What do you usually think of when you hear the words "ECO" and "Green"?  For many, the first things that would come to mind are saving the trees, light bulbs, plastics, and overall, our environment to include electric cars and waste. Just in the last year or so, many more have been looking into ECO friendly buildings and homes. I know that we have many faults from the past, that we really need to pay attention to this now. I believe that it starts with the land around us and global warning. We must understand this first, as we venture out into own cities, towns, and local neighborhoods with ECO friendly homes. I wrote about the land around us 2 years ago and this has become more prevalent now than ever before. Please read :

What's happening to the land around us.... (the basics)

So how can we push this forward into 2009 and using concepts such as those by Brad Pitt and others?

Hey Clavin.... that would be Cliff Claven from Cheers, the guy that knew everything.  But I wonder if he knew this....  Did you know that the nation's first "green" residential high-rise was built in lower Manhattan, called the Solaire.  In the Battery Park City development, located in Manhattan, the city instituted mandatory guidelines for all new residential buildings. The Solaire was built and then completed in 2003. 

Which brings me to my next point. Part of this contest is to establish Brad Pitt's fundamentals and dreams of what he is trying to do in New Orleans, specifically in the 9th Ward.  If any of you never saw what Hurricane Katrina did in its devastation, then you must research this. But here is Brad's mission statement regarding the 9th Ward :

"Make It Right is clear: it is to be a catalyst for redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward, by building a neighborhood comprised of safe and healthy homes that are inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking, with an emphasis on a high quality of design, while preserving the spirit of the community's culture."

Here is the challenge.  I applaud Mr. Pitt's efforts, sweat, and courage to get something started, that the government has pledge to help in its efforts. Let's take it one step further. HUD, U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development, with the help of President Bush, pledge millions of dollars in grants and in mortgages because of Katrina. But here lies the problem. You... us... me...  myself...   If the general public is not made aware of the availability of the current programs designed to correct the issue, then what leverage does the industry have in making the public aware that there is a very viable solution to the crisis we are facing. ----- At the President's request, he got Congress to approve over 16 billion in recovery monies, in which the funds were provided through HUD's Community Development Block Grants. 

Hey, I am all for the government, for grants, charities, etc, etc.  But again, let's take this even a step further. How about utilizing the tools that we have right now, at our fingertips. Let's not wait for government intervention, or ideas that Brad Pitt has. Not knocking his "Make it right is helping rebuild the lower 9th ward" efforts. He has some great sponsors helping in his efforts and dreams.  read on....

Here is my take on the whole situation about the ECO friendly environment and how we can educate ourselves and at the same time, make our living space not even more environmentally friendly, but more pleasant to live in.

I feel that we don't have to build new, but rebuild. In the last 2 years or so, we have had record foreclosures. We have had homes deteriorate because we as American Workers can't save what we want. We first need to worry about our families, that it's all about their health & wealth fare. So moving forward, how can we do this.

2 things that I would consider our arsenal of tools, while waiting for the gov't and others as I mentioned above.

1. The FHA 203-k loan. There are 2 versions of this.... the 203-k loan and the 203-k streamline loan. I am not going to bore you with details, you can read about it through the links. This type of mortgage allows you to incorporate all kinds of different rehab costs. Even if you want to add solar panels, new heating, new windows, etc,etc.
   
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      1. A. 203- k
      2. B. 203-k streamline
2. The EEM loans by HUD... the Energy Efficient Mortgages.
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      1. A type of mortgage that allows for additional costs from $4,000 to $8,000 to be financed into the new mortgage, no matter if it's a purchase or a refinance. This type of loan allows for specific improvements to cover, electric, heat, gas, and anything to do with improving your home as an ECO friendly home.

Summary :  Overall, I am all about government, yet I don't want this to be political or that we jump up and down when a celebrity gets involved.

So, Brad Pitt, this is how we can make it more affordable now and not worry about help from outside groups. Let's get back to the basics and fundamentals. "EDUCATION"...  When it comes to mortgages, there are still some programs that are very worthy. And not to sound negative, but I would bet that 50% of all loan officers out there don't have a clue about either program. This is where I think the problem starts and where we need to make sure that we are dealing with a true mortgage professional. Someone that has all of the options, yet that they can explain each one with ease. The same people that care as much as Brad Pitt, but have more than followers and their stardom. These programs mentioned have been at our finger tips for decades and we need to use them to the best of our ability while we wait for funding for such disasters mentioned above. But wait... why do we have to wait for such disasters, when the same programs mentioned above... such as the 203-K loan and the Energy Efficient Mortgage programs are readily accessible now, to help those fix up their homes that they live in. Or just for the fact that when buying a home, you can use these same programs. Please read the links supplied to give you more information on how these programs work.  Thanks

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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2008-2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2008 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!!

Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Belonger