Sell Homes with an Energy Audit Score

Using an energy audit score for existing homes is a tool to attract home buyers to homes that are more energy efficient.  This is gaining momentum in the newly built homes as reported in this article.  Go Green Lending is ready to help set you apart from others as a Real Estate Professional.  Contact our office to receive free workshop and sales tools materials.

An increasing number of builders are taking advantage of the RESNET HERS Index. Over the past month, builders from California to North Carolina...

READ MORE

 

According to the CA Assoc. of Realtors, Home Affordability is Slightly Down:

Recent price increases has pushed the affordability index lower.  Although this may squeeze out some buyers, inventory remains low and buyer competition is adding some frustration to both buyers and real estate professionals.  One method in creating inventory is using the 203k rehab loan to convert “Passed Up” properties due to condition and upgrade them within the purchase financing.  At Go Green Lending we specialize in turning “As Is” houses into “Ideal Homes”, including energy efficient upgrades.

Read more about the affordability index…

http://www.car.org/newsstand/newsreleases/2012releases/2q2012hai

Learn about Energy Upgrade California at an event near you!

You're invited to attend the following Energy Upgrade California events. Join us to find out how you can get $1,300 to $8,000 back in rebates for energy efficient home improvements, and meet approved Participating Contractors. August is filled with lots of exciting events around LA County. We urge you to take advantage of this special month by attending as many events as you wish including:

For more details: Click Here!

Top Real Estate Brokers are interviewed by C.A.R. CEO

Three minute video sharing the current market conditions of low inventory, technology tips and innovative thinking to set agents apart. Go Green Lending will help set you apart with our free sales tools for turning "As Is" houses into "Ideal Homes" with purchase financing that includes funding for home improvements.

http://on.car.org/creroundtable

GreenPointers: Major Appliances

When shopping for home appliances that use a lot of energy or water, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers, always look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star-qualified appliances save more energy and money than standard models that merely meet the government's basic standards for energy efficiency.

As an added benefit, many high efficiency appliances actually work better than their standard counterparts. High efficiency refrigerators maintain more uniform temperature, dishwashers consistently heat water to the appropriate level to get dishes cleaner, and front-loading washing machines are less abrasive to fabric, helping clothes last longer.

Did you know the Go Green Lending Hybrid loan allows you to include appliances with your purchase financing?

Find out how to turn an “As Is’ house into an Ideal Energy Efficient Home.

Do Green Homes Sell for More???

Green-certified homes sell for 9% more, study in California finds

By Kenneth R. Harney

July 22, 2012

WASHINGTON — It has been a controversial question in the home real estate market for years: Is there extra green when you buy green? Do houses with lots of energy-saving and sustainability features sell for more than houses without them? If so, by how much? READ More…

Go Green Lending offers financing solutions to turn an “As Is” house into an “Ideal Energy Efficient Home”.

According to the California Association of Realtors: Pending home sales activity declined

Pending home sales in California decline
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported this week that contracts signed for previously owned homes in California took a dip in June. The decline in pending sales can be attributed to a lack of housing inventory.

Making sense of the story

• C.A.R.’s Pending Home Sales Index declined 3.8 percent in June compared with May but posted a 4.7 percent increase compared with a year earlier.
• Pending home sales are an early indicator of where sales are headed. Sales often close six to eight weeks after contracts are signed so a decline in June could mean weakness when July and August sales statistics are reported.
• C.A.R.’s report also showed a decline in the number of foreclosed homes selling. Last month, foreclosed homes accounted for 20.2 percent of all pending sales, a decline of 22.6 percent from May and 29.2 percent in June 2011.
• The share of equity sales – or non-distressed property sales – rose to 58 percent in June, up from a revised 56 percent in May.  Equity sales made up 50.5 percent of all sales in June 2011.
• The share of short sales edged up in June to 21.4 percent, up from 21.1 percent in May and from 20 percent a year ago. 
• The available supply of REOs for sale tightened slightly in June, with the Unsold Inventory Index declining from a 1.5-month supply in May 2012 to 1.4 months in June 2012.  The June Unsold Inventory Index for equity sales stood at 3.7 months and was 5.3 months for short sales.

Regardless of the statistics looking slightly better, close to 50% of all homes sales are a DISTRESSED sale in nature.  Most distressed houses are in need of repair or do not meet the buyers expectations.  When you combine that with a low supply of homes, the house shopping process is challenging.  More consumers are becoming aware of the 203k rehab program today than before.  Consider working with a knowledgeable lender with these programs to help increase business and help get buyers what they want, an ideal home.