Housing Beat

Mortgages for Energy Efficiency

A recent Wall Street Journal feature offers valuable insights for reporters looking for a climate change connection to their housing and mortgage beats. Lenders are "pitching mortgage products that offer homebuyers bigger loans or discounts if they are making energy-efficient improvements," Sara Schaefer Muñoz reported. She reported on a Citigroup program offering $1,000 off closing costs with its energy efficient mortgage through December 31, 2007. And she reported that Bank of America's energy credit mortgage offers a $1,000 credit toward closing fees for new home mortgages meeting EPA's Energy Star standards. J.P. Morgan Chase © Co's is on the deals too. The Journal reports that the "green" mortgages are attracting increased attention. There's more to the story.

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