Now that global warming is no longer a theory, but a scientific fact, the onus is on everyone to do their part. And moving to a new home is perfect time to start. Think of it this way – you are starting with a clean slate. Why not make choices that are not only good for your home, but good for the planet too?
Here are five ways you can “green” your new home.

1. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs now come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although these versions cost more than incandescent bulbs, they will last longer and use 66 percent less electricity.

2. Choose appliances with the Energy Star label. This sticker indicates the machine exceeds federal standards for energy consumption or has energy saving features. Look for the label when purchasing washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dish washers, etc.

3. Control your temperature. Installing a programmable thermostat helps you save money and conserve resources by better regulating your heating and cooling.

4. Start a compost pile. Reduce the amount of trash in landfills by turning your own scraps into quality soil. Compost kits and boxes are available for purchase. It is an easy way to make difference.

5. Adopt a new attitude. Set the tone for your family that the environment is important. Following the slogan, “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” can really make in impact now and for future generations.

Dorothy Harrison of Ontario, Canada wrote:
I wanted to write to tell you how helpful I found your REALTOR. We had met her briefly in 2004 when we first considered selling our Florida house. We did not get back the next year due to ill health, and my husband’s death in 2005. I preferred not to go to Florida to se the place, and your REALTOR took over and arrannged everything. I was very thankful!! She is a great REALTOR! I wanted to let you know that she is special!!

Hernando County , was established on February 27, 1843 and named in honor of Hernando Desoto, a Spanish explorer. The central portion of the county includes the county seat of Brooksville and prior to 1970 contained most of the population. Hernando County’s population growth increased 802% from 1960 to 1990. In the 1980’s, Hernando County was the third fastest growing county in the nation. From April 1990 on, that average has dropped to 3,356 per year. In terms of the estimated new households by percentage growth rate, Hernando County ranked 8th of 67 counties within Florida for the period 1990-1994. The county population was just 17,004 in 1970, and has risen to 130,804 in 2000, a more than seven fold increase in 30 years.

Forbes magazine, with help from business prognosticator Moody’s Economy.com, touts the Tampa Bay area as the No. 1 place in the country to buy a house.

Come again? Aren’t we supposed to be in the throes of housing hell?

Hear them out: Because of our area’s overall strong economy, Forbes calls Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater a resilient bounce-back market.

It predicts our area will experience a V-shaped recovery, where a market experiences a dramatic decline but rises sharply once it hits bottom.

Based on Moody’s Economy figures, Tampa home prices should bottom out in the first quarter of 2008, once the region trims excess inventory. Prices could then rise 10.6% the following year. So says Forbes.

-Times staff writer James Thorner

Many people, especially those living in big cities or young people just starting out, realize early on that space comes at a premium. Whether you’re fresh out of college and need to stretch your paycheck or living in a big city with big-city prices, occupying a small apartment doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be cramped all the time. The following tips should help you make any small space seem more spread out.* Use bright colors on the walls. If you’re allowed to paint the walls, by all means do it. While darker colors are more popular, using bright colors to paint the walls makes a room appear more spacious. Darker colors make a room’s walls appear to be closing in, whereas lighter colors give the illusion that the walls are receding. Multicolored or patterned walls often cause the eyes to pause a lot, making a room seem smaller.* Keep scale in mind. While it may seem as though putting larger furniture in your room will make it appear smaller, fewer, larger pieces of furniture will make the room appear more open and less cluttered. Whenever possible, keep from putting too much furniture in a small area, even if the items you’re putting in are small.The color of the furniture is also something to note. Darker furniture is preferred because darker furniture, such as a chair or chest of drawers, will contrast with your walls, making the room appear larger that it actually is. If you so choose, you can go for the blending effect instead, where you simply upholster your furniture in material that’s the same color as your walls, making the furniture essentially disappear into the walls.* Utilize wall space. A big concern for many living in tight quarters is where to put books. While a bookcase can look nice, it can also take up lots of space. Hang a few shelves on the wall above your desk and put your books there. The easy accessibility will still be there, but now you’ll have more floor space as well. And remember to leave space between books with collectibles, vases, etc. Books crammed all in a row will seem cluttered.* Let the light shine in. Much like darker paint makes a room appear smaller, rooms without adequate lighting appear small as well. Don’t block windows, and let the outside light shine in. This will make the room appear more welcoming and larger. Also, make sure the natural or manufactured light is even throughout the room. Dark corners or areas without adequate lighting make small spaces seem even smaller.* Keep the floor free of clutter. Try to keep your belongings in one or two designated areas throughout a room. Having multiple items strewn about will severely limit your available floor space, a lack of which makes a room appear very small. A clean floor allows for you to move around more freely, something that will make the room feel larger than it really is.* Use mirrors or paintings to give the illusion of depth. Mirrors or paintings that feature lots of depth can make a room appear larger than it really is. While these are certainly optical illusions, they serve a great purpose when attempting to make a small space seem less cramped. Any empty walls you have that you’re not quite sure what to do with would probably be perfect to house a mirror.

