BAILOUT IS A BIG WINNER FOR GREEN TAX INCENTIVES - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR,e-PRO - jroosevelt@kw.com - 10/30/08 10:30 AM
As an EcoBroker® I'm  excited about the incentives the bailout offers for energy efficiency and renewable energy tax incentives. The big winners include: solar, wind, geothermal and alternative fuels and incentives follow.
An eight-year extension of the investment tax credit (ITC) for solar energy.
A multi-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for energy derived from biomass, geothermal, hydropower, waves and tides, landfill gas and solid waste (through September 30, 2011).
A one-year extension of the PTC for energy derived from wind.
Incentives for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects.
Incentives for the production of domestically-produced renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and renewable … (0 comments)

Calling all agents in the Brandywine Valley - Afternoon Green Tea with award-winning green builder Jeff Berlin, tuesday, November 6 3-5 p.m. at Hartefeld Country Club - 10/25/08 07:22 AM
Here's your chance to learn all about green bulding, from the foundation to a roof with a lifetime guarantee. Discover how low-E glass, low VOC carpets and paint, Energy Star HVACs and appliances, as well as insulation, and building tecchniques can contribute not only to your client's bottom line, but generate wealth in a higher resale value.
Join builder Jeff Berlin at Hartefeld Country Club on Tuesday afternoon, November 6, 3-5 p.m. and tour the fabulous models at Fairway Estates, an elegant green community of 12 custom luxury homes on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Fairways. Quick deliveries available!
Call Janice … (0 comments)

SELLING IN A BUYERS MARKET? YES, IT IS HAPPENING IN CHESTER COUNTY, PA - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams - 10/15/08 07:06 PM
What is critical for sellers to know in the market right now in Chester County, PA is that sales are happening. There were over 600+ sales in  Chester county in the last 30 days, 6 properties went pending today. The best strategy is not to "chase the market down" as Bernice Ross describes it, rather price your property to sell from the start.
My suggestion to clients is: select a listing agent who is honest about price, who doesn't necessarily agree with your  price.  This is called "buying the listing." What a disservice the agent does for the client if they agree to  "see what happens at this price."
… (0 comments)

Green building tip ...what's low- e glass and why is it important? -Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams - 10/07/08 02:18 PM
E in Low-E glass windows stands for emissivity and that's a fancy way of saying the ability to "give off" as in heat or energy. Low-E glass means the glass bounces back  or gives off the heat inside or outside your house. In the summer as the sun warms things up, low-E glass keeps the heat out. In the winter, it is the opposite, heat inside is thrown back into the room.
The material to create this energy-saving performance is a very thin layer of metal. There are two kinds of  Low-E glass: hard coat and soft coat. Ask your builder … (0 comments)

WHY FSBO's (FOR SALE BY OWNER) SALES ARE DOWN - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO, Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams-Brandywine jroosevelt@kw.com - 10/07/08 06:57 AM
 
For-sale-by-owner or ‘FSBO' transactions in the softening real estate market experienced zero growth last year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Bottom line is, realtors add value to the real estate transaction, particularly when the deal might go south.  The NAR's 2007 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, noted only 12 percent of transactions in 2007 were FSBOed, unchanged from 2006.  
Why? In the time it takes a first-time FSBO to sell a home, he or she has to learn what many real estate agents get to know only after assisting dozens of buyers and sellers for … (0 comments)

What do buyers want in a new home in 2008 ? New survey has the answers - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO, Matt Fetick Real Estate TEam, Keller Williams - Brandywine jroosevelt@kw.com - 10/07/08 06:55 AM
The Buyer's Agent Council has done another survey and like the one in 2004,  the number one  feature preferred by home buyers is central  airconditioning. What is surprising is that large garages  (two or more cars) is top on the list, with a 16 % increase.
Other features that gained popularity included hardwood floors, granite counter tops, cable- and satellite-readiness, and high-speed internet access.
First time buyers, because of budget constraints, will make more compromises than repeat buyers who are trading up in terms of size and features, so they are more demanding in getting what they want - including luxury items.
Walk- in closets in the … (0 comments)

Best ways to increase the value of your home in 2008 - Janice Roosevelt,Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams- Brandywine jroosevelt@kw.com - 10/07/08 06:53 AM

1. Preventive maintenance. This is not about replacing kitchen cabinets or installing granite counters. Make necessary repairs to any leaks in the roof, seal gaps in the siding, paint bare wood, replace damaged decking, patch cracks in concrete, and caulk around tubs and showers.
2. Safety. Are your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors working? Alarm and security system inplace? Surge supsressors on your techno stufff?  Check fuel-burning appliances to make sure they are properly vented and no gas connections leak. Is your electrical system adequate. Flickering lights and popping breakers are the sign of a problem. How about stair rails? Are they … (0 comments)

