[Note: To follow is an excerpt of an interview with Don Conrad, investor and author of “How to Find That Quality Tenant.” To listen to, or download the show archive MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/101508.]
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The Importance of the Tenant Selection Process
The solar energy revolution has come to central Florida, and will be coming to more commercial buildings throughout the nation, especially with the passage of the recent $700 billion bailout plan that includes financial incentives and an eight-year tax credit program for installing solar power systems. The 6/10 Corporation, a Florida-based commercial building developer, and Rob Krieger, the owner of Krieger Electric, Inc. and Florida Telecom Construction, recently announced that their new company, QuickBeam Energy, LLC, which will specialize in the sale and installation of photo-voltaic solar energy systems for commercial and large residential buildings, has started to do business.
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QuickBeam Energy Brings Commercial Real Estate Solar Systems to Central Florida
Houston oil and gas company Rosetta Resources Inc. has agreed to pay $97 million to former parent company Calpine Corp.
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Calpine, Rosetta settle claims
This past weekend I paid my gas bill. Not a big deal, except for a review of my past winter’s bill made me call the gas company and get on a budget plan. Sarah, the customer service representative at my local gas company, was open to answering some general questions about the state of heating homes and how the economy is affecting the ability for people to pay their gas bill.
Sarah’s frank conversation opened my eyes to the trickle-down effect of homeownership in tough times.
I live in Wisconsin, which has been feeling the economic pain from an induced shot of a troubed 
national economy. Last Monday, General Motors announced it will cease production of SUVs in its Janesville, Wisconsin plant by December 23, affecting 1,200 workers. Additionally, rumors of a Mercy Hospital consolidation in surrounding towns has people talking and worried.
It’s easy to look at the big picture when we take the financial perspective to Wall Street. That’s where the media eye is trained to go. What about the truly hyper-local picture - where one or both incomes of a two-family household might be in danger on Main Street? How do you pay for the mortgage/rent, car loan, gas for the car, daycare, senior care, health insurance, groceries - the true basics?
How do you pay to heat your home? In Wisconsin, where the weather is not yet cold enough to mandate the heat as necessary for living conditions, homeowners’ inability to pay has increased, according to Sarah. If you are shut off before the weather mandates your heat remains on, you will be required to pay a deposit, even with heating assistance, before your heat can be turned back on.
In September, I wrote about LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding. It was created to help low-income and elderly families with their heating bills. My September 19 post, “Baby, it’s gonna be cold outside … keep heating assistance for low-income families alive”, was an update to a post I wrote last year about LIHEAP funding.
In that post, LIHEAP was trying to raise funding and the President had recently proposed a 22 percent cut in fiscal year 2009 for LIHEAP funding. I am happy to share this news from the LIHEAP website:
“September 30, 2008: President Signs FY09 CR with $5.1 Billion in LIHEAP Funding … This evening, the President signed a Continuing Resolution that increases funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to the Congressionally authorized level of $5.1 billion. This historic decision is the result of tireless work by the program’s champions in the House and Senate who recognized the vital need for more money in this program and refused to accept ‘no’ for an answer. ”
The website also recognizes the countless folks who continued to raise their voice in support of LIHEAP. The program will probably need an increase in funds as more people find themselves in a position where they are unable to pay their heating bill - but the first victory has come.
If you are in need of heating assistance, you can download an application by state or receive your state’s contact information at the LIHEAP Clearinghouse website.
I urge those who are not in need to lend their voice to support this effort, as I believe it will be needed. In the meantime, if you know of a neighbor in need, help by pointing them in the direction of this resource and by checking in. Use your knowlege to empower another.
Posted by Rebecca D. Levinson
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The trickle-down effect of homeownership in tough times - you can make a difference
A lot of people assume that the federal bailout law is all about helping banks and buying toxic mortgage portfolios. That’s true, but Congress included some important tax items in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act that could be of immediate use by owners and developers of investment real estate.
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Investor Report: Bailout to Aid Investors
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) announced a new sustainability initiative to position Greater Phoenix as a location for solar and clean technology, green building, renewable energy and other “green industry” organizations. Greening Greater Phoenix Powered by SolarCity promotes the region as an emerging leader in solar technology and renewable energy industries. Over the next several months, GPEC will launch a national and international awareness campaign for Greening Greater Phoenix Powered by SolarCity, targeting companies seeking to expand or invest in a renewable energy market.
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Greater Phoenix Initiative to Promote Region as Solar and Sustainability Leader
A grand opening was held Saturday morning at Fort Ritchie for a community center, scheduled to open Wednesday, which includes weight, computer and game rooms, a refurbished gymnasium, and a snack bar.
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Fort Ritchie development begins with opening of center
[Note: To follow is an excerpt of an interview with Madeleine Abel, CPM, BECO Management; Miriam Campos Root, CCIM, Prudential CRES, Robert J. Greer, The Michaels Development Company, and Michael Jeppesen, Green Earth Development. To listen to, or download the show archive MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/090308.]
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Green’ is Good for all Parties in a Real Estate Transaction
Existing houses can be retrofitted so they will produce as much energy as they use every year — the technology is available and doing the work would save owners thousands of dollars in energy bills. But most homeowners won’t bother because there are too many barriers in place, a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) concludes.
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Barriers to Net-Zero Energy Housing
I am often asked by new real estate agents, “What’s the very first thing I should do when I begin my career?” They are usually shocked by my answer. They expect me to say, “Learn how to use the MLS” or “Learn how to prepare a CMA.” Instead, I tell them … .
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The Importance of Mentors and Role Models
One of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime is to sell your home. And getting your house ready for resale is vital to a quick and successful sale, especially when many parts of the country are experiencing a buyers market. In addition to the remodeling projects and staging that you re preparing inside the home, remember that the very first impression a prospective buyer gets is the moment they drive up. A lackluster lawn can cost you in the end.
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Fall Lawn Care
Big-city developers are beginning to pick up on developing and building earth-friendly projects. Over the years, alternative energy sources were usually reserved for those folks living in more rural areas, with the personal budgets to build solar panels and one-stand wind mills to create a personal power grid. Now, condo developers are taking it to the next level in urban development.
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Condo Trends: Green — Color of Money and New Condos
[Note: To follow is an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Matthew B. James, inspirational trainer, whose passion is teaching and living the path of Huna, the ancient science of consciousness and energy healing of the Hawaiian Islands. To listen to, or download the show archive MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/082008.]
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Huna’ Can Help Create and Demonstrate Balance and Power in Your Life for Maximum Investment Returns
‘ The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed for as much as one year its decision on a controversial land swap within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge between the federal government and Doyon Ltd., …
The economy continues to send mixed messages — some encouraging for real estate, some not — but this week the positive are edging out the negatives.
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Real Estate Outlook: Prices Stabilizing
