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Welcome to Lightsite.net ENERGY STAR ® in the News What's going on with E NERGY S TAR ® in your community? Stay informed through stories from regional news clippings , energy newsbriefs from CON.WEB , and the U.S. EPA E NERGY S TAR ® News Room . NEWS ARTICLES CFL Sales Looking Bright, Even After Post-Energy Crisis Dip Customers Put a Spotlight on Energy Conservation Northwest Leads the Nation in Energy Savings Effort National Leader Whitman Accepts Charles H. Percy Award For the E NERGY S TAR ® Program E NERGY S TAR ® Helps America Keep Cool This Summer Regional News Clippings Each month the E NERGY S TAR ® Lighting Program features Northwest regional news stories about energy-efficiency from local papers. CFL Sales Looking Bright, Even After Post-Energy Crisis Dip Jim DiPeso for Con.Web Compact fluorescent lamps are holding on to an expanded beachhead in theresidential lighting market, even as recent sales have dipped from theirextraordinary high during the 2000-01 energy crisis, according to NorthwestEnergy Efficiency Alliance reports and industry observers. With energy off the front pages, ongoing consumer interest in reducingelectricity bills is likely to continue supporting CFL sales, the Alliancereported in a market evaluation study prepared by ECONorthwest in 2002. CFL bulb prices have fallen by about two-thirds since 1997, which isattracting more consumers, according to Costco, the region's leading CFL retailer. Increasing manufacturere interest in CFLs also is evident. CFLs, however, still account for a small share of the residential lightingmarket, and sustained high sales will be necessary to transform thehousehold lighting market, the market evaluation study reported. Even at the height of the energy crisis, with power shortages on the frontpages and a compact fluorescent discount coupon campaign in full swing, CFLsaccounted for only 11 percent of total Northwest light bulb sales, the studynoted. Fewer than 40 percent of households purchased even one CFL. Cost is still a significant barrier to expanded CFL sales. Quality alsoremains a concern, despite improvements "The product appears to be viable for some people for some applications,"said Ken Keating, Bonneville Power Administration market transformationcoordinator and Alliance board member. "Long term, there is still a lot moreenergy efficiency to be acquired in lighting. This is still a blip," Keatingsaid. Compact fluorescent market still small, but looking brighter. (Continuation from Home page) CFL Sales Down ... But Still Up Northwest sales of compact fluorescent bulbs are running at about 4 millionunits per year, said Marci Sanders, the Alliances residential lightingprogram coordinator. While sales have fallen from the estimated 6.7 millionsnapped up in the region during 2001, the volume is substantially higherthan the estimated 381,000 sold in 2000, according to Alliance figures. (Inaddition to the 6.7 million bulbs sold in 2001, utilities gave away anadditional 1.6 million that year, according to the market evaluation study.) The Alliance had expected 2002 CFL sales to reach 2.5 million, but an autumnbuying surge helped push the volume to 4 million, Sanders told the Allianceboard April 30. Northwest lighting sales typically rise in the fall, asdaylight noticeably diminishes. In addition, a national Energy Star CFLpromotion, Change a Light, was in full swing, Sanders said. Since 1997 the Alliance has sponsored a residential lighting program toboost sales of compact fluorescent lights and fixtures. Between 1997 and2000, manufacturers were given incentives through the compact fluorescentfixture and bulb programs to increase availability of CFLs and reduceprices, according to the market evaluation study. In 2000, the studycontinued, the programs were combined into one and revamped to emphasizemarketing partnerships with retailers and to support only EnergyStar-certified bulbs and fixtures. More than 1,000 Northwest retailers haveparticipated in CFL marketing activities. Nearly 90 utilities participated in a CFL coupon campaign funded by BPA andutilities during the boom year of 2001. Coupons accounted for nearly 40percent of CFL sales that year. The market evaluation study found evidence CFL sales can be sustainedwithout coupons. In a 2001 survey of 1,421 Northwest consumers (included inthe market evaluation study), 94 percent of respondents who had purchased aCFL said they would buy another even if coupons were unavailable. Sanders estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of CFLs sold in 2002 werepurchased without coupons. "That is a very good sign," she said. The survey sample included 246 people who had purchased a CFL, 38 who hadreceived free CFLs from utilities, 316 who had purchased only incandescentbulbs in the three months preceding the survey, and 821 who were questionedabout CFL awareness. Another sign of market sustainability, the survey said, were the futureintentions of respondents who had purchased only incandescent bulbs. "Moresurprisingly, 64 percent of incandescent buyers indicated they intend topurchase a CFL in the next year. This is a strong potential indication ofthe sustainability of future CFL sales," the survey said. Efficiency Opportunity If so, there will be plenty of opportunity for CFLs to improve residentiallighting efficiency. The medium load forecast for the Northwest PowerPlanning Councils upcoming regional plan estimates that cost-effectiveresidential lighting efficiency potential will total an estimated 660average megawatts by 2025, said Tom Eckman, the councils conservationresources manager. Existing housing stock accounts for about 80 percent ofthat prospective resource, he added. That potential number doubled following a lighting log study carried out in160 homes by Tacoma Power, Eugene Water & Electric Board and other utilitiesin the late 1990s, Eckman said. The study found that homes have morelighting fixtures than previously thought and lights are being left onlonger. "We had an empirical basis to do a better forecast," Eckman noted. Falling Prices The consumer survey showed saving energy was the leading reason whyNorthwesterners bought CFLs in 2001. Even though energy no longer headlines the news, CFL energy savings remainattractive and falling product prices have helped the products hold theirown in the market, said Collin Cremo, assistant general manager for CostcosU.S. hardware purchasing division. "Pricing is going down and that is very positive for the consumer. You usedto pay $15.99 for a two-pack of bulbs. Now, you can get a four-pack for$11.99," Cremo said. The Alliance estimates average prices fell from $14-$28 per bulb in 1997 to$5-$10 in 2002. Large retailers such as Costco and Home Depot have led the market inoffering multibulb packages that have driven down prices, Sanders said.These two major retailers account for a significant share of Northwestsales, she said. In the consumer survey, 38 percent of CFL buyers indicated they hadpurchased the bulbs at a discount retailer. However, 35 percent said theynormally buy light bulbs at grocery stores, an indicator that supermarketscould be "an important retail target for increasing market penetration," thesurvey said. Manufacturer Interest The growing consumer interest in CFLs has attracted an influx ofmanufacturers to the market. Sanders said only 10 percent of the CFLs purchased in 2002 were made by thethree big multiproduct lighting companies--Philips, Osram Sylvania, and GE.Smaller manufacturers that sell only CFLs "are getting (shelf) placementwith better pricing because they are willing to cut deals with retailers,"Sanders said. Another reason CFLs are holding their own is the introduction of new bulbdesigns to suit consumer tastes. Keating said manufacturers are "responding to customer demands for productsthat fit in different applications. You can get bug