energy sources, arguably the biggest winner in the tax bill is solar energy, which gained an 8-year extension (through 2016) of the 30% tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations, as well as the elimination of the $2,000 tax credit cap for residential solar electric installations. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) expects the creation of more than 440,000 jobs and the generation of at least $325 billion in private investment due to those changes, which should yield more than 28 gigawatts of solar power. The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) also sees huge potential growth in a measure that allows electric utilities to take advantage of these tax credits. In addition, small wind power gained a 30% tax credit, up to $4,000 for wind turbines with capacities of 100 kilowatts or less, which is also good through 2016. The tax credits for fuel cells and microturbines are also extended by 8 years, and the fuel cell tax credit limit is tripled, to $1,500 for each 0.5 kilowatts of capacity. The act also creates a new 10% tax credit for certain combined heat and power systems and for geothermal heat pumps (up to $2,000). In addition, the bill also provides accelerated depreciation for utilities installing smart meters and smart grid systems. See the press releases from SEIA http://seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=217 and SEPA http://solarelectricpower.org/docs/SEPA%20Statement%20on%20ITC.pdf.

In terms of energy efficiency and alternative fuels, the act extends and revives a number of energy efficiency tax incentives for buildings, creates new tax credits for efficient vehicles, and extends and modifies tax credits for biofuels. Specifically, it extends energy efficiency tax deductions for commercial buildings through 2013 and revives similar deductions for home improvements installed in 2009, adding a new $300 tax credit for energy-efficient biomass fuel stoves. It also extends tax credits for builders of new energy-efficient homes through 2009 and increases tax credits for manufacturers of energy-efficient appliances, while extending that credit through 2010. The act creates a new tax credit of up to $7,500 for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which are expected to go on sale in 2010, while providing tax exemptions for idle reduction technologies and advanced insulation installed in trucks. The act also extends a 30% tax credit for alternative fuel refueling facilities through 2010 and expands the credit to include electric charging stations. For biofuel producers, the act extends a 50% first-year depreciation for cellulosic biomass ethanol plants to include any plant producing biofuels from cellulosic (non-food) biomass sources. The act also extends through 2009 a PTC of $1 per gallon for biodiesel and other biomass-based diesel fuels and a credit of 10 cents per gallon for small biodiesel producers, but it cuts the PTC for renewable diesel blended with petroleum to 50 cents per gallon, while closing a loophole that allowed foreign producers to earn a U.S. tax credit. See the press releases from the ACEEE http://www.aceee.org/press/0810legislation.htm and the National Biodiesel Board http://biodiesel.org/news/08clickthrus/20081003_taxextender.shtm.

To help individuals take advantage of all the tax credits, Division C of H.R. 1424 increases the income limits for the Alternative Minimum Tax, while the energy tax provision allows unused tax credits to be carried over to the next tax year. And to help finance energy efficiency improvements, the bill authorizes $800 million in Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds, which will be issued by state and local governments. The bonds can be applied to a wide range of energy efficiency projects, research and demonstration projects, and even renewable energy projects. The bill also extends the authority to issue bonds for qualified green building and sustainable design projects through 2012. See the Division B and C of H.R. 1424, and for comparison, see Subparts A, D, and E of Part IV of Subchapter A of Chapter 1 of the existing Internal Revenue Code http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/26/usc_sup_01_26_10_A_20_1_30_A_40_IV.html (posted by the Cornell University Law School), as well as Section 168 of Part VI of Subchapter B.

To subscribe to the source newsletter, visit http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/subscribe.cfm.

Bragging Rights!

At the Florida Association of Realtor's Convention last weekend, I won a super big award for my contribution to the local and state assocations and the community of Sarasota!

Here's what FAR had to say:

Newcomer Award

Winning FAR’s Newcomer Award for 2008 is Christina Pitchford Perez, a member of the Sarasota Association of Realtors. The Newcomer Award recognizes an outstanding individual who entered the Realtor profession within the past three years, and, during that time, made notable contributions to the local and state associations, as well as to his or her community.

Pitchford Perez is a founding member and the 2008 vice chair of the Sarasota Young Realtors group, established by her local association in 2007 to identify and foster future leaders. She also is a founding member of the Green Realtors Alliance of Sarasota, which created and hosted a successful trade expo this year to introduce green and sustainable real estate related products to Realtors, clients and potential clients in the community.

Pitchford Perez helped plan a trade mission to the United Kingdom last year with the association’s International Committee, worked with the Mid-Florida Regional MLS Review Team, and assisted many of the local association’s committees behind-the-scenes. She volunteers for numerous community groups as well, including the Children’s Miracle Network, the PTA, United Cerebral Palsy, the local public library system, Mote Marine Laboratory and Sarasota’s Empty Bowl Project.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-092508.cfm

Jungle Gardens Saved & New Venice Park

The rescued animals and tropical plants at Sarasota's Jungle Gardens will have a safe home, and Venice a new park, after state money was approved Thursday for both local conservation projects.

