In Texas, as in most states Realtors are required to take M.C.E courses or Mandatory Continuing Education as a part of keeping their license active. 411 Energy Experts has been approved by TREC to teach MCE. Today the company has announced it will begin offering the 411 Energy Experts "Boosting sales with energy audits" a 3 credit hour course. Realtors will have the opportunity to learn about "what is an energy audit" and how it can help save their clients money not only in the purchase process, but after they move in as well.
411 Energy Experts is also creating a whole new website platform to enable Realtors, remodelers, home inspectors and just about anyone else interested in energy or a career in energy to have access to information and education. Set to relaunch in early 2011, 411 Energy Experts will set the stage as the go to place for anyone working in or considering a career in the energy auditing and weatherization field. Stay tune for more information.
Happy Holidays!!
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Showing posts with label 411 energy experts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 411 energy experts. Show all posts
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
YOUR HOME IS NOT SELLING???
We are in a time where older homes are more of the real estate market than ever before. Home builders have had to cut way back on new construction because of the flood of foreclosures on the market. This buyer's market has made it tough for sellers to get the most from their investment. Here are some thing to consider as a real estate professional or individual selling your home.
I work with a lot of real estate professionals and one interesting thing I find is how many do not understand the importance of getting the home prepared for the sale. Don't get me wrong, it's not that they are doing a bad job or are not good at what they do, it is more, they are victums of the rapid change in the real estate market over the last 24 months.
In the past or "the old days" they listed your home, had you clean it up and placed some ads, then bang it was gone in a few weeks. Those days are long gone and savey buyers and investors are taking advantage of the sellers if they are not prepared. Whether you are a seller working with an agent or attempting to sell on your own, here are a few things to consider and ask yourself before you put your house on the open market.
1. How many homes are for sale in my neighborhood or area that are like mine in size and condition?
2.What makes my home a better buy compared to those similar to mine?
3.What is the age of my home? homes over 10 years in age need more work to be competitive.
If your answers are any of the following you need to rethink your stratigy and go out of the box.
1. My home in my opinion is as nice or nicer (curb appeal) that the others.
Buyers answer: Who cares what you think, I am looking for a bargan, the most bang for the buck!..Price, look, location and aminities.
2. I have a nice yard, clean home, good area, great schools....
Buyers answer: Yeah, we like it, but you have a lot of repairs and the house is hot up stairs in the master.
3. My home is 16 years old. I have taken good care of it as best to my knowlege. The air conditioning and the water heater still work fine.
Buyers answer: I want it inspected to find everything wrong so I can get a better price.
If this is happening to you then here are some out of the box things you can do besides cleaning it up and staging the home. Have the home inspected first and find out what is wrong. Then, get those item fixed either way your gonna pay in a price reduction request from the buyer or fix it as a condition of the close. The other big item is have the home energy certified. This can give you a big advantage because you can show the buyer will have significant savings on utilities compared to the other homes in the area.( FYI, less than 1% of home over 10 years of age are to current energy standards). So, chances are your home is gonna beat the competition.
Here in Texas, for example, we offer to do the inspection and energy certification work first then get paid when you sell your home out of escrow. You win with a big advantage and little or no money out of pocket.
The agents love it because they take the haggel out of the sale and the sellers love it because they get top dollar for their home.....Win..WIn.....until next time!
I work with a lot of real estate professionals and one interesting thing I find is how many do not understand the importance of getting the home prepared for the sale. Don't get me wrong, it's not that they are doing a bad job or are not good at what they do, it is more, they are victums of the rapid change in the real estate market over the last 24 months.
In the past or "the old days" they listed your home, had you clean it up and placed some ads, then bang it was gone in a few weeks. Those days are long gone and savey buyers and investors are taking advantage of the sellers if they are not prepared. Whether you are a seller working with an agent or attempting to sell on your own, here are a few things to consider and ask yourself before you put your house on the open market.
1. How many homes are for sale in my neighborhood or area that are like mine in size and condition?
2.What makes my home a better buy compared to those similar to mine?
