EcoBroker® Green Outlook

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How the Stimulus Benefits “Green”
(And How You Can Position Yourself to Benefit as Well)

By Ryan Moehring

You may think there is too much “pork” in the recently signed stimulus bill. Or perhaps too much spending or too many tax cuts. Its passage may offend your Keynesian or Monetarist economic views, and may, you believe, lead to the very demise of capitalism itself. (OK, that may be going too far.) You may not think we need a stimulus at all—that we should let the free market recover on its own. Whatever your political and economic viewpoint, if you believe our country’s energy policy needs a fundamental change, and that energy efficiency and renewable energy can simultaneously stimulate the economy and help the planet, chances are you are excited about the green provisions of the bill.

To say the stimulus is big is an understatement. It is huge, colossal, gargantuan even. It is the largest spending bill the world has ever seen, which is a frightening proposition to say the least. However, if you can get past the staggering debt created by the bill, you’ll find unprecedented subsidies for the energy sector. Here is an abbreviated summary of some of the energy-related provisions that can impact your real estate business:

$6.3 billion for energy efficiency in multifamily housing getting federal assistance, such as HUD-sponsored low-income housing
$5 billion to weatherize more than 1 million homes owned by "modest-income" families.
$4.5 billion to increase the energy efficiency of federal buildings
$4 billion to repair and modernize public housing units
$2 billion to increase the tax credit for hybrid cars to $7,500
$1.4 billion for bonds to carry out state and local renewable energy and conservation projects
$510 million to repair and modernize more than 4,000 Native American housing units
$500 million to train workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy
$300 million for consumer rebates for energy-efficient appliances
$268 million to remove caps on a 30 percent residential credit for solar, wind, and geothermal
$250 million to HUD to improve the efficiency of government-subsidized apartments

The New York Times released a detailed breakdown of the energy provisions here.

Interesting Facts About the $5 Billion Dedicated to Weatherization Assistance

This amount could weatherize 1 million homes and, directly and indirectly, create 375,000 jobs.
Low-income families will save an average of $350 annually from weatherization.
Every investment of $1 billion in clean energy programs creates nearly 5,000 more jobs than traditional infrastructure spending.

As a real estate professional, you may be wondering how you can benefit from all of this spending. Here are a few suggestions:

You can always contact your state energy office and obtain information about their weatherization program. Once you have this information, how can you apply it?

Do you know someone on your lead list, or perhaps a past client, who could use some free insulation or some caulking around their windows? Why wouldn’t you take the time to connect a potential client with free weatherization money for home improvements that will actually improve their comfort and quality of life?

When the time comes to sell their home, who do you think they are going to call? Mr. Big Shot REALTOR^® with the huge advertising budget? Or the considerate agent who thoughtfully took the time to help make their winter a little more comfortable?

Maybe you’ve already helped a family move into a green home, or have helped them retrofit it. You already know that green topics are important to them, so why wouldn’t you tell them about the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing a plug-in hybrid vehicle?

Do they already have a hybrid? Tell them about the rebates for energy-efficient appliances.

Even better, how about informing them about the removal of the 30 percent cap on residential solar systems? Combine this credit with local incentives currently offered by a number of states and your clients can start producing their own energy for around one-fourth of the sticker price. Now that’s exciting!

Whatever the scenario, you should know that your competition will be putting the stimulus to good use. How will your business benefit? Start planning today.

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Discover more about the growing interest in all things "green" in this issue of the EcoBroker Green Outlook.

Want to know more about green issues in real estate? If you would like to receive information from us more often, just send us an email with your name, company name, address, and phone number, and we will keep you up to date on timely green industry news and opportunities.

Join EcoBroker today to gain the tools to stay on top and address the needs of this changing market. With EcoBroker^® designation training, you can help clients save money, live comfortably, and reduce their carbon footprint!

In the [Green] News

Eco-CEOs Featured on Treehugger
Treehugger lists cool green companies and profiles the young generation of CEOs running them. Included is Charisse McCauliffe of GenGreenLife.com and an EcoBroker International partner. Read about the “eco-hotties” here. Check out McCauliffe’s GenGreenLife.com web site here.

EBay Shows Its Green Side?
EBay is becoming the latest company to promote its green credentials. Alan Marks, eBay’s senior vice president for global communications, said it’s “intrinsic” because they encourage reselling instead of throwing out and reusing instead of making new goods. The company is touting its new web site ebay green team. However, Michael Brune, the executive director of the activist group Rainforest Action Network, says not so fast. Read about Brune’s mixed feelings regarding eBay’s claim for its green business model by clicking here.

Good Housekeeping Seal adds GOOD HOUSEKEEPING GREEN
One hundred years ago the Good Housekeeping Seal was introduced to protect consumers against fraudulent products. This year, in the April issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, a green version of the seal will be launched to “help consumers make the wisest and healthiest choice for themselves and their families," said Rosemary Ellis, editor in chief of Good Housekeeping. Click here to learn how products earn the seal.

