Green Mortgages
Buildings account for 40% of carbon monoxide (CO2) emissions in the United States. With 20% of total emissions originating from residential home energy consumption. These CO2 emissions come from burning fossil fuels required to heat, cool, and power all types of appliances. Conventional buildings consume 70% of the electricity produced in the United States. Green building is the low hanging fruit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions emitted into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases directly/contribute to climate change. Thereby effecting rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires. Currently over 100,000 people every year in the us now die from air pollution. In 2016 green house gas emissions were 50% higher than the average over the last 10 years. With the average C02 concentration now over 403 parts per million(PPM).The largest increase in the last 30 years! The newly elected Biden administration has proposed a 2050 net zero Co2 emissions plan. That’s 29 years way! In order to achieve even a small percentage of this goal, housing will have to play a major role in reducing greenhouse gases. Green certified homes are not only more energy efficient, and better for the environment, but are more cost effective to own on an annual basis
The average LEED building uses 32% less energy and saves 350 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. The average Energy star certified home consumes 30% less energy. New York and California (Title 24) has joined the 2030 challenge initiating CO2 restrictions by implementing mandated new and retro fit certified green building guidelines. Net zero real estate will be come more common place.
WHAT DOES A GREEN MORTGAGE PAY FOR?
A developing market in green mortgages aka energy efficient mortgage (EEM) is a government mortgage that lowers your environmental footprint, allows borrowers to finance energy efficient improvements and is available for all types of conventional homes, and commercial buildings which can provide many benefits including, below market interest rate financing to upgrade conventional construction by installing green improvements/features. Certified green buildings now have their own dedicated competitive green mortgage financing. Popular cost effective energy/water efficient improvements, converting a conventional “brown” home to “green” may include:
- Installing Energy star appliances, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and tank less water heaters. Commercial retro fit EE features can include whole building energy/water monitoring 24 hrs a day. Energy star appliances can save from 10% to 50% over conventional appliances.
- Increasing insulation in the attic walls, and sealing the entire building envelope. Retrofit insulation can over over 20% annually on heating and cooling costs.
- Installing water efficient fixtures, low flow faucets, toilets and shower heads. Additional improvements may include: grey water recycling systems, and exterior xeriscaping. Water sense fixtures can lower water consumption by 30% annually.
- Upgrading to a high performance energy efficient furnace and air conditioning unit. Heating and a/c account for 60% of the homes annual energy costs.
- Sealing all HVAC duct work. Twenty percent of a/c and heating is lost due to leaky ducts.
- Installing a programmable smart thermostat.
- Upgrading to LED or CFL light fixtures.
- Installing solar panels, storage batteries.
- Upgrading to triple pane windows. This can save 25% annually, however (This is usually not a cost effective energy upgrade, due to the high cost of all exterior window replacement)
- Upgrading and installing a heat pump, or geothermal heating. Now becoming more price competitive.
WHAT IS A GREEN MORTGAGE?
Specialized green mortgages finance certified green homes, increasing your borrowing power, underwriting (documenting) energy efficiency savings, incorporating ESG principals.) (Esgmostgage.com).
With documented lower annual operating cost, green lenders and specialized green underwriters allow for a higher debt to income ratio which can range from 2% to 5%. This green underwriting “stretched ratio” allows the borrower more money to be applied to the mortgage, instead of reoccurring monthly expenses.(water and utilities.) Using the same amount of borrower income. These utility expenses can easily be over $500.00 dollars a month in different climate zones around the country. The average homeowner now spends over $2,000 annually in energy costs. More than a homes taxes or insurance. The intrinsic green features extrapolated over the life of the green mortgage yields measurable savings. Two thousand dollars (2K) annual energy costs saved over 30 year mortgage equals 60k more money to the borrower. (2k x 30 yrs = 60k total savings). These documented savings are included in the green mortgage green underwriting criteria.
Green mortgage benefits include: A lower annual interest rate amortized over the life of the mortgage. This savings can be substantial which can range from thousands of dollars for a single residential green mortgage to over a hundred thousand dollars in the case of a commercial green mortgage portfolio. Another green mortgage benefit is cost of the HERS report can be reimbursed to the borrower.
Green mortgage funds can be used to finance energy/water efficient improvements from the energy audit or the HERS report. The ecorater can calculate the energy/water savings from a proprietary software program using the square footage of your home. This will give the home owner a rate of return on income for the selected energy/water efficiency improvements. The ecorater HERS report will also prioritize the EE/water improvements showing the most cost effective improvements to the least cost effective. Then all the prioritize green feature improvements can been retrofitted by knowledgeable green contractors.
