I'm an industrial engineer by trade, and we are always focused on figuring out a fast or efficient way to get things done, so I'll try and write here in the forums about any new and unique analysis or paperwork methodologies I come across in the near future. 

Anyone else struggling to get local banks and appraisers to understand these for new energy efficient designs more less offer them?

But he's worth it because he's efficient, knows his craft and does quality work.

Besides paying it off with my own money and rental income are there any strategies I can adopt to pay off the mortgage faster or more efficiently? 

Some of these tax issues are straightforward, but depending on your tax situation (and how many properties you are acquiring) there may be certain tax structures that you can implement that will make your investments more efficient.

I've used this guy a couple times, and he is affordable and really efficient.

We have already scheduled to double our marketing budget for 2015 and hopefully with a little better efficiency we will complete 40 deals!

If that's the case, it would make desalinization, water efficiency measures, and water rationing more economically viable which would force the prices down.Think of oil a decade ago, we were all crying peak oil, now we are awash in fracking due to the increase in price, and now price per barrel is going back to a more economical viable rate.As far as the market already pricing in a possible drought, I doubt that thesis.

It works awesome for our business (ordering, delivering, etc) and is super efficient. 

Mechanical system upgrades are not noticeable and usually only increase value when the upgrades are more efficient and will decrease your expense cost.