Real Estate Blog - There's A New Green Player In Town

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There's A New Green Player In Town - www.BuildGreenRogueValley.org

Has anyone noticed there is a LOT of talk about "Going Green" lately? Thank Goodness, like Affordable Housing, Going Green has become "In" - not just in the "Organic Circles", but also in the mainstream. Environmental changes will come about only with major steps being made in this direction. Oregon is on board with this cause, and the State is attracting many Green related industries.

The Rogue Valley has formed a group in support of the U.S. Green Building Council, and more and more people are joining this group. This is the Rogue Valley Branch of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council (whew - THAT'S a MOUTHFUL!), known as "Build Green Rogue Valley" for SHORT. Development of this organization is in the early stages, and the group is determining its Mission Statement. Representatives from local utility, construction, suppliers, organic products and real estate companies have joined this group, as well as City representation.

The first Event, a Green and Solar Home Tour, will be held on October 20, 2007. If you would like to join the tour, go to http://buildgreenroguevalley.org/ or http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/LIFE/710050323/-1/PHOTOS0101 for more information. If you are interested in joining the group, meetings are held the first Thursday of each month - at 6:00PM and are located at:

Phoenix Organics
4543 South Pacific Hwy
Phoenix, OR 97535

Unfortunately, Fannie Mae discontinued their Energy-Efficient Mortgage program, but at www.Qualty4Loans.com we choose to continue to show our support by offering significantly discounted closing costs for homes that receive the Earth Advantage or L.E.E.D. Green Building Certifications. Contact karen@quality4loans.com for more information.

Karen Cooper - OR|CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com
Providing high Quality, Professional, Ethical service to Oregon and California home buyers and owners since 1983. Whether you are taking out your first home loan or your fiftieth, for your home, your second home or for investment, put my knowledge and expertise to work for you.

Posted by Karen Cooper-Mtg Banker|Broker Ashland|Medford on 10/09/2007 12:04 PM

Comments (9)

going green, affordable housing, rogue valley, energy efficient mortgage loan, karen cooper, quality home loans, ashland

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9 Comments on There's A New Green Player In Town - www.BuildGreenRogueValley.org

OCT

2007

Karen,

When did FNMA discontinue their Energy-Efficient Mortgage program?

I was not aware that this happened!!!

Hi Megan - I read a very vague update on EEM's over a year ago, I think. I tried to get clarification from the FNMA contact for that program, but she was no longer with them and no replacement was listed. When calling in to inquire, I was told the program was discontinued. In efanniemae, the program is not listed in their Mortgage Product line up https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/mortgageproducts/index.jsp . The single family guidelines book for January 2007 makes a vague reference to approved lenders approved to do EEM's, but to date, I have yet to find them! Being a strong supporter of Green Building, I chose to devise my own incentives to help clients offset the additional expense involved with meeting the certification criteria. Every little bit helps...

Thanks for your quick response.

I was in a tad of a panic when i read your post as i have marketed the EEM's pretty heavily. They are still available in conjunction with Government Loans and the My Community loan programs.

If you or any one else needs some help, do not hesitate to call or email.

Sorry to panic you. I'll keep looking for the old bulletin, Megan, but if I am remembering it correctly, the FNMA notice said we could no longer use the energy savings to help the borrowers qualify, and that included the MCM program. I'll keep digging around, and e-mail it to you if/when I find it on e-FannieMae.

OCT

2007

Check the June 2006 Fannie Mae Bulletin, Megan. It DOES eliminate EEM feature from the My Community Mortgage programs.

OCT

2007

Karen,

Thank you for your research on this topic and for sharing it with all of us. Green building is an awesome thing, and as such, we should be up on it. I look forward to more articles from you in the future! Have a great week...

OCT

2007

Sarah -there were over 200 brokers attending the Eco Conference in Medford in May 2007, and the numbers here are growing. The Green & Solar Home Tour this past weekend was sold out! Sustainability is starting to gain momentum, and I pray it continues to grow. At Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity, we're building the four homes we will be dedicating in December to Earth Advantage guidelines, so even affordable housing can be built green. Hope you have a great week, too!

OCT

2007

Karen,

Please make sure to let us know when the dedications are happening so that we can get the word out here! Thanks again for your information, it is truly an asset and what I was hoping to find when I started this group! Great job!

OCT

2007

Sarah -

Will do!

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