LATEST & GREATEST...
In This Issue:
CONGRATULATIONS BROKER ASSOCIATE!
Elizabeth recently passed the California Department of Real Estate's Broker Examination. This prestigious designation is known as the "PhD" for real estate and demonstrates her commitment and dedication to the real estate industry. She is now a Broker Associate with Village Properties.
REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:
This is a look at statistics provided through the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing Service over the past month. They include single family residences and condos, from Carpinteria to Goleta.
Aug 24 - September 20, 2009
New listings: 180
Price Improvements: 179
Pending: 138
break down:
Sub $1million: 94
$1-2M: 31
$2-4M: 10
$4-8M: 0
$8M+:1
Closed: 118
Off Market*: 144
Back On market: 56
*Some have asked what "off the market" means. Houses come off for many different reasons; refinancing, switching agents, decide not to sell, renting them out instead...every house has a different story.
GREEN NEWS:
Movegreen Santa Barbara Provides Free Electronic Waste Recycling
Electronic waste can be dropped at Movegreen's headquarters at 747 S. Kellogg Avenue. Movegreen will pick up quantities of e-waste for a small fee.
As part of a partnership with ASL Recycling's GREENetwork, Movegreen of Goleta has begun providing a free electronic waste recycling service for the community.
Other than recycling electronic waste, Movegreen's main objective is to provide eco-friendly moving services at competitive prices. As the first and only local eco-friendly moving company, Movegreen provides the same benefits as any other professional mover but employs environmentally friendly practices.
All packaging is reused and/or recycled, and Movegreen offers reusable plastic bins to eliminate the use of cardboard. The trucks are new and clean and run on B20 biodiesel. To minimize the use of paper, Movegreen uses tablet PCs for free in-home estimates and prints all documents double sided. Movegreen maintains a carbon-neutral business by planting 10 trees with every move and buying carbon credits to offset carbon dioxide emissions.
Europe's Lightbulb Phase-Out Begins
Energy saving lightbulbs are set to become the norm across Europe as a continent-wide phase-out of traditional bulbs begins next month.
From 1 September, 100w and frosted lightbulbs will be phased out from shops across Europe. Shops will be able to sell-off current stock, but it will be illegal for them to place new orders for the banned lightbulbs.
The move will save an estimated 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by 2020, because energy efficient lightbulbs use up to 80% less energy.
"We can no longer rely on light bulbs which waste 95% of their energy as heat," said Dan Norris, British environment minister.
We are glad the EU has put this measure in place to stop the waste of energy and money from old fashioned high energy bulbs.
"The UK has had a successful voluntary initiative in place for a few years, and now the rest of the EU will follow suit on a mandatory basis." The government estimates that a typical household will save £37 per year on their energy bill by using energy efficient lightbulbs. by David Masters August 26, 2009 http://www.fairhome.co.uk/
COMMUNITY:
Grand Opening!!!
October 29, 2009 from 4:00 to 7:00pm
SB Contractors Association Office
914 A Santa Barbara Street
(near Ensemble Theater & Playa Azul)
Rain Barrel Sale Tomorrow
SBCC's Shoreline Parking Lot 3
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009: 9-4 pm
Cost: $50 Valued at $120.
Container is 55 gallons, eco-friendly, easy to install and all accessories are included.
The sale, sponsored by the SB County Water Agency and Project Clean Water will be held at the corner of Shoreline and Loma Alta Drive. Cash or Check Only!
For more information, call (805) 568-3546 http://www.cvwd.net/documents/h2know09_sept2_000.pdf
GET INVOLVED:
"Fresh Greens
dance to the new green beat..."
Tuesdays in October 2009, 5:30-7:30 pm
The Faulkner Gallery, SB Central Library
How can we thrive in a world of economic uncertainty, peak oil, and climate change? Hear personal stories about simple, affordable, everyday sustainable lifestyles and share your experiences with green living. Visit green homes and gardens. Discuss how our ongoing crisis is an opportunity to create the next major green movement.
DeAnn will be hosting the Green Homes and Landscapes Session on Tuesday, Oct 20th from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Sign up at each class, come to one or all. Please see the flyer on the right side of this newsletter or contact DeAnn for more info.
