April's Green Tip Of The Month, Become A "Cup Activist"

I found this great tip on the DailyGreen.com and wanted to pass it on.

Cut down on waste, as well as toxic chemicals in the environment, by using a reusable mug at home, in the office and on the go, instead of opting for single-use containers for coffee, tea and other beverages. Become a "Mug Activist."

If you buy your daily cup of coffee in a disposable container, you are generating about 22.75 pounds of waste per year. Across the country, 25 billion polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) cups are thrown away every year, according to the EPA. That's troubling, because polystyrene takes hundreds of years to break down, and is made of nonrenewable petroleum. Scientists have also discovered carcinogenic compounds leaching out of polystyrene, possibly even into your hot drink!

Cups made of paper products are easier on the environment, but they are made of trees and can result in destructive deforestation. Even recycled paper cups require considerable energy to produce and distribute.

It's wise to use ceramic or glass containers for your hot beverages, because plastics can leach out small amounts of potentially toxic chemicals over time. You also can use this opportunity to market yourself while helping to reduce waste.

Give your customers a personalized travel mugs or ceramic or glass containers as gifts along with a gift certificate to Starbucks or other local coffee shop. Many coffee shops and university food services offer discounts for those who bring in their own reusable containers. Starbucks, for example, offers a 10-cent discount to those with their own mugs, and this encouraged 13.5 million customers to help keep 586,800 pounds of paper from landfills in 2003.

You can also use personalized mugs, ceramic or glass containers for the office. Stop buying those Styrofoam or paper cups to serve your customers coffee or hot tea. I am sure your customers will appreciate drinking from a nice ceramic coffee cup rather than a small Styrofoam or paper cup. You will also save money, help to reduce waste, and help protect our environment.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

KariBattaglia.com, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

March's Green Tip Of The Month

Recommending this tip to your sellers will also help in the marketing of their home and attract potential buyers.



Going Healthy Sells

There are many people with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities and so on who consider top indoor air quality a necessity. Choosing green flooring not only helps the environment but can help sellers market their home and attract potential buyers.


Old carpets can be a real turnoff, and can emit allergens and toxins. Exposing any hidden hardwood floors is a good way to bring out your home's beauty and value. If this is not an option for you, consider the many available eco-friendly flooring choices because they are made from recycled or easily replenishable materials. Some good choices are eco-friendly carpet, recylced hardwoods, reclaimed hardwoods, baboo flooring, cork flooring, reclyed rubber flooring, reclycled glass flooring and believe it or not linoleum flooring. Linoleum flooring does not release toxic fumes and is biodegradeable.


Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

KariBattaglia.com, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Why now is a good time to buy homes in Venice Florida

Why now is a good time to buy homes in Venice Florida? Let's take a look as some of the opportunities and positive indicators for the future of Florida's real estate market as presented by Ron Greene of Sunbelt Title Agency.

Great Prices

Statewide, home prices have fallen about 20 percent in the past year. Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) show the existing home median sales price was $185,400 in the third quarter of 2008, compared with $233,200 in third quarter of 2007. By the way, those numbers are still significantly higher than in the early years of the decade. In 2003, the third quarter sales price was $163,700, which reflects an increase of about 13.3 percent over the five year period. (The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less).

High Inventory

Conditions are ideal for buyers to find their dream home. Inventory is plentiful in all price ranges. But as sales volumes increase, inventory levels are likely to shrink. That reality translates into this advice for buyers: Don't wait too long.

Low Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are still at the lowest levels since the 1960s. Lower rates multiply a buyer's financial power. Even half of a percent can make a sizeable difference. For example, on a $200,000 home, half of 1 percent could save the homeowner about $815 a year. Buyers can get more home for the money, which is a perfect scenario for families looking to upsize.

Incentives to Buy

Federal, state and local housing programs can help buyers make that big purchase. A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid. Talk to your local mortgage lender about state and federal incentive programs.

