Eco Friendly Real Estate Blog: December 2008

‘On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008." This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters). Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will now be available for improvements made during 2009. However, improvements made during 2008 are not eligible for a tax credit.'

‘The bill also extended tax credits for solar energy systems and fuel cells to 2016. New tax credits were established for small wind energy systems and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Tax credits for builders of new energy efficient homes and tax deductions for owners and designers of energy efficient commercial buildings were also extended.' From the energystar.gov website.

Okay, so what can you do for the year 2008? And how do you plan for 2009.

Well, for 2008, you can check your State's tax incentive programs at the Department of Energy's website to see if your state offers any tax incentive for home or business improvements. (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/alternatives/tax_incentives.cfm)

They have a link to a database which lists each individual State's incentives. If the link on that page doesn't work for you, (as it didn't for me) you can get there by clicking on this one: http://www.dsireusa.org/

Also, check the manufacturer's website for a rebate offer. I'm afraid there is not much more you can do than this.

For 2009, however, you can prepare now. Go to the Energy Star website and print out their chart for Federal Tax credits for Consumers, Home Builders and for Commercial Buildings. This will help you in determining which products to buy for the best value.

Lots of great information here. For example, did you know that there is a tax credit for builders of Manufactured Homes if they are built to increase energy efficiency of the heating and cooling system by 30%? Or that there is a tax credit available for purchasing a Biomass Stove (stove which burns biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water)?

Obviously, this isn't a complete offering for what might be out there, but it's a place to start.

I wish you all smart planning for a renewable New Year!

Frances Sanderson, Franklin, NH  REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker^®

I feel that educating our youth on energy savings and protecting the environment is part of my service as a Certified EcoBroker^®, and I'd like to share some of my favorites. They range in age appropriateness and levels of difficulty. Hopefully, your children will find them as stimulating as their Nintendo^®, Playstation^® and WII^® games.

Please feel free to add your favorites to the list. (Be sure to scroll through the comments as the list keepas growing.)

http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/ Touchstone Energy Kid Zone

http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/ US Department of Energy

http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/ US Department of Energy

http://sciencespot.net/Pages/kidzone.html The Science Spot Kid Zone

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/Search?Search=Environment Learning Skills for Life

http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/ Agriculture in the Classroom

http://content.fsa.usda.gov/FSAKIDS/ Farm Service Agency

www.eia.doe.gov/kids/ Energy Information Administration

http://www.energyhog.org/childrens.htm Alliance to Save Energy

These links are presented as a service only. I do not endorse or warranty this information.

NEW ON ENERGYSTAR.GOV WEBSITE...ENERGY STAR KIDS 

www.energystar.gov/kids

Fran Sanderson, Franklin, NH, REALTOR^®, Certified EcoBroker^®

The Greater Asheville area of Western North Carolina has seen an influx of people relocating and investing in real property in recent years. 

As you can imagine farmland (as described in the previous post) is disappearing at a rapid rate. And, where "working the land" used to mean laboring to harvest corn, tobacco, hogs, cattle, sheep, and native plants, "working the land"  now calls to mind bulldozers, cranes, and construction crews erecting residential properties.

Still farming, noted for its impact on the history, economy, and culture of our region, is alive and breathing  in the hills and coves just miles from downtown Asheville. And although you may see a group of new homes rising up in the middle of a pasture while cows look on placidly from the other side of the fence, where the grass well may be greener, planting and harvesting still can be found -and it is taking on new forms.

Luckily, there is particular interest in Asheville in sustainable development as the land opens to new development. One organization focused on eco-friendly development here in the Asheville area is the  Land-of-Sky Regional Council   This organization fosters desirable social, economic, cultural and ecological conditions in the Greater Asheville  and sustainable development.

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Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to  Convivial Blogger Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG  and SUBSCRIBE 

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)    ..........      ............to keep on rolling into the sustainable  world you can create today and tomorrow!. .........................    ............. 

Farming is Alive and Breathing in Sustainable Communities Near Asheville, NC. .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants!  Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved

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Just in the past year and a half we have gone from the majority of people not ever hearing about Green Building/Green Homes- To the majority of people wanting to go Green in their homes in one way or another.  What I find fascinating about this movement is that it is truly a Consumer Driven market right now. 