Those who reside in close quarters can do a number of things to make their space seem larger.

Question : Why do people decide to own a home?

There are many reasons people decide to buy the homes they do. Sometimes it is an expansive property on a quiet street that draws them. Other times it is the prime location in a busy city that seals the deal. But no matter how much people love a home, they are always eager to add their own special touches that will make it their own.

Here are three very simple things you can do to personalize your space.

1. Display the things you love. Your home should tell a story about you and your life. You want visitors to be able to look around and learn something about you. One of the best ways to do that is to display meaningful collections. For instance, if you collect antique post cards, hang a fabric memo board on a wall. Then you can arrange your favorites there for others to enjoy. Better yet, keep a box of others nearby so you can change the display for the seasons, the holidays or even your mood. This is a great way to share something you enjoy.

2. Surround yourself with meaningful photographs. Nothing personalizes a space like displaying photos of those you care about. Arranging framed photos on walls or grouping them on a table top are two great ways to make a space feel like home. Another tip is to unify photo displays in one area using the same style and color frames. For instance, in a bookshelf display, use all silver frames, some with cream-colored mattes, to show off your favorite snapshots. For other ideas on how to arrange photos and other pieces of art, look through design magazines and catalogs. Use the work of those professional designers as your inspiration.

3. Painting a room can make a dramatic impact. When you choose the colors around you, the house is bound to feel more like home. But if you don’t have the time or resources to paint the entire room, make a statement by painting one key wall in a bold color that sets the tone for the rest of the room.

To learn more about Real Estate ownership visit c21.com

Question: What should I weigh before considering an addition to my home?

Answer: Thoroughly assess your space. You may find you have the room you need, particularly if there is unused or under utilized areas in your home. Perhaps a garage, attic, side porch, or basement can be converted to fit the use you have in mind. Or, maybe, a small area can be carved from a larger area like a kitchen or living room to create a powder room. These improvements are certainly cheaper than a major construction job.

To learn more about Real Estate ownership visit c21.com

HB 111 by Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) amends the definition of “primary title services” and “related title services,” and codifies a civil court case that permits a portion of a title insurance premium to be rebated. Already signed by Gov. Christ, it becomes effective Oct. 1, 2007.

SB 1824 by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) places numerous disclosure and education requirements on Mortgage Brokers and Lenders to help protect consumers during the mortgage application process, and includes enforcement and investigative tools for prosecuting mortgage fraud. If signed by Gov. Christ it becomes effective Oct. 1, 2007.

SB 2498 by Sen. Rudy Garcia (R-Miami) allows property owners into the Citizens pool if the only insurance they could obtain on the private market was 15% more expensive than Citizens. (The current threshold is 25%.) The measure also prevents new private insurance companies fromm setting off their Florida operations in a separate, Florida only company (known as PUP companies), and freezes Citizens rates through 2008. Effective Jan 1, 2009 Citizens is again allowed to raise rates.