Marketing Energy Efficient Features and "Green" Attributes of a Home to Increase Its Market Value

How many times have you purchased a new home without reviewing a 12 month history of the utility bills for the home? If I were your agent, the answer would be "NEVER"! As a Certified EcoBroker. I have learned to market one of a homes most valuable features, its monthly expenses! In my opinion, many agents miss the mark on this issue. How many times has a new homeowner received the shock of their life in the form of an overwhelmingly high gas bill during the dead of winter or a sky high electric bill during the summer time when the air conditioner is running at its highest level?

It is very important for a prospective buyer to understand that the seller has taken the necessary precautions to guard against the highs and lows of a utility crisis. This could be a major selling point when buyers are making a decision between two very similar homes.

There are several ways that sellers can take advantage of energy efficient features to increase the value of their home, some of these items include:

1. Programmable Thermostat - lowers your heating and cooling expenses by 30-40% annually
2. Energy Efficient Appliances - decreases consumption of electricity, gas and water up to 50%
3. Energy Efficient Windows - decreases heating loss or gain and lowers annual heating costs up to 40%
4. Energy Star Certified products - homes tend to be 20-30% more efficient and can generate a federal tax incentive up to 25%
5. HERS index - A rating system for the Home Energy Rating System
6. Insulation with a greater 'R' value - could increase your heating savings by 20-30% monthly
7. Lighting - CFL's and LED's offer an average savings of $30 over the life of the bulb.
8. Site Design - including natural daylight, landscaping and shade trees as a factor on natural heating/cooling
9. Plumbing - low flow toilets, showers and faucet aerators
10.Indoor Air Quality - increased ventilation, low VOC paint, lead

If you'd like to get an edge on your competition, make sure you hire an agent who is well educated in these area's and can orchestrate a proper marketing approach to making your home stand out in a sea of similar homes. An agent with the designation of Certified EcoBroker is your best option but if you can't locate someone in your market, simply interview each agent by asking what features they would highlight to showcase your home's Energy Efficiency and 'Green' attributes.

Top Reasons Why Green Rehabs Will Create Long Term ROI And Market Advantage

Trends in Green Real Estate Investing or Green Rehab investing are quite telling for what is to come in the future of the real estate and construction industry. Of course, not all properties are going to fit the criteria needed by investors to implement a green rehab, but there are thousands that will and having the knowledge you need to successfully pull off a green remodel will differentiate your properties on the block getting you more buyers while simultaneously producing an asset with a much higher long term ROI.

What does the future of a green rehab look like? Whether you're in commercial, residential or multi-family properties, investor's, developer's and managers are adopting greener business practices (along with the rest of the world). The drive for such behavior is based on favorable financial returns on greener buildings as energy prices begin to soar and owners realize the significant savings afforded by thoughtful sustainable design strategies and renovations.

As an investor you can cash in on the coming demand for energy efficient properties through a green rehab. The rapid wealth and economic development is driving huge growth in energy consumption and green house gas emissions, which in turn is changing the perception of lenders, developers, investors and just about all trends in the construction industry.

According to an article, "Globalization and Global Trends In Real Estate Investment", the top markets for green rehab properties are mostly concentrated in North America and European economies, although significant potential for new green construction and retrofits exists at along all parts of the world.

As I've mentioned before, one of the greatest opportunities for green building investment and green rehabs is in the United States as the stock of older inventory becomes obsolete when next to energy efficient homes saving thousands in a given year. Although the U.S. is going to see a surge in this economy, other major players in the green construction and green rehab industry will be the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.

So what does all this mean to you, the investor? Investors know and understand risk, as well as how to mitigate risk. One of the larger advantages to green rehabs and green construction is minimizing the risk of owning obsolete properties in the future, along with a much higher ROI for longer term strategies.

If you're not convinced that green rehabs are going to become a major contender in the real estate investing marketplace then consider the following three influencing factors which are being seen in the marketplace today and will continue to gain more traction as time progresses.

