Southern California Green Real Estate Blog

THE GOVERNMENT HAS $42 BILLION FOR GREEN REAL ESTATE

By Jodi Summers

Experts have calculated that the Obama administration has put together more than 30 programs worth $72 billion that can be used to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings and multifamily housing.

“The Obama Administration has tremendous, untapped opportunities to use legal tools already at its disposal to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of the nation’s multifamily and commercial buildings — all without seeking new funds or authority from Congress,” observes a report prepared by Van Ness Feldman. “All told, the programs identified in this report have the potential to directly provide or facilitate over $72 billion in funding or loan guarantees, and can leverage hundreds of billions of dollars in private investment through instruments such as mortgage insurance and regulation of the real estate lending market.”

Titled “Using Executive Authority to Achieve Greener Buildings: A Guide for Policymakers to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency in Multifamily Housing and Commercial Buildings,” the legal analysis, suggests several ways the Obama administration can use existing programs to enhance building efficiency:

* Reforming appraisal and underwriting practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Greening federal banking regulations

* Promoting flexible FHA insurance products

* Integrating energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into competitive grants and funding formulas

* Strengthening minimum property standards for federal housing and economic development programs to reflect energy efficiency and sustainability standards

* Improving performance standards applicable to federal buildings and leases

* Refining guidance applicable to the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction and the national historic preservation tax credit

* Using SBA funding mechanisms to support small business energy efficiency investments

* Streamlining Title 17 loan guarantees to make them suitable for buildings

“As an early adopter of green buildings and the LEED green building certification system, the federal government has been a leader in bringing green buildings to cities and towns across America,” said Roger Platt, the USGBC’s senior vice president of Global Policy & Law declared. “This new report unveils an even larger opportunity for the Obama Administration to increase our nation’s energy efficiency, while creating thousands of jobs and saving taxpayers money.”

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http://www.usgbc.org/government

http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/04/30/obama-already-has-72b-tap-green-buildings-study-says

http://www.boulderindependentbusiness.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/namaste_obama_0093.jpg

http://www.rechargenews.com/multimedia/archive/00032/obama_solar_3_32125a.jpg

15 NOTEWORTHY CLEAN ENERGY STOCKS

15 NOTEWORTHY CLEAN ENERGY STOCKS

Edited by Jodi Summers

Green Stocks Investing has researched publicly-listed renewable energy stocks including solar power companies, wind energy stocks, geothermal power producers, wave energy, tidal power, green mutual funds, emerging clean energy technology companies, and come up with a list of Top Alternative Energy and Renewable Power stock picks for 2010:

1. ITRI - Itron, Inc. (Itron), provides products and services to utilities for energy and water markets globally, and is a provider of metering, data collection and software.

http://www.itron.com/

2. AMSC - American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) is an energy technology

solutions company, offering products and services based on programmable power electronic converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. It serves are the wind energy market and the power transmission and distribution or power grid market. http://www.amsc.com/

3. CSIQ - Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) designs, develops, manufactures and sells solar cell and module products in China that convert sunlight into electricity. CSIQ mplements solar power development projects, primarily in conjunction with government organizations. http://www.canadian-solar.com/

4. CLNE - Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Clean Energy) is a provider of natural gas as an alternative fuel for vehicle fleets in the United States and Canada. CLNE designs, builds, finances and operates fueling stations, and supplies customers with compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and also helps them acquire and finance natural gas vehicles, and access government rebates and incentives. http://www.cleanenergyfuels.com/

5. LON-CWP - Clipper Windpower PLC (Clipper) is engaged in the design, engineering and manufacturing of advanced wind turbines and developing wind energy projects, including engineering, construction, and plant operation. It manufactures the 2.5 megawatts Liberty wind turbine and actively develops wind power generating projects in the Americas and Europe. http://www.clipperwind.com/

6. BOM: 532667 - Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL) is an India-based wind power

company engaged in the manufacture of wind turbine generators (WTGs) of various capacities and its components. http://www.suzlon.com/

