GARYANDLANA

Green real estate includes things like alternate energy sources, energy-efficient appliances and even things like better insulation to conserve energy. New “green” homes are built with environmentally-friendly building materials, and may be built in areas that make the homes themselves more efficient. For example, a “green” home may be built into the side of a hill to conserve energy and maximize insulating properties.

Green property isn’t just for environmentally-conscious individuals. Eco-friendly real estate has practical benefits for homeowners. For example, if your property includes energy-efficient appliances and low-flow plumbing fixtures, you can save substantial costs on utility and water bills every month. If you’ve got an alternate energy source, you can use less electricity, thus lowering your energy bills. Some alternate energy sources also generate excess electricity that you can “sell back” to the utility company, in the form of a credit on your bill for electricity that you do use.

The government is getting on board with “green” housing, too. When you invest in some alternate energy sources, the government offers tax credits and write-offs that can cover a portion of the cost or the entire cost for your alternate energy sources.

For example, through the end of December 2010, you may qualify for “Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency” to offset the costs of installing energy efficient doors, windows, insulation, heating and cooling. Solar energy systems may qualify for a 30% tax credit if installed before December 2016. For detailed information on tax credits, check with the U.S. Department of Energy.

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There are times when it is better for a person to rent, but most often home ownership has many more benefits and advantages.

About 10 year ago a had a retired aunt and uncle who rented a condo in Las Vegas. Uncle Jim (not his real name) was a retired minister. Throughout his career he and his wife lived in parsonages, which are homes furnished by the congregation while they ministered there.

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Mortgage fraud may continue to plague the real estate industry. Maybe, I am seeing only the 20% Fraud for Property/Housing, as defined by The Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Reasons why mortgage fraud may continue:
1) The escalating cost of housing and the “American Dream” of owning your own home.
2) Licensing for real estate agents and mortgage brokers is much too easy. The requirements for licensing need to require a greater level of education, more than a high school degree as a prerequisite for licensing and harder licensing requirements, such as more pre-licensing education and harder tests. This will result in better people and less people entering the real estate profession.
3) Lenders need to offer less loan programs, for example, stated income loans (some refer to this as inflated income loans) and no doc (no documentation loans).

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