1. The Market - There is a rising interest and application for green standards in hundreds of municipalities. Through forcing new and existing building standards to a higher level, non compliant buildings will certainly depreciate relative to the new mix of green real estate.

2. Regulatory incentives and forces - We have just begun to see the influence the government has and will continue to have in the rising of renewable energy sources, tax benefits and manufacturer incentives for energy efficient measures to new and existing homes. As investors become more educated around the benefits of green investing we will see more competition begin to emerge, which is why this is your time to gain the competitive edge and become a major player in the energy efficient market place.

3. Finally, environmental concerns play a factor, although, as investors we all know this can be one of the most overlooked aspects of our profession. Sure, we all want to save the environment and produce a future for our children's children, a green and vibrant built environment, but it comes down to business. The good news is, dollar for dollar, green real estate investing and green rehabs come out on top for the right property and investment strategy.

Looking For Higher Sales, Higher Profits, and A Longer Term Real Estate Investing Strategy? In this economy the gold goes to those who travel a different road while staying ahead of the trends. Differentiate your business by getting educated on all aspects of achieving a Green Rehab.

Top reasons why generalist Green will create long term ROI and market advantage

Trends Green Real Estate Investing or green Rehab invest say enough for what is to come in the future of the construction industry and real estate. Of course, will not all properties match the criteria required by investors to implement a green rehabilitation, but there are thousands who will be and with the knowledge you need to successfully run a green redevelopment will differentiate your properties on the block get you more buyers while producing at the same time an asset with a King much more high long term.

What is the future of green rehab look like? Whether you're in residential, commercial properties or multifamiliales, investors, developers and managers adopt greener business (with the rest of the world) practices. The drive for this type of behavior is based on the favourable financial returns on green buildings as energy prices begin to rise in arrow and owners to realize significant savings offered by the work of renovation and thoughtful sustainable design strategies.

As an investor you can redeem on the application of effective properties of energy through a green rehabilitation. The rapid wealth and economic development fuels growth enormous energy consumption and green house gas emissions, which in turn changes the perception of the lenders, developers, investors and the few closely all the trends in the construction industry.

An article, "globalization and Global trends in real estate investment," top markets for green rehabilitation property page focus primarily in the economies of Europe and North America, even if there is a potential for the new green construction and renovations in all parts of the world.

As already mentioned, one of the largest investment opportunities and green generalists of ecological construction is United States that the stock of older inventory becomes obsolete when close to energy-efficient homes saving thousands in any given year. Although the United States will see a surge in this economy, the other major players in the rehabilitation industry green and green construction will be in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Japan.

What therefore everything what it means for you, the investor? Investors know and understand the risks, as well as how to mitigate the risks. One of the largest green generalist benefits and green construction is minimizing the risk of owning obsolete properties in the future, with a much higher ROI for more long-term strategies.

If you are not convinced that green generalists will become a major contender in the market real estate investment then consider three factors influencing following that are currently visible on the market today and will continue to gain ground over time progresses.

1. Market -there is a growing interest and the application of ecological standards in hundreds of municipalities. Thanks to force new and existing standards to a higher level of construction, non-conforming buildings will certainly depreciate over the new blend of green real estate.

2 Regulatory incentives and forces -we have just begun to see the influence of the Government has and will continue to have in the increase of renewable energy, tax benefits and incentives of manufacturer for energy efficiency at new and existing homes. As investors become more educated autour benefits to invest green we will see more competition are starting to emerge, that is why it is your time to gain the competitive advantage and become a major player in the energy marketplace effective.

3. Finally, environmental concerns plays a factor, although, as investors we know all that this can be one of the most overlooked aspects of our profession. Of course, we all want to save the environment and produce a future of our children, a green and environment built dynamic, but it's business. The good news is, dollar for dollar, green and green real estate investment generalists emerge on top for good property and investment strategy.

If you are looking for sales, higher Profits and a more long-term real estate investing strategy? In this economy the gold goes to those who travel a different path while remaining before trends. Differentiate your company get its studies on all aspects of achieving a Green Rehab click here to discover how you can stay at the top of what many call the next Boom in the richness of real estate.