7. CVE:WND - Western Wind Energy Corp. (Western Wind) owns two wind energy

electrical generation facilities and is developing wind energy projects in California and Arizona. WND currently owns over 500 wind turbines with 34.5 MW of rated capacity and a further 131MW of expansion power purchase agreements in California and Arizona. http://www.westernwindenergy.com/

8. YGE - Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (Yingli Green Energy) is a vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) product manufacturer in China. The Company designs, manufactures and sells PV modules and designs, assembles, sells and install PV systems in worldwide markets such as Spain, Germany, the United States and China. http://www.yinglisolar.com

9. TSL - Trina Solar Limited is an integrated solar-power products manufacturer based in China. The Company’s market reach includes Germany, Spain and Italy. http://www.trinasolar.com/

10. ORA - Ormat Technologies, Inc. (Ormat) is engaged in the geothermal and recovered energy power business. The Company designs, develops, builds, owns and operates geothermal recovered energy-based power plants, usually using equipment that it designs and manufactures. http://www.ormat.com/

11. APWR - A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. (A-Power) is a renewable energy company in China, engaged in providing onsite distributed power generation systems and micro power grids for industrial companies to recapture previously wasted heat and gas from their manufacturing processes to generate electricity.

http://www.apowerenergy.com/

12. AMAT - Applied Materials, Inc. (Applied) provides Nanomanufacturing Technology solutions for the global semiconductor, flat panel display, solar and related industries, with a portfolio of equipment, service and software products. http://www.appliedmaterials.com/

13. JASO - JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (JA Solar) is engaged in the development, production and marketing of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity in China. http://www.jasolar.com/

14. AOS - A. O. Smith Corporation is a manufacturer of water heating equipment and electric motors, serving a diverse mix of residential, commercial and industrial end markets principally in the United States. http://www.aosmith.com

15. OTC: SHCAY (Sharp Corp ADR) - Sharp Corporation is a Japan-based company

engaged in the manufacture and sale of electronic telecommunication devices, electronic machines and components. The Sharp Solar division is a world-leading alternative energy manufacturer. http://sharp-world.com/

http://agreenrealtor.blogspot.com/2010/01/15-clean-energy-technology-groth-stocks.html

URGENT! CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO AVOID COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TAX HIKES

Action to Oppose More Than Doubling of Taxes on Real Estate Carried Interests

Edited by Jodi Summers

In early December, Congressman Charles Rangel Ways, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives, introduced the “Tax Extenders Act of 2009″ (H.R. 4213). Wrapped in this legislation package is a proposal that would more than double the taxes on carried interest received by general partners in real estate partnerships. Under this legislation, carried interest would no longer be taxed as capital gains at 15 percent, but as ordinary income at rates as high as almost 35 percent…making everyone’s investment real estate holdings a lot less sexy.

Kick us while we’re down. Those investing in commercial real estate are already feeling economic distress because of the decline of property values and the lack of loans available. The proposed legislation would more than double the taxes imposed on many real estate entrepreneurs.

If H.R. 4123 enacted into law, this proposal could be the largest modification to the taxation of real estate since the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

This bill was past stealthfully, proposed on December 7^th, it bypassed the customary legislative process, bypassing the House Ways and Means Committee, and going directly to the House floor for a vote on December 9, reducing meaningful opportunities to amend the bill.

Safeguard your real estate assets; communicate with your Congressional Representatives and Senators! Let them know that this tax increase on carried interest will further damage the commercial real estate industry and undermine efforts in their own communities to spur job growth and economic recovery.

http://www.capwiz.com/naiop/issues/alert/?alertid=14439831&type=CO has letters ready to go to your congressmen.

Save your assets and contact them.

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http://www.capwiz.com/naiop/issues/alert/?alertid=14439831&type=CO

http://www.ysop.org/images/Capitol.jpg

GUEST POST - VA LOAN OPPORTUNITIES

GUEST POST - VA LOAN OPPORTUNITIES

by Jay Buerck

Veterans and their families in Southern California can take advantage of one of the country’s most affordable and flexible home loan programs. The Veterans Administration’s home loan program was created specifically for the needs of those who have served our country.

