Green Rentals- Will it Work?

So we updated our rental with a number of great green features. The low VOC paint made sure there was no nasty off-gassing, and we were able to show the home immediately. Removing the carpet and replacing it with a durable solid surface flooring (we used a wood laminate) will give better air quality to the home, as well as reducing the hassle we would have had if we needed to replace carpet every 4 or so years.

Results?


WIN!

We had a flurry of activity. Folks LOVED the look of the home. I staged it and also shot great photos. We ended up renting it out for more money to a FABULOUS tenant with an excellent credit score. He was concerned about chemicals because he has a pet bird. All in all, it was a good choice. The money up front for the improvements made things a little tight, but combined with the fact that we will save on replacing carpet/ fencing and are getting more money each month in rent is a real winner for us! We'll have this rental for the long-term.

Green Rental Upgrades- The Low Hanging Fruit

Green Rentals- the low hanging fruit-

Having a Green Rental can benefit the planet, the renters and also the landlord.

How?

There are some easy things to take advantage of that will benefit everyone.

Rebates and Freebies: One of the main things to do is check for City Rebates. The City of Austin is very progressive, and offers rebates and freebies on green upgrades to properties. The federal government has also gotten into the act. Check with your CPA about what you qualify for in tax breaks. Also check with your city to see what you can save and get rebated.

Know what you have- some of the things about your rental are probably already green, and you just haven’t told the world!

Are you within easy walking distance to stores, schools, parks, restaurants, employers? What about a quick drive distance? That’s something to promote.

Cost to the landlord? Free

You also may have ceiling fans. Many rentals do. Did you know that using a ceiling fan helps you keep your summer ac usage lower? Now you know! Check another green feature off the list.

Cost to the landlord? Free

How about floors? If you got rid of the carpet long ago because you hated the time and expense of changing it out all the time, then you are in luck- carpets harbor dirt and mold and lead to worse air quality. Hard surface flooring is another green feature and there are some beautiful inexpensive laminate floors out there. You’ll save on changing out the carpet every few years.

Cost to the landlord? Free (equal cost to 4 carpet changes)

Faucet aerators help tenants use less water- it’s a simple gadget that you screw onto the faucets. They cost maybe $4 at the most. Check another off the list!

Cost to the landlord? $4-$12

Changing out the roof soon? Go for the lightest color you can. Light color will reflect heat better and keep the unit cooler.

Cost to the landlord? Free

Insulation is another easy one. You can buy recycled natural fiber insulation- just remember to stick it in there during the winter so you don’t pass out from summer heat! Easy to do, and not pricy either. Check another one off the list.

Cost to the landlord? $200 if you toss it in yourself

Track the numbers- get the past year of utility bills from the tenants, and then track the bills after the updates are done! (Free)

Cost to the landlord? Free

Living a greener lifestyle is all over the place these days. Almost every news site I see has a green living section, and as utility costs rise, you’ll have a rental which will rise above the rest.

This is your Green Real Estate Agent!

Stay Tuned and Stay Green!

Patty Sylvana

Owner, EcoBroker, Realtor-GREEN

E3 Properties

512-297-5658

patty@ethreeproperties.com

www.ethreeproperties.com

Green Rentals- A View from the LandLord

Will my Green Rental Property make the grade? Will all that work and investment pay off? Is there a market for green rentals? Is it possible to still make the finances work while doing good for the planet and my future tenants?

Putting money into a rental to make it more energy efficient is a tricky deal. You put in the money, and the tenants get the lower bills. Will it be worth it? We hope so!

As a Realtor focused on green homes, and the life-long treehugger of the family, I get calls regularly from folks moving to town but not yet able to make the purchase. They want to rent while they get used to the area, and they want Green.

What did we decide to do?
There is some basic low-hanging fruit that can easily make the rental more green.

We'll talk about that Next! For Now, Enjoy some eye candy-



Your Green Agent-
Patty Sylvana
Owner, Realtor, Ecobroker
E3 Properties
512-297-5658

Part 6: How to Buy a Green Home; Paint

Part 6: How to Buy a Green Home- PAINT

You know that fresh New Home smell you notice sometimes when you tour houses? You don't really want that. That smell is coming from chemicals in the air. Off-gassing from paints and carpets give you the new home smell, but also making your air quality worse.

