APS Green Choice Rates

When you sign up for Green Choice Rates you'll be using energy generated from a variety of renewable resources like solar, wind and geothermal. It is an easy and affordable way to make use of renewable resources, reduce pollution and ensure a better quality of life for all Arizonans. APS Green Choice Rates are available in three flexible options:

Green Choice Rates Block Option (GPS-1) Sign up

Choose the amount energy - in 100 kilowatt (kWh) blocks - you want to come from renewable resources each month.
Each kWh is priced at a premium of $0.01 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
Your Green Choice charges stay the same each month.
Green Choice Rates Percentage Option (GPS-2) Sign up

Select the percentage of your monthly energy use you want to come from renewable resources - 10% (non-residential only), 35%, 50% or 100%.*
Each kWh purchased is priced at a premium of $0.01 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
Your Green Choice charges vary each month based on the amount of energy you use.
Green Choice Rates Total Solar Option (Solar-3) Sign up

For customers who want their renewable energy generated only by solar resources, but are not interested in installing a solar PV system.
Each kWh purchased is priced at a premium of $0.166 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
You can choose 50 percent or 100 percent of your monthly usage.*
Your Green Choice charges vary each month based on the amount of energy you use.
*To find out how many kWhs you typically use, log in to aps.com and view your usage history online. If you are not yet registered for online access to your account, you can register now.
Sign up for a Green Choice Rates Block, Percentage or Total Solar option today!

Green Choice Rates Block and Percentage
options are Green-e certified.

View the Green Choice Rates comparison chart



If you have any questions about becoming a Green Choice Rates member, contact us at (602) 216-0318 or (800) 659-8148.



When you sign up for Green Choice Rates you'll be using energy generated from a variety of renewable resources like solar, wind and geothermal. It is an easy and affordable way to make use of renewable resources, reduce pollution and ensure a better quality of life for all Arizonans. APS Green Choice Rates are available in three flexible options:

Green Choice Rates Block Option (GPS-1) Sign up

Choose the amount energy - in 100 kilowatt (kWh) blocks - you want to come from renewable resources each month.
Each kWh is priced at a premium of $0.01 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
Your Green Choice charges stay the same each month.
Green Choice Rates Percentage Option (GPS-2) Sign up

Select the percentage of your monthly energy use you want to come from renewable resources - 10% (non-residential only), 35%, 50% or 100%.*
Each kWh purchased is priced at a premium of $0.01 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
Your Green Choice charges vary each month based on the amount of energy you use.
Green Choice Rates Total Solar Option (Solar-3) Sign up

For customers who want their renewable energy generated only by solar resources, but are not interested in installing a solar PV system.
Each kWh purchased is priced at a premium of $0.166 plus tax, in addition to your normal monthly charges.
You can choose 50 percent or 100 percent of your monthly usage.*
Your Green Choice charges vary each month based on the amount of energy you use.
*To find out how many kWhs you typically use, log in to aps.com and view your usage history online. If you are not yet registered for online access to your account, you can register now.
Sign up for a Green Choice Rates Block, Percentage or Total Solar option today!

Green Choice Rates Block and Percentage
options are Green-e certified.

View the Green Choice Rates comparison chart



If you have any questions about becoming a Green Choice Rates member, contact us at (602) 216-0318 or (800) 659-8148.

Green Home Defined

For a FREE copy e-mail AZhomes4U@gmail.com

A Phoenix green home uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living in it! A home can be built green, or you can make it eco friendly later.A little at a time goes a long way. A green home makeover can happen all at once, or it can be a gradual process. But what it all comes down to is a new way of thinking – and a new way of living. From a more energy-efficient kitchen to a tree-filled backyard paradise, your home can be green top to bottom.

FHA 203K FINANCING

Rehabilitate Arizona Distressed Properties to Green Real Estate

One of the biggest misconceptions by real estate buyers today is that the FHA 203K loan process is time consuming and hard to obtain. This is only true if your loan officer/mortgage broker is inexperienced. Contact us and get started on your 203K financing today.

