Joe Foster's Blog

As the health of our environment and our own personal wellness become issues of greater importance, the demand for eco-friendly homes continues to rise. Home builders and developers have responded to this rising demand, and are building "green" properties in greater numbers. While "green" has become quite the buzzword when it comes to home building and design, what exactly it means isn't always clear. There are a few standards for eco-friendly homes, but the term "green" doesn't have a universal meaning. So how does a consumer know when a “green” home is actually built with an ecological focus, or at least enough of one to justify its price?

A home must contain at least 3 of the following 5 elements to be considered green:

1. Energy Efficiency,

2. Indoor Air Quality,

3. Resource Efficiency,

4. Water Conservation; and

5. Site Management (A home's exterior use of water resources and electricity).

In order to conserve electricity and make your home more energy efficient, green properties utilize the power of solar energy. Installation of solar panels can provide most or all of the electricity that a home may need. While this solution can be relatively expensive, homeowners can easily recover the cost of their initial investment over time by the money saved on their electric bills. Solar water heaters, which are relatively inexpensive, are a great way to heat your home's water without the need for electricity or natural gas. Green property may also include radiant roof barriers and upgraded insulation, which can also greatly reduce your home's consumption of energy. Low-E windows and exterior sunscreens are extremely effective in lowering the amount of exterior heat that your home absorbs. If you can keep the heat out, you will use less electricity!

Beyond energy efficiency is improving the indoor air quality. The use of non-toxic, or at least less-toxic, materials is important in "green" homes. Look for a home with low VOC paints. (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are toxins that gas-off from conventional paint.) Remember the lighter the pigment, the lower the VOC's, so white or off-white walls are healthier than some of the bolder, trendy colors. This is because it is the paint base that is quality controlled, but it is impossible to take the VOC's out of some pigments.

Another interior detail that is popular for eco-friendly homes is bamboo or cork flooring. Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity because it is versatile and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Cork is another great option because it is sustainable to harvest - removing cork does not damage the cork tree, as it replenishes its cork bark every year anyway. Cork makes a lovely, soft and springy floor surface that is also naturally warmer than many other flooring options.

Next look at the windows, are they double-paned? Windows can be a huge source of energy loss, as can appliances. Look for energy star appliances and make sure you keep any filters cleaned to ensure that your appliances are running as smoothly as possible. Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and all other appliances within the home should be of the highest standard of energy efficiency. In addition, compact fluorescent lights should be used throughout the home, or replaced by LED lights wherever those are suitable.

Check out the placement of duct work. If there is more warm weather than cool weather the air ducts should be high. Likewise, in a cool climate the ductwork should be low. Also, you should not be able to feel any drafts around doors. Of course, insulation is extremely important, so ask if the owner or builder can document the insulation installed. If insulation is the only thing lacking, you can have it installed to up the energy efficiency.

Water conservation is the next thing to look at. Low water use toilets are a must, and those that have different flush options are extra eco-conscious. These options allow you to have a more efficient flush for solid waste, while liquid waste just gets much more conservative flush. Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers can also be equipped to limit the water used without compromising function.

Outside the home leaves plenty of room for "green" considerations, too. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping utilizing plants native to the area being built in. These plants are naturally drought-resistant because they are acclimatized to the local environment, needing less watering and maintenance than lawns or beds full of foreign flowers.

Another "green" outdoor trend is utilizing permeable paving stones. These actually absorb water, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply. These avoid the toxic run-off that can be caused by water rushing over cement and into drains, carrying oil and exhaust residue straight into the drainage system, which ultimately ends up being a nearby body of water.

Buyers can enjoy a multitude of benefits associated with the ownership of eco-friendly properties, not the least of which is significant annual savings on energy bills. Most of all, owners of green properties can take comfort in knowing that they're effectively doing their part to contribute to a healthier environment.

Most of us Floridians have grown accustomed to keeping a close eye on the weather – especially this time of year. With the latest storm, Tropical Storm Fay, we are again facing the realization that we may have a busy hurricane season in the works. As luck (or fate) may have, the Sarasota / Bradenton areas narrowly escaped a direct hit from Tropical Storm Fay, but who’s to say that our luck will stay in tact?

For those of you outside of Florida, or those who are new to the area that have never experienced a tropical storm or hurricane, it is critical to be prepared. You should know what supplies to have on hand, what level evacuation zone you live in, nearby shelters, and evacuation routes.