The Sarasota Conservation Foundation secured $6.7 million to buy a conservation easement for the 10-acre Jungle Gardens site, ensuring that the 68-year-old attraction will remain a zoological and botanical garden.

The city of Venice will receive $3.7 million for a new 10-acre waterfront park near the historic Venice Train Depot site.

The two projects had to qualify as natural, cultural, historic or recreational "jewels" to receive Florida Communities Trust grants, funded through the $300 million annual Florida Forever program that state legislators reauthorized this year.

Both projects made the cut despite fierce competition. The state had $73 million to dole out and applications for $263 million in grants from 84 communities. In the end, 18 projects received funding for 2008. "They had to be pretty special," said Doug Hattaway, who helps communities secure grants as the senior project manager for the Trust for Public Lands conservation group.
Sarasota County, he added, "was well represented."

Albert Joerger, president of the Conservation Foundation, said Sarasota County community leaders traveled to Tallahassee to make the case for Jungle Gardens as a historic treasure.
"This is a great day for Sarasota," Joerger said. "Jungle Gardens is exemplary of old Florida. They're not making any more of these."

According to Jungle Gardens' Web site, it is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions in the state, and dates back to 1940 when tourists arrived by car and roadside attractions were popular.

Joerger said a private donor has agreed to contribute part of the required local matching funds to purchase the easement from a family trust. But Joerger is still looking for private and possibly public financial support for the roughly $9 million purchase.

By Zac Anderson
Published: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 1:20 a.m.

Show You Care: Clean the Coast!

Come clean up the coastline with me, my kids and a bunch of great volunteers from the Sarasota Association of Realtor's GRAS (Green Realtor Alliance of Sarasota) Saturday September 20 at 8 am around John Ringling Causeway. Follow this link for more details and the registration form: http://www.sarasotarealtors.com/about/event.cfm?eveID=74.

This is a great way to get your kids involved as volunteer opportunities for kids are few and far between.

Hope to see you there!

Call To A Quick & Easy Action

Below is a letter from the Sarasota Network for Climate Action (www.sarasotaclimate.org). Please read and take action.

You may have heard that Florida Power and Light has stopped the Sunshine Energy Program (which was designed to promote green energy with the extra $9.75 per month charged to willing FPL customers) since it has been recently revealed that most of this money went to marketing and administrative costs. Read about it here: http://www.heraldtribune.com:80/article/20080730/ARTICLE/807300390.

FPL is in hot water. So this looks like a good time to urge them to help us heat our own water—with energy from the sun. They need to follow the lead of a number of other U.S. power companies (e.g., TECO, OUC, JVA, and Progress) by establishing a rebate program for solar hot water systems.

So write to FPL now. A pile of real, stamped, through-the-mail letters may convince them. You can say something like this:

Mr. Armando Olivera, President
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408

Dear Mr. Olivera:
With the PSC's decision to cancel the Sunshine Energy Program, FPL has the opportunity to show the PSC and its customers that it is serious about renewable energy. I urge you to consider a well funded rebate program for the highly efficient, highly cost effective technology of solar hot water heaters.

In the sunshine state, we should be leaders in solar hot water heaters. FPL's solar hot water heater program in the 1980s was incredibly successful. Now is the time to reestablish that program and demonstrate a true commitment to efficiency and renewable energy.

Governor Crist has asked for 20% of the state's energy to come from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal by 2020. FPL has gone on record with agreeing with the 20% target, but not till 2030. You can move that up to match the governor's target.

Together we can do it. Give consumers a chance with a workable program for solar hot water heaters.

Thank you,
xxxxxxxxxx

For more information on the Sarasota Network for Climate Action, visit www.sarasotaclimate.org. Join today! Our friend Lee Hayes Byron's the boss lady!

Sarasota City Hall Landscape Honored As Florida Friendly Yard

To see firsthand what a quintessential Florida Friendly Yard looks like, take a peek at City Hall, 1565 First Street. The City of Sarasota was notified yesterday its City Hall landscape achieved the highest recognition level for Florida Friendly Yards. The recognition was awarded by environmental experts at the University of Florida extension office in Sarasota County.

The City achieved the “Golden Oak” recognition level, the highest of three levels, by assuring the landscape protects our natural resources. The landscape demonstrates to the public that serious environmental issues, such as storm water runoff, water shortages, and disappearing wildlife habitats, can be addressed without sacrificing attractive landscaping. “We wanted to showcase the plantings at City Hall as an educational tool because it is a public space that receives many visitors,” said Michele Mician, Neighborhood Coordinator who oversees green initiatives for the City of Sarasota. Some of the techniques used at City Hall include:

• Planting more native species

• Recycling grass clippings

• Collecting rainwater and using it to water plants

• Using drip irrigation

• Avoiding fertilizers and pesticides

• Positioning trees and shrubs to improve the building’s cooling capacity

• Planting low maintenance plants

• Providing cover for wildlife

• Purchasing plant materials from local native plant stores

• Positioning plants according to the principals of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Moving forward with green initiatives is one of the City Commission’s top five critical priorities. In October 2007, the Environmental Management Task Force, comprised of City employees, was created to oversee sustainability issues within City government. “The landscape department includes a master gardener whose expertise helped make the garden bed at City Hall Florida friendly,” said Neil Gaines, a Public Works employee who is a member of the EMTF.