Call Janice Roosevelt when buying a home the Brandywine Valley - encompassing Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania, and New Castle county in Delaware - 10/07/08 06:49 AM
Looking to buy or sell real estate in the Brandywine Valley? Here's why Janice Roosevelt, ABR, e-PRO should be your choice
nformation
In today's market, confidence and trust in your real estate professional are key. With extensive experience in both PA and DE, I am  passionate about providing specialized real estate services and minimizing the stress of the process. As an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions.  I  keep you informed on trends in the marketplace using the latest statistics in your local area.
Realtors need more than a great track record in this market though, you need creativity and innovation. Here's where I excel. Check out … (0 comments)

Considering buying a "green" home - Consider this - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, -ePro - 10/07/08 06:42 AM
Historically, most of us don't want to buy our parents' homes. Today smaller homes are at the top of the list for  many buyers. "Superized McMansions" are giving way to energy-efficient homes that are smaller. They use less energy. Your utility bills will be lower. Mutifunctional furniture and rooms, carefully designed interiors are what's important.
When you decide on your home, you will need to evaluate the cooling and heating systems  with the help of your home inspector. Are they sized appropriately and in good working order? When were they last serviced? How about the windows? Are they  single or double-paned. Feel for  drafts around the … (0 comments)

Ductwork Basics provided by Energy Services Group - Janice Roosevelt, EcoBroker, ABR, ePRO - jroosevelt@kw.com - 10/06/08 09:13 PM

Ductwork Basics
Ducts are a critical part of your heating and cooling delivery system, yet they are given very little emphasis during construction. Many systems with 92% efficient furnaces and 50% efficient duct systems. In order to have a duct system that performs properly, there are a few do's and don'ts that must be understood:
Duct Sizing:To arrive at the proper duct size, a heat loss calculation must be done on every house, or every model in a development. In addition, every "problem room" must have its own calculation done to ensure proper delivery. Problem rooms would include rooms, especially … (0 comments)

Forbes Magazine says Chester County one of the 10 best families in which to raise a family - 10/06/08 09:11 PM
Chester County considered one of the 10 best counties in which to raise a family - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, ePRO 610-764-3062 - realtor serving Chester and Delaware counties in PA and New Castle county in DE -
You didn't need a survey to tell us who already live in Chester county, but a recent survey evaluating criteria such as cost of living, housing, schools and commute times placed Chester and Montgomery counties at the top of Forbes magazine's places to bring up babies. To be considered, the communities had to have populations greater than 65,000 and most of the school funding had to come from … (0 comments)

Chester County, PA still leading the way in growth. - 10/06/08 09:07 PM

Chester County has been the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania since the 2000 census, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. In figures released this month that estimated population as of July 1, 2007, the bureau says the county has added 52,844 residents, for a total population of 486,345. Chester's 12.2 percent growth spurt far outstrips the other 66 counties in the state. Of Chester County's southeastern Pennsylvania neighbors, only Montgomery County made the top 10 with 27,185 new residents. According to the Chester County Planning Commission, approximately two-thirds of the new residents have come from nearby … (0 comments)

Treating your windows well (PART II) - let them return the favor in savings - 10/06/08 09:06 PM
Roosevelt under For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, LIVING GREEN
Early I talked about how good you feel when you replace old windows and doors with energy efficient ones. Not only do you help the environment, but you save money!
Inside windows treatments offer  energy-efficient opportunities and a way to express your creativity. There are lines of shades, sheers, louvers, blinds and shutters that can shut out unwanted heat or let it in, that can protect floors and valuables from sun damage, and even reduced noise, such as the Magnetite insulated windows developed by MIT in the 1970s.
… (0 comments)

Fairway Estates on the Hartfeled National Golf Course - custom "green" homes redefining elegance today and for the future -- Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams- Brandyinwe - 10/06/08 09:03 PM
Overlooking rolling meadows, manicured fairways, and old-growth woodlands, Fairway Estates has no rival.  Beautiful enclave of 12 luxury green homes on the  1st, 2nd, and 3rd Fairways of Hartefeld National Golf Course outside Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, stands as a beacon for gracious and environmentally-responsible living.   Berlin's signature designs combine open floor plans with traditional architectural elements in fresh and vibrant ways.  Graceful arches, local stone, dramatic trim and individualized lighting designs distinguish each home and create livable style. Outside, should  you want to add a pool and/or outdoor entertaining area, the option is yours. As a member of this lovely community, membership to … (0 comments)

