Have an Eco-Friendly Home? Make Sure Buyers Know It
Filed Under Uncategorized · Tagged: buyers, eco friendly, energy efficient, green, homes, houses, metro area, money saving, Oregon, Portland, Real Estate, sellers
In tight real estate markets, sellers need to highlight the extras that make their homes stand out. One thing sellers often forget to mention is that their home is eco-friendly.
While statistics show that buyers won’t necessarily choose an eco-friendly home over a standard one simply because it’s green, they can be influenced to purchase the former if they know the home will save them money.
One of the biggest money-saving features is often overlooked because it’s hidden in the walls and roof. According to Steven Mark, a design consultant at Marrokal Design & Remodeling, ”Insulation is relatively inexpensive for the return on investment. You will save the most money by doing a lot of insulation in your house”. The San Diego-based remodeling company uses green materials like recycled blue jeans that are turned into insulation and special roofing to help lower the energy costs by keeping heating and air conditioning systems working less. ”On our roof sheathing, we’re using a special plywood that has a little layer of metal in it that reflects the UV rays before they go into your attic,” says Mark. By using this special radiant barrier plywood, he says “The attic is going to be 20 or 30 degrees cooler in the summertime which then means the insulation and air conditioner and everything else you need to get your living space to a comfortable temperature is now reduced”.
Another often-overlooked feature when selling a home is its energy-saving appliances. Think about buyers comparing two older homes: the first house has old appliances and the second has newer energy-saving appliances. The upgrades in the second home may put it at a distinct advantage to the first home’s older, more energy-expending appliances because it will save buyers a lot of money over time. While this seems obvious, sometimes sellers neglect to mention such perks.
Remember, the things that aren’t always visible can save a surprising amount. Tankless water heaters, for example, are becoming more in demand. That’s probably because you can save as much as 30 percent using a tankless water heater as opposed to a standard one, according to Dennis Hargraves of El Cajon Heating & Plumbing Supply. Consumers can also get big rebates for using these more energy-efficient systems.
Special water-saving shower fixtures and low-flush toilets can also be enticing to buyers. If you haven’t already installed them, consider replacing an old toilet with a more efficient one. Also, don’t worry about the low-flush not being effective. Hargraves says the functionality has greatly improved; no need for double flushing. Plus, there’s incentive to install them: “There are vouchers available so a customer can receive up to $100 per toilet by going to the 1.28 flushes versus the others,” says Hargraves.
All of these features can be a big plus if you’re currently selling or thinking about selling your home. It’s a good idea to keep a three-ring binder to help you remember all the upgrades and eco-friendly additions when it comes time to sell. Be sure to include the sales receipts, product warranties, operating instructions, and any other pertinent notes. Don’t forget to review the material in your binder before you put your home on the market so that you’re prepared to highlight your green improvements when you meet with your real estate agent.
Written by Phoebe Chongchua, but edited for this blog
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Lois has been a proud Oregon resident for more than 20 years, and is a licensed real estate broker in both Oregon and Washington. 