I mean, who would NOT want a more Energy Efficient, Healthier home right?

Now, I can't speak for all areas of the Nation, but in Houston, this has created some what of a...Frustration.  There are more people looking for a 'Green' New Construction Home (key word New Construction) than there really are homes on the ground.  We can find Energy Efficient, not a problem.  But when we start adding in the Low/No VOC Paints, Caulks, Products- Recycled Content- Renewable Energy and so forth...it is few and far between sometimes.

Then if someone really wants to build, we take in to consideration the cost of New Construction for a TRUE 'Green' built home, LEED for example, this is right now in Houston- quite high compared to what most people are looking for when you take the size of home desired, features that they want IN the home...we are looking at about $200 per square foot NOT counting the cost of land vs. $80-$120 for resales or just Energy Efficient or minimally Green.  That is a pretty big leap.

Not taking in to consideration the cost, part of this is a numbers game.  How many buyers are there vs. New Construction Inventory homes right now?  Probably quite a few more buyers. 

But what if we change that scenario to How many buyers are there vs. Homes on the Market right now?  Now we are talking! 

On my other blog I have just finished a series called the 'Hypothetical Remodel' where myself and some of the Green Building Experts around town decided to put something together on how exactly Homebuyers can Purchase and existing Home with the Floorplan, Location and other features desired, use a Conventional 30 Year Fixed Renovation Loan to 'Green' up the house.

Remember how the cost difference was between $80 and $120 per sq ft?  That is a lot of room in many cases to be able to Renovate about any home out there to YOUR desire.  It would have the Cosmetic features such as tile, countertops, etc that you want in a home with everything else to fit the Buyers needs.

Here is a basic breakdown of how it works:

• Make sure that you qualify for a Conventional Loan for a desired purchase amount
• Find the home you want..with a great imagination of course of what the home COULD look like
• Once we get the contract written, call out some contractors and designers!
• An Energy Audit is Essential here also to get it more Energy Efficient
• Get the bids for the work, the home will be appraised for AFTER Renovation Value
• Once you close on the home, the work should be complete in no more than 60 Days

Personally, I forsee a lot of interest in these kind of loans over the next couple of years.  I think we will start seeing more and more banks offering them.  For now, I have only found ONE in the entire State of Texas.  Why? Because this is still a 5% down Conventional Mortgage and you do not have to pay Home Improvement Loan like Interest Rates..5.5% as of last Friday!

This is all just another way to Go Green when buying a home.  If you would like to read the Entire Series on how we went about doing this, Master Bathroom Designs and ALL- You can find it in the link below.  I put all 7 parts of the Series in one PDF E-Book for Convenience. Just click below:

How To Buy a Home and Renovate it GREEN

Also, keep your eyes out for some exciting information about what is coming in 2009 through TurningHoustonGreen!  An 8 Part Series of Webinars starting at the end of January with myself and Houston's very own Michael Strong with Brothers Strong going in to detail about how to Green up the Existing Home!

If you are thinking about Buying a home to Green Up, or just thinking about 'Greening UP' the home you already own, you may want to tune in!

-FRIENDLY BUYERS' CONNECTIONS & RELOCATING in the Asheville, NC Area

Wee GREEN tree house (see photo I took not long ago) or grand sustainable estate, there's no doubt about it, even moving to beautiful ASHEVILLE, NC can be a challenging experience.

RELOCATING to new surroundings can disrupt the flow of your daily life, be time-consuming and costly. Working with us to scout out and secure that "perfect" eco-friendly property, while it is an exciting adventure, can also bring up concerns.

That transition needs thoughtful coordination. Not to worry...we can help! Actually, we enjoy providing eco-friendly information and details of interest to you. The "winds of change' blow gently when we are around.

Below you will find information about relocating to the Greater Asheville area - information specific to"GREEN" eco-friendly real estate ...especially for sustainable real estate Buyers and investors.


ECO-Friendly BUYERS' CONNECTIONS GREEN Resources for Buyers in The Greater Asheville NC Area
and in the Foothills of South Carolina TELL US WHAT I MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU

Will GREEN Features such as:
Agriculture
Air Quality
Green Building
Consumer Wellness
GREEN Development ECO-Communities
Eco Development
Energy Efficiency Resource Efficiency
Sustainability
Resource Management
Resource Conservation
Sustainable Development  ...be on your list of "must haves"?


