Come out to the Neighborhood Stablization Workshop!

The city is hosting a two -day workshop for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. These workshops are designed to help educate interested home buyers about NSP. Lenders and developers will be there to help with eligibility requirements and to showcase homes that are available through the program.

Tuesday, March 30 the event is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Pius V Catholic Church at 2110 Blue Ave. On Wednesday, the March 31 event is also scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m. but it will be held at the Main Library at 303 N. Laura St. The event will be the same on both days so you do not have to attend both.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is a $26 million program utilizing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) money to buy foreclosed houses. Developers purchase the homes and renovate them to strict standards. The homes are then sold to qualified home buyers.

Homes are available in the 32206, 32208, 32209, 32244 and 32254 zip codes. Prospective buyers must make their NSP home their primary residence and complete a mandatory eight-hour credit counseling program.

Families and individuals with an adjusted family income of up to 120 percent of the area household median income are eligible to participate. A family of four can earn as much as $78,000 and qualify for an NSP home. Buyers can own for as little as $500 down and may qualify for purchase assistance.

There are currently over 70 homes in the rehabilitation phase, soon to be available for purchase. All homes are renovated to include Energy Star-rated appliances to lower electric bills. For more information about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, go to http://www.nspjax.com/ or call 904-398-HOME (4663).

RADO will be there among many others. Come check it out!

Green Initiatives Post: Buy Energy Star Rated Appliances

"Look For The ENERGY STAR Label If a product has the ENERGY STAR seal, it meets certain energy efficiency standards. Home appliances, electronics, windows, and roofing are just a few of the products that can qualify, so check a product’s box or manual, or speak to a salesperson to see if it is ENERGY STAR compliant. In 2006, ENERGY STAR products helped US consumers save an estimated $14 billion on their utility bills. In addition to energy savings, there are rebates and federal tax credits available for some ENERGY STAR products. Visit ENERGYSTAR.gov or our energy section for more information. (Source: ENERGY STAR)"
-information from http://www.ourearth.org/

Green Iniatives Post: Buy Recycled Products

Step #3 "Buy Recycled. Look for the words "postconsumer" or "recycled" when shopping. There are over 4,500 recycled-content products available including paper towels, printer paper, note pads, packing boxes, sleeping bags, laundry detergent bottles, glass containers, nails, carpeting, trash cans, and trash bags. The amount of postconsumer content can vary from a small percentage to 100 percent, so look for labels that indicate the highest percentage. (Source: U.S. EPA)"

-courtesy of http://www.ourearth.org/

Weekly Credit Series

Credit Tip #7 Try to pay more than the minimum amount due each month When paying only the minimum balance due every month, you end up paying a lot more in the end. For example, let's say you buy a sofa for $1,000 and their is an 18% interest rate. If you only make the minimum payment of 2% (about $20 ) a month, it would take you 7 1/2 years and $800 more to pay of that couch. That's why you always pay more than the minimum or better yet, save up and buy in cash!

Free Energy and Water Conservation Seminar

Free Energy and Water Conservation Seminar

Featured Home : 8384 Chessman Court

Home for Sale! This is a home under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. A city launched program where you could get up to $40,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. These NSP Homes are completely renovated to "like new" condition. Like new means the home gets whatever it needs to be updated . This may include new roof, new hot water heater... whatever it may need to pass many inspections. These homes always include fresh paint and new carpet, new energy-star rated stainless steel applainces and light fixtures. This program is an awesome way to become a homeowner.

Call to learn more information about this home today!


8384 Chessman Court 32244

3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms

1,359 square feet

Mc Girts Creek Regional Park located directly behind the home

Green Initiaves Post

Step #2 Recycle "By recycling materials such as aluminum cans, newspapers, and glass jars, you can save energy and landfill space, conserve natural resources, and also prevent pollution. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, three cubic yards of landfill space, two barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity – enough energy to power the average US home for five months. "
information from www.ourearth.org

Weekly Credit Series

Credit Tip #6 If you feel you can wisely use a credit card , choose one with a low interest rate and no (or little ) annual fees. Usually credit cards issued by department stores or other stores, charge higher interest rates than bank credit cards but, you can always do your research on the internet. Don't pay an upront fee to get a lower rate on a credit card! An upfront fee is different from an annual fee and is most likely a scam.

Working on my next Seminar!

I'm really excite about this upcoming seminar. It is called
"SAVINGS WITHOUT SACRIFICE" (When I make it big like that it seems more important huh? ) and will feature a speaker from the Jacksonville Electric Authority (J.E.A.).
When speaking to Brian Pippin ,who will be the guest speaker , he listed a whole slew of seminars that I could do! I am pretty exited because each and every one of them sound incredibly useful for anyone to attend. Well, and because I'm going to make my significant other attend on the behalf of our little household! So, I recommend each and every one of you attend. It'll be on March 27th. So pencil it in and I will let you know when the date and venue is decided!

Green Initiatives Weekly Series

Here at the Riverside Avondale Development Organization we try to do our part when it comes to building green. For example, we always install energy-star and water-star rated appliances and always use non-invasive plants when landscaping. We initiate clean-ups as well as hosting informational seminars about "going green". Soooooo, that's why it just seems right to have a weekly series on green initiatives. This will be starting today (!) and will continue every Friday until I run out of things to talk about!

*Ten Easy Steps to Conserve*

Step #1 Unplug Unused Electronics.

Did you know that a lamp still consumes electricity even when it isn't turned on? Twenty five percent of the electricity used in an average home is used to power home electronics while the products are turned off. To stop these wasteful and expensive "phantom loads" from happening in your home, unplug or connect them to power strips, which can then be turned off. (Source: U.S.DOE)

Weekly Credit Series

Tip #5 Only apply for the Credit you need Every time you apply for credit, it appears on your credit report. If you apply often, creditors may be concerned that you are using too much credit. Even if you do not open the charge account, your application may raise a flag that you may be having cash flow problems. Avoid applying for credit cards just for fun , a "free" gift , or to receive a discount on a purchase.

RADO's 1st Golf Tournament!

Well, it is all set up and ready to go! Now we just need people! The Riverside Avondale Development Organization is having our first ever golf tournament this October! It feels like a long way off but it'll be here before we know it. It is going to be a super fun day and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Green Street Infrastructure Community Project. Here's the goods...



Greater RADO Open

~ Bent Creek Golf and Country Club

~ Wednesday October 5th

~ 8:00 a.m. Check -in

~ Sign-Up Deadline September 15th

~individual $55
twosome $110
foursome $220
(Price includes lunch, cart and ticket to award ceremony)

~ Sponsorship Opportunities ranging from $100-$500

~ Many prizes and raffles including the Hole in One prize: a 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible!

If you need additional information go to http://www.radogolf.com/ or you can e-mail radocdc@radogolf.com