April 22, 2010
In honor of Earth Day, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is offering a new Green MLS Tool kit in an effort to make marketing green homes a bit simpler by placing an initiative to their local MLS.
The Tool Kit was created by a number of associations and organizations, including the NAR, which have experience with “implementing a green MLS initiative”. Included in the Tool Kit is strategies, outlines and a list of resources that will help assist in the implementation of “greening” the MLS.
According to Ken Wade, CEO of Neighbor Works America, “By identifying which homes contain energy efficient and environmentally friendly characteristics, the Greening MLS Tool Kit will help all home buyers – especially first-time and low- and moderate income home buyers – make more informed choices about the cost of their housing and where upfront payment may lead to long-term saving.”
If you’re looking for more information on the Green MLS Tool Kit visit the NAR Website.
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April 21, 2010
Today’s home buyers have likely heard of mold and radon. These are a couple of issues that can have an effect on air quality. It is said that poor air quality can cause asthma, lung disease and upper respiratory congestion to name a few. As a result, indoor air quality (IAQ) can play an important role when home buyers are making decisions. Detecting IAQ is much easier than it once was. Last year the EPA actually created a program called Indoor airPlus. Today, there are several “Green” home builders who are using Indoor airPlus. If a home is to receive the airPlus label, it must meet ENERGY STAR requirements as well as an additional 30 design and construction features. All of the requirements that must be met protect homes from factors that negatively affect air quality. To find out more information regarding Indoor airPlus you can go to http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/
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March 16, 2010
In the upcoming months, Florida, among other states across the nation, will be offering Green Real Estate Education (GREE) courses in select community colleges! Green Real Estate Education, the leader in offering green education for under $100, has contracted with these colleges in an effort to offer their certification courses to real estate professionals for continuing education credits.
Established in 2006, GREE courses will teach their students about energy efficient mortgage products and systems, green building rating standards and how renewable energy relates to the real estate industry today. According to Kerry Mitchell, President of GREE, “We are pleased to be offering our education on the community college level. We have taught 6,000 and hope to reach 10,000 by this years end.”
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February 19, 2010
On Saturday, February 20, 2010, the Hernando County Extension Service is hosting an open house at their new location at 1653 Blaise Drive! From 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 P.M. feel free to stop by and tour the new facility. Discover all the programs available at the County Extension Service, from Small Farms to the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Master Gardeners will be available throughout the day, to answer any and all gardening questions. Refreshments will also be available.
For more information feel free to call the Hernando County Extension Service at 352-754-4433 or visit their website.
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December 14, 2009
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is offering a Green Designation that is designed for commercial, residential and property management professionals that are seeking to make their businesses and their lives a greener place. By earning a NAR Green Designation you stand to gain an understanding of what going green means to consumers that are looking for knowledge in green real estate. Along with the knowledge needed to inform and guide your clients in the direction of sustainable property, you will receive a Designation Kit, access to NAR’s online referral network, customizable marketing tools as well as many more benefits upon completion of the course.
The NAR Green Designation offers a variety of classroom courses on topics such as commercial green building practices and green strategies in the residential real estate market. Locally, there are classroom courses available in the Orlando, Florida area, however, if you are unable to find a classroom course that is offered near you, courses are offered online as well. Be sure to check the website often, as many of the courses that are unavailable online at this time, may be available in the future.
With the changes in Government policy and the demand of the consumers, it is important to be aware that sustainable properties are the way of the future for the real estate industry. It is affecting every asset in the market, from the ground up!
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October 9, 2009
After much research, development and organizing, Green Real Estate Education (GREE), announces a curriculum that is designed to bring sustainable building and green community living concepts to our local government officials. The first level for the government certification, “Greening Your Government” focuses on becoming a green leader and keeping the officials informed of new “green” systems, initiatives and procedures that need to be put into place.
Gillian Crippen, Director of Government Affairs for GREE, facilitated the program in Pinellas County, Florida, dubbing them the first county in the state to be “green certified,” and will be heading to New Orleans in November to teach “Greening Your Government” to the local officials.