The increased appraisal value of the certified green property will be reviewed and documented by a qualified green appraiser. Upon completion the homeowner now has a more valuable, comfortable home, with no drafty air leaks to live in! Additionally, the individual homeowner has now payed a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A byproduct of this investment decision increases in value annually. Green communities homes pay dividends monthly!
Green Mortgage Or Energy Efficient Mortgage?
Once obscure and underutilized for decades. Green mortgages and energy efficient mortgages are often used interchangeably. The short common term is Energy mortgage or the acronym EEM. Both the energy mortgage and the green mortgage are first mortgages not a second mortgage or a lien on the property. This is an important distinction from alternative green lender financing such as a Pace loan. A common accepted definition of a green mortgage is: A green mortgage credits a homes energy efficiency in the first mortgage. With lower annual utility/water costs. Green underwriters allow for a higher debt to income qualifying ratio. This allows the home buyer to qualify for a larger mortgage amount.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA all three government sponsored agencies(GSE) now have proprietary green underwriting guidelines for green mortgages originated by banks, savings and loans, public, and private green lenders. This has recently provided liquidity in the secondary market allowing the energy mortgage to move from obscurity to slowly gaining market awareness and acceptance. Specialized green lenders are now starting to recognize green mortgages lower annual operating costs, resulting in a 32% LOWER green mortgage default rate and a 25% LOWER prepayment risk than conventional mortgages. These government GSE certified green tranches have initiated and propelled demand for green MBS securities from worldwide social investors and sovereign wealth funds. Recently Fannie Mae has included the multi family green MBS securities into the Bloomberg Index. Which acts as a baseline for performance. Individuals, more specifically millennial’s and women are interested and seeking out designated green securities from Esg brokers to invest in their Esg Ira and ethical 401k retirement plans.
Different TYPES Of Energy Efficient Mortgages
Why apply for a conventional mortgage when a potential home owner/borrower can actually apply for three different kinds of Energy efficient mortgages that offer you direct financial benefits, a more healthy living environment, and reduce greenhouses gases as an environmental benefit? A green mortgage can be used to purchase a new certified green home, or upgrade an older conventional home to become more energy efficient, and position the older home for sale, more competitively in the housing market. In 2021 60% of all new construction will now be built to a green certification.
CONVENTIONAL EEM: a standard green mortgage for green lenders that originate and sell their mortgages to Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac green underwriting now requires up to a 30% value for whole property savings. Fannie Mae offers up to 30 basis points green discount on their green rewards programs for multi family green mortgages. The energy/water savings has been increased from 25% to 30% requirement. Annual Bench marking is required for a full calendar year of utilities, including water, sewer, gas, and electric. With annual performance metrics reporting to the Energy Star portfolio manager is compulsory for the life of the green mortgage with Fannie Mae and four years with Freddie Mac.
WHAT IS GREEN MIP?
On January 2016 Fannie Mae offered a reduced mortgage insurance premium (MIP) for multifamily new construction or certified green renovation for an Energy Star certified qualifying multifamily buildings. MIP can be reduced from 75 basis points down to 25 basis points on the unpaid balance of the mortgage. The green certified multi family building must achieve 75 or higher on the Energy Star portfolio manager(1 to 100 scale). Here is the Fannie Mae green flow chart. Green Mip reduction program is available for: new green certified construction, refinancing’s, substantial green retrofitting, and acquisition loans. The Green Mip program is designed to incentivize developers, builders, and green retrofitting of older conventional “brown” buildings. Incentivizing Energy efficient/water upgrades, lowering monthly utility costs, lower Co2 emissions and increasing the appraisal value of the property.
On May 18, 2022 HUD expanded the discounted green mortgage Green MIP upfront cost for certified assisted living centers. FHA Section 232 mortgage insurance for residential care facilities will reduce upfront capital costs of MIP insurance from 100 basis points to 25 basis points. A 75 green MIP reduction for recognized green building certifications.
These lowered green financing costs will save borrowers tens of thousands of dollars in upfront and annual financing costs. Facilitating the growth of the green mortgage industry nationwide. Third party partner energy can help facilitate the green MIP in your green mortgage origination.
The Green Mip program requires documentation of all the energy efficient features and sustainable building materials used in the project. In the event the green mortgage loan of a multifamily property is 20 units or more an annual energy performance of all the energy efficient upgrades will be required.