lights, chandelierlights, recessed can lights, even green and red CFLs for holiday use. Youcan get really small ones. I have one that measures no more than 4 inchesfrom stem to stern." Keating said manufacturers understand they cant compete solely on price."They need to give customers something they can use." For example, consumers have asked for smaller bulbs, to which manufacturershave responded, said Matt Donati, CFL product manager for Philips Lightingin the U.S. "We sell eight-packs of 60-watt-equivalent lights that are small enough forlight bars in bathrooms," Cremo said. Donati believes consumers will be more receptive to CFLs that fit their ideaof what light bulbs are supposed to look like. "The key is to try to makethem as incandescent-appearing as possible," Donati said. "People see thespiral shape and it looks like curly fries. They ask, Whats that? If yougive them a bulb that looks more like a, quote, light bulb, they will bemore appealing." Philips Marathon family of compact fluorescents includes globe-like"A-shaped" bulbs that resemble incandescents, as well as conventionallydesigned CFLs. Sanders said Westinghouse plans to launch a "designer bulb" in differentcolors that will be specially suited to accent lighting typically providedby small halogen incandescent lights. Quality Issues Quality, however, remains a bugaboo afflicting the CFL market, Keating said.Despite continuing improvements, enough low-quality bulbs are on the marketthat the U.S. Department of Energy is concerned they reflect poorly on theEnergy Star label for energy-efficient consumer products, Keating said. Energy Star is a self-certification brand, so manufacturers are responsiblefor ensuring their products meet Energy Star standards. Unlike the applianceindustry, the residential lighting industry has not developed internaltesting protocols to make sure products are worthy of the Energy Star label,according to the Alliance. DOE has proposed changing Energy Star specifications to require CFLmanufacturers to submit long-term performance data before they can use theEnergy Star label. As a result of quality issues, the Program for the Evaluation and Analysisfor Residential Lighting (PEARL) has tested bulbs for quality since 2000.PEARL sponsors include BPA, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, PacificGas & Electric and energy efficiency utilities in the Northeast. Here is how PEARL works, according to a presentation at an Energy Starmeeting this year by Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council,chairman of the PEARL advisory board. Bulbs are purchased anonymously fromretail stores. Bulbs and ballasts are tested at Rensselaer PolytechnicUniversitys Lighting Research Center. Tests cover lighting and ballastperformance, lamp life, lamp start time, dimming, color rendition, powerfactor and other characteristics. Two testing cycles are carried out peryear. Ten fixtures and 20 CFL products are tested in each cycle. Horowitz said test results are given to Energy Star program managers at theDepartment of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies canuse the information to remove the Energy Star label from substandardproducts. The recent growth in the CFL market "has attracted many new, unknown, and insome cases, unreliable manufacturers offering products with the Energy Starlabel," said an article about PEARL in a recent Alliance newsletter. Keating said PEARL is negotiating with manufacturers, distributors andretailers to share testing costs. "They want to get the bad products out ofthe market," he said. Costcos Cremo said "stricter tests" are needed to determine how well CFLsreally hold up when used in real-world environments such as inside fixtures.In comments on DOEs proposed Energy Star specification changes, NRDCpointed out that higher operating temperatures common in recessed canfixtures can shorten bulb life. NRDC also pointed out that CFL manufacturersoften change contract manufacturers and component suppliers, which canresult in uneven quality. Still, Keating said compact fluorescents have come a long way since the late1980s, when ungainly bulbs dominated what was then a tiny CFL market.Keating chuckled as he recalled a brand he nicknamed "Smoky Joes" because ofa bulb that overheated and began smoldering. In the consumer survey, only 3 percent to 4 percent of CFL buyers indicatedthey were dissatisfied with their purchases, and 78 percent of thedissatisfied indicated they were likely to buy another CFL in the comingyear. The leading reason for dissatisfaction, cited by 34 percent of thosenot satisfied, was that CFLs were not bright enough. Eleven percent citedearly burnout. Nearly 55 percent of CFL buyers who were satisfied with their purchaseslisted long product life as the leading reason for their satisfaction.Thirty-six percent cited energy efficiency, while 31 percent mentioned lightquality. CFL Barriers Cost remains the leading barrier to expanded CFL sales, according to theconsumer survey. Of the 316 respondents who had purchased incandescent bulbsonly, 38 percent listed price as a reason they had not purchased CFLs.Nineteen percent had not heard of CFLs, while 15 percent said they could notfind a type or size they wanted. One way around the price barrier, Philips Donati said, is to change theidentity of light bulbs from a commodity to a value product by educatingconsumers about the varying ways different kinds of lighting can be used todecorate their homes. "Show them how lighting adds value and how lightingcan be used to change the look of their homes," Donati said. He advocated expanded awareness of CFLs and their attributes. "I do the momtest," Donati said. "I show my mom a CFL and ask her, Whats this? Shedoesnt know. I say, Come on, mom, its a light bulb, I work for PhilipsLighting. People just arent as aware of them." In a May 2002 report, ECOS Consulting described barriers to CFLs in new homeconstruction. At least 11 parties--few with lighting design expertise--maybe involved in specifying new home lighting. Most new home energy efficiencyprograms do not address optimizing lighting or architectural designs thatcomplement daylighting, the report said. Home-buyers rank style and aesthetics as their highest lighting priority,ECOS said. "The more that energy-efficient lighting is designed to beattractive and aesthetic, the more marketable and permanent it will be, evenif this means giving up some potential energy savings to ensure consumersatisfaction," the report said. Lower prices, better quality, and expanded consumer awareness all will bekeys to building the CFL market, Keating said, observing that markettransformation often takes time. Costcos Cremo is confident CFLs eventually will replace incandescentsentirely. "From what Ive seen of the (CFL) technology lately, theincandescents days are numbered," he said. "I tell utilities to keepbombarding people with CFL information. Theyre going to get better andbetter." Reprinted with the permission from Con.Web. Back to Top Customers Put a Spotlight on Energy Conservation Scappoose Spotlight/Record-Journal As CFLs grow in popularity, the Northwest looks ahead to big energy savings and bulb recycling options... Now that North westerners have embraced compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), a decrease is on the rise in our regions energy use. Think about it! Approximately 6.5 million E NERGY S TAR ® CFLs alone were sold in only four states; Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Over 1,400 northwest retailers and 90 electric utilities participated in last years E NERGY S TAR ® Residential Lighting Program; the Northwest region is leading the charge! If you take that number and compare it with the 381,000 CFLs that were sold in 2000, you can now understand the impact and change, which these CFLs have had on the consumers home lighting needs. Not only do CFLs save the environment by using less electricity, consumers