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Energy Efficiency and Traditional Mortgages

by Betty Stielow

As an EcoBroker, I am able to share with you some of the outstanding articles they have provided to us, this one is on enery efficiency and mortgages and how "green" mortgages are out there...please enjoy the article and please let us know if we can help you find your "green mortgage."  We can be found at www.YourSummitRealEstate.com 

Snapshot & Benefits:
Important and growing opportunities exist to incorporate energy efficiency into mortgages. Much of this work is occurring at federal and state institutions, but regardless of their action there is much you can do yourself with traditional mortgages, home equity loans, and home equity lines of credit. You are probably aware of a recurring theme that energy efficient technologies cost a little more at the time of purchase, but that they pay for themselves over time because of lower operating costs. Current practice places the desires of many purchasers in conflict with the realities of monthly cash flow. While convinced of the benefits of energy-efficient technologies, many struggle to get through "first cost" issues. By using either a home equity loan or line of credit or a mortgage, purchasers are able to overcome initial costs by stretching payments over time.  Monthly payments are often less than monthly savings delivered by energy-efficient technologies, resulting in net savings.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (converting sunlight into electricity) provide a great example. An initial first cost of $10-$20,000 can be daunting to a homeowner who normally must wait 10 to 20 years for savings in electric bills to accumulate to a "break even" point. By incorporating the solar photovoltaic system's "first cost" into a 20- or 30-year mortgage, the incremental monthly cost of solar can be less than the monthly savings on the electric bill.

Estimated Cost Savings:
Your financing method can alter important decisions about what you can or cannot afford. It can make the difference between investing in energy-efficiency and/or renewable energy technologies or not. The housing industry has long known that few individuals can pay cash for a house at the time of purchase, yet buyers know instinctively that they will be better off in a home of their own than in a rented apartment. Imagine how the home building industry would suffer if buyers had to pay "up front" or had to make their own arrangements in financial markets. Using a mortgage as a means of stretching out payments for energy-efficient technologies can save you a lot of money and allow you to enjoy benefits.

Issues:
For new homes, wrapping efficiency and renewable energy into a mortgage may be relatively easy. Organizations such as the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Fannie Mae, Energy Star® , and others offer energy efficient mortgage options for homes that qualify. For existing homes, the most readily available option is to use a home equity loan or line of credit. Residential energy efficiency improvement loans are available through some utility companies partnering with Fannie Mae. For more information on the growing number of energy efficient mortgage and loan options, please see our topic page on "Energy Efficient Mortgages."

Regional Issues:
Depending upon how progressive your regional financial institutions are, you may have difficulty in getting the very best rates. However, armed with information about performance and payback, you may be able to negotiate a rate more favorable than what the bank was originally willing to offer.

Be encouraged by the story of seat belts in automobiles in the 1960s. Initially widely resisted by car manufacturers, safety and security are now critical to making new vehicles attractive to all types of buyers. Today, no car, regardless of how low its price, can succeed without a high level of safety equipment. Like seat belts in the 1960s, energy efficiency is emerging as a new area of competition.

Installation (Getting It Done):
Be sure to consult with two or three (or more) or mortgage companies to discover your range of options. Bigger investments are likely to stretch over longer periods.

More Information On This Topic:

American Homeowners Association - Make the Most of Your Home Equity

 

Environmental & Real Estate Headlines...from EcoBroker, February 2009 Newsletter

Stimulus Package Sets Aside Money for Consumers
How could the stimulus package boost green technology? Money for weatherization and energy efficiency improvements are two areas where homeowners may benefit from the stimulus package. Read more...

Could Your Business be “Green Certified?”
Is there an authority that certifies a company as green? The wheels are in motion, says Andrea Green, president of Globally Green Consulting of Los Angeles. According to Green in a recent Los Angeles Times article, green business certifications are “just getting going.” Read how your business could become green certified soon.

Does Cutting Costs Override Green Business Travel?
Green business travel is a mid-level priority for some companies but, for now, the high costs of green travel is still a deterrent, according to a new survey by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) and KDS (an e-commerce software provider for corporate travel and expense). “The survey, which canvassed 300 travel managers and business travelers worldwide, finds that greener travel options such as high speed rail are suffering in the recession as organizations prioritize cost-saving over sustainability.” Read the entire article here.

