Getting the Green For Your High-Performance Home: Page 4 of 4

Government Help or Helping Yourself

In 2011, the Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S. 1737) was introduced, which would require federal mortgage agencies to ensure that energy costs are included in the underwriting process. SAVE would also direct the covered agencies to “make the necessary credit policy decisions to adjust the maximum permitted debt amounts or debt-to-income ratios for eligibility to accommodate inclusion of expected energy costs.” However, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where it lays unaddressed.

While government can help, no one can help yourself like you can.

• Know what you want. Study up. If you know what you are talking about, you can tell if the “expert” knows their stuff.
• Shop around. If the bank or mortgage broker you’ve selected isn’t connecting, find another. Brokers can widen your financing options, since they can tap into a variety of lenders.
• Talk a lot. Be very clear on what you want and make them be clear in telling you what they understand your wants to be.
• Keep trying. Persistence and diligence could win the day.

Access

Andy Kerr (andykerr.net) writes frequently on public policy aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency. He splits his time between Ashland, Oregon, and Washington, DC.

Energy Star • tinyurl.com/HPESEEM • Energy-efficient mortgages

Appraisal Institute • Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum • appraisalinstitute.org

Earth Advantage • High Performance Home Valuation Addendum • bit.ly/EAI_Addendum

Database on State Incentives on Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) • bit.ly/GreenLoans • Energy-efficient mortgages

An Introduction to Green Homes by Alan Simmons (Appraisal Institute, 2010)