will save up to $30 over the life of the bulb on their monthly electric bills. "The success of the E NERGY S TAR ® residential lighting program reminds us that together we can provide big energy savings, improve the health of our region's electric system and help protect the environment," said Margaret Gardner of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. According to the NW Energy Efficiency Alliance, not only will savings be multiplied if every household replaces every ordinary light bulb with a CRL, but combined with other energy-saving products such as; clothes washers, refrigerators and home electronics their savings will be tremendous! The Alliance estimates that this and other regional programs will save over 460 aMW by 2010, enough to offset the need for building two new power plants in the NW region and taking approximately 600,000 cars off the road! Proper disposal of CFLs have been on the minds of many environmentalists for quite sometime. Currently, the Zero Waste Alliance, electric utilities and other environmental groups are working together researching opportunities for recycling. Although, CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury vapor, many environmentalists are concerned about recycling and proper disposal of CFLs. Their main concern is in 5 to 7 years from now, when the life of the CFL begins to fade. They want to encourage communities about proper disposal now, before large accumulations of CFLs end up in landfills. For the time being consumers can dispose of their CFLs with their household trash, along with other household materials such as paint, motor oil or batteries. Reprinted with permission from the Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal. Back to Top Northwest Leads the Nation in Energy Savings Effort Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal When it comes to buying more energy-efficient household products, the Northwest region is leading the charge. According to a recent report from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Washington home owners are snapping up energy-efficient products and local retailers are experiencing the impact. In response, BPA residential customers got to work, conserving. Among other things the customers installed millions of low-energy, fluorescent light bulbs. The bigger message here? Big energy savings do not necessarily have to come from big industrial users. People, individual users in their homes, are a very important part of the environmental equation. " Nearly 80% of respondents in a survey of 152 independent and national retailers in the Northwest estimate an increase in sales of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products over last year, the Alliance report said. Fourth quarter of 2001 sales data shows that the Northwest region ranked first in the nation for sales of qualified clothes washers with more than 30 percent market share. In Washington, nearly 32 percent of all clothes washers sold were E NERGY S TAR ® qualified - the second highest in the nation. "We're seeing a lot of interest from customers in E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and that's sparking interest in other energy-efficient products, including dishwashers and refrigerators," said Dave Blankenship of Weir's Appliances in Tacoma. "As people replace home appliances, they're opting for the most energy-efficient models available." Sales of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified refrigerators also increased in the Northwest. Based on fourth quarter reports, Washington ranks sixth in the nation for sales of high efficiency refrigerators. The alliance also reported brisk sales and interest for E NERGY S TAR ® qualified lighting including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Fourth quarter sales of CFLs in the Northwest were two million. The retailers who were surveyed said consumers are more energy conscious and seek long-term value and savings when purchasing appliances. Nearly all consumers express interest in the water savings features of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and dishwashers as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when it comes to buying energy-efficient products, the Northwest is heading in the right direction. The voluntary E NERGY S TAR ® labeling program was created by the EPA and the Department of Energy to help consumers easily identify products that save energy, money and protect the environment. Manufactures play a major role in developing products that meet higher efficiency standards and utilities help encourage homeowners to be more energy efficient by offering rebates and incentives for switching to E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products. The cooperative effort is paying off. Experts estimate by using E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products, a typical household can cut its utility bills by 30 percent. If everyone in the U.S. used the products, the reduction in greenhouse gas emission would be equivalent to taking 14.5 million cars off the road each year. The national annual energy bill would be reduced by about $100 billion over the next decade. Local efficiency advocates say that while the increasing demand for E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and refrigerators is a positive sign, there is still room for improvement. "It's clear that Northwest consumers understand the benefit of using more efficient clothes washer, refrigerators and lighting in their homes," said Margaret Gardner, executive director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. "Now, the goal is to encourage them to take advantage of even greater savings by looking for and buying other E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products." By changing their shopping habits, Northwest homeowners can keep a little more change in their own pockets, say energy efficiency experts. Changing the way Americans shop and buy products is a part of the major new campaign called "Change," spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency. "Change" is calling on homeowners throughout the nation to help save money ad protect the environment by selecting and buying E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products. For a complete list of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products, retailers, manufactures and energy savings information, call 1-888-373-2283 or log on to www.energystar.gov . The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a non-profit group of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups and industry representatives, promotes the E NERGY S TAR ® label to Northwest consumers. By funding the Northwest E NERGY S TAR ® Home Products Program, the alliance is bringing affordable, energy-efficient products and services to the market, helping Northwest consumers realize long-term savings and protect the environment. Reprinted with permission from the Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal. Back to Top Energy Newsbriefs at CON.WEB CONWEB is the Pacific Northwest Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy Newsletter, reporting regional conservation news. National Leader ACEEE Study Lauds Oregon for Energy Efficiency, Green Building Tax Incentives Oregon is a national leader in using tax incentives to give energy-efficient products and green buildings a leg up in the marketplace, according to a new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Oregon's residential and business income tax credit programs have "gained enthusiastic support from legislators, retailers, and manufacturers, as well as consumers," since they were established in response to the 1970s energy shortages, the study said. More news available at www.newsdata.com/enernet/conweb/conweb.html . Back to Top U.S. EPA E NERGY S TAR ® News Room E NERGY S TAR ® provides consumers with