NAHB National Green Building Standard™ Earns Approval
The National Green Building Standard™ for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation was approved recently by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The approval signals a new era for the nation’s builders, remodelers and developers and also provides an extra measure of reassurance for home buyers, said Joe Robson, a home builder in Tulsa, Okla., and chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A more expansive third-party rating system opens up more opportunities for homebuilders and remodelers to achieve green certification. Read the entire article here.

Lattes in Hot Water Conservation?
You may count yourself among the concerned regarding our planet’s water conservation but has that ever led you to ponder how many gallons are used to create your morning latte? “It’s just a few ingredients,” you say. But have you considered what’s required to make and distribute all the ingredients? And the cup? And the lid? And the sleeve? Find out how many gallons of water it takes to make one latte here.

More Headlines:

High-Tech and Green Lobbies Have Obama's Ear

Five Good Ways to Get Green Power Into Your Home

Will the Stimulus Benefit Homeowners and Buyers?

Washington Report: Non-Repayable Tax Credit

Washington Post and Trulia Announce Real Estate Partnership

 

Corvette’s on the Rockies

by Tom Harmon

Another exciting week end is in store for Summit County, Colorado.  The county and particularly the Town of Frisco welcomes the annual Corvette’s on the Rockies rally. 

Friday the 23 features a Gymkhana Rally in Breckenridge called “Funkana” and a pit crew challenge in the Beaver Run parking area.  On Saturday, the cars will compete in the Keystone Convention Center in a closed circuit rally.  The week end finishes with a concourse on Main Street in Frisco where the proud owners will compete for show honors. 

Stop by the Keller Williams Top of the Rockies  office for a cold drink while you are touring the automobiles.  It is a great weekend and a good excuse to come up and enjoy the best of the Colorado mountains.

Using the law of attraction.

by Betsy Goodell

There have been a lot of emails going around regarding the law of attractions (see previous blog on Mind Movies).  This is a very strong concept, if you believe in the law of attractions you can achieve anything you want.  Basically it comes down to what ever you throw out into the universe you receive.  If you send out negative or conflicting emotions and dreams you will receive negative and conflicting realities.  Think of your thoughts as vibrations sent into the universe.  The key is to open your hart and ask for what you really want,  then send your positive vibrations into the universe.  I think that doing this helps you focus on what you want and this in turn brings your dreams to reality.  This goes along with the saying that emotions are like muscles, the ones you use get stronger and the ones you don’t get weaker.  Which emotions do you use the most?  Are the emotions you use the most the ones you want to be strong and dominant?  Practice using the emotions that you would like to be the strongest and replacing the negative emotions with positive feelings.  Answer this blog and let us know if this works for you. 

http://www.powerlawofattraction.com/ build grow

So, if one of your dreams is owning a Colorado Mountain home, in Summit County, picture the home, the setting, the view, how you will use the home and the feelings all this produces.  Send these feelings (vibrations) into the universe and continually bring up these positive vibrations up and sent them out.  You may be amazed how well this works.  Answer this blog and let us know if this works for you.

 

Ranking Real Estate Companies

by Betsy Goodell

Buyers, Sellers Rank Real Estate Companies.  Being part of a great company like Keller Williams in this day and age is a matter of pride for me.  Keller Williams’ philosophy of Win-Win or no deal is something I believed strongly in.  The link below from Realtor Magazine proves that our beliefs are what the client wants.  Our office in Summit County service’s the ski areas of Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin and the towns of Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon, Leadville, Alma, Fairplay and Kremmling with caring and knowledge.  Please contact us if we can help with any real estate questions.

http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2009073101

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

by Tom Harmon

I'm often asked if this is a good time to buy a home. Some clients are concerned that home prices may fall further than they have already. They are assuming that the best course of action is to wait for the bottom in the market and then buy. The problem with this approach is that you don't know where the bottom is until you see it in the rear view mirror, meaning until you've missed it!

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates go up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give us a call here at Keller Williams Top of the Rockies if we can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.  Our office number is 970.368.7000.

