Comfort, Savings, and Staying Ahead of the Curve
Weatherization & Home Performance Pros–Portland, Oregon
Whether you own an 1890 Queen Anne, a 20s Bungalow, a Cape Cod, a mid-century ranch, or a late 1998 home that was built to modern day code, there are gains to be had and money to saved (in most cases). Assuming energy costs increases over time, here are some local service providers and resources to help you achieve these gains and stay ahead of the curve. There are many programs available and the incentives go through periodic changes based on local and federal funding streams. As an Energy Trust Trade Ally, I recommend you make their website one of your first stops to learn about what kind of incentives are currently available.
Imagine Energy 503-477-9585
Hammer & Hand 503-232-2447
Streamline Dwellings 503-310-4981
Green Hammer 503-804-1746
Neil Kelly 866-691-2719
Green Home by EcoTech 503-493-1040
Gale Contractor Services (Deborah Shay & Amy Worthington) 306-241-1897
Energy Trust Trade Allies
AIRSEAL, AIRSEAL, AIRSEAL. . . and ventilate.
For other resources, you can do a keyword search in the upper left corner of this website, or contact me. The River PDX is a Holistic Source for Real Estate. I’m happy to be a resource or be a helpful link in connecting you to the appropriate local service provider or supplier. If you have any suggestions of other contractors that should be added to this list, I’d love to learn about them.
For more conservation info see also, Ascending the Pyramid of Conservation.
Ascending the Pyramid of Conservation
Energy Conservation Pyramid
All we need is a few good autumn winds to rattle the windows and remind us that winter is on the way. If you’ve been contemplating some energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy incentives, or annual weatherization measures, here’s a helpful graphic to help prioritize which steps and upgrades will yield the best bang for the buck.
We are fortunate to live in the one of the country’s preeminent hotbeds for energy efficiency retrofitting. Between the Energy Trust, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the Earth Advantage Institute, the Cascadia Green Building Council, and the abundance of general contractors and specialists who have committed to educating themselves and training their crews to help residents make gains in energy efficiency and overall carbon footprint reductions, we have what it takes. One place you might start is the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Trade Allies. This is a group of service providers who have taken the necessary training to be able to provide you with services and expertise in what incentives you may qualify for.
Another great option is Clean Energy Works Portland, a utility-based financing program that allows homeowners to make improvements with no money out of pocket upfront. This is an excellent program that supports homeowners in the getting a jump on those elements at the bottom of the Conservation Pyramid.
Stay tuned for more updates on the programs that become available to us in Oregon. It is a growing industry and legislation is continually working on incentive programs to help fund the retrofitting of our existing housing. Contact me if you’d like more information about any of these programs or organizations. I’m happy to be a resource and provide more information on local service providers as well.
Stay warm. Be well.
Arbor Lodge Cottage
FOR SALE: 7075 N Burrage Ave., listed @ $174,500
What will you do with that $8,000 tax credit?
It’s prime time to take advantage of the tax credits and own a classic Portland cottage–complete with a full-sun, garden-ready lot and a front porch for relaxing and saying “Hello” to the neighbors as they stroll to one of the two parks within a block of this home. In this case, affordability includes some great finishes–FUEZ counters, under-mount sink, refinished Fir floors, pedestal sink, marmoleum, and Ipe porch decking compliment the period mouldings and clawfoot tub. Minutes to downtown Kenton, the Interstate MAX line, New Seasons, and easy I-5 access, this home is worth a look. If you’d like more information, or would like to schedule a your, email me.
( The whole tax credit may be irrelevant to you; this just might be the right house for you regardless…)ML#10024297
The Revised and Expanded Tax Credit is Here
According to this Associated Press story, the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extended and expanded to benefit some homebuyers who are moving out of homes that they’ve lived in for at least 5 of the last 8 years. For the most up-to-date information, consult your tax accountant. For more details, keep reading.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Buying a home is about to get cheaper for a whole new crop of homebuyers — $6,500 cheaper.
First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. But with the program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the Senate voted Wednesday to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday.
Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.
“This is probably the last extension,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a former real estate executive who championed the credits.
The homebuyers tax credit is one of two tax breaks totaling more than $21 billion that the Senate included in a bill extending unemployment benefits for those without a job for more than a year. The other would let companies now losing money recoup taxes they paid on profits earned in the previous five years.
“We are still in a world of economic hurt, and Congress must continue to act boldly and creatively,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “With the right mix of tax breaks and investments we will get through this recession and get folks working again.”
The real estate industry has been pushing to extend and expand the housing tax credit. About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit.
Extending and expanding the tax credit for homebuyers is projected to cost the government about $10.8 billion in lost taxes. While the measure passed the Senate by a 98-0 vote, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., questioned its efficiency in stimulating home sales.
“For the vast majority of cases, the homebuyer tax credit amounted to a free gift since it did not affect their decision to purchase a home,” Bond said. “And for the small minority of buyers whose decision was directly caused by the credit, this raises the question of whether we are subsidizing buyers who may not have been able to afford buying a home in the first place.”
The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.
The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2011, for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.
Expanding the tax credit for money-losing companies is projected to cost $10.4 billion.
The business tax break would allow money-losing companies to use current losses to offset taxable profits earned in the previous five years, giving them refunds of taxes paid in those years. Under current law, businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $15 million can claim losses back only two years.
The tax break would help industries suffering losses in 2008 or 2009, including retailers, homebuilders and newspapers. Congress included a scaled-back version of the tax break — for companies with revenues of $15 million or less — in the economic recovery package enacted in February. The new tax break would be available to companies of any size, providing a quick source of cash.
The U.S Chamber of Commerce has been a big backer of the tax break for money-losing companies.
“It frees up capital that they can use to maintain jobs and potentially even hire new people as the economy returns,” said Caroline Harris, senior tax counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The tax breaks would be paid for largely by delaying a tax break for multinational companies that pay foreign taxes. It was passed in 2004 and originally was to have taken effect this year, but would now be delayed until 2018.
The bill is H.R. 3548.
CONNECT
Agent Profile
In addition to offering sound real estate services, we bring a broad awareness of sustainable living and design to our practice. We thrive on making connections that help clients live and invest in alignment with their values, while supporting our local community, economy, and environment. Contact David and Steve today to learn how your next realty decision can enhance the place you call home. AGENCY INFO
1902 SE Morrison St. Portland, OR 97214