energy-efficient solutions that save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Find out what the media is saying about E NERGY S TAR ® at www.epa.gov/nrgystar/news.html Whitman Accepts Charles H. Percy Award For the E NERGY S TAR ® Program October 9, 2002 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman todaywas presented with the Charles H. Percy Award for public service by theAlliance to Save Energy. This award was given to EPA for establishing theE NERGY S TAR ® program, a public-private partnership that helps protect theenvironment while saving consumers money through energy efficiency. "Over the past decade, EPA's E NERGY S TAR ® program has grown from a voluntarycomputer labeling program to a partnership with over 7000 organizations,"said Whitman. "Last year alone, Americans, with the help of E NERGY S TAR ®,saved more than $5 billion in energy costs and reduced pollution equivalentto that of 10 million cars. We look forward to working together for the nextdecade to help consumers across the country have the information they needto make the best choices for their lives and for the environment." "In just a decade, the E NERGY S TAR ® program has grown in both depth andbreadth," said Alliance to Save Energy President David M. Nemtzow. "Now, notonly are many more products included in the program than at its launch in1992, but in addition, the E NERGY S TAR ® label is taking the energy efficiencymessage to consumers and businesses around the globe via partnerships withother governments. You can't get much better than a program that both savesconsumers money and protects the environment." Through the E NERGY S TAR ® program, EPA partnerships include over 1,200manufacturers labeling more than 13,000 products and over 1,600 buildersthat have constructed over 57,000 new homes. Through E NERGY S TAR ®, EPA hasalso helped thousands of businesses and schools rate their energy use. The typical American household spends about $1,300 a year on its energybills. By purchasing products that have earned EPA's E NERGY S TAR ® label,that bill could be cut by about 30 percent, which is a savings of about $400a year. The E NERGY S TAR ® label can now be found on more than 35 differentcategories including telephones, televisions, light bulbs and homeappliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators. By choosing E NERGY S TAR ®,there is no sacrifice in the features, style or comfort that today'sconsumers expect. As part of his National Energy Plan, President Bush called for increasedpublic awareness of the E NERGY S TAR ® program and its benefits to consumersand businesses. The President also called for the expansion of the programto provide the label for additional building types including grocery stores,hospitals and hotels. EPA established E NERGY S TAR ® in 1992 to offer energy-saving andpollution-preventing solutions for consumers and businesses by awardinglabels to the most energy efficient products, homes and buildings. EPApartnered with the U.S. Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGYSTAR label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular productcategories. For more information about the E NERGY S TAR ® program visit: www.energystar.gov . Back to Top E NERGY S TAR ® Helps America Keep Cool This Summer Cooling Solutions that Save Energy, Money, and Protect the Environment Homeowners across the nation have been challenged by E NERGY S TAR ®, a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by the Department of Energy, to make smart cooling choices at home this summer, use energy more efficiently, and help reduce air pollution. Working closely with businesses and utilities, E NERGY S TAR ® launched a consumer-education campaign, called Cool Change. This campaign raises American's awareness of their cooling system - encouraging homeowners to use energy-efficient equipment, tightly seal their ducts, properly maintain their cooling system, and have a well-sealed and insulated home. According to the EPA, Americans spend as much as half of their energy bills to cool and heat their homes throughout the year. To make it easy for consumers to make a Cool Change this summer, E NERGY S TAR ®'s partners are offering incentives, such as rebates and sales. For a complete list of special deals, visit www.energystar.gov/coolchange . "E NERGY S TAR ® is a great way for each of us to make a change - one that will protect the environment, save money, and achieve energy efficiency," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "I encourage all Americans to follow our recommendations for energy efficiency and join our campaign for change." The EPA estimates that if just one household in 10 participated in Cool Change and used E NERGY S TAR ® labeled heating and cooling products, the change would reduce electricity production enough to keep 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air this year. To help consumers identify easy ways to avoid energy-waste this summer, the EPA released the following tips: Out with the old, in with the new. If your central air conditioning equipment is more than 10 years old, it is probably time for a replacement - new cooling equipment that has earned the E NERGY S TAR ® label can keep you just as or more comfortable, while using 25 to 40 percent less energy than 10-year-old models. Replacing old ceiling fans and dehumidifiers with new E NERGY S TAR ® labeled models can also help to lower your energy bills and keep your home comfortable. Seal it up. Seal your ducts to distribute cool air where it needs to go and improve the indoor air quality of your home. Keep the cool air in by adding insulation to your home, weather-stripping and caulking, and choosing E NERGY S TAR ® labeled windows when replacing old windows. Make a smart purchase. When replacing central and room air conditioning equipment, make sure it is properly sized and installed. Bigger is not always better, and equipment that is too large can lead to high energy costs and reduced comfort. Find problems before they occur. If your cooling equipment needs frequent repairs and your bills are increasing, it could mean your equipment is becoming less efficient. E NERGY S TAR ® recommends having an annual maintenance check-up by a certified professional. Put your home to the test. Find out how you can make energy-efficient improvements to your home with the Home Improvement Toolbox. Visit www.energystar.gov and click on "Put your home to the test." E NERGY S TAR ®, the nation's symbol for energy efficiency, enables consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, buildings, and even new homes. For more information about E NERGY S TAR ® and the Cool Change consumer-education campaign, visit www.energystar.gov/coolchange or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wendy Reed, 202-564-1253, or email her at Reed.Wendy@epa.gov or Phillip Hayes, 202-944-1933. Back to Top What is E NERGY S TAR ® ? E NERGY S TAR ®-qualified bulbs and fixtures provide high quality light output,warm or cool tones, are efficient and long-lasting, and save them money overthe life of the bulb or fixture. There are numerous compact fluorescentlights (CFLs) in the market, but only E NERGY S TAR ® qualified CFLs canguarantee top-notch performance. E NERGY S TAR ® CFLs last up to ten timeslonger than incandescent bulbs and use up to 75% less electricity as well. E NERGY S TAR ® was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promoteenergy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPApartnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the E NERGY S TAR ®label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular productcategories. E NERGY S TAR ® has expanded to cover new homes, most of thebuildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, majorappliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and moreproduct areas. Please visit www.energystar.gov .

