2023 Spring Classes
Classes are available individually or
earn a special 3-Course Series Certificate
to highlight your expertise!
*If you’ve already completed any of the classes and would like the special certificate
contact Debra for test-out options. Debralittle1@gmail.com
Solar PV: Technology and Valuation
Appraisers and Realtors will advance their credibility and competency to better serve their clients with solar-powered homes.
Newly constructed homes have been required to have solar as of 2020 and existing home installations remain on an ongoing upward trend.
How much value does solar add?
What is the most essential number we need related to valuation?
While saving money is the primary motive for homeowners to invest in solar, CA building codes and energy policies are key market drivers as goals prioritize decarbonization; all-electric buildings powered by solar.
Attendees will be better equipped to represent solar assets accurately in sales, competently determine value, and be credible guides for buyers and sellers.
Course Highlights
- The first question to ask about solar systems
- The most important number to obtain related to valuation
- How to determine value of solar PV: 3 appraisal approaches
- Key points to include in listings and appraisal reports
- How utility rates impact purchasing decisions and value
- Components of solar systems and what to look for during inspections
- Context: CA energy policy
- Resilience: Solar plus storage to leverage TOU rates and power through extreme events
- Future influencers: Evolving challenges in managing our power grid
- Access to free online tools to inform and improve professionalism
Learning Objectives
- Answer essential questions regarding the valuation of a solar system
- Indentify components of solar systems
- Be aware of variations in utility rates and their impact on value
- Understand motives and market influencers of homeowner decisions
- Determine the value of solar PV systems: 3 appraisal approaches
- Accurately represent solar in listings including vital points to inform value
- Stakeholder’s shared pool of knowledge to support fair valuations
Target Audience:
-
- Real estate appraisers
- Agents
- Lenders
- Related associates
Learning Level: Intermediate
*Course is designed for those familiar with valuation principlesContinuing Education Credits: 3 hours continuing ed. BREA, DRE, BOE
Carbon Free Homes: Features, Benefits, Valuation
This is #2 in the 3-Course series for real estate professionals; the Energy Efficiency segment.
Do you know?
CA policy goals no longer aim for net zero energy.
Going forward, it’s all about emissions reductions.
CA's building codes and energy policy impact the way homes are built and powered. Homes of the future will be carbon-free! Efficient, all-electric, powered by clean energy.
How will the new requirements impact their market value?
What benefits do buyers care about?
Carbon free homes are typically more healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, resilient, and cost less to own.
Their high performance elevates occupant’s quality of life while delivering multiple societal benefits including cleaner air and water.
Attendees will gain comprehension of specific features typical to carbon-free new and existing homes.
In valuation or guiding customers in buying and selling, the proficiency gained in this course will be a professional differentiator that strengthens their business.
Course Highlights
- High performance enclosures
- Heat pumps for space and water heating
- How these homes are more healthy, safe, and efficient
- Resiliency: Storage and load management in power outages and extreme events
- Solar: Review of key points in valuation
- Valuation considerations
Learning Objectives
- Recognize building elements typical to carbon-free homes
- Understand emissions-reducing efficiency
- Describe benefits of CF homes including indoor air quality and energy savings
- Comprehend why air tightness is even more important than insulation
- Relate how families have realized health improvements such as asthma
- Gain familiarity with current building codes and energy policy
- Comprehend approaches to valuation of efficiency assets and solar PV
- Accurately represent carbon free homes in sales listings and appraisal reporting
Audience
- Experienced Appraisers
- Agents
- Lenders
- Related professionals
Learning Level: Intermediate and Advanced
*Course is designed for those familiar with valuation principles
Continuing Education Credits: 3 hours BREA, DRE, BOE
Clean Energy Homes
How Realtors earn stellar referrals while boosting profits
Realtors will learn new routes to increased profits as they guide clients to homes that are often superior on several levels; healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, resilient, of higher quality and with lower costs of ownership. They’ll build expertise to realize higher sales prices and commissions, faster marketing times, stronger credibility, and deeper personal fulfillment in their work.
Those who’ve experienced living in a high-performance home treasure their homes!
They testify to the quality of life and cost savings, and this proof grows progressively stronger over time!
These clients are even more than a good referral, they’re advocates; one of the most valued assets any sales professional can have.
Building on courses #1 & 2, attendees will increase comprehension of why and how HP homes are outstanding.
There’s a strong business case for Realtors! As they guide their buyers and sellers to HP homes, they’re supporting their client’s best interests as well as the environment’s. Every house makes a difference!
Course Highlights
- 12 distinct benefits clients care about
- Resonate: Sales strategies to connect with both emotional and rational realms
- Financial scenarios: Value, payback, investment logic
- New incentives rolling out! How energy policies and climate goals will impact homes
- Tools and resources to boost effectiveness of listings, tours, special events
Learning Objectives:
- Referral Gold: Earn the strongest-ever referrals from extraordinarily happy clients
- Expand profit potential with the business opportunities of guiding clients to HP homes
- Inform clients about benefits, features, and higher market values
- Improve selling effectiveness with compelling sales strategies and tools
- Increase visibility of assets and benefits in listings and tour materials
- Apply the whole-human approach to resonating with customers
Target Audience:
- Realtors
- Sales teams of builders, developers, related associates
Learning Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Continuing Education Credits: 4 hours DRE
High Performance Homes Valuation 2
Advancing appraiser training, this class builds on the content of courses 1 & 2, recommended as prerequisites.
How & Why: We’ll examine the details of a new all-electric, carbon-free, Passive House, currently under construction.
Outcomes: 12 benefits of high performance homes
- Health
- Safety
- Comfort
- Quality
- Durability
- Aesthetics
- Energy efficient
- Water efficient
- Resilient
- Costs less to own
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Market value
Class exercises: Appraisers will practice application of knowledge gained in the
3-Course series to valuation questions pertaining to the example house.
Learning Objectives
- Gain comprehension of high performance assets and their benefits
- Describe 12 benefits of high performance homes
- Be equipped with key questions to ask about comparables
- Appraisers will further develop their expertise, gain practice in application, and enjoy group discussion of appraisal approaches and challenges as we consider a real, in-progress construction project
Target Audience
- Experienced Appraisers
Learning Level: Intermediate and Advanced
*Course is designed for those familiar with valuation principles
Continuing Education Credits: 3 hours BREA, BOE
3-Course Series for Appraisers
1. Solar PV: Technology and Valuation
2. Carbon Free Homes: Features, Benefits, Valuation
3. High Performances Homes: Valuation 2
3-Course Series for Agents
1. Solar PV: Technology and Valuation
2. Carbon Free Homes: Features, Benefits, Valuation
3. Selling High Performance Homes
Instructor: Debra Little is a home performance and valuation specialist with field experience in both appraising and energy efficiency. Since building her own home in 2007, her work has focused on high efficiency, low emissions, and related health benefits. Debra develops and presents courses for real estate professionals on the technology, valuation, and market representation, of high performance assets and solar (Public utilities, professional associations, conferences).
Certifications: CA Certified Appraiser, Building Performance Institute; Building Analyst, Build It Green; Green Point Rater.