All Forum Posts by: Steve McGovern

This resource may be worth a look.  It's too general to be perfect (...besides, what's a few feet of topsoil among friends?) ...but it can definitely give you some clues.  

Mass. Geological Survey

Garret, although the prior posters are absolutely correct, I think a lot depends on (1) your personal goals and (2) the market in your area.  I've had many conversations with people on a national basis who say that (almost) any college degree is (almost ) always a waste, and in their areas, they may be right.  

However, In the Northeast, the professional norm is to have some academic degree.  Furthermore, who says you can't start your business and then ultimately get bought out (for big bucks) and professionally absorbed into one of the big guys?   

Finally, speaking for myself only, I happen to like school. I don't have an MBA or an MSRE, but I do have a BA and 5 academic certificates from Universities that dovetail with my interests in Real Estate. (Legal, Negotiation, CRE, CRE Finance, and Construction Management) There are alternatives and options. A Salesperson's License will begin your RE education, as well: Less formally than an MRED, but more formally than other options.

So...  where do you live?  And, please define your goals a little better.   

.... probably not...  but I'll ask anyway: 

How's the geology in the area, Charlie?  Is it possible that below this section is ledge, a dome, or some other massive rock formation that "Seemed entirely stable"?  

Hey all,  in regard to this particular solar program,  I just had my own home's assessment done-- I am looking at 2 heat pumps and 360W panels... and considering my loans, I am actually still cash flow positive in YEAR ONE with a 15 year loan over my typical utility bills.    This initiative is no joke!! 

Again-- no Lease, no PPA.  You own the panels, you get the energy, the benefits, and the tax incentives.  

Lowell MA:   Renewable Power since 1826.   

Want to hear more,  visit the website:  Solarize Lowell 

** Also still interested in hearing from any of my neighbors in AMHERST MA where this program had more than 100 household participants.  

Thanks,

Steve

Ok, I'll bite:  Neighborhood retail.  LOTS of "room for improvement." 

....  Note:  I never said it would get (back) there.  

 This.   Make SURE you know everything about the zoning TODAY-- especially setbacks.  If Zoning has changed in that neighborhood, and the setbacks have become more restrictive (as many towns in this area of Middlesex County have over the years to discourage more building) then your footprint is NOT grandfathered in the case of a voluntary teardown.  Lexington's a great market, but you could be sitting on the most expensive pile of dirt, ever.   

For case studies, go just North into the Silver Lake region of Wilmington, MA.   There are legitimate public safety risk homes there that can NOT be torn down because the setbacks are now too restrictive to allow a new building, even at the same size as the old one.  The only option is to repair/maintain the current structures... or wait for a hurricane/blizzard.   

Usually, public safety wins in these cases, but the NIMBYs  are loud and furious and have the Zoning Administrators on speed dial for protests.  Know the entire scope of your plan, and don't let a sledgehammer touch the home until you have FULL approvals.  Finally, be prepared for the soft costs associated with your plans (Zoning, Attorneys, Architects, PEs, etc. all cost a bunch of dough.)  

Good luck.   

Generally, I agree with @Joe Villeneuve.  HOWEVER I can see value in a market like this, where you determine, only for yourself, what those lower parameters may become in the event of a crash.  If I did this, I would NEVER show my Lenders the proposition (maybe unless the investment was SO superior that it beat even your worst-case projections.)  but for your own, personal, investment and DD purposes, I agree an analysis like what you describe can be helpful on the LOW end in a heated market.  

@Socrates Jean-Baptiste--   Thanks for your patience here.  Glad to hear you signed up.  

BP actually removed this thread because they misunderstood its intent,  but with great assistance and support from @Umar Javaid, they restored it upon further investigation.    THANK YOU, UMAR & BP for the research and for discerning the real issues here!   

Now... I got the answer to your question yesterday from the Installer-- they handle slate like I described--  it's generally  a community solar project.  The slate is too risky when it comes to damage, and/or it's too expensive for most people to do it and keep their slate.  (Furthermore, JUST my opinion, when you have slate, you probably want to see your slate, not panels over your slate.) 

HOWEVER, these are still options on-site at the property:   Lower porch roofs are often asphalt or rubber and are targets;  Ground mounted-PV is always an option;  SOLAR CARPORTS are a very valid idea, too.  Each of these, of course, assumes that (1) it's desirable to you in any of those locations and (2) the area (that roof, that drive, that land) has the requisite Southern exposure.   If you can't off-set ALL of your power consumption on-site, you can still offset some, and retain that Utility distribution charge savings for what you generate there, then fill in the rest at the Community site...   so it's still a valuable exercise to see if some limited PV can be put on the property.   Don't forget, the same team will assess your property for heat pumps, simultaneously.  

Hope that helps you out.   Please help spread the word-- this is open to EVERYONE In Lowell, but only for a limited time.  You can refer them to me or any of the Solarize Lowell volunteers. 

Thanks!

Steve

@Reda Akbil, I'm sorry you're going through this.  However, the only possible advice is to get an attorney without delay.  Someone around Philly should be able to direct you to competent counsel there.  

Good luck.  

 Hey, Socrates-'not a true "majority" of homes have slate roofs, but I do agree there are a.solid number.   The first thing they can do is to take the Community Solar path.  The second thing that they can do is to use ballast mounts IF their roof has a low enough pitch.  After that, I'm not positive, but I'll try to find out for you and report back here.