What is off-gassing? It's when VOC's (volatile organic compounds) and formaldehyde are released from building materials (cabinets and paints).

Although VOC contains the word Organic in it, don't be confused. VOC's are toxic and will effect air quality in your home. You want to find a paint that is Low-VOC or Zero VOC. Sherwin Williams makes a Harmony brand that works great. (I've used this one a bunch). It's more expensive than your standard paint, but I think breathing is a pretty important thing, don't you?

Most folks don't advertise the kinds of paints they have used, but home owners often leave a gallon or two of paint behind in case you need to touch anything up. This can offer you a good clue in what they've used.

This is your Green Real Estate Agent!
Stay Tuned and Stay Green-
Patty Sylvana
Owner, EcoBroker, Realtor Green
E3 Properties
512-297-5658
patty@Ethreeproperties.com

How to Chose a Green Realtor

Like choosing any professional- you'll want to ask some questions. Here is some insight into some good ways to find the right person. You'll want to find someone who is personally interested in being more environmentally aware- for cost savings, for better health, and for the planet. Someone who is personally involved will be doing more to stay up to date, than you're average Joe who is just looking at a marketing strategy.

- The recently released National Association of Realtors (NAR) GREEN designation is the most basic step. Honestly, I could have taught the course myself. It's great for Realtors just starting to understand what a green home can be, but it's a pretty low standard right now.

- EcoBroker, I believe it's the first nationally recognized green training for Realtors. Does a good job of covering the basics, but doesn't go into any region-specific issues. The climate gives you different issues to deal with, so a good Green Realtor still needs to be aware of your region. You'd build a green home differently in Madison, WI than you would in Austin, TX.

- City of Austin's Green By Design program- an excellent resource for local information. Very regionally focused and provides a ton of good information. If they've attended this, then you are off to a good start. (it's great, and usually fills up quick)


- Have they had an energy audit on their home? What was it like?

- What kinds of things have they done to make their own home more 'green'?

- What types of things do they look for to help clients find green homes?

- What do they think of the current green homes on the market?

- What kind of green events do they go to regularly?

- How do they find green homes that are not 3rd party rated?

- Do they share Green resources with you when you first meet?

All of this should put you on the right path!

Enjoy!
Patty Sylvana
Owner, EcoBroker, Green Realtor
E3 Properties
Experts in Green Real Estate
512-297-5658

Part 5: How to Buy a Green Home- Insulation

Part 5
How to Buy a Green Home: Insulation

Here's the short of it.

The more you have here, the better off you'll be.
Insulation levels come with an "R" rating.
Highest usually for a ceiling area is R-40.

Foam does a good job because it doesn't get compressed down.
You want to keep the air pockets in there, which is really what insulation does- make air pockets around your house. Foam insulation is also available in some pretty healthy ingredients.
Cotton is also available, and a very tried and true option.

You may not be checking out the attic when you tour a home, but your inspector should be able to tell you how the insulation looks, what kind it is, and how deep it is. It's fairly inexpensive to buy and install insulation, but it might make you itch! You can hire someone to handle it.

Going Solar and Saving Some Bucks

My husband is a solar installer. He installed panels on our house, and we just got them cleared for operation. We saved $100 last month! I'm really liking this.

Call some installers in your area-If they are good they'll be able to do this:
- tell you all the rebates you qualify for
- handle the rebate paperwork for you or guide you through it
-review your home energy usage and give you tips on how to use LESS before you even put solar panels on your house.
- tell you how much the panels will save you
- tell you when you will break even

Currently there is a federal rebate that gives you a $2,000 federal tax credit.
The City of Austin has the MOST AGGRESSIVE REBATE PROGRAM IN THE NATION.
They will rebate up to 80% of the cost of installing solar panels on your home.
Hurray for city owned utility companies!

Here's some things to remember:
-Southern sun exposure on your roof is ideal. (your roof is facing south and that side gets sun most of the day)
- It usually will not pay to cut down a tree to get exposure on your roof.
- Payback may take a long time if you're city or energy company doesn't offer rebates, on the other hand, you can be off the grid.

Austin Solar Info
Celestial Power


Enjoy!
Your Green Realtor
Patty Sylvana
Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
512-297-5658

Realtor by Trade, Green at Heart