Tim Cahill MBA, EcoBroker

As a professional Realtor and member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, and the Eastern Middlesex Association of Realtors, I would like to announce my official completion and attainment of the EcoBroker certification in real estate.

EcoBroker is the premier provider of green designation training for real estate professionals. Founded in 2002, the company has built a solid foundation of environmental education and outreach helping consumers and communities take advantage of energy efficiency and environmentally sensitive design in real estate properties.

Through EcoBroker’s unique energy and environmental curriculum, real estate professionals acquire the knowledge and resources to become Certified EcoBrokers®. These real estate professionals assist clients in their pursuit of properties that provide affordability, comfort and a healthier environment, all the while reducing carbon footprints. EcoBroker has thousands of members in all 50 states and internationally.

Having obtained the designation, I am one of only 35 certified professionals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

While it may not always be easy being green, won't you join me on the new journey?

--Tim

Every EcoBroker or NAR Green designee will have a different answer, but here are my favorite top three:

1. Installation of Energy Star appliances - lighting and appliances account for 27% of all energy used in a residence and account for more than 45% of total energy costs. You can actually show how much is saved in a home by comparing the old utility bills to the new, estimated costs by using the Energy Star ratings and your local utility rates. This shows an ACTUAL value increase in the home.
2. Installation of new, energy efficient windows. Current windows are even more efficient than those manufactured 10 years ago, so it would behove a homeowner to consider replacing the windows even if they're 10 years old. Studies show that the new, improved windows can lower home energy costs by up to 15%. So see #1 above and this adds even MORE value to the home!
3. Easiest of all - install a programmable thermostat! By regulating the temperature and lowering the heat or air conditioning by at least 8 hours at a time (while you're at work or at night while you're asleep), you can save up to $150 per year in utility costs alone.

I hope some of these ideas help someone, somewhere! I can't wait to hear what others have to say! Post away!

--TMC

Banks are increasingly recognizing the fact that a homeowner who spends money to improve the energy efficiency of their home ends up have extra money in their pocket at the end of the month - and this can help tip the balance in your favor of getting a higher mortgage amount with an Energy Efficient Mortgage.

Fannie Mae has published the following comparison of a standard home mortgage to an energy efficient home mortgage. Keep in mind this was published a while ago and mortgage rates are even LOWER right now, so your savings could be higher.

Note this example also assumes a builder will charge more for an energy efficient home, but as competition increases and technology improves this is becoming less of a factor. Again, this means your savings could be even higher!

For more information, see CyberGreenRealty's blog.

From my blog on 06/23/09:

"The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Arlington Department of Public Works have released their annual Water Quality report for 2008, as mandated by the EPA. The results are excellent – we’ve got some of the best drinking water in the nation! For the 120 contaminants that are tested for, utilizing thousands of samples every week, every EPA standard was met and the lead test results show that MWRA has exceeded the federal Lead Action Level standards."

For more information, read my blog at CyberGreenRealty's Blog on Wordpress.

-TMC

From my blog post on 6/24/09:

"If you live in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you may be eligible for a MassSAVE HEAT Loan, providing you with the opportunity to get a 0% loan for the installation of qualified energy efficient improvements in your home. The loan amount can not exceed $15,000 and the term of the loan can not exceed 7 years. To apply for the loan, you must OWN and OCCUPY a one-to-four family residence and obtain a Home Energy Assessment through the MassSAVE program."

For more information, read my blog at CyberGreenRealty's Blog on Wordpress.

-TMC