In an era of rising energy costs and heightened awareness of conservation, buyers and sellers are focusing on "greener" options, and are looking to find real benefit from professional guidance during real estate transactions. As a real estate professional, I know how to apply innovative techniques to identify properties with green attributes and "green" consumers in any given area. Beyond identification of green markets, I am able to work through transactions more effectively using a systems approach.  I specialize in providing added value by offering a unique perspective on energy, environmental and green market issues.

The concepts of energy efficiency and treating our environment more gently are popular topics currently covered in the mainstream media and discussed by the general public.  Focusing that public awareness on a real estate transaction and the ongoing maintenance of a property are newer ideas.

I offer an innovative and individualized perspective by delivering environmental benefits and energy efficiency information on homes and property to my clients. 

The U.S. Department of Energy is an especially useful resource, providing valuable information and reliable data on a variety of green issues and green building techniques (www.eere.energy.gov).  Interest in (and value of) greener homes and buildings is increasing steadily. Investments in energy-efficient upgrades and improved indoor air quality, for example, can significantly reduce monthly costs, increase property value, and make property more attractive during current or future transactions.

I am a real estate professional with additional EcoBroker® training on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. There are tremendous green resources available in the market and as part of my service commitment to my clients, I help you identify and make sense of these invaluable green opportunities. I am a great facilitator in this regard. I look forward to working with you.  More information can be found at http://www.ecobroker.com/.  You can contact me at home4u@angelboord.com or visit my website http://www.angelboord.com/.  

When I tell people I am a Realtor, I get the big sigh, a down trodden expression and the inevitable question, "how is the market these days : ( ?"  In the grand scheme of things, it is pretty darn good.  Housing is one of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and there will never not be a market.  It is either a buyer's market or a seller's market.  When it changes from one to the other, it is not terrible.  You simply make adjustments.  In order to do this effectively, you need to analyze and understand the market. This is where I come in.  A little education is good for everyone and people who know me understand that I love to dispel a good myth.  If you are not analytical in nature, read on and you may just learn something you didn't know.  This information should not come as a surprise, however, that is not what I often find...

As for the market...I will give you my take on the matter.  The problem we have is that the media has chosen to take a local phenomenon and make it into a national issue.  What weather do you check in the morning?  Is it the national weather?  Is there one national temperature?  No, you check the local weather...because it is different in each location.  The real estate market is just like the weather (and changes just as frequently I might add).  It is localized and should be evaluated from a local perspective.  There are six economic elements that determine the health of a market.  They are:

1. Unemployment

2. Interest Rates

3. Home Sales

4. Housing Affordability

5. Foreclosure Rates

6. Housing Vacancy Rates

If you are talking about Michigan (which most of the news programs are...) then all six economic elements are in the toilet.  The state has major problems, for example 25% of all foreclosures in the country are from this state.  However, if you are talking about Hampton Roads Virginia...

1. Virginia unemployment is at 3.5%, this is the lowest it has been in six years.  The national average is 4.8%

2. Interest rates are at a historical low.  Talk to a mortgage broker or lender is you want current figures but they are consistently around 6% lately and are forecasted to stay there for some time.  You can find out more information on http://www.realtytrac.com/.

3. Home sales in Virginia for 2007were more than 24,000 units.  There were over 49,000 listings so inventory is high and sellers are willing to offer incentives, which is a good thing.  On the flip side, housing prices haven't fallen (actually they were up by .3% in 2007) so home buyers are getting value for their money.  You can find more information at http://www.ofheo.gov/ and http://www.macromarkets.com/. 

4. Housing Affordability indexes are available at http://www.realtor.org/ under local housing affordability index.  In general, the best month was Oct of 2007 where median family income was 119% of what was necessary to qualify for a median priced home.  Buyers that are serious are able to buy and that is a good thing.  It also means that people who need unconventional interest only, arm, sub-prime products are not able to buy and that is also a good thing.