GREENMORTGAGE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
With the soon to be released 27 billion dollar Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund(GGRF) one possible future use of the money could be green mortgage down payment assistance for low/moderate income homebuyers. Almost all states have an existing Housing finance authority(HFA) with 50% of the states using 95% of current funds to originate traditional mortgages in 2021.
The GGRF could expand the current funds available for down payment assistance leveraged with private capital. Current HFA’s could offer down payment assistance for new green mortgage applicants and contact existing pools of home owners to implement Energy Efficient upgrades in their homes, combined with federal/state tax credits and lower the risk of default in the current conventional mortgage finance pools.
As climate change accelerates, the Biden 2050 greenhouse gas reduction act enacted. Homeowners could play a significant part in reducing 40% of the nations green house gases through EE/water upgrades to older conventional “brown” homes. Increase homeowners indoor comfort, lower their monthly energy bills, increase the appraisal value of their home, and reduce the nations greenhouse gas emissions while reducing the interest rate on their older conventional mortgage with a reduce rate green mortgage!
WHAT IS A TECHNICAL SOLAR ASSESSMENT?
A Technical Solar Assessment(TSA) is a Fannie Mae prerequisite for apply for a green rewards multi family green mortgage.
A TSA is conducted on existing “brown” appraisal real estate to determine the properties improved energy potential.(efficiency) Using: utility billing, projected calculations, load bearing models, solar project instillation cost, and energy reductions, confirming the solar improvements can be constructed meeting Fannie Mae Green rewards underwriting requirements. The pre qualified high performance building consultant(HPB) provides Fannie Mae with a final technical solar report validating the existing “brown” property is eligible and suitable to be retrofitted with an energy reducing solar PV system that will increase the energy efficiency of the existing property.
Green underwriting regulations are becoming more expansive and intricate as these specialized green mortgages are bundled into green securities and sold at a premium on the world wide market. Green data metric transparency validates and documents a national public data base bench marking which can be used for comparison to other green certified properties, comparison to conventional buildings and incorporated into mortgage default risk analysis. These nascent green underwriting guidelines will be continuously evaluated and upgraded as green financial markets demands are meet. As the United States is a decade behind the rest of the world the Biden administration aka as the green president will focus on climate change. ESG will be incorporated into green underwriting guidelines.
Freddie Mac offers green discounts ranging from 15-30 basis points on their green advantage programs green up and green up plus. Freddie Mac also offers a green rebate for using the Energy Star scoring tool. Both GSE package their green mortgages in green MBS securities and sell them on the secondary market. A 2% basis point green premium is starting to emerge and being documented. This is in addition to all the environmental and social benefits.
FHA EEM Easily qualifying for first time home buyers, FHA Energy efficient mortgage financing includes a low 3.5% down payment. Flexible credit scores, and relaxed debt ratios. The FHA mortgage is the most popular mortgage for first time home buyers. Once the borrower qualifies for a standard FHA mortgage, They also qualify for the FHA energy efficient mortgage. The FHA energy efficient mortgage limit is raised to the lessor of: 1).The cost effective Energy/water improvements based upon the eco raters HERS energy audit. (Cost effective means the improvements pay for themselves, based upon the eco raters ROI report.) 2).The lesser of 5% of: 3). The adjusted value of the home, 4).115% of the medium price of the home or 5).150% of the national conforming mortgage limit. FHA borrowers qualify for a 2% higher debt to income green “stretch ratio”. Borrowers mortgage qualifying ratios are raised to 33% and 45% This allows the home buyer to qualify for a larger mortgage. FHA will also qualify homes that have a six(6) or higher rating using the home energy scoring tool.
Manufactured homes an affordable housing option now are Energy Star certified. Most owners utilize the manufacturer’s in house financing. However Energy Star manufactured homes can qualify for FHA, VA, USDA, and RHS government financing. This option will depend if the home owner owns the land underneath the manufactured home and if the home is situated in a resident owner community.
Due to the increased interest in home renovations On February 2018 Fannie Mae expanded the energy efficient mortgage guidelines. Manufactured homes are now eligible for renovations up to a $50,000 limit. Additional energy mortgage improvements now include homes damaged by environmental disasters, floods, storms, earthquakes and wildfires, which can now be rebuilt and financed to include resiliency improvements.
As resiliency improvements become more commonplace, or mandated in high risk jurisdictions, improvements can include: foundation retrofitting, hazardous brush and tree removal in fire zones, retaining walls installed to stop water and mud flows. Storm berms/surge barriers. Resiliency improvements can be expanded to withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, wind storms and landslides. Examples can include hurricane shutters and storm windows. Also now included in the energy efficient mortgage improvements is radon remediation systems. FHA underwriting guidelines require using licensed green contractors for all renovations.