house rentals. Special places

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Real Estate Investment, Seller

Real Estate investment with private mortgages and seller financing. Real estate investors. Sell Mortgage , Real Estate Investment, Seller Financing, Private Mortgage Investment , Discounted Mortgage , Hard Money Mortgage , Sub Prime Mortgage , Credit Report Place/View Listings: Sell Mortgage • Mortgage Wanted • Get Mortgage • Note Brokers • Mortgage Brokers • Lenders Site Index Real estate investment Why own a real estate investment: To rent the real estate and produce positive cash flow. To resell the real estate for a profit. [ Home ] [Why own investment real estate?] [ Why most real estate is sold at market price ] [ Where to find the deals ] [ Nothing down real estate deals ] [ Money making ideas for real estate investors ] [ Creative Financing Ideas ] [ Home inspection ] [ Construction problems with older homes ] [ Home construction Estimation form ] [ Tax benefits of investment real estate ] [ Tax Table 2005 ] [ Mortgage interest rates ] [ Income Real estate 10-yr spreadsheet Online ] [ Fixup houses Profitabilty Analysis Online ] [ HUD anti-flipping rules ] [ Buying real estate from senior citizens. Get rich slow. ] [ Real estate investors tax audit guide ] [ Understanding real estate legal descriptions ] [ Real estate investors credibility ] [ Print Rent payment coupons ] [ What is a triple net lease ] [ Commercial mortgage simple underwriting ] [ Commercial loan Qualifier ] [ Foreign investor & US real estate ] [ Real Estate for Sale ] There are lots of people out there giving late night TV shows and selling expensive courses that will guarantee to make you rich and famous. Some of their promoters are now in jail, some who aren't, deserve to be. So here are some simple aids that won't cost you a dime. First of all, you make your money when you buy, not when you sell. So finding the motivated seller who is willing to offer you a good deal in exchange for a quick sale is the single most important factor to your real estate investment success. Surprise, surprise, most owners of real estate want to sell it for full fair market value. In fact many owners are so proud of their real estate they want you to pay MORE than fair market value. Most real estate sellers don't want to give you a 30% discount on fair market value. But this is what you need if you intend to fix up and resell the real estate for a profit. Think it can't be done? A real estate investor we know in Tampa closed on a pre-foreclosure house for $46,000 in February 2004, using 100% hard money financing. They sold it for $98,000 in April 2004 having spent about $2,000 on fix-up work. Let's be clear on this. If you can buy a house for $70,000 that would be worth $100,000 if it was fixed up, but it will cost $30,000 to fix it up, you're paying market value, NOT getting a bargain. You need to buy this house for $45,000 or keep looking. Download our free spreadsheet to evaluate that real estate "bargain" in real terms. You need to factor in things like the real cost of fixing it up, the closing costs when you buy, the closing costs when you sell, the cost of money while you are fixing it up from the day you buy it to the day you sell it, any pre-payment penalties on the money you have borrowed etc. If you intend to keep and rent out the property then you can pay a little more. But don't forget, even with current interest rates you have vacancy. property taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance to pay for before you get to positive cash flow. Download our free real estate investment spreadsheet to evaluate that real estate "bargain" over the next ten years. Or calculate your potential profits directly on this web site . (Note: It may a take couple of minutes for page to load). Don't spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on some real estate "get rich quick" seminar or course pitched by some late night TV smoothie, check out our books on real estate investment. Money making ideas. Where to find the deals Why it's hard to find good deals. Financial Calculators. Find Money for your transaction. Search our bookstore for books on real estate. Dictionary of real estate and mortgage terms. A marketplace for your seller's mortgage if they'd sooner have cash. Understanding legal descriptions Is that good deal as good as you thought it was? Projects all the costs involved for real estate investors who are thinking of "flipping" properties. Download our FREE Microsoft Excel (97 or higher) "fix up" analysis spreadsheet. (This is a self-executing compressed file, just note where you download it and double click on it.) Useful real estate and mortgage forms. Remember laws vary from State to State and even County to County. We have property management forms, deeds, leases, mortgage origination forms etc. Download our custom designed Sample Quickbooks99 file to show how to easily account for real estate income. Are you better to pay cash and get conventional financing or pay a higher price and get low interest rate seller financing? Compares different offers and even make two or more offers on the same property with different terms. Download our FREE Microsoft Excel (97 or higher) " different offers " analysis spreadsheet. (This is a self-executing compressed file, just note where you download it and double click on it.) Just how much money will that investment property earn you over the next ten years? And how much will you make when you sell it? Down load our FREE Microsoft Excel (97 or higher) 10-year income analysis spreadsheet (This is a self-executing compressed file, just note where you download it and double click on it.) Or run it on this web site. Think a million dollars is a lot to retire on? Think again. See just how long your money will last under different scenarios. Download our FREE Microsoft Excel (97 or higher) " Retirement scenario" spreadsheet. (This is a self-executing compressed file, just note where you download it and double click on it.) How to survive a tax audit. Home construction and estimating forms for you to print and use. Why interest rates move. Property analysis card Your "Credibility Kit" as a home buyer Taxation of non resident investors in US real estate and mortgages. Commercial triple net leases explained Order on line valuation Our real estate investment bookstore [ Home ] [Why own investment real estate?] [ Why most real estate is sold at market price ] [ Where to find the deals ] [ Nothing down real estate deals ] [ Money making ideas for real estate investors ] [ Creative Financing Ideas ] [ Home inspection ] [ Construction problems with older homes ] [ Home construction Estimation form ] [ Tax benefits of investment real estate ] [ Tax Table 2005 ] [ Mortgage interest rates ] [ Income Real estate 10-yr spreadsheet Online ] [ Fixup houses Profitabilty Analysis Online ] [ HUD anti-flipping rules ] [ Buying real estate from senior citizens. Get rich slow. ] [ Real estate investors tax audit guide ] [ Understanding real estate legal descriptions ] [ Real estate investors credibility ] [ Print Rent payment coupons ] [ What is a triple net lease ] [ Commercial mortgage simple underwriting ] [ Commercial loan Qualifier ] [ Foreign investor & US real estate ] [ Real Estate for Sale ] FREE Newsletter! subscribe unsubscribe Site Index Bookstore Contact us Complete list of FREE Mortgage and Real Estate courses Send page to friend Calculators Current, historic interest rates FREE content for your web site About Us & Privacy Policy Forms library Real estate and mortgage Resources Dictionary of terms FREE Downloads Bookmark this site. Internet Explorer users Click here NetScape press CTRL-D. AOL users click the Heart. Mortgage-investments.com is our US Federally registered service mark no. 2,647,595 Free info on mortgage investments, private mortgages, hard money mortgages, discounted mortgages, seller financing. 