Capitalism with a Green Heart by Dave Robinson
Dave Robinson contracted energy renovations for 30 years and served the industry as president of the California Building Performance Association before starting GreenEarthEquities in 2008. He performs deep energy retrofits on foreclosed homes and and is building an Army of Energy-Wise Investors to do the same. As the principal of GreenEarthEquities, his column provides proven insights into the nuts and bolts of profitable energy-wise house flipping utilizing the latest green building tools and technology. Click here to read one or all of his many posts on every aspect of this issue. his column provides proven insights into the nuts and bolts of profitable energy-wise house flipping utilizing the latest green building tools and technology. Click here to read one or all of his many posts on every aspect of this issue.
Author's Archives
Thousand Home Challenge!
April 13th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise Education, EnergyWise Renovation, Green Renovation, Planet Savers University
The Affordable Comfort Institute* is sponsoring the "Thousand Home Challenge." The challenge will be a demonstration project to showcase the fact that we really can do Energy Wise Renovation and cut current energy use by 70 to 90%. The savings will be documented and the project will be used to craft "What's Next?" in energy codes and policies. The idea of...Continue Reading!
Investing: The best days to buy
April 1st, 2009 categories: Buyers, EnergyWise House Flipping, Investors, Real Estate Tips
I have found that I get my best bargains in one of two times: Either the first day that a listing hits the market, or after many months. First response has worked well for me, as has being the first one in after a price reduction. So the maxim is true, "The early bird gets the worm." On the other end...Continue Reading!
Call The Cops! Sometimes it’s the best way to raise the value in your neighborhood.
March 31st, 2009 categories: EnergyWise House Flipping, Investors, Real Estate Tips
Recently we bought a home to do an Energy Wise Renovation in one of our targeted neighborhoods. Kind of spotty actually, some really nice blocks and then some not so nice areas mixed in. This neighborhood is in the "Valley of Decision." The burst of energy it had when it was new 45 years ago is gone. Everything is worn...Continue Reading!
A Tale of Two Foreclosures (Different Investors, Different Results)
March 29th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise House Flipping, EnergyWise Renovation, Real Estate Tips
It was one of my first offers as I was getting into Energy Wise real estate investing. I was learning to negotiate and I asked for too much in my due diligence phase. The bank sold it to another investor.... but I was successful on the one next door for the same price. I knew everything about both houses so...Continue Reading!
Two House Flipping Rookies compare notes after 3 deals.
March 27th, 2009 categories: Buyers, EnergyWise House Flipping, EnergyWise Renovation, Investors, Real Estate Tips
Today I had lunch with my long time friend, Ron Roberts, at Boston Market. About 5 months ago I had convinced Ron that it was a perfect time to start buying and fixing houses. I had dragged him to one investing seminar and that's all it took. We're both contractors who had been away from real estate investing for many...Continue Reading!
Are You Dumb Enough To Be Rich? Book Review
March 26th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise Education, Investors, Real Estate Tips
One of my favorite real estate trainers is Bill Barnett. I attended one of his three day trainings and he and his wife, Kris put on an excellent event. Bill's background is finance so he's very good with the numbers, but his biggest strength is his ability to tell a story to get his point across. Us humans learn best...Continue Reading!
The Perfect Storm with Green Clouds
March 25th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise Education, EnergyWise House Flipping, Investors, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips
I'd been disillusioned about real estate investing for about 20 years. I remember the phone call that took me out of the game. About 11:30 one evening I learned that a tennant's water heater needed to be lit. On my way across town to light it, I remember saying, "That's it, I'm done, let's sell all this stuff." And we...Continue Reading!
Hamburger, It’s essential when feeding a dog a pill and…
March 24th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise House Flipping, EnergyWise Renovation, Real Estate Tips
Have you ever tried to feed a dog a pill, a pill that was going to be good for him? It was a really good pill, I knew that, but he wouldn't believe it, and was ready to do me bodliy harm to maintain his position. Until I brought out the secret weapon. Hamburger. I even let him watch me...Continue Reading!
The 5 Olympic Rings of Energy-Wise Renovation
March 24th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise Education, EnergyWise House Flipping, EnergyWise Renovation, RENOVATORS
In a previous post I said that if you were careful, you could go against common wisdom and do Energy-Wise house flipping in today's market. At a profit. And sell quickly. Dont hear me wrong, I didn't say it was easy. To win the Gold in this contest, we must do a lot of things right. I liken it to...Continue Reading!
Energy-Wise Renovations: Will they sell in this market?
March 24th, 2009 categories: EnergyWise Renovation, Investors, Marketing, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips
What is an Energy-Wise Renovation anyway? To be an Energy-Wise Renovation, which is the main focus of this blog, the renovator must take the "whole house approach." At a minimum, that will include: Dual Pane Low E2 Windows, Big insulation in attic and walls, R38 to 55 depending on your climate zone, Attention to "thermal bypasses," Shell sealing of...Continue Reading!
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