Photo Quiz: Gear for Green Building
Can you identify the equipment necessary to make homes greener? Go here to view the slideshow at cnet’s Green Tech web page and test your green visual knowledge. Each photo has a question that is answered on the following slide.

EPA Anti-Radon Campaign Features Builder and Ex-NFL Placekicker Fuad Reveiz
Read what Tennessee builder/developer Fuad Reveiz has to say about the radon-resistant features his homes tout here on EPA’s official blog, Greenversations. Check out the EPA’s newly launched public service media campaign “Living Healthy & Green,” featuring Reveiz, by clicking here.

Could a New Fridge Save You Cold Hard Cash?
“Is your refrigerator eating you out of house and home?” The refrigerator is the biggest energy hog appliance in the house. However, it’s a pricey item to replace. How much could you possibly save? Find out here.

Use Less Energy, Be Eco-Friendly, Save Money
Do green homes look different? Stand out in a neighborhood? Do you have to “bring in green,” or can you buy a home with green features already in place? Find out how three Atlanta area homeowners feel about living in a green home and what they had to do to make it that way by reading the entire article here.

Upgrading Your Cell Phone? Go Green with Refurbished Phones
Ever consider what happened to your old cell phones? Generally, cell phones end up recycled, in an electronic wasteland poisoning our land and water, or refurbished. You can often save money by purchasing a pre-used cell phone. Check out the options here.

Money Saving Tips for Every Home
It’s the little actions that add up to big savings. Homeowners can cut energy costs without having to purchase every energy-efficient gadget on the market. Sometimes, good old-fashioned common sense saves the most pennies. Reducing heating and cooling costs are where the biggest financial strides can be made. Read an HVAC professional’s tips here.

Save Money as Temperatures Soar
Spring has sprung and now’s the time to ready your home for warm months ahead. Keeping your home cool is the goal and it’s possible your utility company has some bright ideas: compact fluorescent lighting, ceiling fans, and programmable thermostats among them. Click here to read about weatherizing a home for summer.

Going Green: Without a Lawn
A well-tended lush green lawn behind a white picket fence may become a quaint notion of the past. Drought-tolerant gardens are becoming a viable option in neighborhoods across America. Some state water officials are issuing warnings about water shortages. Learn how some Californians are dealing with this pressing problem here.

Save Energy? Save the Environment? Save Money? Sounds Good.
PC World’s Rick Broida offers the following tips for savvy use of technology to help you do all three. 1) Remove your laptop’s battery when it’s running on an AC charge. The battery will last longer and you’ll save a couple of kilowatts. 2) Reduce the environmental impact of poisonous unwanted computers and monitors in landfills. Broida suggests wiping the hard drive clean and installing a Linux-based operating system with minimum requirements. Then it could “go to a student, a tech-challenged senior, or anyone with basic computing needs.” 3) Check out online bill paying to discontinue use of paper checks, envelopes, and postage. Most banks charge for online bill-pay; “take a look at MyCheckFree, which lets you pay many major billers free of charge. Alternatively, set up automated bill pay with the many utilities and banks that will happily collect their monthly fees, credit card, and mortgage payments via direct withdrawal from your bank account.” Read the entire article here.

Amazing Art Created With Trash
Take a look at an amazing slideshow of artists who consider every bit of junk that passes by then create incredible sculptures and collages. Theses artists have reclaimed trash and transformed it into spectacular works of art.

Your Local Library (And 30+ More Ways to Save Money by Going Green)
Instead of buying small mountains of books, CDs, DVDs and even magazines that you barely use, check materials out of your neighborhood library, or relax inside the quiet halls and browse on site. Over time, you can save a nice pile of cash. Check out 29 more ways to save the green stuff by viewing this slideshow, from using vodka to freecycling.

World Economic Forum Report Highlights Importance of Water for Energy Production
Water and energy are often treated as two separate but related issues, but this new report stresses the connection between the two resources. According to the report, “the energy sector uses about 8% of all freshwater withdrawn worldwide and as much as 40% of freshwater withdrawn in developed countries (although most of the water is returned to its source, so the amount consumed is much less).” See the World Economic Forum's press release here and the full report here.

Green Video Clip: Green Building News

Click here to navigate to the article and video.

