VanEd Newslog

Our favorite stories this week include angry chefs, green property valuation and low appraisals, sooo.... hold the blowfish?

Here are our favorite stories from this week, as reported by the VanEd staff, students and industry sources. It's probably no surprise that food, green building and a story about a low appraisal all made the list. We're diverse like that. :)

Did you know that Old Buildings can learn New Tricks? An article on the Sustainable Business Oregon website says yes. In her article, Caitlin Powell notes a study showing that by renovating an older warehouse (or potentially a mall?) and using 6 to 8 percent fewer resources than on demolition and new construction, contributions to climate change can be reduced by as much as 9 percent. Other stats are even more impressive.

Read more --> http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/columns/2012/04/old-buildings-can-learn-new-tricks.html?ed=2012-04-03&s=article_du&ana=e_sbo

 

You know it is still an interesting market when the Past President of the Appraisal Institute, a Tennessee Real Estate Broker, loses a deal over a low appraisal and then gets an article on CNN Money. Read the article and then decide: Are banks sending messages to appraisers to keep valuations low?  http://cnnmon.ie/HcdwZ7

Don't think the appraisers are just one sided, though. They're still working on Green features as they ask If Energy upgrades add value to existing homes? The appraisers discuss this in an Appriasal Scoop post.    http://bit.ly/GTtZOf

Appraisers also have to deal with the Uniform Collateral Data Portal® (UCDP®), a single portal for the electronic submission of appraisal data files to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that facilitates the electronic collection of appraisal report data. Appraisal report forms for all conventional mortgages delivered to Freddie Mac on or after March 19, 2012, must be submitted to the UCDP. For more info visit http://www.freddiemac.com/sell/secmktg/uniform_collateral_data_portal.html. 

 

Ever ask what happens to all the hats that land on the ice after a hat-trick in hockey? We didn't until the Colorado Avalanche put the question to those who pick them up in this online video: http://video.avalanche.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1027&id=103305 (and hey, now we know!) 

 

And what is with the regulators in Tokyo? The deadly poisonous Blowfish can kill you with a look (ok, an eye....seriously, the eyes, heart, liver... all more deadly than cyanide!). And now food regulators are easing restrictions for those who want to cook these deadly delicacies. Seems to us tha loosening standards for chefs who specialize in blowfish seems like adding risk to an already "fishy" proposition. 

See what we mean in this Rueters article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/03/us-japan-blowfish-idUSBRE83202P20120403

These stories and many more were or are available on one of our social network sites listed below. Please join us there!

Be aware of asbestos issues in older properties

As a new homeowner or potential seller, it is not likely that you are acquainted with the inner materials of a home. However, most buyers seek an updated home inspection before closing on a new property. It is important to reassure buyers that the home is safe and does not contain any potential health hazards. These inspections are critical to clearing hurdles down the road that may slow the sale of property.

One of the most common surprises new homeowners and sellers confront is asbestos in older structures. Indeed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are now banned for use in the United States but many older buildings still contain these products, which are generally safe, but homeowners should be aware of where they and when they become hazardous.

Asbestos was included in thousands of construction products and still exists in nearly 80% of homes built prior to 1978. Common asbestos materials include attic insulation, ceiling tiles, and pipe lining. Asbestos was particularly adept at insulation and prevention of temperature transfer and was used extensively until adverse health effects began to manifest in those who worked with the material frequently.

It is only when asbestos containing materials are compromised or very old that they become hazardous. Asbestos products under these conditions are rendered “friable.” Home inspection companies should be able to identify these circumstances and advise you on a course of action. When asbestos material is friable, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, potentially endangering those in the area.
Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the body’s inner tissue and have been conclusively linked to the rare cancer, mesothelioma in addition to many other respiratory disorders. There are few options for mesothelioma treatment or curative therapies for other conditions caused by sustained asbestos exposures. Homeowners need to be aware of potential hazards that may exist so they may be able to avoid potentially harmful effects of hazardous asbestos.

Again, most asbestos containing materials will not pose an immediate hazard and an informed buyer will not be turned off by their presence if they’re reassured of their safety by a professional opinion. These simple precautions can be taken to assure that both sides know that they and their families will be happy and healthy in their new home.

