Page 4 August 4, 2016 Finance Green from front page front of the museum to be more sustainable by bringing in drought tolerant plants,” she said. Speaking of water, the number of half-empty water bottles is way down since the venue added a drinking fountain and gave staff and docents reuseable water bottles. “I was surprised by how much we have accomplished in six months as a team.” The South Bay Cities Council is a joint powers authority of 16 South Bay cities dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life and productivity in the region. Staff members promoted the Green Building Challenge and hit the pavement to inform business owners about the first-year program underwritten by Southern California Edison, the Gas Co., the Energy Network, and the West Basin Municipal Water District and the Golden State Water Co. Program co-coordinator Renee Daigneault said that businesses are generally unaware that assistance programs exist to lower their consumption of energy and water, and that utilities will pay for some or all of the modifications made to a worksite. That includes new equipment. “That’s what we’re there to do, to connect them with the right resources,” she said. “They’re running a business and focused on their core competency. They’re not thinking about the expense of operating their boiler down in the basement.” The challenge is comprised of 70 different actions a business can take with energy, water, waste and transportation. Businesses can log in to view the activities available to them. “We want them to look at all of the things they need to do to be more sustainable,” she said. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems decided to get involved and the El Segundo plant redoubled its already considerable energy-conservation and waste-reduction efforts. Raytheon had replaced 25,000 light fixtures at the facility by the time the challenge got underway last September. Still, the company saw that more building-energy management could be done. “Green Building Challenge inspired Raytheon to broaden our sustainability programs at our El Segundo site,” spokeswoman Trudy Sullivan told the Herald. The vice president for Communications and Community Affairs said that Raytheon employees, customers and suppliers share a responsibility for sustainability. It did all right before the challenge began. Raytheon is ranked 33rd on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership Fortune 500 Partners list, is a 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year and a recipient of 2014 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. The El Segundo employees turn down nonessential lighting, computers, and equipment during statewide flex alerts. Raytheon reduced water consumption by 58 percent from 2008 to 2015, and sent 80 percent less waste to the landfill through a “Zero Office Waste” program started in 2013, according to the company. Lindsay Palomera at Stream Realty in Torrance said her office used the challenge to make a dozen changes, from switching to eco-friendly cleaning products to tinting exterior windows that keep out the heat. Stream Realty manages the eight-story Pacific Center at 21250 Hawthorne Blvd. with 300,000 square feet of offices and suites. Tenants in the building are offered an opportunity to recycle cardboard, light bulbs and electronics. LED lighting and controls are required for all tenant improvements, and fan motors for heating and cooling the building use a smart technology for lightening the energy load, plus the wear and tear on the HVAC system. “It is important to Stream Realty to uphold our own environmental responsibility and to do our part to allow each tenant in Pacific Center to uphold their environmental responsibility as well,” Palomera said. Green Hapas Recycling owner Erik Minamihata says he realized from entering the challenge that things around the office and in the business needed attention, “such as making sure all of our computers and electronics are off before we leave the office. Another thing we do is that we don’t run our AC (air conditioning) unless it’s absolutely necessary.” The family-owned supplier of printer inks and toners for businesses sells original equipment manufacturer toners, from companies like HP and Brother, and compatible toners made by third parties. His own office uses manufactured toners because they’re cheaper and made from reusable products, Minamihata said. “We provide them so that was an easy one for us,” he said, “and we make sure they’re recycled properly after we’re done with them.” Green Hapas reduces printing and paper usage by creating and storing online documents, and the staff work from home as much as they can. “We also make sure to reach out and help educate local businesses on what to do with their empty toners when they’re done with them,” the Torrance business owner said. He credits the Green Business Challenge and the Leadership Torrance group for connecting him with a new customer, Walser’s art supplies and digital printing in that city, and the owner Jack Walser. “I had a great experience being