This past week, I spent two days in Salt Lake presenting the Green Core Course of the National Association of REALTORS® to real estate practitioners working to earn the new Green designation. The same program will be conducted in St. George later this month. As the public becomes more aware of the meaning of going green and how it relates to homes and the quality of life experienced by the occupants of a green built home, there are several factors that affect the decision of whether or not to engage such construction.
The goal of real estate practitioners is to counsel with clients and customers and help them find a home or building based upon their preferences. While it may be possible to remodel or retrofit an existing building, new and custom-built homes and buildings have the advantage of being able to incorporate green features into the design and construction. As the cost of various features identified with green construction is considered, the motivation for deciding to what extent one may go to implement green is influenced.
Generally, one might consider classifying the cost for various features into Low-Cost, Medium-Cost and High Cost categories. Folks wanting to get into green construction or upgrading for as little as possible would do well to think about the following list of features that are typically placed in the Low-Cost group (this list is taken from the course):
*Use CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) or LED (light emitting diode) lightbulbs
*Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
*Start a compost pile
*Plant trees
*Insulate hot water heater
*Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows
*Collect rainwater to water plants
*Paint with low-or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint
*Replace filters
*Install a programmable thermostat
*Plant a rain garden
*Plant native plants
*Place appliances or office equipment on powerstrips to reduce "phantom" load
*Install motion sensors in offices and other common areas to turn off lights when not in use
*Install water-efficient restroom fixtures
*Take advantage of daylighting
*Provide recycling bins
In subsequent columns, items falling into the Medium-Cost and High-Cost categories will be listed. It is important to begin with a plan in mind. Research and price the features intended to be installed and don’t "run faster than you have strength." In other words, in the effort to start to go green, don't go over your head or obligate yourself beyond your means and capacity to pay for the project. Remember, the whole concept of "Green" has to do with Energy Efficiency and Protecting the Environment. But if you lose your shirt, so to speak, or lose your property because of going into debt or overextending yourself financially, you will be going the wrong way. Upside down is not the way to go.
St. George REALTOR® Jim Coleman is Associate Broker and Partner/Owner of ERA Brokers Consolidated. He Specializes in Residential, Investment and Commercial Real Estate, holding National Designations of Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Resort and Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). He was recently awarded NAR's new Green designation. You can contact him by e-mail at Jim@JimColeman4Homes.com. Call: (435) 674-0600; or write: Jim Coleman, 201 East St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah 84770. This and other columns are available at www.RealtorJimC.com/articles.