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Federal Trade Commission -- Search: Facts for Consumers PDF Version Looking for the Best Mortgage Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage—whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan—is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders— thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you should contact several lenders to make sure you're getting the best price. You can also get a home loan through a mortgage broker. Brokers arrange transactions rather than lending money directly; in other words, they find a lender for you. A broker's access to several lenders can mean a wider selection of loan products and terms from which you can choose. Brokers will generally contact several lenders regarding your application, but they are not obligated to find the best deal for you unless they have contracted with you to act as your agent. Consequently, you should consider contacting more than one broker, just as you should with banks or thrift institutions. Whether you are dealing with a lender or a broker may not always be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers' advertisements do not use the word "broker." Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved. This information is important because brokers are usually paid a fee for their services that may be separate from and in addition to the lender's origination or other fees. A broker's compensation may be in the form of "points" paid at closing or as an add-on to your interest rate , or both. You should ask each broker you work with how he or she will be compensated so that you can compare the different fees. Be prepared to negotiate with the brokers as well as the lenders. Obtain All Important Cost Information Be sure to get information about mortgages from several lenders or brokers. Know how much of a down payment you can afford, and find out all the costs involved in the loan. Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Ask for information about the same loan amount, loan term, and type of loan so that you can compare the information. The following information is important to get from each lender and broker: Rates Ask each lender and broker for a list of its current mortgage interest rates and whether the rates being quoted are the lowest for that day or week. Ask whether the rate is fixed or adjustable . Keep in mind that when interest rates for adjustable-rate loans go up, generally so does the monthly payment. If the rate quoted is for an adjustable-rate loan, ask how your rate and loan payment will vary, including whether your loan payment will be reduced when rates go down. Ask about the loan's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate. Points Points are fees paid to the lender or broker for the loan and are often linked to the interest rate; usually the more points you pay, the lower the rate. Check your local newspaper for information about rates and points currently being offered. Ask for points to be quoted to you as a dollar amount—rather than just as the number of points—so that you will actually know how much you will have to pay. Fees A home loan often involves many fees, such as loan origination or underwriting fees , broker fees, and transaction , settlement, and closing costs . Every lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of its fees. Many of these fees are negotiable. Some fees are paid when you apply for a loan (such as application and appraisal fees), and others are paid at closing. In some cases, you can borrow the money needed to pay these fees, but doing so will increase your loan amount and total costs. "No cost" loans are sometimes available, but they usually involve higher rates. Ask what each fee includes. Several items may be lumped into one fee. Ask for an explanation of any fee you do not understand. Some common fees associated with a home loan closing are listed on the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet in this brochure. Down Payments and Private Mortgage Insurance Some lenders require 20 percent of the home's purchase price as a down payment. However, many lenders now offer loans that require less than 20 percent down—sometimes as little as 5 percent on conventional loans . If a 20 percent down payment is not made, lenders usually require the home buyer to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender in case the home buyer fails to pay. When government-assisted programs such as FHA (Federal Housing Administration), VA (Veterans Administration), or Rural Development Services are available, the down payment requirements may be substantially smaller. Ask about the lender's requirements for a down payment, including what you need to do to verify that funds for your down payment are available. Ask your lender about special programs it may offer. If PMI is required for your loan, Ask what the total cost of the insurance will be. Ask how much your monthly payment will be when including the PMI premium. Ask how long you will be required to carry PMI. Obtain the Best Deal That You Can Once you know what each lender has to offer, negotiate for the best deal that you can. On any given day, lenders and brokers may offer different prices for the same loan terms to different consumers, even if those consumers have the same loan qualifications. The most likely reason for this difference in price is that loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Generally, the difference between the lowest available price for a loan product and any higher price that the borrower agrees to pay is an overage . When overages occur, they are built into the prices quoted to consumers. They can occur in both fixed and variable-rate loans and can be in the form of points, fees, or the interest rate. Whether quoted to you by a loan officer or a broker, the price of any loan may contain overages. Have the lender or broker write down all the costs associated with the loan. Then ask if the lender or broker will waive or reduce one or more of its fees or agree to a lower rate or fewer points. You'll want to make sure that the lender or broker is not agreeing to lower one fee while raising another or to lower the rate while raising points. There's no harm in asking lenders or brokers if they can give better terms than the original ones they quoted or than those you have found elsewhere. Once you are satisfied with the terms you have negotiated, you may want to obtain a written lock-in from the lender or broker. The lock-in should include the rate that you have agreed upon, the period the lock-in lasts, and the number of points to be paid. A fee may be charged for locking in the loan rate. This fee may be refundable at closing. Lock-ins can protect you from rate increases while your loan is being processed; if rates fall, however, you could end up with a less favorable rate. Should that happen, try to negotiate a compromise