in the challenge,” Minamihata told me. The challenge will end next month, but the momentum to eliminate wasteful practices will continue. “Absolutely, it’s time to take action,” Daigneault said. To learn more about the Green Building Challenge, contact Renee Daigneault at 310-371- 7222 by email at GBC@southbaycities.org. • Helping First-Time Home Buyers get from ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I Can’ (BPT) - Finally! The economy is improving, interest rates are low and many consumers now find themselves in a great position financially to become a first-time homeowner. There’s a small problem though for some locations around the country - the booming real estate market is resulting in rising home prices and increased competition for the most desirable properties. The S&P/Case-Shiller national home-price index recently estimated that 2016 prices are within four percent of the peak in 2006. In some areas, low inventories around the country are making the situation even more challenging. These conditions are introducing first-time buyers to common challenges and frustrations while searching for their dream home. “Don’t get discouraged,” says Travis Peace, executive director of mortgage at USAA Bank. “Buying a home requires some fortitude and the process intimidates many -not just those doing it for the first time.” As a result, Peace says it’s easy to concentrate too much on home buying “can’ts” rather than “can-dos,” and he offers this advice on how to overcome some common barriers. “I Can’t” No. 1: I Can’t Figure Out the Home-Buying Process Peace notes that it’s essential to do research and to be equipped with basic information, but also be willing to ask for help when needed. For example, an experienced real estate agent can keep a buyer apprised of everything from area sales trends to the latest changes in state and federal laws that could impact a mortgage application. “This is where experienced, licensed professionals can help,” Peace says. “Real estate agents can be an advocate for the buyer throughout the entire process.” In addition, free tools like USAA’s Real Estate Rewards Network can connect buyers with an agent and even provide rewards based on the sale price of the home. “I Can’t” No. 2: I Can’t Find the Perfect Home for My Family Finding the perfect home may not be realistic, but shoppers can find the right home. Personal situations will dictate buyers’ ability to wait for a home in a particular neighborhood or design style to come on the market, but not everything has to be left to chance. Peace says the key is to set realistic expectations and not fixate on negatives that can be changed. “Whether it’s the number of bedrooms or distance to work or school, it’s alright to have some non-negotiables. However, buyers should be willing to be flexible on things that can be relatively easy to change, like paint colors or landscaping.” “I Can’t” No. 3: I Can’t Afford a 20 Percent Down Payment Putting 20 percent down on a home has become more of a guideline than a rule. Today, not being able to put 20 percent down does not mean buying a home is out of reach. Peace notes that depending on a buyer’s financial situation, there may be a responsible way to get into your new home without putting 20 percent down. Government-sponsored loan programs from the Federal Housing Authority, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide loan options that require down payments as low as three percent. Veterans Affairs (VA) loans don’t require any down payment. While those programs are often great options for consumers who qualify, Peace notes that buyers should keep an eye on their potential total monthly payment. “Some of these loans include fees and private mortgage insurance (PMI) that could significantly impact your overall cost,” Peace says. Even private lenders are offering more competitive loan options. For example, USAA Bank’s Conventional 97 loan allows borrowers to acquire a mortgage with only three percent down and the bank pays the PMI costs. Scott McEniry, a USAA member, recently moved into his new home with the help of the Conventional 97 loan. “It felt like a lifeline had been thrown to me as suddenly a house purchase was within reach again,” McEniry says. Whether a house-hunting novice or seasoned expert, Peace underscores that being informed, getting the right help and having a healthy dose of determination are the best ways to turn a dream home into a reality. • STARS & STRIPES A M E R I C A N M A D E C L O T H I N G S T O R E COME CHECK US OUT! GREAT CLOTHING INCLUDING DENIM, HATS, BAGS, SHOES AND MORE 1107 Van Ness Ave.Torrance, CA 90501 • 310.320-3207 LEE 101 USA, WOOLRICH, SAVE KHAKI, MINNETONKA MOCCASIN, PENNY, JAN SPORT, DULUTH, REYN SPOONER, TRETORN, BALL, BURTON, STANCE, RAINBOW SANDALS, FILSON, TEVA, NEW YORK HAT, PADDY WAX, RICHER & POORER, SCHOTT USA, STRATHTAY Open Mondays through Saturdays Noon to 6pm The car museum in El Segundo accepted the Green Building Challenge. Photo courtesy of the Automobile Driving Museum.
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