Showing posts with label Green Real Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Real Estate. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Green Real Estate and Education Go Hand and Hand and the Timing Couldn't Be Better

What a better time to think of value in residential real estate than in the present challenging times. Most are still wondering if the projections of a turn around in the current marketplace are just fiction or truth. Five steps forward and two back, then three forward and three back. So what is really going to drive value for the buyer to buy again? What does a buyer consider in today's economic climate for the decision to buy a home? Do they think of a home for their family in terms of how their parents looked at the purchase? Do they still think a home is the American Dream where investment returns will be offered in the 6-8% in annual growth patterns as in the past?

The current climate offers a new sales technique for mortgage and real estate companies in moving property. The "short sale" market is of value to the investor, but counter productive for future community values. So, if you want to sell a home in this market, what are your options? The appraiser will always look at recent sales, and there have been several homes foreclosed and resold as short sales in your neighborhood. The bad thing is the family that wants to move across town into a nicer home, but the short sales will affect the value of their home dramatically. Appraisers will look at the most recent sales using the cost approach to determine value. This gives you only one real option to take less for your home, and hopefully buy a short sale across town if any are available. I mean why should we take such a loose; we were always on time with our mortgage and taxes, why are we being so affected by others hard times.

So you don't sell, because you do not want to take such a loss and there are no foreclosures in the area you want to go. What do you do to build value for the future? What do you honestly think will help your home stand out in front of the others? What do you think a buyer is thinking about today? Low utility bills? Are they considering looking into solar or energy savings? Are they curious about green building and green renovation products? Here is an idea. Put $15,000 in energy efficient upgrades in your existing home, taking advantage of the tax incentives and rebates. Now, depending on the upgrades you have chosen, the property stands out in this development. With offering up to 65% lower energy bills alone a buyer desiring your neighborhood may lean towards your home even if there is a short sale for less money. The timing couldn't be better as most are curious on how to renovate to lower utility bills. Green renovations, can make a difference in real estate values. Using healthy materials and installing more high efficiency systems will making a difference in quality of life. While economic times are challenging those involved in the energy sector hold promise for growth. Our company, Green Real Estate Education is educating all sectors in the real estate industry to bring these points to those is there markets. Our educational programs are in demand even in these economic times.

Energy Efficient Homes and proper marketing especially if they offer the added benefit of being green certified properties are some of the most sought after residences and gaining strength daily. The entire building industry is changing towards sustainable and green techniques; it's about time we embrace the new green revolution.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Green Real Estate - Interest Grows in California

I grew up in North Hollywood, California. I remember attending Monlux elementary school in Van Nuys when "Ecology" became big news. That's 40+ years ago! Back then it was about recyling. We'd have huge newspaper drives to divert some of that trash for re-use. I didn't really understand what was happening back then but now I realize that I was witnessing the birth of something important. California really was the birthplace of the "Green" movement. Sometimes it seems like the rest of the country is just catching up. And now that we are reaching the onset of the economic recovery we are beginning to see emerging technologies leading the way, and in the forefront of these technologies will be the development of green building products and real estate practices. Nowhere in the United States are they more focused on developing environmentally responsible practices than in California. This focus will create a growing opportunity for green real estate in California that will be something people will want to be a part of in the years to come.

As a seller of homes or commercial properties, environmentally sound additions are always a major selling point. Being able to point out the smaller carbon footprint of one home compared to another will be a desirable feature to a homebuyer. Californians have led the way in developing green practices such as solar and wind generated power and energy saving building materials and techniques. Any property in California that can state the energy efficient inclusions in the home is far more likely to sell before homes that have no environmental awareness at all. Taking into account the importance of environmental responsibility is imperative if a seller wishes to be successful in the state of California.

As a buyer in California, green real estate is just another of the enormous number of incentives to purchase a home in 2010. As if the extraordinary home prices and interest rates together with the tax incentives to purchase a primary residence were not enough, there will now be added seller competitiveness to offer green options in the homes they are selling. The climate of environmental concern is prevalent in California. Many homes have either been built or retrofitted with more environmentally friendly features and products than in any other state. If the choice comes down to two homes in the same price range, it would make more sense for a buyer to purchase a home that will save them money continuously with the energy savings that are provided in a green home. With California's awareness of the need to become ecologically responsible, there is no reason for a buyer to choose a home that is not environmentally sound.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

American Companies Opting For Green Real Estate

Regardless of the non-compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, the United States of America still helps Mother Nature by taking part in green real estate. This doesn't only mean an increase in the amount of construction supplies corporations with green friendly products, it also leads to foreign players having a piece of green properties.

According to current real estate news, corporations such as Goldman Sachs, IBM Corp., Toyota Motor, and JPMorgan Chase have already made a move towards green friendly properties. Aside from that, there are other companies including Bank of America and Accenture are on its way to getting themselves their own buildings made using green materials. Whether through construction or leasing, said companies are determined to go green.

Maybe it is due to constant information dissemination regarding global warming as well as other environment-related dilemmas, green real estate is now becoming one of the fastest growing sectors of an already booming industry of commercial properties. Based on current market reports, approximately 5% of new commercial buildings all over the United States of America have attained the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification just||as of the previous year. Approximately 10% more are to follow by next year. This statistic does not even include residential properties, that are also predicted to undergo a change.