VAEEM Originated by Congress in 1944. The GI bill was established to help returning eligible military personnel to become reestablished back into their communities after the war. The VA energy efficient mortgage offers unparalleled military benefits such as: Below market interest rate,100% financing with No down payment, below market average credit scores, and no mortgage insurance premium (MIP). The VA energy efficient mortgage has no limit with additional energy efficiency (EE) proceeds allowed ranging from 3 thousand to over 6 thousand(3k-6k). depending on the selected green underwriting criteria.
A GREEN MORTGAGE REQUIRES A HERS SCORE
A Hers score is an acronym for home energy rating score is issued by Resnet, a non profit that was established in 2006. The Hers score is a nationally recognized system for calculating and rating a dwellings energy efficiency. A Hers score is the overall energy efficiency rating of the home/building. The Hers rating ranges from one to hundred (1-100). The lower the score the more energy efficient the home is. A qualified eco rater completes an energy inspection of the home. Specifically evaluating interior air leakage, with a blower door test. A furnace and air conditioning evaluation which includes all HVAC duck work through out the dwelling. Insulation levels in the attic and exterior walls, window efficiency, solar orientation, and all water fixtures. A standard new home has a Hers score of 100. A Hers score of 50 means the dwelling is 50% more energy efficient than a standard new home. At the extreme end of the Hers scale is zero, If a home scores a zero means the home produces as much energy as it consumes. Thereby the dwelling is energy neutral. This is called net zero real estate and the 2050 goal of all green building.
The HERS report which costs between $300 to $800.00 dollars, which can be included in the green mortgage, itemizes energy efficient improvements starting with the highest ROI ranging down to the lowest ROI. The Hers score documents the proposed energy efficient improvements are cost effective. The total cost of the EE improvements are less than the cost of the energy saved over the lifetime replacement value of the improvements.
The highest cost energy upgrade is usually total window replacement.(Due to the high cost of windows). The energy rater uses specialized equipment such as: a blower door test, combustion analyzer, infrared camera and HVAC duct leakage test to analyze specific energy efficiency areas of the home. Each point on the Hers index corresponds to a 1% decrease in energy consumption, Green underwriting research indicates a Green mortgage default rate decreases by 4% and green mortgage prepayment decreases by 2% for each point on the Hers scale. Therefore a portfolio of green certified properties are less risky and offers superior collateral to green lenders. For the last decade…10 years…. lenders have failed to recognize these facts. However outside the laggard of the United States ESG underwriting is now becoming commonplace.
Asleep at the wheel, for the last two decades, the United States is no longer a leader in green finance. The EU is the world leader establishing the EEMAP action plan. The EU has formed a national consortium establishing the energy efficient mortgage (EEM) as a green finance tool, centerpiece to combat climate change. Integrating climate metrics, CO2 emissions, and disclosing carbon intensity. Other EU developments are the EU green taxonomy which entered the market on July 2020. Identifying designated sustainable standards to be incorporated into financial capitol market disclosures.
Using proprietary Ren/rate software homes are rated for EE and issued a Hers index score from 1 to 100 depending on their energy consumption. Green appraisers now include the Hers score on the green addendum as a third party documented energy efficient feature.
Currently the national average Hers index score is 63 according to Resnet. However in the near future Net zero real estate will have negative Hers scores. The average Hers index score in 2015 for net zero homes was (-7). This means the home will generate 57% more energy onsite (solar panels and storage batteries) than it will consume. This excess energy can be stored in batteries, or sent back through the electrical grid to the utility company. The EE improvements must exceed the cost of the improvements to qualify the value of the selected EE improvements to be amortized by the green mortgage. Net zero positive real estate can operate with out a national grid(gas and electric) and independently charge EV vehicles thereby eliminating traditional homeownership monthly costs.
GREEN MORTGAGE OR PACE LOAN?
