Outdoor enthusiasts beware...

7650 Bush Avenue is just minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay, great parks and a wonderful golf course. 

Here are a few reasons why 7650 Bush Avenue is a good fit for the outdoor type:

Bird sanctuary at Ft. Smallwood is not to be missed. 

Soft greens at Compass Pointe are often bragged about. 

Great history lessons at Hancock's Resolution.

Summer concert series at Downs Park. 

If you are looking for more information on some Saturday afternoon outdoor activities, please shoot me an email, give me a call or stop by our next Open House:

7650 Bush Avenue, Pasadena, MD 21122

ML#:  AA8070368             List Price: $527,000 Status:  ACTIVE BR:  4 FB:  2 HB: 1 Adv Sub:  PARADISE BEACH
Basement Type:  Full, Rear Entrance, Sump Pump Listing Company:  Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Agent:  Erik Hart Sunday, July 21st, from 11am to 2pm.

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market - 



Erik Hart
REALTOR®, GREEN, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales 
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

The GREEN Resource

Are you thinking about taking steps to buy a more energy efficient home? Make some green updates to your home? To save some money on your utility bills?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should take some steps to be more informed about some of the options that are out there. The following is summary of some resources that you can use to help you, and your home, become more environmentally friendly.   

Did you know the cost of green improvements to your home can be significantly offset through federal, state, local, and utility credits and incentives?

 

Federal    

      Home Improvements – Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010

        Efficient Cars – Federal Tax Credit Options

Improvements / Purchases made in 2010 will be claimed on your 2010 taxes (filed by April 15, 2011)

        Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) – Appliances, New Homes, Retrofits to Existing Homes

        Brochure: Residential Energy Efficiency Incentives (TIAP)

State

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by State

National Association of State Energy Officials – Funding Opportunities and Resources

Local

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

Energy Star's Appliance Rebate Locator (by zip code)

Utility

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

Programs and Incentives Information from the Edison Electric Institute

Did you know special financing and funding is available for green home purchase and improvements?

Financing and Funding for Green Homes and Improvements

Energy Efficient Mortgages – from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Energy Efficient Mortgages – from Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Green Financing Programs – from myEnergyLoan

Funding Opportunities – directory from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Other Home Guidelines and Resources

Air Quality at Home - from EPA’s Indoor air PLUS Program

Saving Water at Home - from EPA's Water Program

Waste Reduction at Home - from EPA's Waste Program

Find Recycling Centers for Various Home Items – from Earth 911

HOME ENERGY AUDITS:

The first step towards an energy-efficient home is to conduct an energy audit to find out where your home    is losing energy.  They range around $500 depending on the size of your home.  An audit performed by a Certified Rater can include many different tests.  A report is generated with recommendations.  Verification of improvements developed from the report can be a major selling point.  Remember to check with your local utility to see if they offer free or discounted energy audits for their customers.

More information on Home Energy Audits – from ENERGY STAR®

Find a Certified Rater – from RESNET

As an NAR Green Designee, BPI Analyst and overall earth lover, I have advanced training in seeking out, understanding, and marketing homes with green features.  I can help you separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions regarding green real estate. My training in green industry information and resources equips me to provide you with real green knowledge. Feel free to contact me with any questions about greening your life and home.

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, GREEN, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cellwww.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

Smog Eating Roof Tiles

You've probably heard about all sorts of neat green "toys" that are both smart and functional. More and more practical,dual-purpose items are hitting the market as green building continues to pick up speed. 

One such technology is something that any homeowner can use and benefit from daily. If you're looking to upgrade your roof, take a look at a recent post from the Bits and Bytes blog from the National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR Technology® and see what champion of sustainability, Laura Stukel, has to say about this emerging technology. You can also go a bit deeper into this nifty green technology by watching the 3 minute video.

It's simple really. Let's use items that are healthier for us, more durable for the homes we live in, and more responsible for our communities. These concrete roof tiles do just that. And they have an Energy Star rating for added efficiency, which means less money to the utility companies every month.

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market.

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, GREEN, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales 
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
http://www.erikhart.lnf.com/
http://www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com/

Rain Barrel Benefits

Green this, green that...

April always seems to be the month for fellow earth lovers. But did you know that there are many other ways to do something good for the environment besides throwing stuff into the yellow bin, taking a short shower or posting your "Happy Earth Day" posts on Facebook?

Rain barrels are a great example of a way to employ some simple ideas to reduce your overall eco footprint.

