Resurgence of solar power

House Solar Once considered too costly, solar is getting hot (pun intended). Many factors are making it easier for consumers to choose solar; including lower installation costs and tax credits. Solar energy has also become a selling point for some home builders in sunny states such as California; where builders have offered the option of solar panel installation during construction.

Solar technology has come a long way. Manufacturing advances have not only made the technology more affordable, it has paved the way to new applications as well. Besides the panels with which we have become accustomed, photovoltaic (PV) technology is now available as roof shingles and windows; and some companies that can even apply the PV to other exterior home surfaces.

Is the investment worth it? A recent Washington Post piece (March 26, 2014; Real Estate Matters: Are solar panels worth the investment?) explores the value of installing solar panels – and concludes that it depends on your individual costs and savings. Authors Glink and Tamkin take into account the installation costs, tax credits and a monthly power bill of $120. Assuming that their system would supply all of their electricity needs, they applied the $120/month savings to repay the loan taken to cover the solar panel installation; and based on their calculations – there would be no savings for the first ten years.

However, your actual utility savings can vary on a number of factors, including (but not limited to): the amount of solar power produced; system size and placement; and available sun energy. Additionally, the cost of maintaining your solar panel system can vary; regular maintenance is required to ensure your system is producing power efficiently. Maintaining your system typically entails cleaning the panels (debris, dust, bird droppings can collect on surfaces) and testing other components. Furthermore, because the average life expectancy of a solar panel is about 30 years (depending in manufacturer), you should consider the time you intend to live in your home and resale. Home buyer attitudes on existing systems and possible replacement costs is not entirely clear.

If you’re considering a PV system, Energy.gov offers these tips: measure the amount of sun available; calculate the size of the system to meet your needs; predetermine the best location for the system, as well as making sure it will fit; decide if the system is a standalone or connected to the power grid; and how will the safety needs be met (energy.gov/energysaver/articles/planning-home-solar-electric-system).

Before choosing a contractor, energy.gov recommends due diligence. Ask about the company’s time in business and experience installing the type of system you have chosen (technical differences can exist). Check the contractor/company for complaints, judgments or liens. And, of course, make sure the contractor has appropriate valid licenses; according to the Maryland Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation website, “a home improvement contractor or subcontractor license is required to install solar panels for a homeowner, regardless of whether the panels will be installed on the home or an outbuilding adjacent to a residence, or will be attached to the land next to the residence. A licensed master electrician is required to hook the panels to the electric system.”

Finally, energy.gov also recommends getting multiple installation quotes because panel efficiency can vary depending on the manufacturer. The estimates should include the total cost of getting the PV system up and running, including hardware, installation, connection to the grid, permitting, sales tax, and warranty.

© Dan Krell
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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Homeownership, freedom and independence

While we enjoy the barbecues and fireworks that come along with the Fourth of July Holiday, we might take a moment to think about our freedom and independence. And of course – homeownership is an expression of those liberties which is part of the “American Spirit” that drives us to achieve the American Dream.

The American Dream is not dead, as some will have you believe; the dream of homeownership is like a phoenix that is renewed after the fire, and is resumed by a new generation of home buyers. In his April 2009 Vanity Fair article “Rethinking the American Dream,” David Kamp gave a wide perspective of the American Dream; from its origin to diametrically opposed viewpoints. In his conclusion, Kamp states, “…The American Dream should accommodate the goal of home ownership, but without imposing a lifelong burden of unmeetable debt. Above all, the American Dream should be embraced as the unique sense of possibility that this country gives its citizens—the decent chance, as Moss Hart would say, to scale the walls and achieve what you wish.

As we emerge from the housing and financial crises, many are discussing the benefits of homeownership once again. Even after the Great Recession, many prefer owning a home over renting. Survey after survey indicates that a majority of respondents positively viewed homeownership as a desire or goal (Rohe & Boshamer, Reexamining the Social Benefits of Homeownership after the Housing Crisis, Joint Center for Housing Studies Harvard University, August 2013).

So what is it about homeownership that makes it an aspiration for so many of us? Besides the fact that we all need a place to live; a home is an asset that has relative value to the housing market at any given time. Housing is also still perceived by many as an investment that can appreciate over a period of time. Additionally, those who have a mortgage on their home may be able to take advantage of the mortgage interest tax deduction (check with your tax preparer).

Home owners are more inclined to maintain their homes and neighborhoods, as well as being invested in protecting their home and community; which may account for lower incidences of reported crime. Besides stabilizing communities, many of these benefits may also account for positively affecting home values.