Property assessed clean energy loan (Pace) currently available in about 33 states allow home owners to finance EE/water improvements and pay for the improvements at approximately 8% annually through assessments attached to their semi/annual property tax bill. The Pace loan is a lien in first position senior lien, to any subordinate mortgage. Pace loans are issued using the homes equity as collateral, not using traditional borrowing credit history or debt to income mortgage qualifying ratios. There is no income requirement for a Pace loan! Pace loans are usually initiated by contractors who have a vested financial interest and signed by unsophisticated vulnerable borrowers. Borrowers may be subject to high pressure up selling tactics from contractors. A third party energy audit is not required for a Pace loan. Therefore contractor up selling tactics could include energy /water efficiency upgrades that are not cost effective. This could lead to a high Pace loan balance that is not offset by the monthly energy/water savings. Many consumers fail to understand the monetized scale benefit of a HERS rater audit. Financially calculating the return on investment (ROI) of energy efficient upgrades. A recent analysis by the Wall street journal shows a high Pace loan default rate leading to the SEC and FBI investigating Pace loans.
Fannie Mae, & Freddie Mac are prohibited by FHFA from purchasing mortgages on the secondary market with Pace loans in first position. This chain of title puts taxpayers in second position by transferring taxpayer risk from first position to second position. Pace loans have few underwriting restrictions and do not include truth and lending disclosure. In the event a property with a Pace loan is sold. The Pace loan remains attached to the property for the amortized amount of the loan. Which can be up to 20 years! This can impede/terminate future property sales encumbered with Pace loans. In the event of a Pace loan default the local government is now responsible for collecting the Pace loan debt. No bank is involved. Unpaid late balances are charged 18% annual interest. Congress is currently investigating Pace loans because they adversely effect borrowers. You can expect changes to future Pace loan financing. On December 7, 2017 FHA issued a news release FHA will no longer insure mortgages that have a Pace loan.
Over 160,000 Pace loans worth 4 billion dollars have been issued. With the average Pace loan amount of $25,000. Top originators Pace nation, and Ygrene Energy, all continue to publicly state the false benefits of a Pace loan.
Spending 15 million dollars in the last 2 yrs on litigation from poor business practices. Being the target of over 50 lawsuits, 3 class actions lawsuits, issuing 1.5 billion in PACE loans , with no consumer credit scores and a huge drop in originations, Renovate America filed for bankruptcy. Now lets benchmark and compare a Pace loan to a superior green mortgage.
A green mortgage or Energy efficient mortgage provides a below market interest rate, with a 30 year amortization period in first lien position! Additional borrower benefits include: full truth and lending disclosure, three day right of rescission, increased debt to income “stretch ratios” using traditional analytical mortgage tools, No senior lien impeding the future sale of the property. A required Hers report and supporting green appraisal. A 50% discount in annual interest rate, and no 18% late penalty as compared to a cumbersome Pace loan! An energy efficient mortgage (EEM) can also pay off a Pace loan with no dollar restrictions. A green mortgage is a far superior green financing tool than a Pace loan! Regardless of any false rhetoric emitted from Pace lenders who have a financial vested interest. A green mortgage is the lowest cost of funds available for all energy efficient and resiliency upgrades. This includes popular solar instillation’s which may be leased from a third party, or financed with a Hero loan(Pace loan)
GREENMORTGAGE OR “BROWN” MORTGAGE?
We are all familiar with the traditional 30 year FHA, Conventional, VA and Jumbo mortgage. A stalwart in the mortgage industry for the last 50 years. The majority of all mortgages issued. These “brown” mortgages finance older, outdated, inefficient buildings/homes that contribute up to 40% of climate Co2 emissions, All these existing “brown mortgages” will not meet future Energy/water efficient standards as defined by the Biden Net zero real estate defined law that will come into effect in 2024. Therefore these brown mortgages/assets with their lower energy ratings will face increased operating expenses(gas, electric, water) higher deferred maintenance, requiring costly upgrades, increased insurance premiums, Eventually facing obsolescence.
Being directly impacted by changing government regulations, sustainability, and evolving market conditions. National and International. These “Brown” mortgage “MBS” are assembled and sold on the secondary market by Fannie Mae, Freddie mac, HUD etc. With increasing government regulations, these risky older “brown assets” will be less marketable, due to depreciating underperforming collateral risk. We will begin to see this in the open market Probably starting in 2024. Therefore all existing older, conventional buildings/homes will be discounted in the market up to 30%! This will impact mortgage originators, lenders and investors. Got That? It has already occurred outside the laggard US. This is the first shoe to drop with additional future regulations onboarded.
Outdated older properties/securities that are not on a defined course for decarbonization are more “risky” than newly built green certified netzerorealestate.com buildings with their dramatically less polluting emissions, reduced monthly operating costs over the lifetime of the mortgage, and less required maintenance. The Fannie Mae UAD guideline adjustment has been in effect for years. It just has not been factored into traditional mortgage underwriting due to the dysfunctional US Congress over the entire last decade, Additionally Fannie/Freddie has done nothing concerning EE/water efficiency guidelines as documented by their lackadaisical regulatory underwriting guideline implementation, updating Congress, and FHFA. Remaining a penny stock on the OTC for over an entire decade. This is why Fannie/Freddie should be abolished and restructured lack of performance for the last 20 years.