3.What is the age of my home? homes over 10 years in age need more work to be competitive.
If your answers are any of the following you need to rethink your stratigy and go out of the box.
1. My home in my opinion is as nice or nicer (curb appeal) that the others.
Buyers answer: Who cares what you think, I am looking for a bargan, the most bang for the buck!..Price, look, location and aminities.
2. I have a nice yard, clean home, good area, great schools....
Buyers answer: Yeah, we like it, but you have a lot of repairs and the house is hot up stairs in the master.
3. My home is 16 years old. I have taken good care of it as best to my knowlege. The air conditioning and the water heater still work fine.
Buyers answer: I want it inspected to find everything wrong so I can get a better price.
If this is happening to you then here are some out of the box things you can do besides cleaning it up and staging the home. Have the home inspected first and find out what is wrong. Then, get those item fixed either way your gonna pay in a price reduction request from the buyer or fix it as a condition of the close. The other big item is have the home energy certified. This can give you a big advantage because you can show the buyer will have significant savings on utilities compared to the other homes in the area.( FYI, less than 1% of home over 10 years of age are to current energy standards). So, chances are your home is gonna beat the competition.
Here in Texas, for example, we offer to do the inspection and energy certification work first then get paid when you sell your home out of escrow. You win with a big advantage and little or no money out of pocket.
The agents love it because they take the haggel out of the sale and the sellers love it because they get top dollar for their home.....Win..WIn.....until next time!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Your attic could be costing you money!
In my travels I see a lot of attics and the one thing they all have in common is the attic access. In Texas the attics for the most part are big enough to store boxes and Christmas stuff. The one thing most significant that folks don't realize is that access is one of the reasons the house or the room where it is located it hotter in the summer and colder in the winter.
Most all attics I go into the access is missing insulation over it, this means energy leak big time! People ask me so how do I keep the insulation on the lid? I know every time you go into the attic it's a pain in the butt because the insulation gets in the way or when you close the lid it does not stay on or completely cover it. One way is to purchase a insulated cover, there are many types on the market some are like a tent that zipper open and close other are of a solid core insulated foam.
A lot of people ask me about doing these things your self. I refer to it as DIY, which for some things around the house is fine. When it comes to simple things such as wasted energy most people think well if I seal all the holes I can find and pile up the insulation in the attic and install a access cover that will solve or a least make my home feel better and save me some money... right? to be very clear...WRONG!
You can do more damage than good and in some rare cases put you and your family in danger if you seal your home up to tight and do not allow it to complete what is called air changes. I,ll save the danger side for another blog. In a nut shell have your home audited by a certified BPI or HERS auditor that uses a blower door test. This will pin point the leaks in your home both visible and non and true trouble spots including that attic access. What is great about these test is they also can give you a report of what is needed and where it is needed to make your home perform and be energy efficient. Stay tuned as I will be touching on more information about home energy performance in my upcoming blogs.
Most all attics I go into the access is missing insulation over it, this means energy leak big time! People ask me so how do I keep the insulation on the lid? I know every time you go into the attic it's a pain in the butt because the insulation gets in the way or when you close the lid it does not stay on or completely cover it. One way is to purchase a insulated cover, there are many types on the market some are like a tent that zipper open and close other are of a solid core insulated foam.
A lot of people ask me about doing these things your self. I refer to it as DIY, which for some things around the house is fine. When it comes to simple things such as wasted energy most people think well if I seal all the holes I can find and pile up the insulation in the attic and install a access cover that will solve or a least make my home feel better and save me some money... right? to be very clear...WRONG!You can do more damage than good and in some rare cases put you and your family in danger if you seal your home up to tight and do not allow it to complete what is called air changes. I,ll save the danger side for another blog. In a nut shell have your home audited by a certified BPI or HERS auditor that uses a blower door test. This will pin point the leaks in your home both visible and non and true trouble spots including that attic access. What is great about these test is they also can give you a report of what is needed and where it is needed to make your home perform and be energy efficient. Stay tuned as I will be touching on more information about home energy performance in my upcoming blogs.
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