Sellers Find the Ecobroker Advantage - Janice Roosevelt - 10/06/08 09:01 PM

In this competitive market, you need to stand out. I can highlight energy-efficeint features of a home to bring you top dollar. The best way to do this is through a professional energy audit.  Remember, buyers today are looking not only for a good intial price on their home, but also, one that helps to save operating costs. We are in  an environment of uncertain  gas prices that affect  goods and services. Maybe you thought of  installing  new windows, doors or skylights  Energy-efficient  models can reduce energy bills by 15% . there are low cost options as well, that include caulking, weatherstripping, … (0 comments)

WHY DO BUYERS WANT TO WORK WITH AN ECOBROKER? - Janice Roosevelt, ABR, ePRO, Ecobroker - Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams - 10/06/08 09:00 PM
 

For buyers, it means working with an agent who helps you realize savings that affect your monthly bottom line.  Appliances, heating and cooling systens, windows, insulation all factor into the costs of maintaining a home . For example, appliances and lighting account for 27% of all energy consumed in a residence and for more than 45% of your energy costs.  That doesn't include the cost of water or energy used to heat the water by washers and dishwashers. The true lifecyle cost of an appliance is the purchase price PLUS the cost of operation and maintenance - so a … (0 comments)

Tips to keep energy costs low - Freezers and refrigerators - Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-Pro Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams - 10/06/08 08:55 PM

 These appliances are huge energy users. Make sure the refrigerator door closes tightly, check the door seal to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. A door leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep food cold.Use a brush or vacuum to clean the condenser coils found in the back or bottom of the refrigerator to  maximize its efficiency. Don't forget to unplug the refrigerator before you start cleaning.Keep the refrigerator away from heating appliances (ovens and dishwashers), windows, and heating ducts. Direct exposure to heat forces the unit to work harder … (4 comments)

What does the Energy Star rating really mean? Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO - Matt Fetick Real Estate Team, Keller Williams - 10/06/08 08:53 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes that a truly energy efficient home must not only have certain features, but must be inspected and tested to to be sure that everything is in place. If this is done, they will give their prestigious ENERGY STAR certification to the home. The ENERGY EDGE is an important part of these standards.
A Home Energy Rater can provide a miles-per-gallon number to your new home before construction begins. The ENERGY STAR Program requires that a high enough energy rating be achieved that the home will use 30% less energy for heating and cooling than the base … (0 comments)

Living GreenAirtight Window Installation -Energy Services Group - more on energy efficiency - Janice Roosevelt, EcoBroker, ABR, ePRO - 10/06/08 08:52 PM
 
Many homeowners often complain of leaky windows. In fact, they are holes in the wall so a source of all the leaks in a house, right? Not necessarily. Using advanced diagnostic equipment such as blower doors and infrared scanners however,   windows are rarely a major contributor to an air leakage problem. Although even small window leaks can be a problem to someone who is sitting next to such a window.
All window manufacturers must meet Federal standards for air leakage. There are windows that are less leaky than others, but no brand of window is excessively leaky. The only area of window leakage that … (0 comments)

Looking for "GREEN" agents working new construction - 10/06/08 08:39 PM
We're re-launching a terrific golf course community with a green builder. They are custom, luxury homes in a market where sales have been minimal. Looking to exchange ideas with those in the "green" new construction sales force.
In particularl, looking for experiences and documentation that green homes are beginning to appreciate at a greater rate than standard construction.
Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO
Matt Fetick Real Estate Team www.10StepsToSold.com
Keller Williams - Brandywine
610-399-5100 or 610-745-1419
… (0 comments)

Do you youtube? We do! - 10/06/08 08:36 PM
Looking to kibbitz with realtors using this medium and see how they are doing. We are finding it successful, and have plans to expand. Janice Roosevelt, Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams -  Brandywine  jroosevelt@kw.com Are you using them for listings? To provide tips to buyers? Let usknow
… (0 comments)

 
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Janice Roosevelt, OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Chadds Ford, PA

More about me…

Susan Manners Team, Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors

Address: P.O. Box 577, 1598 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA, 19317

Office Phone: (610) 388-3028

Cell Phone: (610) 764-3062

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Moving to the Brandywine Valley and need the inside story? Where to eat, shop, work-out, hang-out? What neighborhoods are what? Want to know how to save money with a GREEN home? Want the most powerful marketing plan for listing your house? It's all here


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