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Green Your Home: Part 1

Now that you have your first home, let’s get on trend and make it a green home. When I say Green home, it is not an old school building made of glass growing plants-I mean make your home you live in every day healthy both physically and fiscally as well as sustainable. Not only do you at home reap benefits, everyone doing their part to be green helps Earth out.

What are some fears about going green? Here are five: Green is just a bunch of hype. Green is too expensive a lifestyle change. Green is too difficult a lifestyle change. Green will not benefit me personally. Green will not really make a difference. What is the reality of these fears? Conserving energy and natural resources is more than a hype. Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling will save you money over time. Changing habits to think and do greener create ease and simplicity in your life. Everyone caring benefits everyone. Everyone doing their part plays to the bigger picture of a healthier world being successful.

It is important to realize why you are going green: Healthy, Money Smart, or Sustainable. The three elements of a green home are: Air, Energy, and Water. The three primary green home zones are: the inside zone, the systems zone, and the outside zone. The inside zone is the homes interior living spaces. This should be the first priority as you spend the bulk of your time in your home. The systems zone is your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Going green here will save you money on your utility bills. The outside zone is your front and back yard. Some people have these and some do not, which is why it is third in importance.

So, what is your big why? Why are you going green? Here are six things to consider as you think of why:

1.      Focus on Resale Value

2.      Keep your climate in mind

3.      Get more for less

4.      Embrace the payback principle

5.      Take advantage of potential rebates and incentives

6.      Weigh Now vs Later

When you are thinking of upgrades and renovations to your home, think: greenovating. Going green has value for your home. When thinking of what features to put in your home, be sure they are friendly for the actual climate your home is in. When looking at material, you can get recycled material – it is functional and good for the cause. Think of the total cost of an investment / estimated cost savings per year to determine your payback value. This is how you save money going green. Be on the look out for rebates and incentives on green items for your home, you have other uses for that money you’re saving! Keep in mind, you may have many things you want to do and not enough money-do your base and what you can now and wait for the right time to finish your list.

Join me next week as we delve into Part 2. Until then!

Orange, CA-TRREG DRE#01843673-RP100 DRE#02059058-P:714-831-1800-E:info@theresultsrealestategroup.com-W:www.theresultsrealestategroup.com-Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn
References: Green Your Home by Gary Keller

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