Green Real Estate Appraiser

Regulators at the California Public Utilities Commission issued a recommendation Tuesday that largely endorses proposals by the state’s investor-owned utilities that would increase household electricity bills for small and moderate consumers and shift costs away from a smaller number of heavy users.

A vote on the recommendation by administrative judges at the commission could take place as soon as May 21, giving time for consumer advocates to comment. Initial bill changes could take effect as soon as July, and new pricing would be phased in over several years.

Minimum monthly bill payments would likely increase to $10, and the proposal would allow regulators to consider more fixed fees and gradually introduce optional time-based rates that fluctuate with hourly demands on the electric grid.

read more at: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/21/commission-backs-utilities-on-bills/

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If you’re a renter pining to become a homeowner or a foreclosure or short-sale victim, you may think that a home loan is out of reach.

However, home loan products and homebuyer assistance programs are available from lenders, local governments and nonprofit groups eager to help renters move into homeownership.

“There are two roadblocks that most would-be buyers think they face,” says Malcolm Hollensteiner, director of retail lending for TD Bank in McLean. “The first obstacle is down payment accumulation. The second is purely psychological: the fear that they cannot qualify for a loan. . . . There are fantastic opportunities that people are not aware of to reduce your need for cash and to obtain a loan approval.”

Lenders have special programs for new buyers with little cash and for those with low-to-moderate income or credit challenges.

“Prospective first-time buyers often think the loan process is too hard and that the closing costs are too substantial,” says Ray Brousseau, executive vice president of Carrington Mortgage Services in Santa Ana, Calif. “They don’t realize that there are programs for them that allow for a limited down payment and eliminate other out-of-pocket expenses, including closing costs.”

read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/business/2015/04/10/lenders-offer-new-options-for-first-time-and-credit-challenged-homebuyers/

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New homes are being built to 21st century energy efficient standards; so if you have an older home will that effect the value?

In San Diego home buyers will now have to factor in high water bills as well as high utility bills when determining to purchasing your home.

Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions regarding energy efficiency; they are Southern California’s energy efficient appraisal experts.

Arizona already deals with high utility bills due to the heat and lack of water and the are embracing energy efficiency according to local builders.

Read More at: http://www.resnet.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Arizona-Republic-Features-of-ENERGY-STAR-HERS.pdf

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only