Additionally, there has been a lot said about the social benefits of homeownership. A National Association of Realtors® blog post by Research Economist Selma Hepp, titled Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing lists many of the documented social benefits. She cites that home owners tend to: be more charitable; participate more in their community (including voting); have an increased connection to their neighborhood and neighbors; have an increased general positive life outlook; express an increased self esteem and higher life satisfaction; and be healthier.

There are many studies that also indicate homeownership benefits children. Hepp includes some of the benefits of children living in owned homes, which include: lower teen pregnancy rate; higher test scores; higher high school graduation rate; decreased delinquencies; and an increased participation in organized activities.

Although June was officially declared “Homeownership Month” in 2002; July is a more appropriate month because of homeownership’s association with freedom, independence, and the American Dream.

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By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2014


Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Local level home owner and buyer protection

Chevy Chase Real Estate

Home owner and buyer consumer protection exists at all levels of government. For example, the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) in 2010 brought together in one department oversight and enforcement for federal consumer financial laws. Likewise, Maryland has a Consumer Protection Division housed within the Office of the Attorney General (www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov); which provides information to assist consumers in making educated decisions, as well as offering mediation services to resolve consumer complaints. Some of the housing related consumer advocacy offered by the CPD includes: the administration of the Home Builder Registration Unit; and education about the Maryland Foreclosure Counseling Services Law, as well as “flipping scams.”

Many local governments also have a number of specific protections for home owners and buyers. An advantage of living in Montgomery County MD is the availability of housing related services and assistance with specific housing issues to home owners, buyers, renters and landlords.

To assist home buyers in understanding the associated costs of home ownership, Montgomery County requires sellers to disclose utility and estimated property tax information. Enacted in 2007, Bill 24-07 requires home sellers to provide an accurate estimate of what the property tax would be for the first full year of ownership. Home sellers and real estate agents access the estimated property tax information from the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection website (montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp).

The OCP also enforces the County’s utility bill disclosure law that requires home sellers to provide a history of the prior 12 months of electric, gas, and heating oil bills for a property, or a usage history for the same time period. Additionally, the seller must provide Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection approved information to help the buyer with energy conservation choices and options. If you’re selling your home, your listing agent can provide you with the approved Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors® forms to fulfill these obligations.

County residents finding themselves at odds with their Home Owners or Condo Association can ask for help from the Office of Common Ownership Communities. Housed within the OCP, the OCOC offers information and a dispute resolution program for home owners, boards, management companies, and managers. The OCOC pledges transparency, integrity, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.

If you’re buying a new home in Montgomery County, you are provided with an extra layer of protection through Montgomery County Code Chapter 31C, which requires new home builders to be licensed by the Montgomery County OCP as well as provide a new home warranty that meets specific criteria.

If you own rental property or are a tenant within the County, you’ll find the Office of Landlord – Tenant Affairs (housed within the Department of Housing and Community Affairs) a resource of valuable information. Besides publishing a Landlord – Tenant Handbook, the commission provides information on licensing, security deposits, evictions, leases, and rent increases. Besides informing of general rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, it offers a free and quick avenue for tenants to seek amicable dispute resolution (http://montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/housing/landlordtenant).

Home owners and tenants who have issues with their cable TV provider can seek assistance from the Office of Cable and Broadband Services (montgomerycountymd.gov/cable). Housed within the Office of Technology Services, the “Cable Office” administers the County’s cable TV franchise agreements; the office investigates and resolves subscriber complaints.

Check with your real estate agent about local home owner and buyer protections. Many consumer protection agencies (such as those listed above) have websites where information is posted to educate consumers.

Dan Krell
© 2014

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Title insurance history, perspective, and necessity

Homes

Home buyers would like to consider themselves as being financially savvy. Of course, I often hear the question about buying a home without title insurance, which usually arises from the advice they may receive from some questionable source debating the necessity of title insurance. However, the importance of title insurance is highlighted by recent ownership disputes that have occurred in the last five years due to foreclosures, improperly recorded deeds and mortgage modifications.

Historically, title insurance came about as a necessity. According to the American Land Title Association (alta.org), title insurance resulted from a landmark court case in Pennsylvania in 1868, which found that home seller was not be responsible for a erroneous title opinion. Subsequently, the first title insurance company was formed in 1876 in Philadelphia. The company promoted itself by claiming that they would insure “the purchasers of real estate and mortgages against losses from defective title, liens and encumbrances;” thus increasing the speed and accuracy of the property transfer process.