A Migration Magnet

Even with a slowdown in economic growth nationally, projections call for Florida's population to return to more normal growth levels of about 317,000 a year between 2010 and 2020, similar to the 1980s and 1990s, said Stan Smith, director of the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. That's a lot of new buyers coming into the market.

A Favored Retirement Destination

Over the long term, Florida stands to benefit from the migration of the aging Baby Boomer generation, roughly 80 million strong. Demographic studies show that the Sunshine State's mild climate and outdoor amenities continue to make Florida a favorite retirement destination.

Homeownership Has Value

Realtors believe, and research supports that belief, that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community and homeowners. Studies show that home equity is still the largest single source of household wealth.

Greater Sense of Well Being

Owning a home leads to increased personal well-being. Research shows that people who own their own homes tend to show higher levels of personal self-esteem and life satisfaction, which in turn helps to make homeowners and their children more productive members of society.

Beneficial for Children

Studies show that children raised in homes owned by their families are more likely to stay in school and more likely to graduate high school. They're also shown to have a higher lifetime annual income.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Disclaimer:The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Kari A. Battaglia and VeniceFLHomesBlog.com does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on Kari A. Battaglia and VeniceFLHomesBlog.com represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). Kari A. Battaglia and VeniceFLHomesBlog.com makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information provided herein.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com.

http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Don't Forget To File For Your Homestead Tax Exemption By March 1st

Did you recently move to the sunny state of Florida? If so, please do not forget to file for your Homestead Tax Exemption by March 1, 2009. All you have to do is visit your local Property Appraiser's office to file for your exemption. All applications for Homestead Exemption must be made between January 1st through March 1st of the tax year, if you miss the deadline or you will have to wait to apply for the Homestead Exemption the following year.

What is the Florida Homestead Exemption? Any person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the state of Florida, and who is a legal and full time resident of the State of Florida is eligible to receive an exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes and the additional $25,000 applies to any assessed value over $50,000. What does this mean to you?

Your propertys assessed value: $150,000
Your Homestead Exemption: $50,000
You pay property tax on: $100,000

There are also additional exemptions for Veterans, Widows/Widowers, Disabled Persons, persons over 65 and Blind Persons. For full details regarding State of Florida's Homestead Exemption please visit MyFlorida.org.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com

http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Some recent pictures of favorite state park, Fall Creek Falls TN

Our family visits Fall Creek Falls TN every year. We love it here. Fall Creek Falls is approximately 20,000 acres and is located on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. The park has many gorges, streams, several waterfalls one of which is 256 tall and is said the be the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States and Southern Magazine has voted Fall Creek Falls the best state park in the Southeastern United States. It is about a 11 hour drive from Venice Florida and our family visits Fall Creek Falls annually.

Me by the Fall Creek Falls tallest waterfall in the winter time (brrr, it is cold out here).

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Is a home protection plan a good investment?

A home is typically the biggest investment most people will make in their lifetime. In these challenging times and unexpected repair or replacement cost can be difficult to manage and trying to find the right professional to fix your problem can be stressful. Having a home protection plan won't stop your appliances from breaking down but will help cover some or all of the costs of covered repairs and replacements.

Some of the items that a home protection plan may cover are plumbing, water heater, electrical, pool and spa equipment, air conditioning, and appliances. How much money do you think it would cost to repair your air conditioner should it break down? Depending on the problem, it could range in the thousands of dollars.

There are many different home protection plans available. You can customize your coverage and premiums to best fit your needs and sometimes the premium can be included in the closing costs of a home purchase.

If you have any questions about a home protection plan or home warrantys give me a call, I would be happy to help.


Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

Copyright© 2008 By Kari A. Battaglia, All Rights Reserved.

Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com
http://www.karibattaglia.com/, VeniceAreaHomesBlog.com, FloridaMoves.com/Kari.Battaglia

Winter Stinks

This is too funny not to share to share with everyone.
For those of you up north having to deal with the terrible weather, has this ever happened to you on the way to an appointment?

LOL and enjoy.

Why Winter Stinks Video