Green Rewards
A product feature that provides lower pricing, additional loan proceeds, and a free High Performance Building Report (energy and water audit) to finance smarter, greener property improvements.
Eligible improvements include new ENERGY STAR® appliances, energy-efficient HVACs, WaterSense labeled low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) systems, and more.
Benefits
- Lower interest rate
- Free High Performance Building Report (energy and water audit) and Technical Solar Assessment
- Up to 5% more loan proceeds
- Increased Net Cash Flow by underwriting projected energy and water cost savings
- No minimum investment per unit
- Attract more investors with a Green MBS
Eligibility
- All Asset Classes with at least 12 months of Stabilized Residential Occupancy; a Manufactured Housing Community is eligible only if a Solar PV system is selected as a required efficiency measure.
- Property owner must commit to improvements that are projected to reduce the whole Property’s annual energy and/or water usage by at least 30% combined, of which a minimum of 15% must be projected energy savings.
- Improvements must be installed within 12 months of loan origination.
- Properties may be located anywhere in the U.S.
- Green Rewards Mortgage Loans that project greater than 5% additional loan proceeds or include a Solar PV system as a selected efficiency measure are Pre-Review.
Lien Priority
First Lien Mortgage Loans, Supplemental Mortgage Loans, and Second Supplemental Mortgage Loans.
For a Second Supplemental Mortgage Loan, 100% of the loan proceeds must be used for efficiency improvements.
Availability of Additional Loan Proceeds
Up to 5% more than a conventional (non-green) DUS Loan.
High Performance Building Report (HPB Report)
High Performance Building Report 100% paid by Fannie Mae if loan is delivered as a Green Rewards Mortgage Loan. Report scope equivalent to ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit.
Technical Solar Assessment
100% paid by Fannie Mae for Green Rewards Mortgage Loans if the High Performance Building Report determines that the Property is suitable for a Solar PV system and the Borrower elects to install a Solar PV system as a required efficiency measure.
Underwriting
75% of the owner-projected and 25% of the tenant-projected energy and water cost savings may be included in the Underwritten Net Cash Flow.
Execution Options
Green MBS.
Term
5 to 30 years.
Interest Rate
Fixed- and variable-rate options available.
Loan Amount
No minimum or maximum.
Maximum LTV and Minimum DSCR
Varies by Asset Class and product type
Prepayment Availability
Flexible prepayment options available, including yield maintenance and declining prepayment premium.
Rate Lock
30- to 180-day commitments. Borrowers may use the Streamlined Rate Lock option. If Fannie Mae approval of the High Performance Building Report is required, the HPB Report must be approved by Fannie Mae at least five days prior to Rate Lock.
The Technical Solar Assessment must be submitted for Fannie Mae approval at least 10 days prior to Rate Lock.
Accrual
30/360 and Actual/360
Recourse
Non-recourse execution is available, with standard carve-outs for “bad acts” such as fraud and bankruptcy required.
Escrows
Costs for green efficiency improvements escrowed at 125%.
Third-Party Reports
Standard third-party reports, including Appraisal, Phase I Environmental Assessment, and a Property Condition Assessment, are required. The Property Condition Assessment must include the High Performance Building module or HPB Report. A Technical Solar Assessment is also required for any Property with a Solar PV system selected as an efficiency measure.
Assumption
Mortgage Loans are typically assumable, subject to review and approval of the new borrower’s financial capacity and experience.
Asset Management
Property improvements must be completed within 12 months after the Mortgage Loan Origination Date. Lenders will verify the completion of the agreed-upon property improvements. Borrower must report the Property’s annual Energy Performance Metrics, including ENERGY STAR score, for the life of the Mortgage Loan. Any Property on which the Borrower elects to install a Solar PV system as an efficiency measure must also report energy generated by the Solar PV system.
Green Rewards Guidance