As Buyers' Brokers and Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants we love the idea of hitting the bulls-eye when it comes to the eco-friendly, sustainable property you desire. Many years of experience in representing Buyers of sustainable real estatehelped us create this eco-friendly handcrafted survey-
Your dream property may be land for a small farm bordered by a stream, a large conservation acreage for a family legacy, ECO-oriented investment properties, 1031s, an equestrian property of small horse farm. (see photo) Or it may be a GREEN home in the Greater Asheville or Foothills of South Carolina. Tell us what is most important to you. When we get your survey back, we will respond promptly. Then we are able to refine the details and send you a report by email. DESIGN YOUR DREAM HERE

Here is a handly list of NC ENERGY EFFICIENCY $$$ SAVINGS "GREEN" Tax Credits

Consumer tax credits: www.ase.org/taxcredits
All efficiency incentives: http://www.energytaxincentives.org/
Tax rules and forms: http://www.irs.gov/
Federal and State, all incentives: http://www.dsireusa.org/
North Carolina Solar Center programs
http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/
A Few Internet Resources
Energy Efficiency Information (tax credits and more):
http://www.energystar.gov/
NC SOLAR http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/
SC FOOTHILLS South Carolina Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives


Here is helpful information on the First-Time Home Buyers' TAX CREDIT INFO
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/
Who is eligible to claim the $7,500 tax credit?
What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?

Here is GREEN REAL ESTATE INFORMATION FOR ECO-FRIENDLY BUYERS

NC HealthyBuilt® Homes Information and Real Estate and Conservation Land Trusts



GREEN BUILDERS , ECO-DEVELOPERS & SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS


Here is a list of green builders , eco-developers and eco-friendly support professionals we have met and worked with over the years. We compiled it for those who may be investing in land or who choose to build new or renovate in a sustainable fashion. We have found that those mentioned here have charged themselves with the goal of contributing to the health of our planet; building healthy homes that are structurally sound and ecologically friendly. and that they keep abreast of sustainable innovation.

Appropriate Building Solutions, Inc.
http://www.abuildingsolution.comhttp://www.abuildingsolution.com/

DEMOS Builders
Jim Demos
http://www.demosbuilders.com/


Jade Mountain Builders
Hans Doellgast
216-3948

JAG Construction
Jody Guokas
216-0941


QED Solutions
Dan Edwards
273-8256
dan@qedsolutions.us


Rare Earth Builders
Mark Bondurant
http://www.rareearthbuilders.com/


ECO- Support Professionals

Home Energy Partners(HEP) provides high performance building consultation and services to homebuyers, contractors, organizations, real estate agents and lenders. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and building science techniques to asses and repair health, comfort and energy concerns within new and existing buildings. HEP is an Energy Star Partner and administers the Greater Asheville Area HealthyBuilt Homes Certification.http://www.homeenergypartners.com/


Samsel Architects, 20-year history, a key design principle of Samsel Architects has been the thoughtful integration of the natural and built environment. We incorporate these qualities into all our projects with high efficiency building envelopes, solar energy considerations, water conservation techniques and resource-efficient, healthy materials. We provide architectural services for residences, commercial, institutions, renovations and historic preservation projects. Each of our designs draws on the special character of our region as well as the individual features of the project site.http://www.samselarchitects.com/


Sundance Power Systems, Southeast's premier renewable energy company, serving residential and commercial clients since 1995. Our technical expertise includes design and installation of solar hot water and radiant floor heating systems, as well as solar, wind, and micro-hydroelectric power systems. We also serve our customers by providing information on tax credits for renewable energy systems, and help establish grid-tie partnerships with NC Green Power. With the energy of the sun, wind and water, we empower people to participate in the solution to our energy challenges. http://www.sundancepower.com/


Architects
Alice Dodson alicedodson@charter.net

Ken Gaylord Architect/Black Hawk http://www.kengaylord.com/

ArchiterraChristopher larson@toast.net

Daryl Rantis, Architect http://www.rantisarchitects.com/

More GREEN FEATURED

www.earthpaint.net/index.htm

http://www.equinoxenvironmental.com/

http://www.innovahomes.net/



GENERAL RELOCATION & TAX INFO

North Carolina Sales Tax
http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/