Prior to the availability of title insurance, title examinations were conducted similarly to how they are today with the purpose of ensuring title marketability (ensuring title is free of unpaid liens, mortgages, and other encumbrances). However, prior to the offering of title insurance, property owners were often held responsible for title blemishes. Of course, unresolved tile disputes were often settled in court.

Initially, title insurance was often a local process. However, the title insurance industry surged along with an expanded housing market after World War II ended. Additionally, the use of lender’s title insurance grew along with the secondary mortgage market; because as the number of nationwide mortgage holders increased, lenders found that title insurance was necessary to protect their interests.

Researching a property’s title relies on the “recordation system.” Although the recordation system has been in use in most of United States in some cases before the formation of the country, many countries use a land registration. Land registration systems used in some countries typically do not provide the same recourse as does the recordation system when disputes arise; where the registering government may resolve these disputes.

Title insurance is a result of our recordation system that continues to this day, where property ownership can usually be determined by conveyance. Although the recordation system relies on transfer instruments that indicate a grantor, grantee, and property description; the system is not perfect. Issues can arise from unrecorded deeds, as well as erroneously recorded documents; fraud may also occur by recording falsified transfer documents with a complicit or unsuspecting clerk.

There are two types of title insurance that are offered: lender’s and owner’s. A lender’s policy is usually required by a mortgage lender and is thought to protect the interests of the lender by validating the lender’s validity and enforceability of the mortgage. The lender’s policy is typically issued for the mortgage amount and coverage decreases as the principal is paid down.

An owner’s title insurance policy is understood to protect the owner’s interest in the property, however there may be limitations. You should consult with your title attorney about the policy coverage and limitations. Policy coverage varies– so check with your title agent for pricing and coverage levels.

A Consumer Guide to Title Insurance is available from the Maryland Insurance Administration, the local State agency that regulates title insurance producers (insurance.maryland.gov).

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2013

This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice.  Original published at https://dankrell.com

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Unusual considerations when owning an unusual home

by Dan Krell © 2013
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DanKrell.com

Luxury Real EstateBe different and be damned…” is a telling quote from Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind.  Social commentary aside, the quote can be somewhat of a warning to those who build or purchase that unique, unusual, and one of a kind home.  Although it is just a quote from one of the highly celebrated novels of the twentieth century, “damned” is a strong word to use in a real estate column.  However, because of the many considerations of owning a unique home, there may be an occasion or two you might feel “damned.”

When would you consider a home as being unique?  Mostly, the degree of uniqueness can be to a person’s perception of a home as well as what they consider to be unusual.  However, there is some consensus to what is generally accepted as “mainstream” in the real estate industry; and if a home falls outside these norms through its construction, size, floor plan, etc – it may be considered as unusual/unique.

Some homes are so extreme in their construction, either in size and/or building materials, that it is clear they are unique and one of a kind; there are other homes that may have been converted from commercial or industrial buildings that may also indicate a unique flair.  However, there are many homes that appear to fit in their respective neighborhood, but the custom nature expresses a specific style and preference; which is often found in the luxury home market.

Some considerations you might think about when purchasing a unique home include: financing, insurance, maintenance, and resale.

If you’re set on purchasing a home that is unique, check with your mortgage lender about financing; lenders may have objections on lending on an unusual home.  It is also not unheard of that extreme unusual homes appraise lower than market value due to uncertainty of value.  Unusual homes, including the “Über-luxury” market, may require specialized loan products that are offered by specialized lenders.

Additionally, you should consult with your insurance agent as the home may not meet your underwriting guidelines for home owners insurance.  Many people don’t realize that insurance carriers may rate your home based on construction materials, zoning, size, etc, which can affect the premium.  And it’s not unheard of that an insurance carrier may also limit or even deny coverage because the home does not meet their underwriting standards.

Maintaining a unique home can sometimes be challenging too.  Many unique homes are constructed with materials that may be exotic, uncommon, and/or can be found in commercial applications.   Repairs and labor costs can be much more than the typically constructed home.  Finding replacement materials and qualified contractors to work with those materials may also be difficult.

Home ownership is often a labor of love for the home, and that emotion can be carried into the resale.  You could easily be disappointed in the time it takes to sell the home as well as the sale price.  Be prepared for an extended time on the market because your unusual home may have a very limited pool of buyers, and negotiation could be long and dragged out due to variances in perception of value.

Doing it your way” may be the theme of a popular song and an advertising campaign for burger joint; but when it comes to building or buying a home – being unique and unusual can sometimes come at a cost.

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This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. This article was originally published the week of June 3, 2013. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © 2013 Dan Krell.