How the FHA 203K Streamline can help you convert to Green living:

The easiest and quickest version to go green is the FHA 203K Streamline. This loan is for property repairs under $35,000. This type of financing must not involve any kind of structural renovations to the home. For Streamline FHA 203K’s you will have two draws. Generally, the lender will release 50% upfront and 50% when the work is completed. On most of these the lender will require a final inspection of property to make sure the work is complete. In some cases of the simpler 203K rehabs you can provide receipts showing materials have been purchased and that will be sufficient.

How the full FHA 203K Financing can help you convert to Green living:

Loans exceeding $35,000 or involving structural repairs, the process becomes slightly more complicated. When your soon to be Arizona green home requires more extensive repairs you will need to involve an architect and get architectural drawings so the contractor bids and appraisal are accurate. You will also be required to have a HUD approved 203K consultant that will help determine repairs and administer draws. On the full FHA 203K loans the process often looks like this:


1. Contact our lender for pre-approval

2. Allow Arizona Elite Properties "Greening up your Home" to locate the ideal Greater Phoenix property for converting to Green Real Estate

3. Inspect the future Green Home

4. FHA 203K consultancy

5. Consult Architect and obtain drawings

6. Consult our Green Approved contractor and obtain bid

7. Appraise the property

8. Loan submission & underwriting

9. Loan closing

10. Rehab and Green conversion begins

11. Final inspection / Title Closeout


End Result of the 203K Process


When done correctly, a 203K purchase loan with our experienced mortgage broker and knowledgeable Phoenix Green Realtors, home buyers can successfully use a 203K financing to create a custom designed Phoenix Green Home. They can use this loan, especially in this market, to solidify their future and create personal wealth. If done correctly FHA 203K loans are one of the absolute best and most useful loan products on the market to convert an ordinary home to a LEED certified Green Home in Phoenix. Contact RealVision Investment Group for more information on FHA 203K and Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation financing! FHA does not have declining market restrictions anywhere!

How to convert a Bank Owned or Distressed home to a Eco Friendly Green Home in Arizona:

You don’t necessarily have to become certified as Green by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to go green in Arizona. Going green can be as simple as changing the cleaning products you are using to non-toxic or using recycled paper for everyday consumption. However, for those interested in having a LEED certified home, here are ideas that will send you on your way to Arizona Green Living:

Ø Location of Home

Ø Size of Home

Ø Building Design and Exposure

Ø Renewable Energy (solar in Arizona)

Ø Water Efficiency (low water Landscape)

Building materials that help to certify a home as a LEED Green home:

Ø Low E-windows

Ø Non-Toxic Paints

Ø Non-Toxic insulation and more of it

Ø Recycled Fiber Carpets

Ø Bamboo flooring or cork flooring (as opposed to wood)

Ø Recycled glass and concrete countertops

Ø Solar panels (to heat/cool and illuminate home)

Ø Skylights and natural light

Ø Energy efficient kitchen appliances

Ø Energy efficient lights and bulbs

Ø Eco Friendly water filters

Ø Economic plumbing fixtures

The Benefits of a Phoenix Green Home

There are many very real benefits to living in a green home, and every day, more and more Americans are discovering those benefits. Green homes are healthier, more durable, more cost-effective and best of all eco friendly.

Arizona Swimming Pool Barrier Regulations

As a parent of 2 wild boys 6yr old and a 12yr old and long time resident of the valley this is something that is very close to my heart. Summer in Arizona is right around the block. Well it felt that way Sunday 03/01/2009. Summer will be here very fast with thoughts of backyard barbecues, trips to lake, tubing down the Salt River and lounging by the swimming pool and cooling off.
On Sunday I went to Buckeye to pick up a client to show her some homes and we were sitting in her backyard talking and I could here the kids next door jumping in the pool... I thought crazy kids, that water was cold, I could here them screaming and laughing having a ball, it's only the 1st of March I thought. That's when I decided to blog early about pool safety...

But with summer comes the gut wrenching, heart breaking and almost inevitable chain of very tragic news stories. It goes without saying, or at least it should, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS WATCH YOU KIDS AROUND WATER!

When it comes to purchasing a home in Arizona with a pool The Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR) Residential Resale Purchase Contract states in section 6g lines 217-220;

“Swimming Pool Barrier Regulations: During the Inspection Period, Buyer agrees to investigate all applicable state, county and municipal Swimming Pool barrier regulations and agrees to comply with and pay all costs of compliance with said regulations prior to occupying the Premises, unless otherwise agreed in writing. If the Premises contains a Swimming Pool, Buyer acknowledges receipt of the Arizona Department of Health Services approved private pool safety notice.”