Eco Happenings

WINDPOWER 2009 Conference and Exposition
May 4 – 7, 2009
McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL
The WINDPOWER 2009 Conference and Exhibition is the largest annual wind conference and exhibition in the world, featuring over 13,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors. Each year, wind energy professionals gather at this event to learn about the latest industry developments and technologies, review new products and services in the expansive exhibit hall and network with leading industry decision makers. Register here.
SOLAR 2009
May 11 – 16, 2009
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Buffalo, NY
Catch SOLAR 2009, the blissfully briefly named solar conference. SOLAR 2009 is America’s leading conference on the emerging trends, technology and opportunities shaping the new energy economy. Now in its 38th year, SOLAR 2009 introduces you to the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs moving the industry forward. The exhibit hall will be open to the public on Saturday, May 16, and will include staffed displays of renewable energy products and services. Click here for more information or here for information on exhibits open to the public.
Go Green Energy Fair
May 16, 2009, 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mountainview Studio, 20 Mountainview Avenue, Woodstock, NY 12498
This event features a speaker on Zero Net Energy Buildings and a NYSERDA representative, plus additional speakers. The fair is advertised in NY House magazine, Chronogram, Catskill Guide, Woodstock Times, and extensively on WKZE 98.1. NY HOUSE is the major sponsor.
Contact: Thomas Pignone, kngfu2003@yahoo.com
International Green Roof Conference and Trade Show
June 3 – 5, 2009
Peachtree Hyatt Hotel, Atlanta, GA
The 7th Annual International Green Roof Conference and Trade Show comes to Atlanta in June, bringing together more than 1,000 green roof and wall design professionals, manufacturers, researchers and policy makers from across North America and around the world. There are numerous opportunities to gain profile for your organization in what is a rapidly growing and critically important technology in the green building industry. The goals of the conference include demonstrating the technological and environmental benefits of green roofs and walls and providing networking opportunities for green roof design professionals and conference delegates to interact.
Greentech Media’s Green Building Summit
June 11, 2009
Menlo Park, CA
Greentech Media’s “Forum on the Future of Building” is a one-day symposium on the companies and people shaping the green building market. Sessions will include opinions from architects and builders, debates between policy makers and investors, and presentations from rapidly growing startups. The presentations will be on building materials, lights, control systems and modular construction. To register, visit the Greentech Media web site.
30th Annual Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) Conference
“Green Living & Learning”
June 13 – 19, 2009
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel - Portland, OR
REEA has an exciting schedule planned for the conference this year. The title for the conference is “Green Living and Learning.” With the focus on green sustainable living, Portland, OR was the perfect choice for this conference. This past year, Portland, OR was named the greenest city in the United States. Since green living is the future of real estate, we have invited Doug Porter to be one of our keynote speakers. Doug was a subject matter expert for the REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council) Green Designation Course and Green Elective. If you have taken the Green Course, you have seen pictures of the Porters’ green home built on the Washington coast —what a beauty! Click here for more information and to register.

Green Topic

Green Roofs

Green Roof

Snapshot & Benefits:
Green roofs are roofs on which plants are grown. The roofs are extensions of existing roofs that are suited with waterproofing systems, fiber cloth, drainage systems, irrigation systems, and soil to keep the roof safe while providing an environment where plants can grow. These roofs are beneficial in a variety of ways. The evaporative cooling of the plants and heat reduction from the added thermal resistance of the plants can help reduce monthly cooling costs. This reduction is even more significant in urban areas where the roofs can also help combat "heat island effect," which is caused by reflections off buildings and cars in urban areas and often contributes to high cooling costs.

Click here to learn more

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Web Site of the Month

RiverWired.com - “Good Green Fun”
RiverWired, Inc. is a privately held eco-friendly media company with a network of sites and blogs all devoted to helping people take action to make the world a greener – and better -- place. RiverWired provides must-see, eco-friendly news, entertainment and community to help people live just a little greener. They know the time has come to change the way we live on the earth. Forget cutting carbs -- it's time to cut carbons. RiverWired has six easy-to-navigate categories, showcasing entertaining and engaging material in a practical, accessible format. All to help their audience live a little greener – and have a lot of fun. Visit RiverWired.com today!

EcoBroker News

The City Paper article, Giving green tools to residential brokers, March 2009
The EcoBroker Certified® program sets the standard for agents who want to become knowledgeable about green real estate technologies says William Williams, Nashville's The City Paper news correspondent. Williams suggests that the number of real estate professionals in Tennessee with this important training lags behind the rest of the nation, especially in terms of population, and urges that more Tennessee real estate professionals should undergo this training in order to keep up with the ‘green property movement’ taking place in Tennessee. Read the entire article here.

Denver Post article, Home of your green dreams, Feb. 2009
Reporter Christian Toto tells about real estate professionals who get eco-friendly training and help home buyers and sellers live green. Several EcoBroker Certified® agents are featured in the article who can guide consumers to professionals that can perform energy-efficient modifications to homes and point to the latest rebates, incentives and grants for energy upgrades. Read how EcoBrokers® are helping homeowners save money today.

Entrepreneur Magazine article, Sustainability Emerges as a Business Model. Dec. 2008
The article by business writer Bill Roth features Chris Bartle, EcoBroker® and President of Green Key Real Estate in San Francisco, California. Bartle mentions the growing trend of incorporating green practices into real estate, including how communities have added green data to their MLS systems. Bartle suggests evidence that green properties are selling faster and for more money than others and he estimates that 10-15 percent of his customers are from green-minded customers. Read more on how entrepreneur and EcoBroker® Chris Bartle is making a splash in the California green market.