How to Perform a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit - 02/25/10 08:17 AM
How To Do a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
 
Whether you are getting ready to sell a home or if you are concerned about the environment or just wanting to cut down on your utility bills, you can do a self-directed energy audit of your home. Grab a clipboard or legal pad and take a tour of your own house! Here's what to look for and some suggestions on how to conduct your audit.
 
1. Insulation - do you have it in your walls? Find out by temporarily removing and looking behind a wall light switch or outlet. If you … (4 comments)

We Need Green Appraisers in Pensacola, Florida - 02/23/10 02:07 PM
Calling all Pensacola area appraisers!!! We need appraisers that have knowledge in appraising Green certified homes in Pensacola and surrounding areas.  We have builders that are building Green or that want to build Green, we have buyers that want to buy Green homes, and we have lenders that want to offer Energy Efficiency Mortgages and HOP Down-payment assistance for Green homes (if it gets re-funded).  What we don't have are appraisers that have taken Green appraisal classes or that are certified for Sustainable Green Home appraisals.  I searched the Appraisal Institute website out to a 300 mile radius and could not find one … (0 comments)

Don't Miss The 2010 "Power Up" Conference! - 02/18/10 02:08 PM
If you have any interest in sustainability or Green Living, alternative fuels, and more, then register for the 2010 Power Up Conference.  See the link below for details:
 
2010 "Power Up" Conference details.
 
… (0 comments)

The Power of Seeds - 02/16/10 09:06 AM
 
 
The Power of Seeds 
 
Seeds are often included with nuts in nutritional analysis, and in fact, a nut is the seed of a tree. However, those foods generally accepted as seeds and called such include flax, sesame, pumpkin, hemp, and sunflower. 
 
Each seed contains the potential life of a plant, so a lot of energy and nutrition is packed into these tiny, crunchy foods. They are full of nutrients, fiber and healthy fats in varying proportions. Here is a list of some of the commonly available seeds and their nutritional value and potential health benefits.
 
-Flax
… (2 comments)

$14,900 Cleared Lot For Sale- 2511 W Strong St Pensacola, FL 32505 - 02/16/10 08:33 AM
For only $14,900 this cleared lot near Downtown Pensacola is a STEAL!  Utilities are already available from a home that was previously on the lot.

 
$14,900    2511 W Strong St  Pensacola, FL 32505     Cleared & ready to build!
 
Great location close to downtown Pensacola, zoned RNC for Residential or light commercial. Nicely cleared lot has electric, water, and sewer hook-ups available from previous home, and is already cleared and ready to be built upon.  Owner will also build a 3 Bedroom 2 Bath, all brick home on the lot for $109,900.
For more information on … (0 comments)

Top 5 Reasons Not To Bury Your Loved Ones Next To The Driveway - 02/15/10 09:39 PM
Why on Earth would anyone need to hear the Top 5 reasons not to bury your loved ones next to the driveway?  You would think that would be a no brainer, or that it would be illegal, or that at least you couldn't do it in a residential neighborhood of lot & block homes.  Maybe in some places it is illegal, but it's apparently okay in Pensacola, FL.  And apparently, nobody keeps records of these "home burial" events.  I recently had the experience of having a buyer place an offer on this property, only to notice the "monument" under the tree … (14 comments)

New All Brick Home to be built- 2511 W Strong St Pensacola, FL 32505 - 02/15/10 09:17 PM
Time is running short to start construction in time for you to use your $8000 tax credit to purchase this all brick home to be built at 2511 W Strong Street in Pensacola, FL! (Photo shown is of another home of approximate floor plan of the home to be built)
     
3 Bedrooms   2 Baths     1149 square feet          $109,900
Use your $8000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit or the $6500 "Long Time Resident" Tax Credit to purchase this fabulous property! New all brick home to be built on this lovely, tree shaded lot. Home will … (0 comments)

Owner will finance! $59,900 2 Story on .59 acres- 1105 N 49th St Pensacola, FL 32526 - 02/15/10 08:49 PM
Use your $8000 first time homebuyer or $6500 move-up buyer tax credit to buy this charming 2-story at 1105 N 49th, Pensacola, FL 32526.
               