Green Real Estate Education was established in 2006 and continues to train and provide certifications to real estate professionals across the nation in the field of green real estate.
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July 10, 2009
Progress Energy Florida’s plans to build two nuclear power plants in Levy County may have been foiled again! Back in May of 2009, Progress Energy announced that the project would be delayed by at least 20 months, as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) would not give them a limited work authorization for preparation work, due to the fact that all of the site and safety reviews were not complete.
This week, more road blocks have been set in place. Back in February, The Green Party of Florida along with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) and the Ecology Party challenged the deficiencies in Progress Energy Construction and Operation License Application (COLA). This petition to intervene was indeed granted and has caused another setback to Progress Energy’s plans for the Levy County reactors.
Progress Energy’s environmental report fails to address things such as: Where will the new plant’s radioactive waste go? What is the impact of building the plant on a 100 year old floodplain? What effects will paving over hundreds acres of wetlands have on the Florida aquifer, the Withlacoochee River and the Waccasassa River?
Even though the plant will not begin producing power until some time in 2018 Progress Energy customers are already paying for it. In January the utility gave a monthly increase of $12.11 per 1,000 KWH, however soon after lowered them to $4.31 per 1,000 KWH after many customer complaints.
According to Tim Leljadel, spokesman for Progress Energy, “Progress Energy Florida has received and will review the ruling, and we’ll soon make a decision on whether to file an appeal.”
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July 2, 2009
 Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, is getting ready to put into action the first curbside recycling program! With the aid from Wal-Mart, who will be donating thousands of plastic bags, the city will be able to incorporate recycling into it’s regular pick-up days; Free of charge.
Starting on September 2nd of this year, the schedule will be as follows:
The first Wednesday of the month ~ plastic aluminum and tin
The second Wednesday of the month ~ newspapers, magazines, paper bags and phone books
The third Wednesday of the month ~ cardboard
As the program is still new, the city will be able to schedule the recycling pick-up days on the regular bulk and yard waste days, so there should be no extra cost to the company at this time. However, if the residents of Brooksville engage in enough recycling activity the program could require and extra route, which could provide a few extra jobs.
The recyclable bags will be givien out by the city to any residents that wish to take part in the program.
According to Toby Gray, GM of the Wal-Mart distribution Center on Kettering Road, he believes it’s the first time they have helped a city with a curbside recycling effort.
Way to go, Hernando County!
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Citrus County, Florida Strives to Take one More Step in Going Green
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June 9, 2009
In a world where the environment is a grave concern, more and more real estate professionals are recognizing the need for green education. Four more states have accepted the “green certification” mortgage course offered by Green Real Estate Education (GREE) as continuing education credits and two of the states have approved the online version of the course!
GREE is one of the fastest growing “green certification” education programs in the country for the real estate industry. They are currently working with community colleges throughout Florida and four other states across the nation, promoting education for energy efficient upgrades for those looking to refinance as well as forms and procedures that must be addressed when going green.
According to GREE president Kerry Mitchell, ‘We “train the chain” of professionals in the real estate arena involved in a real estate transaction and are excited to have the opportunity to train these professions in topics that could spark real estate markets nationwide into a new awareness of energy issues.’
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Jump on the Green Bandwagon with Green Real Estate Education Courses
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May 26, 2009
Five years ago, Village Services Cooperative signed a contract with FDS Disposal Inc. for trash pick-up in Citrus Hills. On the first of April of this year, the two companies have embarked on a recycling program for the community, offering once-a-week curbside single-stream recycling for a nominal fee. In ‘greenhorn’ terms, single-stream recycling means that you would not have to sort through your materials; they will do it for you at the plant.
To date, 20% of the Citrus Hills residents have jumped on the recycling band-wagon, however, the program will not begin migrating to other communities, such as Black Diamond, Pine Ridge or Sugarmill Woods, until another 10% of the residents are willing to participate in the program. During its first month, FDS was able to save 29 tons of trash from being hauled off to the county landfill!
Way to Go Green Citrus County!
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