The Energy efficient line adjustment allows for increased value for energy/water efficiency and high performance certified homes. A green certified/net zero home can cost up to $5,000 dollars less annually to own and operate. That’s $150,000 savings over a 30 year amortization that has not quantified with mortgage underwriting/processors for the last 2 decades (20 years). Additional additions will be the HERS rating and water rater index yearly savings.
Greenmortgages.com provide for energy efficiency upgrades/improvements, documentation, lower annual interest rate, lower Co2 emissions, Green mortgages will come in market focus in 2024 with the Biden net zero real estate definition. California SB 253 and SB 261 laws signed into effect on October 7, 2023. Requiring Public and private companies over one billion in assets to report their Co2 emissions when doing business in California. An estimated 5,400 companies. Included companies are: Wells Fargo, US bank, Loan depot, Rocket mortgage, Chase, United Wholesale mortgage, B of A, Citi and First republic. SB261 Climate risk financial act requires: publicly disclosing their climate related risks/greenhouse gas emissions AND WHAT MEASURE THEY ARE TAKING TO MITIGATE THESE RISKS…ISSUING less brown mortgages is the low hanging fruit to be implemented. The same California bill was introduced in New York SB 897. Green mortgages with their lower monthly operating costs, provide lower default risks to a lender portfolio.
It is anticipated in May 2024 the log delayed SEC ESG climate disclosure regulations will be introduced. Probably not as restrictive as California requiring scope 3 emission disclosure. Supply lines IE: Embedded carbon at construction sites. Existing US ESG regulations include: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) And the reversal of Trumps pecuniary factors for Esgretirement.com
WHAT IS A green heloc?
The home equity line of credit (heloc) is a revolving line of credit secured by your home. (similar to a second mortgage) The green heloc is a flexible green financing tool that can be used to purchase and install EE/water efficient improvements/upgrades. The homeowner can select and even install the desired improvements using the interest only portion of the green heloc to pay for the cost of the energy efficient upgrades. Then using the monthly savings from the selected improvements(gas,water) pay off the interest and principal from the green heloc. This may be another cost effective way to pay to upgrade a conventional home to a more desirable energy efficient home! Additionally the homeowner should retain all documentation from the EE/water upgrades to support the increased green appraisal of the property. This will facilitate the marketing/sale of the property by the specialized green broker.
commercial green financing
The small business administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the Federal government. Designed to facilitate guaranteed financing for small business that require funding. Similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranteeing mortgages on the secondary market. All government agencies only guarantee a portion of the financed amount. The borrowers down payment provides the equity payment portion of the guaranteed loan.
SBA offers up to 90% below market (fixed rate) green financing for small business. (Less than 500 employees) Up to 5.5 million government guarantee on the second mortgage per project. Green SBA loans are available with 10% down and 10% equity. One key benefit of the green 504 loan is the typical 5 million dollar eligibility per borrower is eliminated. There is no limit on the overall borrower project size(loan amount) which can range between 10 million to over 20 million dollars. The easiest way to qualify for a Green 504 loan is to retrofit a building you own, or construct a new building(owner occupied) that uses 10% less energy than you are concurrently consuming. The 10% calculation is based upon energy consumption, not a 10% savings on future energy bills.
The SBA has introduced a Green lenders initiative facilitating enrolling climate lenders into SBA loan guarantees. Designed to attract addition private capital to support clean energy under the Biden inflation reduction act. (Green IRA). The SBA is now coordinating with the EPA, green lenders, funding 20 billion dollars for national green banks.
Green 504 financing is available for owner occupied business, new construction or energy efficient improvements installed in conventional buildings. Typical EE improvements include: solar panels, sealing the building envelope, installing real time energy monitoring data systems, upgrading all HVAC systems, upgrading to commercial smart lighting systems and installing all types of low flow water fixtures. The Green 504 loan benefits include: 10 to 20 year green loan amortization terms, green loan size can range from 125k to over 20 million and the borrower can qualify for multiple 504 green loans. Commercial green mortgages can save building owners tens of thousands of dollars over a 30 year green mortgage.
