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Is this the start of a green wave? 75,000 interest free eco-loans have been granted by French banks since the scheme started on the 1st of April 2009. “A good start” according to the French Banking Federation (FBF), especially as the result meets the objectives fixed by the Grenelle de l’environement, an open multi-party debate instigated by Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007 to define key points of public policy on sustainable development issues for the coming 5 years. Indeed they hope to reach 200 000 loans over 2009-2010.

The no interest eco-loan allows individuals to finance works which improve energy efficiency in their main residence (it is not available for holiday homes). The green loan can be up to 30,000 € and repaid over 10 years. According to the FBF, the average amount of this first wave of eco-loans is roughly 17,000 €.

Although off to a promising start, the system remains complex and may put some people off. There aren’t any fund conditions but there are certain restrictions. For example one cannot simply replace the windows. One must choose 2 or 3 different works to be carried out from an official list, or reach a specific level of global energy performance after the work has been carried out. Additionally, the loan only concerns properties built before 1990. As for those who choose to increase the energy performance of their home, the dwelling will have to have been built since 1947.

The FBF estimates that the authorities have not provided enough clarification or simplification, which would accelerate and increase the number of projects.

The French Agency for Environment and Energy Management started a campaign last week, communicating all one needs to know about eco-loans. Florence Clement, who works for the Agency, recognises that the system is complex even though the principle is simple: “It’s about subsidising the most efficient and coherent works, and avoiding the patch-up jobs. There’s no point in replacing the windows if the rest of the house leaks energy.” In order to get a more global picture of the work to be done, the Agency recommends turning to independent energy advisors, present throughout France for further advice.

Consider as many green building products as you can when building your home. You can consider things like bamboo wood flooring or recycled newspaper insulation, for example. There is some plywood or paneling that is made from wood chips and other wood products. Window treatments can include wicker or bamboo shades and used brick facades can add style to the front of your home. There are many green building products made from plentiful resources. This includes building products that are made from recycled plastic and metals, including siding, some kinds of decking, and other products that can be included when you decide to build green real estate.

Another consideration to make your new home friendlier to the environment is natural energy sources that are easily available, such as solar or wind power to lower your energy usage. It can be an easy way to save money on your utility bills and a way to add an energy system that can pay for itself very quickly. If you are not familiar with how wind or solar energy systems work, most builders in your area can advise you on which choice might be the best for your particular location. Most parts of the country are able to use one of these choices when building green real estate homes.

Considering your natural landscaping and shade trees should be one of the first things you think about when you are looking for the perfect building lot. Try to find a lot that has plenty of large trees near your planned building area and look for natural landscaping that can help save water. You do not need to have a grass lawn to water if there is plenty of natural gravel and rock. Boulders and rock gardens or native growing plants and flowers do not need much water to thrive. Large shade trees can save on your energy bill, as long as they do not shade your solar energy system, when making a green real estate investment.

Think about the placement of your home when you are looking at lots because southern exposure is the best placement for your home. This allows you to take advantage of the winter sun, which is in the southern part of the sky during winter and it can save money on your heating bill. Another thing to think about is whether you can take advantage of earth contact building on the lot you select. If there is a hilly area on the lot that faces the south, it might be the perfect place to build a home that is insulated by the earth, making it perfect green real estate for your home.

You might want to consider used building products when you are thinking about green building. If there is an old barn on the property, used barn wood trim, or panels can make an interesting wall. You might want to consider checking some of the used building supply yards that carry brick that can be used for patios. Antique stores might have ornate wooden doors and windows that can add character to your home. Even stained glass windows add character and can be found at some building suppliers and used salvage yards that specialize in salvaging old buildings. Part of building green real estate can mean recycling products that can add a personal touch, too.

When you are designing your home, make sure you consider the ways you can take advantage of natural lighting. Design your home with green building in mind. Make sure that windows take advantage of southern winter sun, but minimize the number openings that are exposed to cold northern winds. Consider that many storms can come from the west and the summer sun is hottest through these windows. For the best energy savings, careful planning of windows allows you to get natural lighting and save on your heating and cooling bills when thinking about green real estate.

