In this episode of the NEBA Podcast, host Merrill Loechner sits down with residential solar expert Jeannie Assante to demystify the process of switching to solar power. With nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, Jeannie provides a transparent look at how solar works, the importance of individualized energy assessment, and the long-term realities of maintenance and home resale value. Whether you are a first-time homeowner curious about the benefits of solar or a long-time resident wondering if your roof can handle panels, this conversation offers practical, no-nonsense advice for anyone looking to harness the sun's energy while navigating the complexities of modern utility grids.

Key Takeaways

0:00 - Introduction

0:42 - Solar Viability in the In Your Location: Solar energy works effectively regardless of geographic location; systems are customized by calculating a home's specific annual energy use and production potential.

1:56 - Ground Mounts vs. Roof Panels: Panels do not have to be on the roof; they can be placed on ground mounts or other structures, though this requires more land and trenching.

2:24 - Roof Condition and Replacement: Jeannie assesses the roof's longevity before installation; if it needs replacement, the cost can often be bundled into the solar project financing.

4:26 - Usage vs. Square Footage: System size is determined by the actual energy habits of the people in the home—such as the number of occupants and appliances—rather than the square footage of the building.

5:12 - Grid Connection and Blackouts: Being "off the grid" is a common misconception; most systems remain connected to the utility company, and a total blackout will still result in power loss unless you have a solar generator.

8:12 - Maintenance and Warranties: Systems are generally "set it and forget it," as rain cleans the panels and components are typically covered by a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

15:00 - Resale and Transferability: Solar is an asset similar to a pool; if leased, the agreement is transferred at the closing table, and if owned, the loan can be paid off through home sale proceeds.

18:45 - Adding Panels Later: Homeowners who purchase their systems can often add panels later as their family grows, provided there is enough remaining roof space.

19:54 - Legacy Systems and "Orphaned" Solar: For homeowners who bought a house with an old system from a defunct company, Jeannie discusses how she can help reassess, remove, or replace outdated equipment.

If you're ready to see if solar is the right fit for your home or have questions about an existing system, Jeannie Assante is available to help across all 50 states. You can reach her directly at 718-873-4242 or via email at [email protected]. 

Don't forget to like this video and subscribe to the NEBA Podcast for more insights on connecting your business and home with the right resources.

The New England Business Alliance meets via ZOOM every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. If you would like to stop by for a visit and see if NEBA is the right virtual networking group for you, request an invitation here - https://neba-73bc.mailchimpsites.com/

For more information about how hosting a podcast can help grow your organization, call Merrill Loechner at Smith Douglass Podcast Productions at 203-628-2606 or visit http://smithdouglass.com/

In this episode of The New England Business Alliance podcast, host Merrill Loechner brings together an exceptional panel of industry experts who delve into the intricacies of the home-buying process. The panel consists of Jane Harris, a national sales director at Primerica specializing in finance; Anjali Stevenson, an experienced real estate attorney in Massachusetts; Michelle Tenaglia, a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty; and Natalie Malinowski, a seasoned loan officer at Cross Country Mortgage.

The discussion kicks off with a focus on the collaborative nature of their team, detailing how they came together through professional connections, networking, and mutual commitment to serving their clients' best interests.

The conversation centers around various aspects critical to the home buying process, addressing common challenges and providing valuable insights.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

Team Synergy and Client-Centric Approach:

·         The panel emphasizes their collective focus on prioritizing the client's best interests, working as a unified team to ensure a seamless and customer-centric experience.

Overcoming Home Buying Fears:

·         Michelle and the team highlight the role of fear as a significant obstacle for potential homebuyers. This fear encompasses concerns about the unknown, making a substantial purchase, or dealing with market uncertainties.

Financial Preparedness for Homeownership:

·         Jane and Natalie delve into the financial readiness required for homeownership, emphasizing the importance of thorough financial analysis and budgeting, mortgage preapproval, and guiding buyers to understand the potential affordability of a home purchase.

The Role of Professionals in the Home Buying Process:

·         Anjali, the real estate attorney, sheds light on the significance of legal representation in real estate transactions. She underscores the importance of professional guidance in navigating legal complexities and protecting clients' interests through contract review, ensuring compliance with statutes, and safeguarding their investments.

Protection and Planning Post-Purchase:

·         Jane also advocates the significance of life insurance in protecting homeowners, highlighting its crucial role in safeguarding financial security in unexpected life events, such as loss of income or unexpected deaths.

The overarching theme of the podcast centers on demystifying the home-buying process, offering insights into the teamwork, dedication, and expertise essential to successfully navigating the complexities of homeownership.

