Going Green: I want To Green My Home
According to a report on NBCNews.com, there is a growing interest in going green when buying your next home. Many buyers are looking for an “energy efficient” home and certainly one that is more earth friendly. Often a home that is more “green” becomes the deciding factor when it’s time to make an offer on that property over another. If you’re looking to go green with your next home, here are three important tips to consider.
Expect To Pay More For Going Green
“If you’re in the market to buy an eco-friendly dwelling, researchers say you should expect to pay more for a so-called green home. How much more depends on a number of factors, but in a recent study looking at data from 1.6 million California home sales from 2007 to 2012, University of California researchers found that green-certified single-family homes sold for $34,800 more — or 9 percent more — than comparable homes that weren’t certified green.”
What Does Green Mean To You?
People have varying definitions when it comes to going green. Most likely you fall into one of three categories.
- Energy efficiency to save on energy costs. This means energy efficient appliances, weatherproof windows and better insulation.
- Non-toxic materials. This means carpeting, paint and building materials.
- Sustainable future. This means locally sourced materials that are also sustainable.
Once you decide what exactly going green means to you and what is most important on your green list, you will be able to proceed with a better direction in mind.
Green My Home – Return On Investment.
As noted above, green homes tend to be more pricey. That being said, be sure to understand the return on your investment. For example, how long will it take to break even and then begin saving money on energy efficient features. Overall, if you plan to stay in a green home for a number of years, you will most likely see cost savings. But if you plan to flip your home or place it back on the market relatively quickly, green might not be right for your budget.
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