As you can see, we have learned quite a few things about green building and most of it does not involve additional expense. In fact, you may find that you can build a green home for less than many kinds of homes and save money on your energy bills every month. Careful lot selection, location of your home and the materials you plan to use are part of the easiest things to do, when you are considering green building practices. Many people are wrong to think building a green home is more expensive. Your energy savings can pay for any additional costs you might run into. The next thing you should do is use these tips and find out more information to make your next home part of the green real estate movement.

For more information about green real estate, visit The Derrick Monroe Group, a team of full time Minneapolis real estate agents of that have a detailed knowledge of the Twin Cities real estate market. With attention to details and a unique marketing approach for home sellers and a second to none program for home buyers, you are sure to find what you are looking for with them.

To go “green” or not to go “green” the 21st century Shakespeare says. Contradictory to common belief, going “green” in your real estate business is actually more profitable than not. One company, In The Now Investments, Inc. has taken it to the next level.

If you have a heartbeat you surely often hear the word “green” almost every day but most of us really do not think about what “green” is or what all is involved. The term has been tossed around loosely and has most likely lost some of its true meaning. This is why the owners of In The Now Investments decided to get educated and learn the true benefits (short and long-term) of taking their business to the “green” side. What they were about to find out would change their lives dramatically.

Through research and education, it became clear that going “green” was actually going to be more profitable than not. There are several government programs and stimulus packages just waiting for the next great environmentally friendly business plan. In The Now decided that if they were going to do this, they wanted to be the leaders in their industry. To say the least, they have completed 100 real estate transactions in the last 16 months in Detroit, one of the hardest hit areas during this so-called “Economic Meltdown”. During this time period they have assisted numerous families, investors, and saved many folk’s retirement plans by assisting them in self directing it into a much more valuable investment. This is such an incredible strategy for normal everyday people to take advantage of. We all know that a few years ago when the stock market crashed, many 401k’s unfortunately turned into 201k’s (half of the retirement funds just disappeared). Fortunately, most are bouncing back from this but their funds are not nearly where they should be at this point in their working lives. Although this is another topic completely, this strategy has made back people’s retirement funds and even was the cause of a lot of folks retiring earlier than planned – never a bad dilemma to have.

Let’s get to the nuts and bolts here and talk about how “green” is actually more affordable and profitable. Just by using “green” strategies and Eco-Friendly products in these homes, you will receive money back from the government in the form of a check, not to mention the other tax incentives and write-offs that come with it. Investors that are taking advantage of this are seeing an avg. of 33% of their actual rehab costs back as cash 60 days after completion of their project. That’s a nice chuck of ROI right away that the investor can put into their next investment or take a really nice vacation far away. Make sure you get with a professional in the “green” industry to ensure you receive the highest amount of rebates and incentives. Taking the time to get the right consulting can really make a huge difference. In The Now just happened to be at the right place at the right time and met a very influential professional in the Eco-Consulting field that was really making moves in the “green” industry. Since then, they have teamed up, made him Chief Green Officer of the company, and completed many deals together while saving people a lot of money in the meantime (just due to the savvy “green” strategies that were implemented during the rehab process).

Remember, not only are you becoming more profitable as a business but you are doing a great act to our environment. You are conserving energy and helping to rebuild America one “green” home at a time. Just think about the potential amount of lives that you can personally make a difference in – your life, your family, business partners and their families, the investors that you come in contact with, the everyday people with retirement funds just laying around, the tenants/first time homebuyers that actually live in the home, the neighborhood, forcing appreciation on residential real estate and so many more. Make sure to pat yourself on the back, celebrate a little, and get moving on to your next Eco-Friendly project, the environment and countless individuals will thank you.

And lastly, someone once told me that your brain is either your biggest asset or your biggest liability. Get educated on what is working right now and what works for your business. You do not have to be in Real Estate to start implementing “green” strategies, although it is not a bad place to start. There is a ton of opportunity and new businesses that we haven’t even heard or dreamed about yet that are just in their baby stages. Make sure you position yourself to be a part of a huge movement. It is almost a no-brainer at this point to take advantage of the “green” movement before the competition has completely left you in the Stone Age. Maybe the title of this Press Release should have been “Can you Afford to Go Green, or better yet, Can you Really Afford not to?”