Media Room
A Word from Green Real Estate Investing News
Why green real estate? Hasn’t the real estate bubble burst?
The general real estate industry has definitely seen its share of challenges these past few years, but where many see uncertainty we see opportunity. As technology moves in new directions and people become increasingly aware of the benefits of living in a green home, the demand for ecologically friendly spaces is going to continue to increase. In fact, a study by Rent.com indicated that 86% of renters prefer to live in an eco-friendly space and 55% are wiling to pay more to do so.
Moreover, some of the biggest names in real estate are beginning to tap into the green market, and media outlets worldwide are noticing this trend. According to a recent article in Fast Company Magazine, sustainable construction is one of the fastest growing segments of today’s building industry. Now is the optimal time for the real estate industry to adopt green technologies, both from a financial standpoint and an ethical one.
What are other benefits of “going green” from a real estate investment perspective?
Not only does the demand for green homes exceed the supply, but billions of dollars in government rebates are available to anyone who wants to “greenhab” a home. These rebates can significantly offset remodel costs. If you purchased a property that needs a certain amount of work before it is rentable, it would certainly make sense from a financial standpoint if you could defray some of those costs. You are going to have to put the work in anyway, so why not create a home that is both more attractive to renters and saves you money from the get go?
There’s also very little competition. To date, very few homes have any green or energy efficient elements. A recent study by The National Association of Home Builders reports that although 46% of homebuyers look for green elements, they are just not widely available. Green homes also sell faster and for more money and on average appraise for 10-15% higher than other homes. Investors are able to cherry pick their homes with banks, because banks and REOs are more willing to sell to green investors who are taking a potentially bad situation, meaning a foreclosure or a short sale, and turning it into a good situation— leveraging it.
Finally, a property that has been rehabbed green saves tenants a lot in utility bills, which means green properties are always in high demand with renters—especially when they discover that they will be saving 20-40% on utilities throughout the year.
What is the Sepia System?
The Sepia System is the only green real estate investing course on the market, and is an invaluable resource for any property owner looking to get ahead by taking advantage of the green real estate boom. It is also essential for anyone interested in getting into real estate investing in general, since “going green” is (and will continue to be) as lucrative as it is. There is a lack of comprehensive information on the “how to” of green real estate investing, and for many people the process can seem overwhelming and intimidating. The Sepia System teaches you how to do it, and how to do it well. Plus, anyone who “gets into the game” early on will enjoy the highest returns. Once the market becomes saturated, it will be less easy to do so.
What is Ribbon & Gourd?
The mission of Ribbon & Gourd is to environmental entrepreneurship and the principles of green real estate development.
We serve three main groups: Investors, Potential Investors (known and students) and anyone interested in supporting sustainability projects.
For Investors, we offer hand-selected properties that we tenant and manage. Our properties offer a guaranteed positive monthly cashflow and an annual ROI of 15-20%.
Students can take advantage of our education program, which provides training on how to become a full-time investor and live off passive income from green real estate.
We also have two charitable projects – one here in Kauai, and the other in Fiji. Supporting these projects offers a wonderful way for anyone interested in sustainability to make a difference.
What do these sustainability projects involve?
Our Kauai project helps individuals design, build and manage environmentally friendly gardens—all at no charge. Ribbon & Gourd established the Garland of Whales Foundation in 2008 to support the island of Naitauba in Fiji. The island is home to indigenous Fijians and a global community that lives simply, mostly relying on organic gardens for food. A magnificent coral reef called The Garland of Whales surrounds and protects the island. The Garland of Whales Foundation supports the sustainability of Naitauba’s rare ecosystem and the self-sufficiency of its local community of residents.
Story ideas:
• A Look at Ribbon & Gourd’s Sustainability Project in Kauai
• Ribbon & Gourd’s Projects in Detroit: How Green Investing is Helping Low Income Families
• Why This is the Year You Should Invest in Green Real Estate
• A Profile of Sepia Kirkbride: a Young Player in the Real Estate Industry Shows How Going Green is the Key to the Industry’s Future
• A Success Story from a Ribbon & Gourd Investor
• How a Brand New Investor Can Grab a Piece of the Green Real Estate Industry Today
• Oasis in the South Pacific: Ribbon & Gourd’s Efforts to Help the Island of Naitauba Achieve Complete Self-Sufficiency
For more information and interviews, please contact us:
ceo@greenrealestateinvestingnews.com
808 212 1163
