Home energy audit rebates still available

With funding made available by C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund, the REALTOR®’s Energy Audit Program (REAP) provides a $250 rebate on a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) home energy audit when conducted by a certified HERS rater. A home energy audit helps homeowners identify improvements that can be made to the home to help reduce monthly utility bills. Improving the energy efficiency of the home is a great way to counter rising energy costs and makes homeownership more affordable.  To learn more about the REAP Program and get an application for your client, visit http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/site/R?i=iNU_WNTNUiuJjxe7-4yzlA.. Go Green Lending can assist any C.A.R. member with the rebate application and the Energy Efficiency Mortgage financing.

Tip of the Week: Faster closings with a General Contractor

This is one of the hottest topics in the industry. Get on board.

Homebuyers Getting Help with Energy Retrofits

Source: blog.car.org

As winter wanes and the cool rains subside in California, talk of one issue is sure to heat up. Not that anyone needs an excuse. These days, everyone is concerned about global warming, regardless of the season. Anyone who is in a position to do something about it is trying to do their part. Experts rant about it, activists chant about it, and politicians …well, has anyone considered that they may be one of the causes of global warming? (Can you say hot air? And lots of it.) On an individual level... READ MORE

2011 California Realtor Expo!

The Biggest Realtor event of the year will be here before you know it! 2011 California Realtor Expo, September 20-22, 2011 READ MORE

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Check out this article that was in the California Real Estate Magazine. "It's Not Easy Being Green"

HELP AVAILABLE FOR HOME BUYERS OR SELLERS IN DECLINING MARKET

Pending home sales plummet in April

In regards to the article in the LA Times above...The 11.6% decline in pending house sales from March misses the point. Home prices are lower. Interest rates are still low and lower.

The decline tells us that home owners and sellers don't know about the FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage or the FHA Rehab loans programs. These are the only loan programs that give buyers additional cash at the time of purchase to fix up their homes. Many homes on the market need some attention, but most buyers only consider fixed up houses. The FHA EEM or Rehab loans allow the buyer to fix the house after they purchase it - all in one first montage, at the best available rate.

This expands the number of home a buyer can consider.

Energy Efficient Mortgage allows upgrades of heating, cooling equipment, windows, insulation, water heating - the systems of the house. The Rehab loan program permits 'cosmetic' improvements - like a new kitchen.

If more sellers and buyers used these programs, we would see less decline and a lot more sales of people turning houses into their favorite home.

Tip of the Week: No HUD Consultant Required!

Housing and Home Improvements in Today’s Real Estate Market

This is a great article sharing the demand for home improvement financing for the current housing stock.  The solution is buying a home with a 203k streamline loan and combining it with an energy efficient mortgage.  At GoGreen Lending we offer this Hybrid loan program to turn “As Is” houses into energy efficient homes. READ MORE…

Save Water, Save Money!

The SoCal Water$mart program, originally scheduled to end April 30, 2011, has been extended through June 30, 2011. There will be no downtime between program periods – the new program will launch on July 1, 2011 and end April 30, 2012. READ MORE

Tip of the Week: You can get an FHA 203K Rehab Loan and combine the Energy Efficient Mortgage with it!

Solar Rebates are Highest in Los Angeles County

You may have heard that LADWP put its solar rebate program on hold. But for those of you in Southern California Edison (SCE) territory, your chances at scoring amazing solar rebates are much, much higher. READ MORE

Empowered Nominated For Best of San Diego Awards 2011!

Empowered is one of only four companies selected for a public vote to determine the best solar company in San Diego 2011. Even though solar is only one part of what Empowered does this is a huge honor and we hope you'll take a few moments to vote for us.

You can vote at http://www.signonsandiego.com/bestof/2011/vote/home-improvement/best-solar-panel-company/ and please vote for Empowered Energy Solutions!  You'll have to be logged in to vote but this is a really easy process. Voting closes June 25th.

The best part is you can vote multiple times - once per day. So as the saying goes, please vote early and vote often. : )

Thanks in advance for your help, and for helping to make 2011 Empowered's best year yet!

Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts Rebates

All customers of the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts are eligible for rebates on a variety of water-saving devices. READ MORE

Tip of the Week: Every FHA Loan is allowed to have an Energy Efficient Mortgage added to the loan.

City of Long Beach - Residential Energy Efficiency and Solar Water Heating Rebate Program

The City of Long Beach is providing rebates to owners of single-family homes, condominiums, and live/work units who purchase certain energy efficient appliances. Homeowners who install Energy Star certified windows, doors, skylights, roofs, tankless water heaters and solar water heaters may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $500. Further, participants may be eligible to receive a no-cost permit to inspect the installation of the qualifying product. Additional requirements exist, and interested Long Beach citizens should visit the website about for full details. READ MORE

The Water Boarding Refinance Experience

Today Kathleen Kosciolek of EFT Guide, published an article under the title of The Water Boarding Refinance Experience". Her opening paragraph reflected her research into a refinance with a big bank lender:

"The average turnaround time for a clean refinance today via a large traditional lending institution is estimated to be 90 plus days. Clean' being defined as a good FICO score of 740 and above, LTV 80% or less, and documented income supporting the 28/36 debt ratio. If you do not place in this squeaky clean category, just ball up the application or make yourself a whimsical paper airplane out of the nice sized legal paper and save yourself the hopeful anguish."

READ MORE

Good news. GoGreen Lending does not use big banks. Our lenders are closing a refinance as describe above in 30 days or less. They understand the concept of performance.

Tip of the Week: NAR Buyer Survey