5. Foreclosure rates..everyone thinks this one is off the charts but they would be looking at the wrong local market.  Virginia is ranked 24th in the nation in foreclosure rates with only 0.514%.  Again, you will never get an accurate picture from the media since they generally focus on the top five hardest hit areas of the country because that makes for a better story.  Michigan, Florida, Colorado, California, etc...do not apply to Virginia.

6. Housing vacancy rates should be considered from all aspects including new construction, resales and rentals.  High vacancy rates generally occur when an area has a mass migration out in order for people to find jobs.  This is occurring in Michigan since the market is not good there for real estate, people are unable to sell their homes for what they are worth so they are leaving them vacant and moving to another area to find work.  This is not occurring in Virginia and our vacancy rates are consistent.  You can find out more from http://www.census.gov/.

What I am saying is that a national temperature is no more valid than a national real estate market.  You should base your decisions on facts, not hype and perception.  Talk to a realtor in your local area or do the research on your own at the sites I have listed above.  A little education goes a long way towards making good decisions.  An informed consumer is the best kind of consumer.  Contact me if you would like more information.  Have a great day!

Angel Boord, e-Pro REALTOR

RE/MAX Allegiance 575 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 100  Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Office: 757-217-1900 x110  cell:757-705-0202  email: home4u@angelboord.com

Angel Boord of RE/MAX Allegiance has successfully completed the REALTOR e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of REALTORS.^®

The REALTOR e-PRO^Ò certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

With more than 70% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today's buyer and seller.

"The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years," says Angel Boord of RE/MAX Allegiance. "A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public."

The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO^Ò certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS^Ò stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services.  Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade^®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Angel Boord at Home4U@AngelBoord.Com or call (757) 705-0202.

                Why choose an e-Pro?       e-Pro Directory

I have to admit that I am new at this blogging thing so this may come out more like a rant than an internet journal entry.  I may be new to real estate but I am not new to real estate transactions.  I have always been on the client side of the equation and had no idea how much information my agents had failed to provide until I became a Realtor myself.  My experiences drive my sense of urgency as an agent.  I know what kind of service I expected and failed to receive.  This drives the level of service I provide to my clients.  It is roughly analagous to a doctor who has never been sick.  You will never be able to fully empathize unless you have been there. 

I recently moved to a new area and needed to find a hairdresser.  I am not sure if that is how they refer to themselves these days but you understand, I needed a haircut.  As a woman, this can be a traumatic experience.  I went to a full service salon and made an appointment with a person I had never met.  After talking for a few minutes, she revealed to me that she was 18 and had just received her license in August.  My first impulse was to jump out of the chair and politely ask for the someone with more experience.  I felt this way for two reasons: she was new for goodness sake and what if she messed up big...and she had a very trendy haircut herself that was anything but level and multi-colored in shades of blonde and black.  I did not want to be a test dummy and the image I presented to the public mattered in my line of work.  I have to look professional, not like I walked off the set of a punk rock video.  By the way, do music videos still exist?  Anyway, I diverge.  I sat for a moment and thought about the fact that I was new to real estate just as she was new to cutting hair.  I know people will have the same gut reaction to my experience level as I had to hers.  If I expected anyone to give me a chance, then I was going to have to give someone new a chance in return.  I sincerely believe that you must be able to give freely in order to receive.  I decided to take a chance.  I even went so far as to tell her to be "creative" and give me an easy haircut that looks professional.  You have to understand, after thirteen years in the Navy I am not very high maintenance in the hair department.  I don't go near hairspray and am only slightly inclined to use mouse sparingly.  I could not be more opposite than the young woman's chair in which I current sat.  She went to work with shears, product and hair dye.  How bad could this really turn out to be...after all, I could always shave my head and start over.  It worked for Britney Spears.  It turns out that was the best haircut I have ever had in my life.  I learned a very valuable lesson that day and my young friend has earned a client for life.  Some day she will be old enough to buy a house and I hope she returns the favor.  Until then, take this story with you and give someone a chance.  New does not necessarily mean clueless.

If you would like to learn more about me and the service I provide, please visit my website: www.angelboord.com 

 Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Angel