3/25/2021

Solar Panel Mortgage Issues


 








I have a solar system. 

Mine is likely very different than yours, mine is off grid. 

Solar is a wonderful thing to reduce your electric bill 

and save money but can be a problem when you

refinance or sell your home. 

Solar has a limited life, and because it's silica or glass

 it's fragile to extreme weather. 

When you installed yours you might have gotten a Pace Loan.

Most don't read all the fine print about the Pace Mortgage. 

Here's some tips and tricks and a checklist:

Solar panels create a variety of challenges when you 

purchase or refinance real estate. 

The Title Officer and Mortgage Loan Officer first determine what 

type of instrument was used to install the unit. 

Was it financed, leased, rented back, purchased

 or some combination of methods to pay for the unit 

which is now real property, not personal property.

 Sometimes the homeowner doesn't own the units at all, 

and they allow access to utility company employees

 like an easement to climb on the roof.

Here is a little checklist on how to handle the variety of issues 

that may arrive when you buy a home with solar panels 

or try to refinance your existing home loan or mortgage

 to a lower payment.

No matter what the sales person told you all 

Pace Loans must be paid off to transfer title, refinance, or sell.




3/11/2021

How to Save Money

 


Tips and Tricks to Save Money

Call me cheap 

I can save money fast.






Review credit card annual statement:

Auto subscriptions- go to the website, scroll down,

 cancel, and unsubscribe.

Gym memberships- cancel and change to: 

Youtube yoga or online free workouts.

Vitamins, wine and beauty products by 

subscription are more expensive.

Shop for generics especially for your prescription drugs.

Pay off credit card debt. Not just move it around. 

Pay it down.

Don’t buy packaged foods.

Don’t buy fast fashion, find unique items 

that have been gently loved.

Do you watch cable television seven days a week? 

Can you cancel for a couple months and 

substitute getting books from the library, 

being creative, writing letters, and walking?

Substitute an xbox and cheaper internet with 

Netflix if you must watch movies.

Utilities turned on and not needed. 

My Dad always knew when you left a 

light on in your bedroom on the other side of the house. 

How he knew was some kind of magic, 

but we never bet him. 

Turn lights off, turn the thermostat down,

 put on a sweater, enjoy fresh air…

Never buy a new car, and never lease one, 

both are throwing money away. 

Research carefully the prices, maintenance tips, 

and know what a vehicle deal truly is: a car that always gets you there.

If you own your car without payments, 

you have more freedom than the guy with the fancy car at the valet. 

Keep your car in top shape by changing the oil early, 

checking the tires, cleaning it every week yourself.

Find an old bike and a helmet and start using it for short trips.

With the pandemic we all learned how to cook at home. 

My Noni taught me to always buy what is in season 

and to plan your weekly meals in advance.

 So how do you know what’s in season? 

Ask at the farmer’s market what’s coming next week… 

The produce direct from farm will last longer and taste better. 

Which leads me to grow your own. 

Eat at home. It is healthier and cheaper.

Seeds are free at many exchanges, as are cuttings from other gardeners. 

Pots and containers are often given away on freecycle.com 

or at yard sales. 

There is nothing as delicious as a tomato you grew still 

warm from sunshine.

What can you do to increase a little side income? 

Not uber or doordash, something that is special to you 

and doesn’t wear on your car. 

Offer to walk the neighbor’s dog in exchange for something. 

When you have extra of a find that has limited time or spoils, 

share it with neighbors or friends. 

I love to go strawberry picking in the spring. 

I’m allergic to the berries (can maybe eat one) 

but I enjoy the activity, so I bring back a box 

for my Mom and my neighbor.

What can you freelance? 

Write? Blog? Teach? Babysit? 


Counsel? Giving of yourself will grow your soul.

It’s not your title, your car, your designer whatnot 

that makes you whole. 

Knowing you are your own person who can take 

care of yourself and your community has great benefits.