Information courtesty of the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center - Online at http://www.maacenter.org. Learn more about Environmental Hazards Screening by taking the online course - available through VanEd. Click here for more information on this MRE course.

Connect with us on one of our social network sites listed below!

What we're reading: Our favorite items from this past week include foreclosures, ray guns, card tricks, and philanthropy

Quote: Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.-Robert Frost, American Poet

 

The past week has been full of news from the world of real estate and finance, sure, but we found some of our staff caught up reading articles and posts on topics ranging from marketing to science fiction. Here are some of the items we found the most interesting from this past week.

 

Fannie Mae is preparing to open a pilot project that is designed to sell foreclosed properties to investors in hopes that the investors will turn them into rental properties. http://on.wsj.com/yEzBvB 

Not to be out done, Freddie Mac made moves to adopt a new way of valuing foreclosed properties. With any luck this one turns out to be a good step.  http://bit.ly/zOV7vF

Teller (yes, of Penn & Teller) Reveals His Secrets and discussed seven steps to.... well.... manipulating us! (18 months to create one trick! Amazing!) http://bit.ly/ymk0ew

How do we hush rowdy library patrons? We currently use the tried and true "shhhhh" method, but we all want a new Japanese SpeechJammer Ray Gun!  http://bit.ly/wN2b4B Yep. #shhh

In case you missed it, the Bowling To Teachers Grant Classroom Supply program is running at participating Kids Bowl Free centers.  Last week they delivered information to about 60 schools in Madison, WI to let teachers know about the program.  We'd love for you to let your kids teachers know about it too.  Tell them to visit www.BowlingToTeachers.com for all of the details.  

These folks are going to be giving away 80 - $250 Grants each month starting in March and ending in July.  That's 400 grants in total. We wanted to make certain to pass this information along in hopes that teachers around the country get a chance to participate!

The most successful people in real estate choose VanEd. To learn more about the family of courses offered by VanEd, visit us online at http://www.vaned.com. And for up to the minute industry information or to receive special promotions and discount offers, connect with us online at any of our other social networks listed below!

Managing growth – Maximizing benefits, Minimizing impacts

Why Manage Growth?

Rapid population growth and development are nothing new, and there are no states that are excluded. Starting with the gold and silver rushes of the mid-nineteenth century and ending with the dotcom and telecom boom at the conclusion of the twentieth century, much of history has taken place in the shadow of surging growth and development.  And whether it’s a mining town that springs up almost overnight on the hillsides around Cripple Creek or a large master planned subdivision appearing on the urban fringe of a large metro area, the impacts on the landscape and region – both positive and negative - are far reaching.

While this growth has brought significant benefits to the state in the form of job generation and increased economic development and commerce, it has not come without a cost.  Residents today lament the ills of urban sprawl: traffic congestion, soulless strip malls and “big box” stores, loss of open space and farmland and worsening air and water pollution.  These side effects of development have affected the overall quality of life in the region – historically one of real estate's best selling points.  

Citizen outcry over urban sprawl has already resulted in several attempted ballot measures.  In addition to statewide measures, there have been dozens of local ballot measures introduced offering voters a referendum on growth policies, including the use of growth caps and bans on certain big box developments.  

Population growth shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.  During the most recent population boom in the 1990s, the state of Colorado had the third fastest growth rate in the country, trailing only Arizona and Nevada.  

In the face of this rapid growth and growing voter discontent, local governments are increasingly turning to better land use planning to effectively manage growth and create communities that will have lasting and sustainable value.  Terms like “smart growth,” “new urbanism” and “mixed-use development” are finding their way into the public dialogue as communities seek ways to maximize the positive impacts of growth while minimizing the very real negative impacts.

You can learn more about how Growth is managed and directed by taking our Growth Management course online, a part of our MRE, Master of Real Estate series.

This course focuses on the management of growth in Colorado.  After an overview of the reasons why communities pursue programs to manage growth, many of the tools for growth management are described.  Some of the key policy issues associated with growth management are discussed, including the use of urban growth boundaries, the impact of growth management on development costs, and the issue of sprawl.  Finally, three case studies are presented to illustrate how some communities have employed growth management policies and programs.