Contact information for the panel:

Jane Harris

National Sales Director

Primerica

978-387-4180

[email protected]

https://www.primerica.com/JANEHARRIS

Natalie Malinowski

Loan Officer

CrossCountry Mortgage

339-440-1676

[email protected]

https://crosscountrymortgage.com/Lawrence-MA-4849/Natalie-Malinowski/

Anjali Stevenson

Owner

Anjali Stevenson Law Office

857-284-9844

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjalistevenson/

Michelle Tenaglia – 

Realtor

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

617-447-8979

[email protected]

https://michelletenaglia.verani.com

The New England Business Alliance meets via ZOOM every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. If you would like to stop by for a visit and see if NEBA is the right virtual networking group for you, request an invitation here - https://neba-73bc.mailchimpsites.com/

For more information about how podcasts, and other forms of business storytelling, can help grow your organization, call Merrill Loechner at Smith Douglass Associates at 203-628-2606 or visit http://smithdouglass.com/

More and more people are joining the entrepreneurial ranks these days. And there are multiple ways to start your own business. You can start from scratch and build from the ground up. You can buy into a franchise. You can join a network marketing organization.

Joanne Grigoriev came from an entrepreneurial family and decided to first follow her passion for music, becoming a professional concert flutist and music teacher. When her husband started a furniture manufacturing business, she worked by his side. And when she discovered a health and wellness product she believed in, she joined its network marketing team and started her own business.

Check out our interview and learn more about Joanne’s journey and why she feels that network marketing is a great option for people interested in anything from a side gig to starting their own entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Joanne’s contact information:

Web - https://redoxglobe.com/

Phone - 315-717-6435

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-grigoriev/

Calendar - https://calendly.com/joannegri

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8zNv5ZzeOt4wXOju8eQlBg

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joanne.grigoriev.5/

Website for family furniture business - https://justleanbackfurniture.com/

The New England Business Alliance meets via ZOOM every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. If you would like to stop by for a visit and see if NEBA is the right virtual networking group for you, request an invitation here - https://neba-73bc.mailchimpsites.com/

For more information about how podcasts, and other forms of business storytelling, can help grow your organization, call Merrill Loechner at Smith Douglass Associates at 203-628-2606 or visit http://smithdouglass.com/

As a former photographer, I was thrilled to sit down with Barry Braunstein and talk about the hardest thing to do well as a photographer – headshots.

I was happy to hear that he specializes in people who absolutely HATE getting a professional headshot. As someone in that category, we spoke about what it takes to make someone look their best – even if they started out wishing they were at the dentist instead.

Check out our interview and learn more about Barry’s techniques to calm you down, engage you in the process, and make you look like the high-end professional you are.

More about Barry Braunstein:

I’m a Boston area headshot photographer and have been in love with photography ever since I was a kid marveling at the powerful images of people and places created by Life Magazine and National Geographic photographers. I’ve been shooting since high school, and over the years many people told me I should turn pro.

So, after a long and successful career in high technology, I decided to turn this hobby into a full-time business. To refine my skills, I studied under the world's top headshot photographer and then added my own style and approach. I utilize my years of experience in marketing and sales to work with businesses and individual clients to create images that reflect their brand and the best of who they are, showing confidence, approachability, trustworthiness, and likeability. My clients are often amazed at how much fun sessions are, particularly those who dread having their picture taken, and that they love their images - that makes my day!

I also believe in giving back and have used my business to help organizations such as The Boston Food Bank, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Ben Speaks, WGBH, The Handel and Hayden Society, Portraits for Patriots, Wellesley Public Schools, and others.

Web - https://www.barrybraunsteinphotography.com/

Phone - (781) 237 – 0495

Email - [email protected]

Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNIFmTHIZpg

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrybraunstein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barry.braunstein.58

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrybraunsteinphotography/

NEBA meets via ZOOM every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. If you would like to stop by for a visit and see if NEBA is the right virtual networking group for you, request an invitation here - https://neba-73bc.mailchimpsites.com/ 

For more information about how podcasts, and other forms of business storytelling, can help grow your organization, call Merrill Loechner at Smith Douglass Associates at 203-628-2606 or visit http://smithdouglass.com/

Welcome to the New England Business Alliance Podcast. NEBA is a virtual networking group based in the Boston area, but with members around the world. This group was founded by professionals interested in building relationships and passing leads, introductions, and referrals to the best possible professionals in their fields. This podcast is a platform to showcase the members of NEBA and their extraordinary businesses.

Today we sat down with the Board of Directors of NEBA to find out more about the group. Moderated by member Merrill Loechner (Smith Douglass Associates), we spoke with Gregory Klein-Hertzel (ConnectivTech, Inc), David Joyce (DJ Consulting Services), and Jane and Trevor Harris (Primerica) about the founding and growth of NEBA. We spoke about what type of people would be successful in NEBA, what separates NEBA from other networking groups, and what they see as the future of the group.

NEBA meets via ZOOM every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. If you would like to stop by for a visit and see if NEBA is the right virtual networking group for you, request an invitation here - https://neba-73bc.mailchimpsites.com/ 

LinkedIn Profiles of Today’s Guests:

Merrill Loechner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillloechner/

Gregory Klein-Hertzel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-klein-hertzel/

David Joyce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-joyce-9b39b6177/

Jane Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-harris-6b8a3833/

Trevor Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoriharris/

For more information about how podcasts, and other forms of business storytelling, can help grow your organization, call Merrill Loechner at Smith Douglass Associates at 203-628-2606 or visit http://smithdouglass.com/