Buyers, I hope you got that; per the standard residential purchase contract you are agreeing to investigate the laws, comply with the laws and pay all costs of compliance with the laws prior to occupying the premises. Buyers must complete this investigation during the Inspection Period, typically the first 10 days from the date of contract acceptance.
When choosing a home inspector, be sure to ask if they are up to date with the state, county and municipality Swimming Pool Barrier Laws for the area the home is located in. Request that they put in writing their findings on the status of the home’s pool barrier. If the barrier is found not to be up to code some of your options might be; request that the seller bring the barrier up to code, cancel the contract, or pay for the barrier to be brought up to code out of your own pocket.

Arizona’s Swimming Pool Barrier Laws can vary from county to county and city to city. At a minimum A.R.S. §36-1681 requires that all residential swimming pools are enclosed by a barrier. The Phoenix Association of Realtors® has put together a brief summary of several county and city laws regarding pool barriers. While this summary is not a complete detailing of the laws it is a good place to start. The Arizona Association of Realtors® has compiled a list of Pool Barrier Law Contact Information to help buyers obtain a copy of the pool barrier law requirements that may affect the property being purchased.

Some last words of advice. Do NOT count on barriers to keep children from reaching the pool. No barrier is foolproof. Barriers only slow a child’s access to the pool. Do NOT be distracted by phone calls, doorbells, or chores while children are in the pool. Attend CPR classes. Lock passageways (such as pet doors) leading to the pool. Never leave children unsupervised in the pool, around water, or inside the pool area - not even for a second! No amount of water is too small for a child to drown in.

What Are Your Green Goals for 2009?

Well, it March already and I have no list for going green this yr...What am I willing to do this year? With the Real estate market picking up I have been so busy, but I must remember "it's is never to late to start" anything will help.

Improving the air quality in your home. I will add a few more plants.

Ditching toxic household cleaners and chemical based home air fresheners.

Drinking tap water, or at the very least buying a water filter over bottled water.


Planting some trees around your house or in your neighborhood.

Taking shorter showers.

Just a few simple things... let me start today...

Defining a Green Home

Lately I gave had quite a few home buyers from the CA area, and most of them are talking Green. Buyers here in Phoenix are talking Green. Something I hardly ever here in Phoenix. It looks like Green has finally arrived. I am finding that Green is the new black, so to speak. Everybody is talking about going green and even building green. So what does it really mean to build green?

Defining green has been a challenge, even for those who are as green as you can get. To sum up green, the question would be - what type of environmental impact does the materials you are using have?

Assessing impact can mean on the front end or the back end. For example, in some instances, the product you use in building your home might not be green to build, but the results of that product can be beneficial. A good example would be if a window is installed in a way that maximizes the collection of low winter sunlight and blocks the summer sun, this saves energy and is green.

Because defining green is difficult, standards are starting to be organized and listed in the GreenSpec directory. This directory bases decisions about products on categories such as energy-consuming appliances and VOC-emitting paints, specific thresholds can be established relatively easily. But for many criteria, the lines are much fuzzier and judgment calls are required.

Thousands of green building professionals rely on GreenSpec to find products that are truly green. With more and more products entering the market with green claims, having dependable information is more important than ever.

Find green building products easily
Save hundreds of hours of research
Know what to look for in a green product
Information you can trust: no ads or paid listings

Looks like this book is the way to go....

There are 26 GreenSpec criteria organized into five categories:

*Made with salvaged, recycled, or agricultural waste material
*Conserve natural resources
*Avoid toxic or other emissions
*Save energy or water
*Contribute to a safe, healthy built environment.

Another way to build green is to conform to what is called LEED Standards. LEED or 'The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' is a Green Building Rating System™ that encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

There are many resources available for consumers so that they can adapt their building materials and design to LEED standards. Building this way is probably the simplest way to go and there are many resources available to assist you.

So should you build green because it is popular? Not necessarily. You should build green because it is what will ultimately provide a 'green' future and not a black one.