3 Bedroom 1 Bath                      1554 square feet                         "Estate Sale-MUST sell quickly!"                              $59,900
Use your $8000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit or the $6500 "Long Time Resident" Tax Credit to purchase this fabulous property! Create your own equity with … (1 comments)

Garden = A Place of Healing - 02/15/10 09:26 AM
Garden = A Place of Healing 
The healing nature of a garden is actually an ancient concept. The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar to comfort his homesick wife, Amyitis. From Japanese Zen gardens to medieval monastic gardens to modern therapy gardens, the healing power of nature has long been recognized in the form of gardening. 
What is it about gardening that makes it so effective at lifting the spirits? What form does gardening take today?
Good Dirt
There is bacteria that lives in soil called mycobacterium vaccae. Interestingly, exposure to this bacteria has been shown to … (1 comments)

Pensacola Naval Air Station Museum Play Area - 02/14/10 10:10 PM
If you have kids, and you haven't been to the Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum lately, then you are in for a treat!  They have added a new play area for younger children that offers an aviation themed play-set named the "USS Kiddie Hawk".  This interactive play area was designed like a flight deck of an aircraft carrier, and has periscopes, mock control panels, and everything you would expect to find on a real flight deck.  The area around the "flight deck" is safely padded with rubber matting, and during my visit, the area was kept very clean and organized.  There … (0 comments)

$35,000 Down-Payment Assistance for New Homes in Pensacola, Florida - 02/14/10 09:35 PM
You heard me right- there are down-payment assistance programs currently available in the City of Pensacola that offer up to $35,000 in down payment assistance for the purchase of a new construction home within city limits.  These funds are available in the form of a forgivable loan offered through the SHIP Infill New Construction Program.  Homes purchased under this program must be priced under $189,000 in target areas within city limits.  Although the program is currently funded, it is a "first come, first served" basis, so be sure to speak with a participating lender to find out if you qualify for … (2 comments)

Pensacola Foreclosure & Distressed Homes For Sale - 02/13/10 10:06 PM
Pensacola Foreclosure & Distressed Homes For Sale
 
There are currently 215 Residential Foreclosures for sale in the Pensacola MLS region.  There are also 551 Short Sale residential properties listed for sale at this time.  The foreclosures range in asking price from $15,200 to $299,000.  The short sales range in asking price from $12,900 $1,495,000 (Please keep in mind that the short sale prices must first be approved by a lender, so the asking prices are not guaranteed).
 
For those seeking to purchase Foreclosures, Short Sales, or other types of distressed property in the Pensacola and NW Florida region, you … (0 comments)

February 2010 EcoLogical Realty Newsletter - 02/12/10 11:28 AM
The February 2010 EcoLogical Realty Newsletter is now available!  Please click on the link below to view.  This month's articles include different types of home insulation, how to host a "Green" dinner party, and January housing statistics for the Pensacola Association of Realtors.I welcome all comments and feedback, and would love to hear from you if you have an idea or would like more information on certain subjects in future blogs or newsletters.February 2010 EcoLogical Realty Newsletter
… (3 comments)

Home Star Program - 02/12/10 11:24 AM
Show your support for the HomeStar program initiative to provide homeowners with assistance in performing Energy Efficiency upgrades on their homes. This would boost job creation in construction and remodeling industries, help increase existing home values, and help save homeowners money on their monthly energy bills.Find out more about Home Star Contact your representative and show your support for job creation and energy efficiency.
For more tips on Energy Efficiency and ways to "Greenovate" your home, please visit my website.
… (3 comments)

Smart Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home - 02/12/10 10:03 AM
Even if you are eco-conscious, you may not know that there are little things you can do in your own home to reduce your carbon footprint. When you look at the big environmental picture, it can look intimidating. It's tempting to assume there's nothing you can do to make a change. But the small things are cumulative, and it starts with the individual. In short, you can make a difference. Here are some smart ways to reduce your home's carbon footprint.
Turn it off
Did your parents ever nag you about turning out your bedroom light when you weren't in it? … (0 comments)

Builder $2000 Tax Credit For Energy Efficient Homes - 02/12/10 09:46 AM
If there are any builders who have built energy efficient homes, please don't forget to file for your $2000 per home tax credit. Use IRS Form 8908 for homes built between August 8, 2005- December 31, 2009.
Builder Tax Credit
What: $2,000 tax credit for a new, energy-efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements.
Who: Home builders
Limit: New U.S. homes whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005 and that are acquired … (2 comments)

Eco-Friendly Roof Materials - 02/12/10 08:40 AM
Are you thinking about re-roofing your house? Maybe you are building a new house, or just interested in options for a future project. As asphalt roofs come under scrutiny, they are revealed as inefficient and not environmentally friendly. Not only do asphalt shingle roofs need to be replaced every 10-15 years; they also absorb heat, and some sources claim that asphalt roofs leach chemicals into rainwater that runs over them.
No matter what your goals are for your roof, there are lots of eco-friendly roof options available. Here are some ideas.
Metal (steel, copper, tin, and aluminum)
Often associated with old-fashioned … (1 comments)

 
Trish_photo_hd2 Rainmaker_large

Trish Sarfert

Trish Sarfert

Pensacola Beach, FL

More about me…

Paradise Home Realty, LLC

Address: Pensacola, FL

Cell Phone: (850) 449-0908

Email Me

Proudly serving your housing and investment property needs in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. We are also honored to serve the housing needs of our military families & civilians at NAS Pensacola, Saufley Field and Whiting.


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog