Knowledgeable & Customer-Focused Agents
Curley’s Home Services is partnering with Southern California real estate agents to provide credibility-creating informational materials for potential, current and past home buyers & sellers.
Real estate agents who are knowledgeable about energy efficiency can add value for their clients and differentiate themselves from their peers.
“OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: Prospective home buyers and sellers look to real estate agents for guidance on home value and home features, while agents seek to develop relationships with their clients that will last through multiple home purchases and sales during a customer’s life. Agents who are most willing to sell energy efficiency services do so to obtain referrals and cultivate future business with clients rather than to increase revenue directly. Real estate agents who are knowledgeable about energy efficiency can add value for their clients and differentiate themselves from their peers.” – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy
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We will provide you with the tools to understand the value of energy efficiency for the home buyer or seller, share new energy-saving opportunities with your existing customers, and market yourself as a knowledgeable and customer-focused agent in the process.
Increasing Energy Saving Awareness in Homeowners
Home buyers were willing to pay from $10,343 to $53,000, or an average premium of 3.46 percent for “high-performance” energy and resource-conserving houses according to a study funded by the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment between February 2013 and June 2015. Some premiums on individual houses ranged as high as 6 percent to 7.7 percent, and were enhanced when properties had solar arrays to slash electricity costs.
Not only are new home buyers realizing the value of purchasing a high-performing home, existing homeowners are considering home energy improvements such as updated attic insulation alongside traditional home improvements to add value to their home.
Energy Disclosure Regulations and Trends (Title 24 Part 6)
Homeowners planning to make alterations to their home need to know about Title 24 compliance. Alterations that may trigger Title 24 compliance include any changes that impact the energy performance of the home such as room additions, remodels and equipment upgrades.
Title 24 compliance can be complex. In some cases, alterations may be exempt but some changes may need to comply with several sections of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards known as Title 24. In most cases, if an alteration requires a building permit, chances are, a Certificate of Compliance and Mandatory Measures Summary must be submitted with the building permit documentation and included in the building plans. The best method to ensure a home improvement project meets Title 24 standards is to work with an energy improvement contractor who is familiar with building permit documentation and Title 24 compliance.
Financing Windows of Opportunity
Home buyers have a window of opportunity to improve their newly acquired properties immediately. Innovative mortgage programs save home buyers from using higher-interest construction loans or home equity loans to finance renovations down the road.
Efficient Mortgages (EEM) and loans are available to home buyers to finance home energy improvements or retrofits.
- FHA 203K renovation loan program provides funds for both the purchase and renovation of a home packaged into one mortgage loan. Once the purchase of the home is closed, renovation funds are held in escrow to pay for pre-determined renovation work done by approved renovation contractors.
- Conventional EEM allows the lender to increase the borrower’s income by a dollar amount equal to the estimated energy savings.
- FHA EEM will allow the loan amount to be increased by the cost of the energy efficiency improvements.
- VA EEM for qualified military personnel allows for $3000 to $6000 in energy improvement funds.
In addition to the mortgage options for new home buyers, existing homeowners may take advantage of the HERO (Home Energy Renovation Opportunity) program which funds a wide variety of energy related home improvements through the homeowner’s property tax assessment.
Partnership Opportunities
Curley’s Home Services has developed a collection of FREE resources for you, the agent, to distribute to potential and existing clients. We have minimized our branding and allotted an area for your own information such as a business card or contact information. These co-branded materials are provided to you free with no obligation. We only ask that you consider suggesting Curley’s Home Services (CA License: # 922073) at 760.533.6045, www.curleyshomeservices.com, service@curleyshomeservices.com to your clients.
NEWS & RESOURCES:
- Book: Agents and home appraisers can learn more about energy renovation and home value by investing in the Residential Green Valuation handbook for appraisers.
- Article: Increase Your Home Value Through Energy Upgrades from Rocky Mountain Institute.
- Article: Clark Howard says Green Home Improvements Make You Green at Resale.