Special offer

Not only providing an Eco-Green loan , but advice & LEED certified builders also !!!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Group MDRE# 322086

Meeting people on the train My daughter and I decided to take Amtrak home from her "Cheerleading Competition" in Dallas. We decided to take the "Texas Eagle" Dallas to Chicago and then fly from Chicago to Baltimore. This flight was just in case we did not enjoy the long time it took to criss cross the country.

But I must say I wes pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the train as well as the beautiful cities we were able to view as we traveled thru the center of this beautiful country. The 'Viewing Car" was awesome , and provided a great place to meet people.

About 1/3 of the way thru our journey , three energetic young men joined us (Doug, Sam & Michael), and we started a conversation. They have an "Organic Energy Consulting" company , and of course , being a Realtor we had plenty to talk about. They were on their way to Chicago for a presentation and you could tell how enthusiastic they are about "going green"                                  

I currently offer an "Eco-Green" loan in my Rehab seminar as an option for homebuyers or investors that want to take advantage of this healthier lifestyle and the beneficial tax credits. It is a great program , but I always felt that I could not assist these client any further than providing the loan , maybe a parcel of land, a shell and/or rehab property to convert to an eco-friendly living space.

I now have a much better understanding of what building green is all about and can appreciate it much more now.I also feel that I have a great resource in this new business association, to get my clients pointed in the right direction.So many thanks to our future leaders and I hope they are very successful in their endeavor to educate people one house at a time. Reaching their goal towards an eco-friendly living space becoming an industry standard in the future.   Oak Tree

  If you are interested in receiving a brochure or package of information feel free to contact to contact them at this link . I know they will be able to provide you , your clients & customers with a clear understanding of available products, builders, and ideas to work in your area of the country , whether it is urban,suburban or rural they have information and green gadgets for all types of areas. I am very excited to receive my information packet and hopefully they can take the train into the Washington DC area and have an informative seminar for clients in my area

                                                                                   

Don McCoy
John L. Scott Real Estate - Medford, OR
Southern Oregon EcoBroker for John L. Scott R E
Hi Laura...that sounds like a wonderful time with your daughter. The day I am pushing for is the day the appraisers have enough documentation to include comaprissons for energy efficiency and savings on high performance homes. This has got to put pressure on creating incentive loans for the buyer for better built homes
Feb 20, 2008 03:59 PM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Don- I see that you are an EcoBroker so you probably are light years ahead of me in understanding this process , as well as assisting your clients who are in tune with the eco-friendly house. I agree buyers should be granted incentives , but we probably won't see it unless utilities are deregulated (like in Houston) and it becomes a financial necessity for the average American. That is why these young men were on their way to Chicago , the utilities are about to become deregulated in that area. I look forward to reading your posts to learn more.

Feb 20, 2008 04:07 PM
Don McCoy
John L. Scott Real Estate - Medford, OR
Southern Oregon EcoBroker for John L. Scott R E
I really encourage realtors to get certified. It is the best "crash course" out there. The language and application of green is an on going process and it is more interesting then amenities in a home as the focal point.
Feb 20, 2008 04:23 PM
Barbara Hershey
Bath, ME
Realtor, Maine Real Estate

Hi Laura!  First of all, my husband and I were just discussing traveling by train. We've never taken a train trip! It's encouraging to hear that you had a wonderful time...we'll have to try it sometime!

"Green Building" is just now catching on in Maine.  I would love to learn more about it so I could provide better service to my clients.  For instance, I did not know that are tax credits or that an "Eco-Green" loan exists.  Thank you for posting this info...you've convinced me I need to catch up on my reading!

Feb 27, 2008 12:00 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

Hi Laura ~ I have looked at the link you provided and this looks like a great service they are offering!

Traveling by train must be fun! I have a very close friend who travels around the country on a train! One of these days I will join her!

I'm glad you met the three energentic young men and shared their info! Isn't it a fun group to be involved in? Who do you offer your ECO Green Loans through?

Feb 27, 2008 12:09 PM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Barbara - I felt like I took a step back in time to , oh about the 6th grade , we won't mention what year. It seems to me if my memory serves me right we were studying alot about ecology that year !!! I just hope going green can start at the builders level in our area , not just the Rehab level. There is so much to learn, and our business isn't just opening doors and filling in the blanks !!!

Mary - I use a GREAT Loan Officer by the name of Lee Smith, he is here on AR( Loan Officer Gaithersburg, Md ) but he just moves to fast to sit down & blog. I keep trying to get him take a breath and give it a try , someday. He is also a HUD Consultant for 203K Rehab's (Full-blown ones) , so we give a 203K Rehab seminar every month and also provide Investor loans just in case the crowd isn't only homebuyers. We provide the Eco-Green loan at that seminar. Wow  !!Overshare huh . E-mail him and tell him to start blogging his knowledge for us all !

 

Feb 27, 2008 12:56 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Hi Laura ~ LOL! Good for Lee to keep busy at what he does best! It seems to me he is good at what he does and has a good broker behind him. That can be rare! I would like to hear some of his expertise so I will PM and see if he will share just a little of his time with us!!! He has valuable knowledge! I love your enthusiasm!
Feb 27, 2008 12:59 PM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Mary-If you need anyhelp slowing him down let me know  ,and make sure you've had your coffee or RED BULL before you dial those digits.

Feb 27, 2008 01:10 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
LOL!
Feb 28, 2008 12:13 AM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Christopher - Thank you for the compliment

Laura

Feb 28, 2008 04:14 AM