Learning objectives:

To understand the policy objectives of growth management programs;

To learn about many of the specific tools and techniques of growth management;

To consider some of the most significant policy issues associated with growth management; and

To see how some sample communities approach the overall question of managing growth. Click below to register online;

Growth Management - Managing growth – Maximizing benefits, Minimizing impacts

Use natural Landscaping, or Xeriscaping, to help conserve water this Spring

Xeriscaping is a great way to save water and work with landscaping that thrives in your climate, looks good, and requires less maintenance. Besides helping to conserve water, Xeriscaping generally will require less fertilization as well. There may also be a reduction in waste over time in the form of reduced clippings.

Converting a portion of a properties landscaping may be more efficient than designing an entire landscape, so it is important to do your homework in advance. You can learn more about Xeriscaping by clicking here.

This reliable green information is brought to you courtesy of the EcoBroker Certified(R) professional designation, currently offered by VanEd. Find out more at www.vaned.com/EcoBroker.

EPA Issues New Regulations for Renovation, Repair and Painting Activities

The EPA regulations for Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Activities for pre-1978 housing went into effect on April 22, 2010. 

The purpose of the new rule is to reduce children's exposure to dust containing lead paint created during the course of these activities.

The rules require contractors and renovators to get trained and certified in EPA's new lead-based paint work practices. The rules apply only to licensed contractors – do-it-yourselfers will still be able to do RRP work on their own without being trained or certified and without getting fined.

· Compliance responsibilities for real estate professionals under this new rule are minimal.

· No new disclosures, the results of all testing must be disclosed.

· Contractors and remodelers must be trained and certified by EPA to conduct the new lead paint safe work practices while performing RRP activities in pre-1978 housing, by April 22, 2010.

· For Realtors who do property management: if they do the RRP work themselves for properties that they manage, they need to be trained and certified in the new lead-paint safe work practices. If they hire outside contractors to conduct this RRP work for them, these contractors must be trained and certified.

 

Make yourself aware of the new rules before you run into trouble!

Visit the EPA website for more information -  http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm 

VanEd Presents: Mineral Rights and Oil and Gas Leases course online

Van Education Center is proud to offer our newest Colorado Continuing Education course, Mineral Rights - Gas and Oil Lease Basics, available online. This two hour introductory course will give students a jump start into the basics of rights and leases.

Covered topics inlcude mineral ownership and the production of minerals without ownership of the surface estate, as well as energy exploration not only with regards to minerals, but also as it relates to oil and gas operation.

To learn more about this new course, click here to view the course information page online.

Asbestos awareness in older properties

As a new homeowner or potential seller, it is not likely that you are acquainted with the inner materials of a home. However, most buyers seek an updated home inspection before closing on a new property. It is important to reassure buyers that the home is safe and does not contain any potential health hazards. These inspections are critical to clearing hurdles down the road that may slow the sale of property.

One of the most common surprises new homeowners and sellers confront is asbestos in older structures. Indeed, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are now banned for use in the United States but many older buildings still contain these products, which are generally safe, but homeowners should be aware of where they and when they become hazardous.

Asbestos was included in thousands of construction products and still exists in nearly 80% of homes built prior to 1978. Common asbestos materials include attic insulation, ceiling tiles, and pipe lining. Asbestos was particularly adept at insulation and prevention of temperature transfer and was used extensively until adverse health effects began to manifest in those who worked with the material frequently.

It is only when asbestos containing materials are compromised or very old that they become hazardous. Asbestos products under these conditions are rendered “friable.” Home inspection companies should be able to identify these circumstances and advise you on a course of action. When asbestos material is friable, asbestos fibers can be released into the air, potentially endangering those in the area.
Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the body’s inner tissue and have been conclusively linked to the rare cancer, mesothelioma in addition to many other respiratory disorders. There are few options for mesothelioma treatment or curative therapies for other conditions caused by sustained asbestos exposures. Homeowners need to be aware of potential hazards that may exist so they may be able to avoid potentially harmful effects of hazardous asbestos.

Again, most asbestos containing materials will not pose an immediate hazard and an informed buyer will not be turned off by their presence if they’re reassured of their safety by a professional opinion. These simple precautions can be taken to assure that both sides know that they and their families will be happy and healthy in their new home.

Information courtesty of the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center - Online at http://www.maacenter.org. Learn more about Environmental Hazards Screening by taking the online course - available through VanEd. Click here for more information on this MRE course.