Here is a link to a list of suggested supplies that you should have on hand when preparing for a hurricane: Hurricane Supply Checklist.pdf

(You will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view this document. If you do not have it, I have provided a link to a free download for it on the left navigation of my web site.)

There are numerous helpful web sites to assist you in keeping up-to-date on Florida weather conditions. Here are just a few:

Weather.com http://www.weather.com/

Tampa Bay Online http://tbo.com/

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov/

Boat US http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

Additionally, here is some are some helpful tips (provided by FEMA) that you should keep in mind when preparing for a hurricane, what to do during a hurricane, and how to recover from disaster after a hurricane:

Before a Hurricane

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:

• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Consider building a safe room.

During a Hurricane

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Moor your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
• If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
• Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

Recovering from Disaster

Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal.

What health and safety guidelines should I follow?

How do I clean my damaged home or repair and rebuild it safely for the future?

What precautions should I take when returning home?

Where can I get assistance?

How do I cope with the emotional effects of a disaster?

How can I help children cope with the emotional effects of a disaster?

How can I help someone affected by a disaster?

We all hope and pray that we never have to take these precautions, but it is a part of living in Florida. Hurricanes are one of the few natural disasters that we can predict and prepare for. I’ll take that over snow storms, mudslides, and twisters any day!

Buyers and Renters Beware of Real Estate Advertising on the Internet

It is true, the internet is the way to go in getting the word out to prospective real estate buyers and renters these days. As a Real Estate Agent, I frequently rely on services such as my web site, Realtor.com, Craigslist and other real estate web site advertising services to reach potential clients that are in and out of my local area. Like most people in today’s busy world, I communicate largely though email.

Unfortunately, there is a large array of scams popping up in multiple states that has many consumers feeling gun-shy about answering internet posted advertisements. Although this is not exactly hot-off-the-press-news to most of us, there are always new scams surfacing and a scam involving Craigslist is what has prompted me to post this blog.

The Craigslist scam, in short, involves a thief copying legitimate real estate for sale ads and posting a for rent ad with the thief’s contact reply to address instead of the owner/agent. By doing this, potential renters were contacting the wrong person, sending deposit money, and in some cases, rental applications with their income information and social security numbers.

I would like to offer a few tips that will (hopefully) help to protect my clients, colleagues, friends and family from internet real estate fraud.

First, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Question the value. Question the sellers need to sell or rent quickly. Question everything. If the seller gets annoyed or seems bothered by your inquiries, move on.

Second, do your research. Playing dumb doesn’t work and is never a good excuse. If you don’t know how to research on the internet, find someone (a friend, relative, co-worker, neighbor) to help you. There are numerous resources available on the internet, some of which I will include at the bottom of this post. If dealing with real estate, be sure to look up the agency, agent, property, location, etc. to make sure they are legitimate.

Third, trust your instincts. Remember that little voice that your Mom always told you to pay attention to? Listen to it. It may not always say what you want to hear, but it almost always will issue a warning when you’re heading in the wrong direction.

Forth, be protective of your money. You worked hard for it, so don’t just hand money to someone because you’re on the receiving end of a high-pressure sales pitch. Be extremely cautious when any seller insists on only being able to accept cash, money orders, or wire transfers. Any legitimate business transaction should be able to be handled through a variety of financial means. Use your discretion and yield to your comfort zone when handing over your money to anyone.

Finally, be resourceful. Shop around for the best price (while keeping all previous tips in mind). When shopping on the internet, stick to legitimate, reputable web sites. Always keep in mind that just because something is listed on a reputable site, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s legit. Modern days thieves are extremely innovative and use, or have used, the top ranked web sites on the web. If available, check a users profile and/or feedback rating. Negative responses and ratings should serve as a red flag.

One rule that I generally use in my internet advertisements is to include my direct contact information including name, business, name, email, phone number and/or web site. For real estate advertising, I strive to make myself as available as possible to my clients and avoid using “reply to” email addresses that are automatically assigned. However, there are legitimate ads and sellers out there that do not provide any personal information and with good reason. It’s up to you to use your discretion when answering any online advertisement.

If you would like additional information about internet crimes, please visit the following web sites:

Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov

Internet Crime Complain Center www.ic3.gov

National Fraud Information Center www.fraud.org

Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org