Kerry Veach

Northwest Florida homeowners may soon have a relatively easy and affordable means of using solar energy to power their Northwest Florida homes.

Plug-and-play photovoltaic (solar systems) systems, known as PV systems, will simplify the process of purchasing, installing, and implementing solar energy systems.  Doing so will make these systems easier to operate, more affordable, and more effective – and save homeowners a lot of money.  These systems are already being used in the computer and automotive industries, so it’s only a matter of time before the technology segues into residential home use.

“Providing families and businesses with new choices to use American energy resources that can save them money is an important part of President Obama’s all-of-the above energy strategy,” said Secretary Chu “The Department’s announcement today supporting plug-and-play solar energy technologies will help make it easier and cheaper for consumers to adopt clean, affordable solar energy, while supporting U.S. manufacturing leadership in the next generation of clean energy technologies and diversifying America’s energy portfolio.”

This “all-of-the-above energy strategy” incorporates the Energy Department’s five-year SunShot Initiative to make solar energy affordable and effective.  PV solar energy systems will be part of this initiative, receiving a $5 million dollar investment this year.  A portion of this investment will go towards developing two PV prototypes through partnerships with various industry innovators and universities.  One of the primary objectives will be to reduce non-hardware, or “soft costs”, which currently amount to more than half of the total cost of present residential systems.

Make sure you check the Veach View Blog frequently to get more energy (and money) saving tips.  And as always, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying a home in Northwest Florida, or selling a home in Northwest Florida, contact Kerry Veach online or by calling 1.800.879.0309. With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

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Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22, 2012.  And what better way is there for us to show our appreciation then by getting our Northwest Florida homes in “green” working order?

Not all “green” installations are practical, much less affordable.  Things like solar panels and geothermal systems take a lot of work, and usually a pretty deep pocket.  For this reason, I’ve compiled a list of practical ways Northwest Florida homeowners can go “green.”

Update Your Light Bulbs

I don’t think it gets much easier than this.  Compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) and LED’s conserve energy and save money.  If you haven’t already made this simple switch, you will need to within the next year.  Under the CLEAN Energy Act, 100-watt incandescent light bulbs began being phased out in January 2012.  Next on the list are 70-watt bulbs, then 60-watt bulbs…you get the picture.

Energy Star Products

Energy efficient appliances save money, electricity, and water which reduces your household’s total greenhouse emissions.  Many products offer tax rebates as well.  Next time you’re out shopping for new appliances, look for the Energy Star label on anything you buy.

Reuse Your Rain Water

So here’s an idea:  instead of letting all that rain water run off your gutters and into a big mud puddle on the ground, install an affordable rain barrel.  This will catch and store water from your gutters so you can use it later to water your lawn, garden, etc.  Conserve, conserve!

Greywater

If you like the idea of reusing your rain water, you’ll probably be a fan of this one as well:  Greywater Recycling.  Greywater is water that comes from your sink and laundry, but is not contaminated by waste.  By installing a greywater recycling system, you can take the water from your morning shower and have it filtered for use in your toilet or lawn.  Talk about saving a lot of water!

Make sure you check the Veach View Blog frequently to get more energy (and money) saving tips.  And as always, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying a home in Northwest Florida, or selling a home in Northwest Florida, contact Kerry Veach online or by calling 1.800.879.0309. With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

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New home builders in Northwest Florida have heard the demand for homes that are affordable and energy efficient. Buyers want the affordability of their home to extend far after the keys are handed over at the closing table. Most would agree that it’s counter-productive to get a bargain deal on the purchase price, and then lose all the money you saved paying for utilities.
Here are three ways that builders are responding to buyers’ demands:

1. Go Green to Save Green
By adding features like low-emissivity windows, engineered wood components, low-flow faucets, water-efficient toilets, etc. buyers can save thousands annually on utility bills. Homes are being built at a better quality to prevent drafty windows and other expensive air leaks. In addition, recycled materials are used whenever possible to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Builders are making energy efficiency practical and attainable by adding these features from the foundation up, saving buyers the expense and headache of having to install them after the fact. They are also adding features that are easy to maintain, since some energy upgrades (like solar panels) can be too large and pricey a project for the average homeowner. “Right now, solar panels appear to be a bit too much, but eventually, maybe five years from now, they will be more standard, even in modest house sizes,” NAHB economist Stephen Melman says.

