It’s a familiar scenario for us: We’re walking through a home with you and you begin to visualize it as yours. While cosmetic improvements are often on the wish list, many homebuyers are placing an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability. It's not just the environmentally responsible thing to do, a green home can translate to monetary savings for the homeowner.
As real estate agents, our job is to help you prioritize your ideas for greener living.
According to Green Your Home: Healthy, Money-Smart, and Sustainable Living Begins at Home,’ there are six things a homeowner should consider before investing in 
green improvements:
Focus on resale value.
It’s smart to think like a seller before making an upgrade or improvement. We can help you decide which green features are in the highest demand. One evergreen upgrade that’s inexpensive: low-flow plumbing fixtures. They add value by saving money and natural resources!
Keep your climate in mind.
Green technologies, such as high-efficiency air-conditioning units, can save a homeowner tons of money, but are they really necessary in locations where you run the A/C only a couple of months out of the year? Perhaps in these climates, a radiant floor heating system would be a better investment. Don’t get wrapped up in gadgetry. Invest in systems and technologies that make sense ― and cents — in your climate.
Get more for less.
Sometimes the most valuable improvement you can make isn’t brand-new technology, but simply reusing materials you already own. A home renovation generates construction debris that doesn’t have to end up in the dumpster. Wood can be ground up for mulch, or masonry can be repurposed for planter boxes in the yard.
Embrace the payback principle.
The payback principle calculates how long it will take before the improvement you’ve made has paid for itself. The formula is total cost of an improvement divided by the estimated cost savings per year.
Take advantage of potential rebates and incentives.
Governmental agencies offer many rebates and incentives for green improvements. Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to see what may apply.
Weigh now vs. later.
What do you want to accomplish today, and what will you tackle in a few years? When tackling a project, approach it in a way that sets you up for future improvements with minimal inconvenience. For instance, if you’re building a second story and intend to add solar panels to the roof later, make sure the addition is wired to accommodate the panels down the road.
When you work with us, we’ll work with you to make sure the ideas you have for greening your new or existing home make sense for the environment and your pocketbook!
And always remember, if you or your friends or family have real estate needs, we are your Boise, Idaho and North End real estate experts. If you are interested in searching for your next dream home, please click here.