The majority of the international public at large now believe in global warming. Climate change is adversely effected by the continued emission of green house gases. However many individuals believe climate change will not directly effect them. This false perception will slowly change with increasing global temperatures and unpredictable violent weather patterns. With increased velocity of hurricanes, wildfires and drought start to have adverse economic consequences which will eventually be financed by individual taxpayers. Seventy three percent (73%) of homebuyers consider natural disasters when deciding whether to buy or sell a home. Only 10% of home buyers/sellers stated climate change does not effect their decision.
Reinsurance underwriters will incorporate climate risk into their models and financing (geocoding). Under the Biden administration Government GSE, Fannie, Freddie, FHA and SEC will all incorporate climate change in their ESG underwriting This in turn will eventually filter down to home buyer. Effecting the annual premiums of homeowners insurance, and the availability of government sponsored green mortgages.
european green mortgage
EU buildings are the largest single energy consumer in the European Union. The total value of the European mortgage market is equal to 53% of the total EU Gross National product(GNP). This realization has spawned The Energy efficient mortgage action plan (Eemap) a new partnership between European banks, institutional investors, utility companies, stakeholder alliances and appraisers which is currently researching the financial link in green underwriting between green mortgage default and energy efficient properties performance. Over forty European banks including ING, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Nordea Bank, Societe generale have aligned with the World Green Building council to launch a two year pilot green mortgage program
With lower operating costs, documented higher resale value, improved indoor health benefits, and increased employee productivity green building is now rapidly expanding world wide. As the nascent green performance metrics are being analyzed, the research is clear, green building value creation and risk mitigation indicators will be incorporated into all the European member states with individual, EU member state green financing mechanisms, Incorporated into the EU green taxonomy starting in 2022 developing proprietary green mortgages and green securities(stocks and bonds) marketing and underwriting guidelines. With documented lower operating costs green lenders are starting to realize that green securities has a lower default rate. This in turn reduces the green lenders risk profile. As EU regulators and central banks require lenders to publicly report climate change risk, Co2 emissions, carbon credit emissions credits, and climate stress tests on their balance sheets.
The EU commission has recently developed and introduced “levels“ a voluntary program that serves as a starting point for complex circular economy environmental performance metrics. Each “level” links the individual green building environmental impact metrics using priorities in the circular economy at the EU environment. Performance levels include: CO2 emissions, material life cycles, healthy indoor environments through out the entire life cycle of the building. These green performance metrics can be used as data points for future green mortgage underwriting guidelines.
The Task Force on Climate related financial disclosures (TCFB) are requiring banks to report their climate risk exposure and become more focused on green finance metrics. Sustainability is now becoming an integral part of the green/ESG underwriting framework. Financial institutions and government regulators are now realizing their is a need to connect the environmental performance of real estate with dedicated green mortgage products. In December 2020 The US Federal Reserve board joined the network for greening the financial system.(NGFS). In 2024 The SEC will require mandatory Co2 emissions disclosure from public companies.
The Eemap two year project has introduced “green tagging” A systematic process for scaling green finance. There is now nascent data clearly showing a correlation between green building performance and green mortgage default risk.
Green tagging has been implemented to track the green mortgage portfolio performance through green securitisation. Correlations between energy performance, sustainability factors, greenhouse gas emissions, financial default risk, will be analyzed, and documented. Green tagging will provide valuable insights into improved economic performance and credit risk analysis compared to conventional grey buildings. After supporting green metrics have been established. Green banks capitol requirements will be implemented.(Lowered than conventional current capital levels). This will help facilitate the green transition, providing a blueprint for other nations.
We have now entered into a “green normal™” environment for mortgage analytics. No longer is a simple FICO score sufficient for calculating consumer risk. Green tagging combined with a green virtual balance sheet will become the standard baseline for selecting, verifying, monitoring and reporting all green assets and reduced liability. This will provide documented quantitative relationships for building performance, mortgage performance and a regulatory finance framework. These new green metrics throughout the buildings life cycle will provide documented tangible evidence of green benefits to green investors. A project “greenness” can now be documented and verified. Using these newly established “green metrics” can establish a baseline for the emerging trillion dollar green ESG bond market. The green element “greenness“ will effect the momentum, market rate, dedicated green investors, and emerging regulatory environment.