with the lender or broker. Remember: Shop, Compare, Negotiate When buying a home, remember to shop around, to compare costs and terms, and to negotiate for the best deal. Your local newspaper and the Internet are good places to start shopping for a loan. You can usually find information both on interest rates and on points for several lenders. Since rates and points can change daily, you'll want to check your newspaper often when shopping for a home loan. But the newspaper does not list the fees, so be sure to ask the lenders about them. The Mortgage Shopping Worksheet that follows may also help you. Take it with you when you speak to each lender or broker and write down the information you obtain. Don't be afraid to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business by letting them know that you are shopping for the best deal. Fair Lending Is Required by Law The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lenders from discriminating against credit applicants in any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, whether all or part of the applicant's income comes from a public assistance program, or whether the applicant has in good faith exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Under these laws, a consumer cannot be refused a loan based on these characteristics nor be charged more for a loan or offered less favorable terms based on such characteristics. Credit Problems? Still Shop, Compare, and Negotiate Don't assume that minor credit problems or difficulties stemming from unique circumstances, such as illness or temporary loss of income, will limit your loan choices to only high-cost lenders. If your credit report contains negative information that is accurate, but there are good reasons for trusting you to repay a loan, be sure to explain your situation to the lender or broker. If your credit problems cannot be explained, you will probably have to pay more than borrowers who have good credit histories. But don't assume that the only way to get credit is to pay a high price. Ask how your past credit history affects the price of your loan and what you would need to do to get a better price. Take the time to shop around and negotiate the best deal that you can. Whether you have credit problems or not, it's a good idea to review your credit report for accuracy and completeness before you apply for a loan. To order a copy of your credit report, contact: Equifax: (800) 685-1111 TransUnion: (800) 916-8800 Experian: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) Glossary Adjustable-rate loans , also known as variable-rate loans, usually offer a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans. The interest rate fluctuates over the life of the loan based on market conditions, but the loan agreement generally sets maximum and minimum rates. When interest rates rise, generally so do your loan payments; and when interest rates fall, your monthly payments may be lowered Annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and certain other credit charges that the borrower is required to pay. Conventional loans are mortgage loans other than those insured or guaranteed by a government agency such as the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Veterans Administration), or the Rural Development Services (formerly know as Farmers Home Administration, or FmHA). Escrow is the holding of money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing. It can also be an account held by the lender (or servicer) into which a homeowner pays money for taxes and insurance. Fixed-rate loans generally have repayment terms of 15, 20, or 30 years. Both the interest rate and the monthly payments (for principal and interest) stay the same during the life of the loan. The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage rate. Interest rates can change because of market conditions. Loan origination fees are fees charged by the lender for processing the loan and are often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. Lock-in refers to a written agreement guaranteeing a home buyer a specific interest rate on a home loan provided that the loan is closed within a certain period of time, such as 60 or 90 days. Often the agreement also specifies the number of points to be paid at closing. A mortgage is a document signed by a borrower when a home loan is made that gives the lender a right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to pay off on the loan. Overages are the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price that the home buyer agrees to pay for the loan. Loan officers and brokers are often allowed to keep some or all of this difference as extra compensation. Points are fees paid to the lender for the loan. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount. Points are usually paid in cash at closing. In some cases, the money needed to pay points can be borrowed, but doing so will increase the loan amount and the total costs. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender against a loss if a borrower defaults on the loan. It is usually required for loans in which the down payment is less than 20 percent of the sales price or, in a refinancing, when the amount financed is greater than 80 percent of the appraised value. Thrift institution is a general term for savings banks and savings and loan associations. Transaction, settlement, or closing costs may include application fees; title examination, abstract of title, title insurance, and property survey fees; fees for preparing deeds, mortgages, and settlement documents; attorneys' fees; recording fees; and notary, appraisal, and credit report fees. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the borrower receives a good faith estimate of closing costs at the time of application or within three days of application. The good faith estimate lists each expected cost either as an amount or a range. This brochure was prepared by the following agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice Department of the Treasury Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Federal Housing Finance Board Federal Reserve Board Federal Trade Commission National Credit Union Administration Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Office of Thrift Supervision These agencies (except the Department of the Treasury) enforce compliance with laws that prohibit discrimination in lending. