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<TITLE>Re: [GSBN] Straw Bale Construction Loans</TITLE>
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<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Hi Mark,<BR>
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Try small state banks not corporate banks, banks outside of Bozeman (in rural areas), credit unions. Look for comparables within an area prescribed by the banks you’re talking to. Ask realtors for help, and also real estate appraisers – as they usually know where various types of houses can be found – and may be able to help with where the money is, too. If you have any builder or contractor friends, talk to them about where the money is, too. Does Bozeman have an economic development department within the city or county? Try them.<BR>
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If you know any owners of straw-bale houses or buildings in the area, ask if you could give the banker or lender a tour so they can see, feel, and learn about the building and hear from an actual owner. The banker is worried about resale - so maybe I can help you find some owners in your region who has sold their SB. Check the International SB Registry (<a href="http://sbregistry.greenbuilder.com)">http://sbregistry.greenbuilder.com)</a> - and if you can’t find any sb homes and homeowner or builders who can help – if that doesn’t work, send an email to me and I’ll do a different search for you within the TLS database and records.<BR>
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Better check to see if you can find an insurer now, too. If they will insure, they may be of help to find a lender, or convince a lender. It’s all about education sometimes.<BR>
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Hope there is some bit of help in this for you.<BR>
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<BR>
Joyce<BR>
--------------- <BR>
Joyce Coppinger<BR>
Managing Editor/Publisher<BR>
The Last Straw, the international journal<BR>
of strawbale and natural building<BR>
PO Box 22706, Lincoln NE 68542-2706<BR>
Phone 402.483.5135<BR>
<thelaststraw@thelaststraw.org><BR>
web site: www.thelaststraw.org<BR>
and our new blog at <a href="http://thelaststrawblog.org">http://thelaststrawblog.org</a><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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Greetings All,<BR>
<BR>
I hope this finds everyone in good health.<BR>
<BR>
I have been in the process of building the first load-bearing straw bale inside the city limits of Bozeman, Montana. I have been working with a bank for the last year or so and at the last minute pulled out because of straw bale. Can anyone recommend lenders for me. I have tried many off TLS site but many have stopped or are no longer in business. I have a job, I have down payment, I have very good credit, I have experience building straw bale homes. That’s what I do for Red Feather. Any help would be appreciated.<BR>
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Happy building!<BR>
<BR>
Mark<BR>
<BR>
Mark Jensen<BR>
Construction Program Director<BR>
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Red Feather Development Group<BR>
PO Box 907<BR>
Bozeman, MT 59771-0907<BR>
T: (406)585-7188<BR>
F: (406)585-7187<BR>
<BR>
markj@redfeather.org www.redfeather.org <a href="http://www.redfeather.org/"><http://www.redfeather.org/></a> <BR>
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