Green Tip of the month-For your new garden/Lawn

Brought to you from the California Association of Realtors...C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: More drought tips Californians may face water rationing this summer. In response, the California Landscape Contractors Association has provided tips for use by homeowners and businesses.
. Do not use high nitrogen fertilizers during a drought. They encourage growth but the plants will need more water.. Heavily mulch all flower and soil beds. Mulch helps keep water in the soil. Do not use rocks/gravel because they add heat to the soil and moisture evaporates faster.. Mow grass higher to promote deeper root growth and hold more moisture. Aerate the lawn and fill the holes with compost so the water can infiltrate deeper.For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.’s green blog (http://blogs.car.org/) and C.A.R.’s Green Web site (http://green.car.org/).

Or, contact Wendi-Mae Davis-one of your leaders in saving the Environment!

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor
Connect Realty.com, INC.
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll Free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com
www.wendimae@wendimae.com

Unique Homes...

What makes a home Unique...share your photos and thoughts with us. From hunting Lodges to unusual architectural designs to Historic Homes...We have found that Unique properties offer special rewards, and challenges. Read on...there's no "one size fits all" with "Unique" Properties...especially when it comes to selling one-you certainly do need to find another person whom shares the "same point of view" :) We want to hear you thoughts, and see your photos/examples...please leave a comment!

Wendi-Mae Davis, ABR, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor
Connect Realty.com, Inc.
Toll Free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com/
wendimae@wendimae.com

It's time we all give back to our Communities!

Don't you agree? It doesn't always take money...in fact, it rarely does. It just takes a little time, show your Community that you care. Help grow your Community-make it YOUR Community...tell me what you think. Suggestions?

Wendi-Mae Davis
Broker Associate
Connect Realty.com, Inc.
http://www.wendimae.com
www.mycameronpark.com
Toll Free 866-333-6333

How to buy a "Green" home

So...you have decided to join the fast-growing trend of eco-friendly living and want to purchase a green home. As with so many "Green" products currently available, from organic milk to hybrid cars, it's tough to know if the house you'dl ike to buy is good for the environment. So how do you determine what makes a house green? Going Green-Where to start: The first step is ensuring that the house is built to standard. Find out if the builder is a member of his or her local home-building association's green building program.

A good resource for this information is the National Association of Home Builders website http://www.nahb.org the site also features an outline of new home building green standards, which include: energy, water, and resource efficiency; lot and site developement; indoor air quality; global impact; and homeowner education.

Another source of good information is Home Depot's eco-friendly product guide http://www.homedepot.com/ecooptions Buying eco-friendly products is a growing trend with no end in site.

For more information on this, and any other Home buying or selling topic, contact:
Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll Free 866-333-6333
wendmae@wendimae.com
http://www.wendimae.com

Why do you need a Realtor?

Buying or selling a home, or buying investment Property-is one of the most important things one does in their lifetime...other than marriage or having children.

Why wouldn't you want a Professional working right beside you?

In this Supercharged marketplace, you need more than just a Realtor. You need a professional with the unique training and know-how to create opportunities, and identify potential pitfalls up front, and make your home buying experience an unqualified success.

You need a Certified Residential Specialist. A Specialist gives you Exposure, Professionalism, Financing Expertise and Connections, Pricing and Market Knowledge, Negotiaion skills, Advice, Protection, Not to mention Knowledge of Real Estate Law.

Let's Blog...

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate/Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Vice Chair Land Use & Environmental
wendimae@wendimae.com
http://www.wendimae.com
Toll Free 866-333-6333

Energy Efficiency-Learn to be GREEN!

It is easier than you think to be Green...Home improvements don’t have to be epic to relieve utility costs. Here are ideas to start you off-thinking GREEN!

Some things you can do, that cost little to no money-AND over time, will actually save you lots of cash:

-If you have a home office-buy an “All-in-one” FAX, Scanner, and Copier...saves A LOT of energy, and costs you less to operate.
-When you go to bed at night, or out of town-or even during the day when not using your TV or VCR-turn off the power strip...keep in mind, when your appliances are off, but still plugged in-they pull and use power. This will save you anywhere from $60.-$100. a year on your Electric bill.
-Recycling, in general, is huge. It is so much better to buy a re-usable beverage bottle-than to buy bottled water...just think of how much you will save-using filtered water, over buying bottled water.
-Turn up the air conditioner thermostat.
-Change filters often.
-Plant trees on the South and West sides of the home to provide shade and reduce interior temperatures.
-Landscape with drought-resistant or indigenous plants, which retain more water.
-Add motion sensor lights, to save electricity.
-Install a gas fireplace in an addition, such as a den or sunroom, which will extend heat to that room.
-Replace appliances with Energy Star-rated versions. They exceed Government energy-efficiency standards by 10-25%.
-Invest in new, more energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
-Paint your home’s exterior a light color-as darker colors retain more heat.
-Plug up air leaks, which are equivalent of leaving a window open all year.
This can save up to 10% of your energy bill.
-Install double-glazed windows with low-emisson glass, which allow maximum light while keeping out heat and cold.
-When replacing roofing, install light-colored shingles made of material or tile to reflect heat.
-Add insulation in walls.

This is just a start! Feel free to email me-should you like more information or links to helpful energy saving “GREEN” websites!

check out: epa.org

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Broker Associate
Connect Realty
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Toll free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com

Desirable Hilltop View Lot

Location Location Location! Panoramic views of the Foothills and Lake. .69 Acre Residential lot.

Cleared and ready to build! Check out that sunset!

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Vice Chair Land Use and environmental
Toll Free 866-333-6333
www.wendimae.com