                                 (not an ACE advertisement but notice the reused picnic bench)

My main reasons for attempting a rain barrel project:

We were having some standing water issues...now it has been solved.

I was looking for a way to have a water source, other than using our well, for our garden...done.

Always in search of a meaningful project in which the kids can learn about conservation while getting to spend some family time...was accomplished.

Although my initial attempt at the rain barrel was elementary at best, it is serving the purpose for which it was intended. We were also able to construct at a fairly cheap price in comparison to the kits that are out there... and we had some fun doing it.

For more information about rain barrels and some of their benefits on the environment, check out the great article by National Geographic... http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/benefits-rain-barrels-2219.html

If you are interested in some more simple ways to be eco friendly, shoot me an email or give me a call.

Until next time, stay on Top of the Market -

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, GREEN, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com

Greener Laundry (No Dyes Required)

There are so many simple tips to help people cut back on water use and energy consumption, most of which result in extra money in your wallet. One simple example is right down the hall, or in the basement. Welcome to your laundry room, where efficiency can reign supreme -- if you have a newer washer and dryer. If your washer and dryer have some age to them - more than ten years to be precise - chances are they are actually costing you over $130 extra each year through your utility bills.

The time has come to consider (or at least become familiar with) more efficient options. While it may be a small investment up front, your new, efficient washer and dryer will pay for themselves in no time! ENERGY STAR rated washing machines use about 1/3 of the water a standard machine would use. Plus, the dryer cycles complete faster. And who doesn't love that?

With a couple of rating options available for such machines, it is important to grasp the numbers and figure out what the precise benefits will be for you and your family. This concise blog post offers great insight into the electricity and water used for traditional machines versus the more efficient, labeled machines. 

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales 
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
http://www.erikhart.lnf.com/
http://www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com/

Buying or working on a "fixer upper"?

Whether you are considering purchasing a home in need of some light updates, major renovations or anything in between, a renovation loan may be something worth thinking about. Although a somewhat quick summary, below you will find some more information about the revovation loan process.

WHY do buyers consider renovation loans?

When considering the following:

Estate/Short Sales/Foreclosures

Older homes needing updates

Expansion/Finishing needs

HOW is the loan structured?

Total Acquisition Price = Purchase Price plus Renovation Costs

WHAT are some of the different types of loan options? 

FHA 203 K (Full or Streamline K), EEM, EIM

* Streamline - Max of 35k,  No Minimum, No contingency reserve, No Structural Repairs

* Full - Minimum 5k, Structural Repairs Ok, HUD Consultant required, Contingency reserve required, One contractor

* EEM/EIM - Energy Efficient/Energy Improvement Mortgage - allows lender to increase buyers income by estimating cost savings from energy efficient improvements

WHO are these types of loans for? 

Buyers with 640 Minimum Credit Score

Buyers who would be subject to normal FHA and Conventional Guidelines

Contractors that are MHIC licensed, have at least 2% reserve fund (cash or credit access) and can have estimated repair completion of 60 days from contract acceptance date

Please let me know if you are interested in getting some more information about a 203k loan.

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
http://www.erikhart.lnf.com/
http://www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com/

Still paying your mortgage eventhough you are underwater?

Over the last few years, the real estate market has seen some serious up and downs. People lost homes, investors made great deals and the rental market really heated up. But more recently, things are starting to look up. Locally, inventory is tight with list to sale price hovering above 95%. Nationally, new home sales are up...they "rose in September to the highest level in more than two years." (U.S. Census Bureau). But what about those homeowners that are fighting each month to pay their mortgage? These are those people that know that their house has lost market value due to the economic collapse, but are still making payments - on time each and every month. Although these people may have had a hardship - unemployment, decrease in salary, death in the family - they are still making their mortgage payment. On time each and every month. Starting November 1, there may be some hope for these homeowners. Under the current rules, eventhough they will now allow a nondelinquent borrower eligibility for a short sale, their credit may still take a negative hit. Following the below link will bring you to more information - but should'nt the "powers that be" come to a realistic solution to FICO score analysis to allow these homeowners some relief?

http://www.inman.com/news/2012/10/23/damage-credit-scores-could-trip-new-fannie-freddie-short-sale-program

What do you think?

Erik Hart
REALTOR®, BPI Analyst
Severna Park Sales
Long and Foster Realtors
410-544-4000 Office
443-889-6860 Cell
www.erikhart.lnf.com
www.topofthemarket.blogspot.com