Sustainable Saanich

Sustainable Saanich
Go to www.saanich.ca and click on Climate Change.
As of October 1, 2008, the District of Saanich is offering the following support to building owners ready to make energy efficiency upgrades to their buildings:

GreenStart Consultation Program
1. Free "GreenStart" consultations and Energy Reduction Tools
The consultation includes:
Energy Efficiency - heating, ventilations, air conditioning, insulation, airsealing, lighting, solar, geothermal, small motors and more
Green Rating Systems - Finance, incentive, grant and education programs for new construction, additions and retrofits
Healthy Homes - Reduce mold, odors, cold spots and drafts. Minimize greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

2. Connection to building energy assessors
3. Access to related grant and rebate programs

Green Building Rebate Program
Saanich also offers the Green Building Rebate Programfor Saanich Green Builders which includes priority building permit processing, and rebates u pto 30% of the building permit value on completions and certification.

Climate Action Coordinator
Saanich have hired their own Climate Action Coordinator, Mark Boysen, who can be reached at 250-475-5495 ext 3466

Free Seminars
Watch Saanich's website for ongoing free seminars held at UVic on Residential Energy Efficiency, Alternative Energy, and Energy Effieciency for Commercial Bldgs.

Keep in Touch
For future updates, they have a climate action mailing list sign up which will provide you with any new information as it arises.

It is a quick sign up at the bottom of this page:
http://www.saanich.ca/climate/climatechange.html

Energy Efficient Homes Sell Faster

Eight out of ten real estate agents believe energy-efficient homes will sell faster and for more money…Eco-friendliness is by no means a new concept, but with politicians getting all in a flutter regarding global warming and renewable energy sources, the big push for energy saving is top of their agenda. And, … there's certainly no harm in highlighting loft and cavity insulation or double-glazed windows, all of which could cut heating costs for potential buyers. The same goes for appliances such as fridge/freezers and washing machines that come with a good energy efficiency rating. It should go without saying that more radical measures, such as solar panels on the roof, should take pride of place in a seller's eco-friendly spiel. And if you find your home is lacking in energy saving selling points, the advice … is that it's worth the extra investment. .. "Green issues are here to stay and the demand for energy efficient homes is increasing as consumers become more environmentally savvy. "To increase their chances of making a quick and successful sale...a few energy saving measures could push their property to the top of buyers’ lists." Whether sellers of energy-efficient homes succeed in getting a better price remains to be seen, but, as the saying, goes, if you've got it, flaunt it.

From the National Association Of Green Agents and Brokers

New mortgage rates

Variables Falling to Prime + .60%

Prime + .60% is becoming the new norm for closed variable-rate mortgages. Prior to last week, prime + 1.00% was the average.

RBC was the first to cut last week to prime + .60%, and now other lenders are following suit. Non-bank lenders are also moving to prime + .60%, which is nice to see. (Given the recent credit crisis, smaller non-bank lenders have had the hardest time finding low-cost sources of lending capital.)

A decent variable-rate mortgage can therefore be found for about 4.60% today OAC. This rate will likely drop further following the Bank of Canada's December 9 interest rate announcement.

Variable rates have been easing down primarily because funding costs are improving. 30-day bankers' acceptance yields (which are usually correlated with variable-rate funding costs) have fallen from roughly 2.60% at the end of October to 2.15% yesterday.

Happy December 1st..the count down begins!

Source: Lister &Lister

Laurie Anne Faulkner

Mortgage Broker

Beyer Mortgage Services Inc.
Direct. (250) 588-2288