Articles
The Resurgence of the Energy Efficent Mortgage
By Dave Porter
Just when you think energy efficient mortgages and tie-dye tee shirts are a thing of the past—in a flash—they’re back! But you don’t have to wear love beads to take advantage of the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) and Energy Improvement Mortgage (EIM) programs. Read more...
Carpe Housem: Seize the House!
By Dave Porter
Saving money is more popular now than ever. It’s fun to hear about a great buy on a killer wine, or a steal of a price on a pair of shoes. And of course, there some great deals to be found when buying a new home. But what if the deals disappear? Read more...
Certified Home Performance Report
By Ann Griffin
The report presents an analysis of the market performance of third-party certified sustainable residential properties in the Portland and Seattle metropolitan areas. In each location, a sample of third-party certified homes was selected and comparable homes were found. Read more...
Become a “Solutionist”: Win Over Buyers by Solving Their “Problems”
By Dave Porter
The site agent needs to be what I term a “Solutionist.” In other words, during the “discovery process” the agent finds potential “issues,” “concerns,” and “problems” of the buyer and demonstrates how a particular home can solve them. Another way to look at this is to consider the PG:C ratio. (Pain/Gain to Change ratio). Ultimately buyers need to realize enough pain and/or gain to affect a change in their housing. open the attachment to read the entire article. Read more...
PorterWorks Inc. Issues Challenge to Lenders, the Lending Industry and the Government
Eighty-three percent of US homes (95 million) need energy improvements. The average home is 35 years old. Refinances in 2009 could top $1.9 trillion and thousands of first time buyers are purchasing. But how many of these borrowers will be offered the chance to add energy improvements and decrease their overall monthly expenses? Unfortunately, very few. Read more...
Letter to the President
By Dave Porter
Dear President Obama:
I would like to share some ideas that I believe could provide desperately needed help to our economy and environment. Urgent action is required. Please read on.
Read more...
NAR - The Latest on Appraising Green Properties
HR 2454 Clean Energy and Security Act:
Real estate appraisers will be required and
consider energy efficient improvements and
energy savings. Read more...
NAR - Real Estate Professionals and Energy Raters
Freddie Mac EEM/EIM
Copyright PorterWorks, Inc. 2009
8
Permits the lender to add the cost of energy
conservation improvements to the purchase price of
the house when setting the terms of the mortgage.
Energy Efficient Mortgages – Getting the ‘Green’ for Green Building
BuilderRadio talks with Dave Porter, Porterworks.com (listen to the interview here)
There is plenty of good training available on how to build and sell green homes. Builders and contractors have the NAHB Green Building Program; Realtors have their own NAR programs and EcoBroker. But, where do mortgage lenders go to bone up on green building so that they can adjust their loans to fit new energy-saving construction and retrofits?
Read more...
