I’m all against using the shingle overlay method of re-roofing for a number of reasons. 

1).  Existing damage to the roof deck remains concealed.  Rusty valley flashing remains in place.  Rotten wood and termites may not be discovered.

2).  Older homes were built to a less developed building code and the roof sheathing usually was not nailed down sufficiently. 

3).  The old nails used to fasten the shingles tend to work out over time and may damage the new shingles.

4). Unless the installation crew is really good, the roof looks less than attractive afterward.

5).  Check with your roofer to verify if the new overlay receives a full warranty.

With construction prices dropping and the government offering incentives to home buyers, is now a good time to leap into ownership? 

Never has it been a better time!  Economic forecasters all agree that this year is the year to achieve the BEST value for a home.  Don’t look back and regret not making the move into home ownership. 

We can help with new construction or help you find the perfect existing home.  Cyndi the Builder is also Cyndi the Realtor.  Cyndi knows real estate inside and out.

Emerald Ventures, Inc. is now a “Preferred Builder” in this beautiful acre plus community.   Located in the historic city of High Springs and just minutes from Poe, Blue and Ginny springs.  Phase I and II are sold out!   Call Cyndi at 352-538-3540 to reserve your lot in Phase III today.  Cyndi is a licensed Builder, Realtor and a certified Home Stager.  Cyndi knows real estate inside and out!  Call today.

Yes, building is coming back and coming back strong.  We have two new projects underway in the Meadows on the Prairie Community.  Amand and Paul have chosen Lot 62 to build their beautiful home, “The Walnut Hill II”.

While Hoang and Kim Loan with their son Jet will be living in the “Meadowbrook” model on Lot 27.  Come watch us grow! 

Clearing begins this week.

Call Cyndi at 352-538-3540 to reserve your lot today.  Only two left!

Install programmable thermostats

Add new insulation

Seal all ducts and vents

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs

Change to energy-efficient applicances such as Energy Star Applicances

Use low-flow water fixtures in toilets and shower heads

Change air filters monthly

Use motion-censored lighting

Use Low E window treatments

Use paint made out of organic compounds

Lot 44 exceeds the Energy Star rating.  This is equivalent to:

• Eliminating the emissions from .49 vehicles
• Saving 2,964 lbs of coal
• Planting .81 acres of trees
• Saving homeowners $447 on their utility bills.

See what one quality built energy efficient home will do!

Yes, you should change you air filters every month.  I recommend every month for one reason.  It gets you in the habit of checking them.  Filters are relatively cheap.  Changing them monthly isn’t going to break the bank and it will become a regular routine for you.  Forgetting them could cost you thousands! 

When I purchase my filters I buy enough for the year.  In my home we use two diffrent sizes.  I order them on line and save.  When the filters arrive I use a marker and label each one for each month.  After you label your filters, store them in a cabinet that you open often.  Each time you open the cabinet you will see the label.  Hopefully this will help remind you when to change it out.  “Change filters” should be put on your calendar or a reminder stored in your cell phone.

Part of the stimulus package gives a first time home buyer a tax credit of $8,000.00.  This is great news for those buyers.  Check out our home located in the Meadows on the Prairie subdivision to use this tax credit on our high efficent home.

Our fairy tale story is over.  We had lunch at a Tia place near Sonoma’s.  The limo soon arrived and took us back to the Airport.  The line was long but we made our flight ok.  It was good to be back in Gainesville.  My 15 minutes of fame was over.  It was a great ride.  I must say that everyone I met during this unexpected event was above and beyond NICE!  The reporters, PIC 2009, the people everyone.  It should be like this always!

I’ve never been to a “Ball” before.  I envisioned a large room with lots of beautifully decorated tables and people doing the waltz.  Kinda like Cinderella.  I wasn’t sure if my dress would be considered a Ball Gown or not.  Everyone wanted to know what dress I was going to wear.  I got my dress from Macy’s in Gainesville.  I think I paid around $200.00 for it.  I knew it wasn’t a designer gown but hey I’m a struggling builder in a bad economy.  My shoes cost four times as much as my dress (I purchased them in the housing boom)  I Like booms better! 

Chris and I got ready and headed for our transportation….a bus.  We had been given tickets to the Neighborhood Ball.  It was located in the Washington Convention Center.  On the way we stopped at three more hotels to pick up other Ball attendees.  I think we had three or four balls taking place in the Washington Convention Center.

The line to get in wasn’t too bad.  We of course has to go thru security.  We had our picture taken by someone in line behind us.  The picture came out fuzzy.  Oh well…..we saw Robin Roberts (from Good Morning America going inside).  She was lovely.  Tall and thin.  We went inside a large room filled with people.  There were several stages set up around the perimeter of the room.  Some food was available with a cash bar.  It was dark and everyone was hanging out by the stages.  A DJ was playing some funky music.  I thought….is this all there is?  But soon the performers started.  Some of the same performers as the concert on Sunday…..Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Stevie Wonder and Nick Cannon as DJ.  Also Sting, Vanessa Williams and of course Beyonce.  She sang “At Last” when the President and First Lady danced.  It was magical.  I got to see the President doing the bump.  What fun.  He’s a cool President. 

We left as soon as President Obama and Michelle left.  What a night.