Skyrocketing energy prices and a planet showing years of abuse have led many to consider the way they live and how to change their lifestyle. The easiest and best way to reduce our energy consumption and to help preserve the planet is to start at home.

Home is the place where we spend the most time, where we consume the most energy, and our biggest asset, all in one. Our homes are responsible for huge outlays of money and responsible for preserving and creating wealth for our families.

Now is the time to do your part, help the planet, take advantage of the incredible tax and utility company credits, increase the value of your home and prepare yourself for energy price increases, by financing your energy saving improvements with a FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan. FHA 203(k) Rehab Loans have been around for decades, but they have recently found a new use in helping people go Green.

How do they work? The process is simple really, one appraisal, one loan closing and one payment, with money to purchase the property or to refinance the home you live in.

The FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan is facilitated with the aid of a HUD approved Consultant designated to help administer contractor draws and insure repairs are done to FHA/HUD Guidelines and local building codes.

So, how can you use the FHA 203K to go Green?

1.) Green Up Your Appliances — FHA 203(k) Rehab Loans will finance new free standing appliances for your home. Why not use that opportunity to buy EPA recommended ENERGY STAR appliances? Imagine beautiful stainless appliances that save you a bundle in monthly energy costs.

2.) Save Water, Save Energy — You can finance brand new low flow toilets as well as tank less water heaters. Low flow toilets use less than half the water that older models do and tank less waters provide unlimited hot water, without all the wasted energy of a constantly working water heater.

3.) Want New Hardwoods? — Opt for sustainable bamboo flooring. Bamboo reproduces itself to maturity in 5 years as opposed to the 40-100 years than normal hardwoods take. Be sure to opt for formaldehyde free glues.

4.) Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Lawn — Making an eco-friendly outdoor area that saves water and provides shade, helping you reduce heating and cooling costs, is not as hard as you think.

How do you do it? First, choose local plants that require less water and less pruning. Pruning creates waste and fills landfills, avoid it if possible. If you have an irrigation system, install a “smart” system that calibrates water needed based on local climates and plant needs or use a drip system.

5.) Solar Panels — Solar is one of the easiest ways to dramatically cut monthly energy bills. Installing solar panels is so encouraged by HUD that they will allow you to exceed statutory loan limits to do so. In many cases the Federal, State and Utility company tax credits will pay for a good portion of the purchase and installment of solar panels. The balance can be finance using the FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan.

6.) Better Insulation — An obvious choice for a Green home, insulating your home better can help you save thousands on energy bills and attic insulation is a required item when you purchase or refinance using the FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan

7.) Choosing Green Building Materials — A key aspect of any Green FHA 203K Rehab Loan is the selection of environmentally friendly building materials. To reduce transport pollution and energy costs, buy local first. The second thing to look for is recyclable materials such as Glass, Terrazzo, Ceramic and Porcelain.

These are just a few of the many Green renovation choices you can finance with an FHA 203K Rehab Loan. There are many other ways to Green your home, to dramatically cut your monthly energy bills, increase your resale value, substantially improve the future marketability of your home and to do your part in preserving the planet.

The time is now to take action and do what you can…