2. Affordability
New home sales dropped from 1.28 million in 2005 to 776,000 in 2007 and 322,000 in 2010. The record low was just last year at 302,000. The national median price dropped from $247,900 in 2007 to $210,300 in 2011. These figures put builders at a stand-still, forcing them to be more competitive and aggressive with both pricing and product. Their response? Reduce size to reduce waste and reduce cost. This leads into point number three…

3. Less is More
In 1975, the median home size was 1,525 square feet. In 2007, the median was 2,277 square feet. It wasn’t until 2010 that this number became smaller – 2,169 square feet. Real estate professionals believe the reason for this is due to buyers’ awareness of utility costs, maintenance, and housekeeping. “Buyers today look at a huge, 20-foot vaulted ceiling in the family room and wonder how they can afford to heat the space,” Thompson says. Generally speaking, bigger homes equal bigger bills and a lot more work.

If you have been considering purchasing a new home, don’t begin shopping around without your Northwest Florida Realtor to represent you. Builders have sales representatives that can assist you throughout the purchase process, but remember that these representatives are working for the builder – not you. If you would like to buy a home in Northwest Florida, or sell a home in Northwest Florida, contact Kerry Veach online or by calling 1.800.879.0309. With over 1,000 closings, 20+ years of experience and a full-time real estate team, it’s no surprise that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

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When selling your home in Northwest Florida, it is important to understand what you are legally bound to disclose to potential buyers and your real estate agent. If you fail to make these disclosures, you could be on the hook for big bucks, sometimes long after the closing. In an effort to remove some of the gray in this area, I’ve compiled a list of items that you, the seller, must always disclose whether selling your home traditionally or “as is”.

1. History of Termites
Hopefully this seems like a no brainer, especially since the buyer will find out during the termite inspection. If your home as any history of termite infestation, you need to disclose this to your agent and buyers. A good practice would be to get a new termite inspection before listing the property, showing that the home is presently free of termites.

2. Water Damage and/or Mold
This is another one that should seem obvious. Any time there is water damage, there is the potential for mold, and mold is a very serious issue for health reasons. Again, this is something that will also come up in a home inspection so it is best to address it before it gets to that point. It is worth noting that water damage is one of the biggest causes for lawsuits related to non-disclosures. If you have had water damage, have a professional inspect the property before you list your home.

3. Lead
Real Estates brokers are adamant about this one. If your home was built before 1978, it is a federal law that you disclose any known lead-based paint. However, this law does not require the seller to have any tests performed. This is why the disclosures form has several options, including one stating that you have or do not have any knowledge of lead-based paint.

4. Repairs
This is last on the list because it causes the most confusion, and the specificity varies by state. However, when in doubt, disclose. Any structural repairs should absolutely be disclosed to your agent and buyers. Other repairs to the roof, plumbing, HVAC, etc. should be disclosed as well because again, it will come up in the home inspection anyhow.

Long story short, put yourself in the buyers shoes, and do not assume that you are protected by the buyer beware rule (aka “caveat emptor). Surprises tend to make buyers nervous, and nervous buyers don’t always make it to the closing table. Make sure you read the paperwork given to you by your agent, and ask any disclosure related questions you might have. Your agent’s broker will have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

If you would like to buy a home in Northwest Florida, or sell a home in Northwest Florida, contact Kerry Veach. With over 1,000 closings and a full-time real estate team, it’s no wonder that 95% of Kerry’s business comes from referrals.

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