In addition to the Florida Friendly Yard, visitors to City Hall can also see a set of rain barrels, which capture rainwater. Ultimately, that water is used to irrigate plants and flowers at City Hall through a drip system.

For more information about green initiatives visit yourgreencity.sarasotagov.com.

For more information, please contact:Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613

Source: City Hall Press Release 8/7/8

Free Trees!

CITY SEEKS GREEN CANOPY PARTICIPANTS

Sarasota, FL: The City of Sarasota is looking for residents interested in participating in the Green Canopy Partnership Program. In the program, the City plants trees along the right-of-way of residents’ homes, as long as the residents pledge to water and care for the saplings until they take root. “It’s a true partnership between the City and residents. The City provides the trees and installation, and the residents agree to water them,” said Michele Mician, Sustainability Coordinator. There is no fee to participate in the program.

Since the program began in 2004, hundreds of trees have been purchased and planted by the City, then nurtured by residents. Recently, 31 crape myrtle trees were planted along 7th Street in Gillespie Park as part of the program. “We love them,” said Carmen Adcock, a resident who pledged to care for a tree. “We each have a tree in front of our house that we water according to the directions the City gave us,” said Adcock. Residents who participate in the program must sign a pledge sheet, agreeing to follow the watering guidelines given by City staff.

City of Sarasota arborists study a potential location and determine the right tree for that area. Available sunlight, overhead utility lines, and soil all play a role in determining what species is best suited in an area. Ultimately, the trees benefit the environment and residents’ property. “Trees give properties many value added benefits as well as helping the environment. Environmental benefits such as soil stabilization, increased wildlife habitat, and shade are just some of the valuable returns you can expect when you plant a tree,” said Mician.

The Green Canopy Partnership Program is funded through the Sarasota County penny surtax.
To have trees planted by autumn, residents must submit pledge forms by Fri., August 8, 2008. For more information on this unique program contact Neighborhood Services at 954-2612, or download a Green Canopy Partnership Program pledge form at npo.sarasotagov.com.

Source: http://www.sarasotagov.com/InsideCityGovernment/Content/CAC/Communications/Releases/Tree_canopy.htm

Updates To Public Policy

The Sarasota Association of Realtors has updated our public policy. According to Marc Mansfield, our Governmental Affairs Director, we have "retained the overall philosophy" and "tweaked language" with regards to smart growth and sustainability in addition to other core policies we support.

To read the SAR's Public Policy, click here: http://www.sarasotarealtors.com/files/pdfdocuments/RevisedPolicyPositions0808062734453.pdf.

NEW! Green Home Insurance

Commercial buildings have green insurance, and now at least one company says it will start to offer green insurance for residential property starting this summer, though it may not be available in Florida until later in the year. Fireman's Fund Insurance Company will launch green insurance for homeowners starting this summer.

The insurance is for homeowners who currently own a green home, or for those who wish to upgrade to green standards should the home be completely destroyed. Homeowners whose residences are already green will be offered a five percent discount on this coverage, applied to the homeowner premium. With green coverage, homeowners will be able to rebuild and replace with green alternatives such as:

• Energy Star(R)-rated appliances, lighting, electronic equipment and roofing/insulation
• An Energy Star upgrade of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
• Forest Stewardship Council (www.fcsus.org) certified wood for millwork, ceilings, siding and framing, including bamboo flooring
• Non-toxic, low odor paints and carpeting
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Elimination of ozone-depleting refrigerants and fire extinguishing agents, replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives
• Debris removed after damage to a home will be recycled and diverted from landfill

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Green Features on New MLS!

The Sarasota Association of Realtors' Green Realtor Alliance of Sarasota committee was amazingly able to have 4 green feature options added to our new Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service system's listing form. This makes us one of a small handful of Realtor associations and multiple listing services in the country to offer green features (1) as a way to distinguish your home for sale and (2) as an option to look for in your home. Go Sarasota!

Check out our new listing form: http://www.mfrmls.com/uploads/MFRMLSresidential.pdf. The green features can be found on the bottom left corner of the first page. My contribution is the last option which I felt was important since a lot of homes have some green elements (energy efficient appliances, window upgrades, skylights, low impact yards that may not yet be Florida Certified, etc), especially considering that every little bit helps!

Thanks for all the hard work, GRAS!

Save Money & Energy

Florida Power and Light now offers Sarasota residents two easy ways to save both money and energy. In addition to their Budget Billing Program (www.fpl.com/resbb) which evens out the amount of your monthly bills by averaging your annual usage and billing based on this amount each month, FPL has introduced the On Call Program. By enrolling for this program, you agree to let FPL "cycle off equipment you select for brief periods of time" during times of heavy usage, which offers an annual savings of about $100. To learn more or enroll, visit www.fpl.com/oncall.

For more ways to save money and energy, check out the info available at www.fpl.com. Every little bit helps your pocket and the world.