The United States is the current world leader with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting over 40 billion dollars in green mortgages in 2020. Currently Europe(EU) is building a common database of energy performance certificates (EPC’s) which will be included in the green underwriting of properties with an A- D green energy rating. The (EPC), is an EU requirement for all buildings. Properties with a E-G energy rating will remain in the “grey zone” and not be qualified for a discounted green mortgage. A research study by Pearl indicated that 37% of private Landlords that own a property in the F and G rating could not afford to increase their EPC rating. With the average energy efficiency increase cost of EU 5,800. Therefore individual EU member states are considering a tax deduction for landlords to obtain a higher rating. The EU is considering increasing the minimum EPC rating for privately rented homes to level C by 2030. Recent Paragon Bank research has indicated 45% of homeowners will use the Green Homes Grant to cover up to 5,000, of the energy efficient upgrades costs, with vouchers redeemed by March 31, 2021.
Eighty two percent(82) of newly constructed homes in 2017 had an EPC rating of A or B. All of these homes qualify for a green mortgage. To facilitate the introduction of the EU green mortgage, Barclay’s bank issued an E500 million green bond to provide financing for the lowest carbon buildings. The offering was oversubscribed to E2billion indicating demand from institutional investors. The properties will be identified using the EU government EPC’s. Research shows 19 million properties fall short of Level “C” which is equivalent to 70% of The United Kingdom 27 million homes.
EPC RATING INCREASES A HOMES VALUE
A 2022 Rightmove green homes report has analyzed over 200k EU homes that have sold twice with an upgraded EPC rating the second time. The upgraded EPC score is shown below:
Increasing a homes EPC from an “F” to a “C” increased the homes appraised value by 16%
An EPC rating increase from an “E” to a “C” increases a home value by 8%
An EPC rating increase from a “D” to a “C” increased a homes value by 4%
With over 95% of EU buildings rated (below A) not energy efficient the average EU home emits 7 tons of greenhouse gas per year. Home buyers are now aware of the additional costs associated upgrading a conventional “BROWN” home to a higher EPC rating and now factor these considerations into a homes purchase offer price. Top green improvement features are: solar panels and heat pumps. Selling agents now include the terms: low carbon, and sustainable in their listings.(THIS IS A PREVIEW WHAT IS TO SOON OCCUR TO HOME PRICES IN THE LAGGARD US.)
On April 19, 2023 David Geale Director of retail banking delivered a speech, explaining over 60% of EU households can achieve energy efficiency for their homes for under 1,100 Euros. Green mortgages are the financial tool to help mortgage lenders deliver on their net zero commitments. Benefiting the consumers, lenders balance sheets, and the EU taxonomy. Brokers are the pivotal intermediary introducing green mortgages or improving energy efficiency EPC rating for homeowners and need to be informed. A mortgage broker is utilized as a pivotal intermediator in the financial transaction. For this reason The Green Finance Institute (GFI) developed the Brokers handbook for this transition. Designed to educated mortgage brokers as knowledgeable advisors for green retrofitting, articulating the value of EE upgrades and demonstrating expertise in financial products.
In a recent survey 83% of EU mortgage advisors stated their clients had no comprehension of green mortgages. With 14% of clients only having a partial understanding of green mortgages. Therefore there is an urgent need for the GFI to educate mortgage brokers on energy efficient upgrades, decarbonatization of buildings, broker insights and embedded skills to remove the mystery of green mortgages. Rightmove green homes research has shown improving retrofitting a property from F to C EPC rating increased the appraisal value of the property by 16%!
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) having regulatory oversight highlighted greenhouse gas emissions from mortgaged homes account for 80% of lenders balance sheet total emissions. Therefore mortgaged homes emissions are crucial for lenders to achieving their decarbonization targets. lenders, banks, and intermediary funders reputation will be enhanced for being early adopters, and regulatory compliance
The EU energy/water performance standards are: Net zero energy standard for new construction, or 20% better than national standards if a net zero standard is not in place. For renovations 30% reduction in energy/water consumption requiring a new energy performance certificate for verification.
The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) 2020 research indicates green mortgages have a 55% awareness rate among the general population. will be used by 74% of lenders in the near future. One in 10 mortgage advisors has seen an uptick in green mortgages since the onslaught of the Covid 19 virus. One in five homeowners would be willing to pay an extra L100 to lower their carbon footprint. Forty three percent(43%) of homeowners were willing to be part of climate change solutions.
Possible future EU regulations may include: Align a specific green mortgage definition with the EU Taxonomy.
When a residential home is built, refinanced, sold: or rented. A mandatory green assessment required in the Esgunderwriting.com criteria. Which incudes a current EPC rating certificate.
Green appraisals include energy use consumption data. Allowing banks/financial disclosures quantitate data for loan pricing, disclosure requirements meeting KPI targets, (EU2050, NGFS, TNDF, SEC)
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