In addition, the change is affecting not just with new buildings, but also in already existing buildings as well. Developers such as the Durst Organization as well as Hines are cutting half empty office buildings then placing them under renovation. Everything is altered according to eco-friendly standards. This is done to increase rent by 3% higher compared to the previous charge as well as amplify the property value by 7.5%.

Real estate news also notes that aside from a possible increase in rent, these are also utilized because they can save up to ten percent in utility spending each year. A number of the already existing green real estate use up forty-two percent less electricity and it also consumes 34% less water compared to traditionally constructed properties. More importantly, as innovation on sustainable materials keeps up, green constructions are predicted to be more cost-effective.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Green Real Estate Is What Nature Desires Now

From the dawn of the human civilization, the planet earth was subjected to a lot of pressure for providing various ways of dwelling for mankind and man, who have created a share of havoc on the various sources of natural resources that was made available for the vast human race. But now after so many years man has landed himself amidst a lot of problem by over-exploiting these natural resources. If these non-renewable resources actually start to deplete, there will be no turn around for the human race. Thus with the use of green real estates, it will completely be removed from the Earth's face.

All our attempts and efforts to improve our different ways of living have left behind a carbon footprint. The event resulting in the emission of the accumulative green house gases is known as the carbon footprint. In spite of spending millions of dollars and hosting various researches's no process has been discovered to control this rapid decrement of the natural resources. At last one solution has been discovered that apart from being beautiful and cost effective, is also very eco-friendly. This is the art of living green. In order to compliment this green living extravaganza, many green real estates have been constructed throughout the planet.

The construction of these green real estates is progressing keeping in mind the ultimate interest of the environment. Thus the major part of these materials that are being used for the construction is either obtained from razed buildings all around America or recycled substances. The constructions take place under strict vigilance so that the environment remains harmless. To minimize indoor pollution and its various causes, green flooring substances are being used. An ample supply of eco-friendly materials are being used fro the construction of these green real estates. One of the best options for this is bamboo floors. From the usage of recycled-content carpet to sustainable timbers, everything is eco-friendly. The different compounds that are used for this special purpose have low Volatile Organic Compounds that helps in the reduction of any little chance of the harmful emissions after the process of installation is completed. Other important options that are available include stone flooring, linoleum flooring, cork flooring and hard wood flooring. the installation of all these products not only helps u gain tax benefits and a better financing for your new home, it also meets all high standards of green living.

The environment will highly benefit if the revolutionary idea of green real estates meets its desired success. If the environment benefits from anything, we also benefit. Residing in these green homes thus not only helps you and your environment benefit but it also gives you immense opportunity to save your hard earned money.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Energy Efficient Homes and How to Write Articles on Green Real Estate Topics

At the height of the real estate bubble it was amazing how many people were reading articles on real estate. It seems that every single person was in on the game; trying to flip houses, or buying the dream house they've always wanted at no money down. There was some talk of green real estate, alternative energy, solar panels, installation strategies, and LED lighting, but nothing like there is now after the housing burst.

Today, nearly all articles in the industry have a "green" slant to them.

Whether this is good or bad, and I happen to think it is okay, is perhaps beside the point. Indeed, the reality is that it provides an excellent opportunity for online article authors, one which very few have really taken advantage of, but I think you should. You see, over the years I've written over 500 articles on alternative energy, green real-estate, and environmental issues. And mind you, I am in no way a staunch environmentalist.

Nevertheless, I do get good feedback often as readers email me, thank me for my articles and information, and proceed to ask me other questions, which I in turn use as titles for new articles on the topic. What, I am trying to tell you is that you should be catering to this thirst for knowledge in green real-estate, and writing online content that satisfies the needs and desires of your future potential readers.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Green Real Estates Provide the Best Answer in the Conservation of the Eco-System

There has been quite a fuss in the last decade or so with the rising temperatures of the world, which has led the protest movement against very big industrial buildings as well as those residential complexes that are building up with no regards to the environment whatsoever. This problem required a quick solution and that has been provided by the green real estates. These green homes are not only going to be your shelters, but they will also do their bit for the environment, for its protection and conservation.

It is not that only the smaller towns in the United States of America are going green, so as to say. Even the big cities such as Chicago, New York have undertaken programs to promote green living, beginning with these green real estates. There are plenty of evidences that can be found all over the bigger cities that suggest that there is an increasingly growing trend in terms of building a green and sustainable living. Several elements of green are being incorporated into the building of newer structures such as condos, apartments and even houses. The individuals who already have a home are also making several positive changes that will be of benefit to the Earth and ensuring a lifestyle that is more conscious about the environment.

When you go green, it is of course beneficial to the environment, it helps in the maintenance of the ecological balance in the Earth. Perhaps one of the worst kept secrets in the world is that the natural resources on Earth are almost on the brink of being completely depleted, and that too at a rate which is unsustainable and what is even more thought provoking is that whatever we decide to do seem to be leaving a carbon footprint. The demand on the ecosystem is, to some extent, relieved by the green buildings which utilize the recycled materials as well as the renewable resources, green roofs along with energy-conserving appliances. The environment friendly residences that are coming up with a tinge of green are making use of materials that are pleasant for the environment, which include bamboo floors (that are made from sustainable substances), re-using old building materials (which are, in most cases, salvaged from the buildings that have been taken down), non-toxic paints, which hardly cause any harm to the atmosphere and other such materials.