Free things to do in Summit County

by Betsy Goodell

Frisco

Historic Park and Museum with schoolhouse, jail, and chapel to walk through and imagine how it was for the settlers. 2nd & Main 970-668-3428

 Historic walk.  Pick up a map at the information center.  300 Main St. 970-668-5547

Visit the seven parks in Frisco, bring a picnic and play with most parks offering tables and grills

Hike from Frisco on one of many trails including Rainbow Lake, Ten Mile, Mason Town, the recreation path to Breckenridge, Dillon, or Copper Mountain.  Visit the information center for a detailed map. 300 Main St. 970 668-5547

View the art of glass blowing at GatherHouse Glassblowing Studio & Gallery.  110 2nd Ave 970-485-2909

Visit “What’s Needling U” for a knitting session on Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm.  279 Main St.  970-668-0381

 Take a trip on our fee bus the Summit Stage and get a great look at the County.  View the schedule at www.summitstage.com

Go fishing in Ten Mile Creek or Lake Dillon

Kids Story Hour at the Frisco Library on Wednesdays. County Commons on Park One Blvd. 970-668-5555

Stroll down Main Street and do a little window shopping in our unique shops.

Tax Credit Rebate Extended

by Betty Stielow

Homebuyers that were under contract to purchase a home by April 30 now get three additional months to close in order to qualify for the homebuyer tax credit; thanks to the U.S. Congress’ amendment and approval of the tax credit bill.


Extending the deadline to September 30 ensures homebuyers can take advantage of the tax credit by allowing lenders to catch up on the huge volume of loan applications waiting to be processed.
However, this extension only pertains to qualified homebuyers with existing contracts who for some reason weren't able to close the deal before June 30, 2010 –  sorry, those who were not under contract on or before April 30, 2010 are not eligible to receive the tax credit.

Frisco's Fourth of July Schedule

by Betty Stielow

Looking for a place in Frisco?  Check out our fabulous listings in Frisco by going to our website, www.YourSummitRealEstate.com.

Thanks!  Have a safe Fourth of July!

 

Frisco’s Fourth of July Schedule
Sunday,  July 4th on Frisco Main Street

9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Kids Fishing Derby – Meadow Creek Park (Kids must bring poles)
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Live Entertainment – TBD   – Frisco Historic Park
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Live Entertainment – TBD  - Frisco Historic Park
12:30 p.m. – Fourth of July Parade – Main Street from Madison to 6th Ave.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. -Live Entertainment – TBD  - Frisco Historic Park
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Live Entertainment – TBD  - Frisco Bay Marina
9:30 p.m. – Frisco’s Fireworks over Dillon Reservoir. Best Views are from the Frisco Bay Marina.

 

Mountain Arts Festival

by Betty Stielow

Ranked the18th best Art Fair in the United States by Art Fair Sourcebook!

Friday- Sunday July 2,3,4, 2010

10 am – 6 pm daily
Downtown Breckenridge in the heart of the Breckenridge Arts District - Ridge Street and Washington. Free Admission

Don’t miss this longstanding Art Festival, a crowning jewel of the holiday weekend in Breckenridge!

The 27th Annual Breckenridge July Art Festival is annually ranked one of the top art shows in the United States. In 2009 this show was ranked 18th in the nation by the Art Fair Sourcebook.

This year,we are very excited about our new location in the center of Breckenridge at Ridge Street and Washington Avenue – in the heart of the Breckenridge Arts District!  Mountain Art Festivals is collaborating with the Town of Breckenridge and Friends of the Arts District to enliven and enrich the Arts District on the July 4th weekend.  

This high quality festival will offer a wide range of art mediums such as painting, metal, wood, glass, ceramics, sculpture, photography and jewelry just to name a few. Click here for a 2010 participating artist list.   (My son is in this show!!)

 In addition to the Art Festival, the Arts District will hold artists demonstrations, a chalk art contest and other activities throughout the weekend which will highlight both the Art Festival and the Arts District.  Town of Breckenridge Arts District for more information.

Looking for a residence in Breckenridge near this location, please check out our website at www.YourSummitRealEstate.com for more information on our listings in Breckenridge....Thanks!

Displaying blog entries 91-100 of 243

Contact Information

Keller Williams Realty
Top of the Rockies
605 Main Street, Suite 103
Frisco CO 80443-4802
1-877-KWROCKY
970-368-7000
Fax: 970-668-0198