104. Eco-Flip Playbook: Real Talk with Mary Love

What does it actually look like to flip a house the green way — and make the numbers work? In this episode, Izumi sits down with Mary Love, a North Carolina-based green realtor, building scientist, and project manager who has been doing eco-conscious real estate investment long before "green homes" was a mainstream term. Mary shares hard-won lessons from decades of rehabbing and renting energy-efficient properties — from wrangling reluctant HVAC contractors to educating appraisers on the value of sustainable upgrades. In this episode, you'll learn: Why insulation and air sealing are always the first priority — and how to do it without gutting the walls How to use blower door and duct blaster tests to document before and after performance (and use it as a marketing tool) What appraisers actually need to see to give green upgrades their proper value How rebates and incentives can make eco-flipping cost-competitive with standard rehabs Why the conversation has shifted from energy savings to safety and resilience — and what that means for investors The "Fortified Standards" framework for disaster-resilient construction Mary's motto: "A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing" Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to think about greener rehabs, Mary's practical, no-nonsense approach will show you that eco-flipping isn't just good for the planet — it's a smart business model. 📬 Connect with Mary Love: [email protected] | lovethegreen.org