The green mortgage market is currently dominated by the faster moving smaller mortgage lenders right now, such as Norwich and Peterborough, Co-operative Bank and the Ecology Building Society. UK seems to leading the pack on this, so hopefully some more US ones will come on board. Throughout the next 12-24 months though, some experts believe that a few bigger players will want to play their hand and join the market too. I am still researching the avenues available in . Stay tuned :0
A Green Mortgage, otherwise known as Energy Efficiency Mortgages, has increased in recent years. This is to the increased public awareness of energy consumption as well as the financial advantages associated with owning an energy efficient home. Although not common...They DO exsist!
:)
While traditional mortgages are based on a person's debt to income ratio only, a green mortgage applies the money saved each month in energy cost as income. This allows home buyers to sometimes qualify for a larger loan. This also presents an opportunity for those wishing to remortgage, since energy saving home improvements can be applied once an existing home is certified by a home energy rater.
Purchasing an energy efficient home can also increases the resale value by as much as 5%. A $200,000 home that is certified as meeting efficiency requirements, on average, will realize an increase of $11,000 over a comparable home that is not certified. Another added benifit to Spokane home owners is that they can take advantage of the Energy Policy Act which gives has a decent tax benefit!!!
Sustainability in Spokane?
Sustainability considerations are becoming increasingly important in today's world as
growing populations demand more of the planet's limited supply of natural resources and create
more waste by-products, placing significant strains on the earth's atmosphere and ecosystems.
Sustainability has several definitions but is often described as meeting today's needs without
sacrificing future generations' ability to meet their needs. Sustainability not only encompasses
environmental concerns, but, rather, considers the "triple bottom line" - environment, economy
and society.
As development in the Spokane continues, sustainability should be a top priority.
A focus on sustainability in Spokane should have local, regional and global benefits.
Globally, a sustainability focus can help reduce the depletion of limited natural resources and
contribute to a reduction in those nasty greenhouse gas emissions :) Gas in anyform is bad
(haha) Regionally, sustainability can alleviate
strains on Washington's water supplies and improve air quality. Locally, sustainability efforts can reduce urban
heat island impacts and contribute to sustained economic benefits through lower
building operating costs and productivity increases.
Any Thoughts?
Structural Engineer is a person engaged in the professional practice of consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design of structures (buildings, bridges, or other structures) to safely resist vertical and horizontal loads which include gravity, earth pressure, wind and seismic forces. The structural engineer is licensed through examination by the state to use the title "Structural Engineer".
We don't have many of these in Spokane, but I have found a few on Google. Anyone have a few good recommendations?
BTW: This Photo made me laugh!
:)
As a "reflective thinker", I have often wondered if the Green Movement would fall by the wayside with the recent economic downturn. Thoughts of post apocalyptic wastelands have danced in my head...yes I know that sounds a little dramatic :)
However, despite its reputation for being expensive, there are proven and substantial financial gains associated with green standards. On average, green building increases construction costs by only 1%-2%. A prime example is Naval Base Building 850 in Port Hueneme, CA, which was constructed using sustainable principles and is estimated to save 64% in lighting, 67% in heating, and 43% in cooling expenses each year.
Just something to think about.
Saving the World from Ordinary Service™
At Friendship Based Real Estate ® we live outside the "Box"! We excell at professionally caring for your real estate needs while creating cutting edge marketing to give you the advantage as you sell in this tough environment.
The days of hiring an agent to simply hang a sign, wear a nametag, and wait for the phone to ring is over! We will create a fresh, new and memorable advertising plan that showcases the most marketable aspects of your home. Bad advertising costs you money! We promise to treat you with the respect and care you deserve while giving you a reason to smile!
Have you ever had a experience that only took a moment of time, but changed your life forever? I have....
Here is the story: My adopted grandfather, Ray Murphy, passed away last year in Spokane, WA and I was the one who ended up packing up his belongings and cleaning out his condo. My children were aged one and two and I was already tired to the bone. (With children only 19 months apart...I had not had a full nights sleep in several years.) The stress and grief of the situation combined with my chronic sleep deprivation to create a brittle and ugly layer over my mood and attitude.
So, here I am surrounded the natural chaos of small children packing and cleaning the home of a ailing loved one. They are running through the 50 years of accumulation and clutter while howling like two monkeys on steroids. To escape the noise, I closed myself in his bedroom and started cleaning out his dresser. Among the many bits of paper and mismatched buttons, I found a men's wedding band. I stared at it in the light of that autumn afternoon and time stood still....It took me a moment to realize what I was looking at. My grandfather had never married until he fell in love with the love of his life, Dorthea, in his late 30's. Dorthea had passed away in 2000 and I had forgotten that Ray had stopped wearing his wedding band.
As I stared at that ring, my life focused. I saw a flash of the future and envisioned my daughter holding my wedding band in her hand as she was organizing the final details of my life. In a moment, I knew mortality. I knew death with a finality that was stunning. I was forever changed.
I decided in that moment to live. To truly live. To stop focusing on the parts of life that are stressful, mundane, and unproductive, and to live a live of focused purpose. To laugh with my children and chase them around the living-room with their toothbrushes rather than stressing that they are past their bedtime. I decided to be brave and try a career I could love rather than one I worked 7 years going to college for. I made a determination with myself that I would find beauty and joy in the small moments of magic that everyday life creates. That I would sing and dance without being embarrassed, and cry when I wanted to.
Since then, I have always worn Ray's ring on the pointer finger of my right hand. There have been many times that I have been in the middle of the drama and chaos that is residential real estate that I have consciously looked down at my right hand and re-centered myself.
I know now that the moment that I am in now will be lost in the next. I choose to live.
Sarah Reinhart with Friendship Based Real Estate is one of the most energetic, pleasant and delightful REA's I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I have worked with several through the last few years and none has ever been this delightful and with it. She's efficient and quick she has a knack and what seems to be a God given ability and special talent to work with people as well as very smart and extremely creative. It seems even though one would need money to pay the bills she will most assuredly put the interests and special needs of her clients before hers. My husband & I had one of the most creative and difficult needs as far as combining a residence and a special commercial business property. We had to make sure it was presentable, complete and allowed for a reputable business to be ran from. I believe with the help of the almighty and Sarah who was given direction, grace and favor pulled this off. We found a much desired very peculiar piece of property and it had some extra extra special needs and requirements that had to be full filled in order to get a loan and get it acceptable and wow with her expertise we all did. So hats off to Sarah and her team. She would be an excellent Real Estate Agent for anyone needing or wanting any type of property and I believe she will accomplish it for you. Thanks again Sarah you are great!!!!!!!!! Sincerly, Brenda Liggett.
Sarah is outstanding! She has a unique combination of "caring" and "competence" that makes her shine. She sold my house in 3 hours at full price! -G
Sarah put my worries to rest. She talked me through my concerns and then held my hand through the process. We got full price on our home and sold it in less than a week! -CB
Sarah is a wonderful example of Christ in her business. She follows the golden rule and puts others before her self. She truly cares about my well being and goes the extra mile for my sake. Don't settle for just any agent. Choose wisely. Choose Sarah! - Pastor Mark Hamilton
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