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in the home financing process, you may want to contact one of the agencies listed above about your rights under these laws. For more information on home lending issues , visit www.consumer.gov , write to the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or visit the Center's Web site . The following brochures are available from the center: A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-lns A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancing Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage Insurance Home Buyer's Vocabulary Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Rights to Fair Lending How to Buy a Home with a Low Down Payment How to Dispute Credit Report Errors The HUD Home Buying Guide When Your Home Is on the Line Mortgage Shopping Worksheet Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender Name of Contact Date of Contact Mortgage Amount Basic Information on the Loans Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Type of Mortgage: Fixed rate, adjustable rate, conventional, FHA, other? If adjustable, see below. Minimum down payment required Loan term (length of loan) Contract interest rate Annual percentage rate (APR) Points (may be called loan discount points) Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums How long must you keep PMI? Estimated monthly escrow for taxes and hazard insurance Estimated monthly payment (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, PMI) Fees Different institutions may have different names for some fees and may charge different fees. We have listed some typical fees you may see on loan documents. Application fee or Loan processing fee Origination fee or Underwriting fee Lender fee or Funding fee Appraisal fee Attorney fees Document preparation and recording fees Broker fees (may be quoted as points, origination fees, or interest rate add-on) Credit report fee Other fees Other Costs at Closing/Settlement Title search/Title Insurance For lender For you Estimate prepaid amounts for interest, taxes, hazard insurance, payments to escrow State and local taxes, stamp taxes, transfer taxes Flood determination Prepaid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Surveys and home inspections Total Fees and Other Closing/Settlement Cost Estimates Mortgage Shopping Worksheet - continued Lender 1 Lender 2 Name of Lender Other Questions and Considerations about the Loan Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Mortgage 1 Mortgage 2 Are any of the fees or costs waivable? Prepayment penalties Is there a prepayment penalty? If so, how much is it? How long does the penalty period last? (for example, 3 years? 5 years?) Are extra principal payments allowed? Lock-ins Is the lock-in agreement in writing? Is there a fee to lock-in? When does the lock-in occur -0 at application, approval or another time? How long will the lock-in last? If the rate drops before closing, can you lock-in at a lower rate? If the loan is an adjustable rate mortgage: What is the initial rate? What is the maximum the rate could be next year? What are the rate and payment caps each year and over the life of the loan? What is the frequency of rate change and of any changes to the monthly payment? What is the index that the lender will use? What margin will the lender add to the index? Credit life insurance Does the monthly amount quoted to you include a charge for credit life insurance? If so, does the lender required credit life insurance as a condition of the loan? How much does the credit life insurance cost? How much lower would your monthly payment be without the credit life insurance? If the lender does not require credit life insurance, and you still want to buy it, what rates can you get from other insurance providers? The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. January 1999

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ERA - Destin Florida Real Estate - Pensacola Real Estate - Pensacola Beach Condos for sale Your ERA Florida Real Estate Expert for Pensacola, Destin, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key Real Estate. Gulf Breeze Florida real estate MLS Pensacola real estate Destin condos for sale Destin Florida Waterfront luxury homes Gulf Breeze, FL emerald coast realty Navarre Florida Gulf coast Beach Condos Pensacola Florida Real Estate Perdido Key Condos Licensed Florida & Alabama Broker Pensacola Florida, Destin, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach and all NW FL Gulf Coast Beach Communities. Direct (850) 439-1811 Toll Free (866) 906-1811 kim.gibbons@era.com Member Gulf Breeze & Perdido Key FL Chambers Owner Broker LOCAL REALTORS ® I'm a local ERA Real Estate Broker, ready to find you the Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach Waterfront Navarre, Destin Florida real estate or Perdido Key property that meets your specific needs. My Realtors are highly focused on these real estate markets for maximum results. I specialize in: residential homes, commercial and investment property. Types of properties include; luxury Gulf beach front condos, townhouses, waterfront land, luxury homes, Destin beach condos and new oceanfront homes construction. Click luxury homes or Navarre realty information from the Navarre FL realestate eSource. BUYERS I search the Destin and Pensacola Florida MLS Real Estate databases daily for real estate that matches your specific criteria. I then notify you immediately with the latest Destin or Pensacola MLS listing that meet your desired need. Choose Find Homes for Sale and fill in the requested information. I will contact you to confirm the specifics of the property you desire and then follow up with properties you can evaluate, its a breeze! You can also contact me to get automatic updates on homes or condos in the Pensacola and Destin FL areas that meet your specific criterion. MORE EMERALD COAST REAL ESTATE • Destin Condos • Fort Walton Beach Real Estate ˜ ˜ ˜ SELLERS Plan To List Your Property? Go with the Broker with the best internet presence! More internet exposure equates to more potential BUYERS! Our Commitment to You... If you plan to sell your real estate in the next few months, use my CMA evaluation. This free service is designed to help establish the current market value for your property. Simply choose Listing Property and provide the requested information. I will use comparable homes or condos that have sold in your area from the MLS to help you determine the fair market value of your home. When you list your home I make sure the public knows that your home is available for sale by using state of the art advertising and marketing approaches to attract potential buyers. Such as, immediate MLS listing, extensive internet and national directory exposure. Buyer from came to this Web Site in 2004! Marketing Strategy Presentation WHY KIM GIBBONS? 1) Huge Internet presence 2) Florida Licensed Broker, Associate 3) Experience, Multi Million Dollar Producer 4) Extensive Relocation Experience 5) A well defined Listing Sales Strategy , to sell your property! As a respected Emerald Coast professional, I am dedicated to providing the best service possible. Because our industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, I work hard to staying ahead of the competition to best represent YOU and your priorities! I am a Licensed Florida Broker , with that comes a better understanding and knowledge to better serve you. Most agents are not Brokers because the knowledge and testing requirements are very rigorous. I strive to determine your specific needs and work hard to get the results you deserve! Click here to find out more about listing your home ˜ ˜ ˜ Please use my web site to explore our Gulf Coast schools and NW FL communities to find the special neighborhood that best fits your likes and personal priorities. CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU WANT? I can show, sell and get you any additional listing information on realty and condos located in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Destin, Walton and all Counties of North and Northwest Florida. Contact Us MORE RESOURCES Click here to view our Realty Articles . Ivan has left it's mark on the Gulf Coast see Ivan Damaged Houses TIP OF THE WEEK Before you list your property, look at this weeks tip: FEATURED LISTINGS Please take a moment of your time to look at this weeks Featured Listings. 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