A New Way That I Can Help You!

Yvonne Clark of Prudential Preferred Properties has earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation, having successfully completed an award-winning informative training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. Yvonne joins the movement of professionals pushing the real estate market toward energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthier features in homes and buildings. Today’s focus on high-performance energy-efficient homes is a priority for this type of high-quality real estate professional earning the EcoBroker Certified® designation. EcoBrokers® like Yvonne are building premier market presence by serving as consumer and community resources on energy and environmental issues. With national surveys indicating that 9 out of 10 consumers consider energy efficiency and the environmentally sound aspects of a home to be almost as important as interior finishes, Certified EcoBrokers® are simply in a better position to serve the savvy green-minded real estate consumer.

“I’m always looking for the best ways to not only offer my clients the best value but to also develop a relationship where they feel I am a trusted resource,” Yvonne explains. “My EcoBroker Certified® training helps me ensure that my customers, who are my number one priority, get the knowledge they need. From energy-efficient appliances to solar options to overall energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make informed real estate decisions. The EcoBroker Certified® designation doesn’t make me an energy and environmental expert, but it puts me in a position to recognize issues and convey information on the products and services available to my buyers and sellers.”

EcoBroker International’s premier designation program is designed exclusively for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to help their clients benefit from the energy-efficiency, “green,” and healthier features of properties. The extensive curriculum of energy and environmental training requires participants to fulfill additional program requirements to become Certified EcoBrokers®.

“Yvonne is an example of the quality real estate professional the EcoBroker Certified® designation continues to attract,” explains EcoBroker International CEO Dr. John Beldock. “These real estate professionals are not only distinguishing themselves in a competitive market place, but they are really giving back to the community in very constructive and meaningful ways. Minot needs more contributors like Yvonne. The planet and our grandchildren need them, too,” says Dr. Beldock.

The program also teaches its members how best to market and position themselves for that competitive edge within the real estate platform. Yvonne also explains, “With EcoBroker’s training, I have broadened the range of real estate opportunities I offer my clients. The real estate industry is forever changing, and I’m in a position to help. To best serve my clients, I need to understand the newest products, technologies and issues as they affect today’s real estate market. My EcoBroker Certified® designation helps me stay ahead of the game.”

Money Saving Ideas

There are many different ways to save money when you're a home owner. Some involve a bigger upfront investment such as new appliances, but the money savings seen from this investment can really add up! The direct economic savings reached by energy efficient appliances is in direct relation to how much the appliance will be used, the performance level of the equipment being replaced, and local costs for utilities. When you replace older equipment, it is not uncommon for electricity consumption for that appliance to decrease by 50% or more. In general, if the appliance being replaced is more than 15 years old, and it is replaced with a state-of-the-art unit, you may expect utility savings of 20%-60% compared with the energy required by the previous appliance. Horizontal-axis washing machines typically save consumers 50% in both electric and water utilities. Additional savings come from reduced quantities of detergent.
Your monthly electrical bill is for all electricity used by all electrical loads in the building, so changing a single appliance will lower the bill, but in proportion to the amount of electricity formerly used by that appliance. If refrigeration represents 15-20% of your electric bill, a new refrigerator that is twice as efficient as the unit being replaced will lower your total bill by about 7-10%.
Any increase in initial cost is usually more than made up in monthly savings. See ACEEE Consumer Guide to Home Energy Saving for more detailed information on appliances and savings.

A different type of financing

Did you know that the average homeowner spends close to $1,300 a year on utility bills? Did you also know that an energy-efficient home with proper insulation, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, and energy efficient windows, can lower your utility bills by 10 to 50 percent? Not only that but, some banks offer special financing for someone buying an Energy Star rated home! You can often get up to 2% more financing even with the same qualifications as you would use on a "regular" home simply due to the lender understanding the utility savings of an energy efficient home. It is also often possible to get "built in" financing if you are buying a home that you will be upgrading the energy efficiency in, once you move in! With this special financing there is no required extra amount down, or second appraisal. Check with your lender today to find out all of your mortgage options!