I'm now a LEED Green Associate (!)

I have been studying for the LEED Green Associate Exam for a few weeks. I took it this past Saturday morning and passed! I'm really excited as this helps validate myself within the field and is a stepping stone that I've been looking to achieve. The exam itself lasts up to two hours, but took about half of that. The questions were a bit tricky, as all tests like this seem to be. If you're looking to take this exam, make sure you study from multiple sources, as the USGBC study guide left out some of the basic questions. The exam is administered by the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice.

So now I can to use this logo with my name or on business cards. The LEED Green Associate credential denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations. After this, I'm now able to seek certification as a LEED AP+ specialty.

Copenhagen Study Abroad for 3 weeks

Whoa! An opportunity presented itself within the MSSD program to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark for a three-week summer semester. There are two summer sessions and I applied to and will be participating in the second summer session from June 11th through July 2. The course is entitled "Sustainable Technology and Culture: Energy and Responses to Climate Change" and the description reads:

The course is a study of the link between technology and culture in the creation and maintenance of a sustainable environment – ecologically as well as socially. Environmental best practice, sustainable environmental and social policy, environmental/green technologies and their dissemination. Visits will focus on the Danish energy industry, “clean tech” companies as well as relevant research centers.

It's a two week course followed up by a one week study tour to Oslo, Norway where we'll learn how modern communities are using energy efficient technology to reduce human impact on the environment, also tour some factories. I'm seeing this as an opportunity I couldn't pass on. Yeah it's going to cost me a bit of money, but I think the real value will be in the experience. I'm looking forward to updating the events from abroad.

Potential on Fleming St. In Manayunk

I'm getting the itch to buy a home. I've been keeping a lookout for affordable properties that meet this criteria:

1. are close to the train and bus lines
2. walkable neighborhood (restaurants, bars, parks all within a 15 minute walk)
3. hidden value in fixing up
4. have renting potential for long-term holding
   

Thus far, the two properties I've profiled here have these attributes, yet both haven't been right for me in one way or another. One had almost no space, and one was biting off more than I could chew.

And now, a property in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia has caught my eye. This property, located at 4353 Fleming St might just be in the sweet-spot. It's a short sale that has been on the market for a while and I've watched the price drop to a point where I think it's now affordable at 139k. It's 1000 sqft, with street parking and a small backyard space. Again, I had my agent Matt Mittman walk me through the property this past weekend, and the layout is very nice. Smaller than advertised, as it's realistically only a 2 bed 1 bath property. Someone was living in the basement in a makeshift bedroom and bath, both of which are of no value. Kitchen and Bath rooms both need compete renovations, and the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems need to be looked at by an inspector and most likely replaced. That said, if the work costs what I have rough estimated, then this house could be very financially reasonable. I'll upload photos and more information shortly.

On a side note, I'm going to a lender next Monday to get pre-approved and to learn more about HUD 203k loan options. I'm trying to get in before the first-time home buyer's credit expires, but with it taking a while for things to fall in place with my income and credit rating, now is as soon as this has been possible for me. Also, short-sales often take longer to settle, so we'll see.