VA loans offer veterans an almost unmatched degree of flexibility. The VA guarantees loans from commercial institutions. That security gives lenders the ability to offer competitive rates and favorable loan terms for qualified borrowers.

VA loans come with myriad financial benefits. Borrowers can purchase a home without spending a penny on a down payment or monthly private mortgage insurance. The VA has loan limits that vary from state to state. Some borrowers can qualify for 100 percent financing. Currently, VA loan limits for San Diego County is $593,750. In Orange County, the loan limit is $737,500. USe a VA Loan Calculator to determine the loan limit for your home purchase.

The VA has multiple loan options. Veterans must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before moving forward with the application process. The COE ensures that a prospective borrower meets the program’s initial requirements.

Any military member who has served 181 days on active duty during peace time or 90 days during war time may be eligible, along with those who have served at least six years in the Reserves or National Guard. Spouses of service members killed in the line of duty may also be eligible.

Not everyone who meets the basic criteria will qualify for a loan. But veterans with poor credit can still qualify for a VA loan. So can those who have filed for bankruptcy or faced foreclosure.

Southern California veterans who currently have a conventional home loan can also benefit from a VA loan. Qualified borrowers can now refinance up to 100 percent of their home’s appraised value through a VA loan.

WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STIMULUS PACKAGE DOES FOR REAL ESTATE

WHAT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STIMULUS PACKAGE DOES FOR REAL ESTATE

by Jodi Summers

Well, yeah, now we have a stimulus package to kick start our sagging economy. Bet you want to know what it does for real estate - well, according to the National Association of Realtors - this is what has been So here’s what we have achieved:

1. The loan limits will be raised to $729,750 in high cost areas, like Los Angeles.

2. A true credit - the tax credit will be raised to $8,000 with NO payback!

3. Interest rates have come down 125-150 basis points.

4. The bill offers more than $50 billion in it for foreclosure mitigation, with Geitner’s Treasury plan signaling that the second half of TARP and TALF to be used to mitigate foreclosures through a government guarantee, drive down interest rates by buying another $200-300 billion of mortgage paper from the GSES’s thereby freeing them up to do the same with new mortgages.

5. Fannie has just agreed to lift the cap of 4 investment properties eligible for loans and raise it to 10.

THE HISTORY OF THE FINANCIAL BUBBLE

THE HISTORY OF THE FINANCIAL BUBBLE

by Jodi Summers

Allegedly, the first recorded speculative financial bubble occurred in the Netherlands in the 1630s when, according to Wikipedia, tulip contracts sold for 20 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. When tulip prices came crashing down so did the economy, according to reports that have not been sufficiently documented for historians to conclude exactly what occurred.

sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimg944/2229214461/

http://www.inman.com/news/2008/10/23/dutch-toughen-downturn

INVESTING IN THE DOWNTOWN – THE TO-DO LIST

INVESTING IN THE DOWNTOWN – THE TO-DO LIST

The conclusions drawn from the recently released 2009 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report by the Urban Land Institute and PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP are not pretty.

“Total expected returns on private equity real estate investments will likely drop into negative territory for the first time in nearly two decades as the market hits bottom next year,” the report suggests.

We slowly being to recover in 2010. The trough and recovery is predicted to be more U-shaped than V-shaped.

The report’s advice to investors and property owners to make it through the slow period:

· Go green. Cutting energy and other operating cost is likely to be a growing priority for both landlords and tenants.

· Buy or hold multifamily; hold office. Hold hotels, buy residential building lots, but be prepared to hold.

· Purchase distressed condos in urban areas near transit.

· Focus on neighborhood retail centers with strong grocery anchors and chain drugstores.

Info courtesy of:

http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=41A9DE2D4E098EDEFBB56A05FBBB79A3