Buying foreclosure home is an opportunity to go green. Not only do you decrease the demand on materials like trees and natural products, you also help the environment by remodeling it into a green home. Learn some of the advantages of buying foreclosed home and turning it into a green home.
Often
times, people consider buying foreclosed home as a way to get great value for
owning a home. But believe it or not, buying foreclosures can also be a way to
go green. HOW?
First off,
buying an existing home instead of building a new one decreases the demand on
material like trees and other natural products that it takes to build a new
home.
Secondly,
most foreclosure that I have seen is in need of repairs. It is because of these
needed repairs which is why they are price so well. When you buy a foreclosure
and start making those repairs, choosing environment-friendly material and
designs is a way to make it greener than it was before.
Here are
some advantages if you decide to go green when you renovate your foreclosed
home:
Lower utility and water bills.
Having energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen and media room can reduce
monthly utility bills. Tankless water heaters mean less time and water wasted
waiting for water to warm up in the sink or shower.
Healthier indoor air quality.
Green-certified homes offer reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor
toxins. This is especially beneficial to sufferers of asthma and bronchial
disorders.
Tax benefits. DSIRE is a database of
state incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the Energy
Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government offers several tax breaks and
incentives for efficiency upgrades to homes. The Department of Energy offers
federal tax incentives. The USGBC lists local tax breaks. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) also offers sources for green funding, as does the
Energy Star program.
Higher real estate resale value.
According to an article in Business Wire, on the one-year anniversary of the
Northwest Multiple Listing Service's addition of green-design search features
to its property listings database, analysis shows that new and existing
green-certified homes in King County sell in up to 18 percent less time and for
28 to 37 percent higher value per square foot.
Improved durability and less
maintenance. Certain green building materials, such as bamboo floors, are easy
to clean or require less maintenance than traditional carpet flooring.
Reduced waste sent to landfills.
Modular homes are built in factories that recycle the waste generated during
the construction process and leave less waste at the construction site. Many
green homes often use recycled building materials.
Enhance and protect biodiversity and
eco-systems. Using xeriscaping and native landscaping reduces needed
irrigation.
Conserve and restore natural
resources. Harvesting gray water saves on water bills. Composting saves money
ordinarily spent on fertilizer and sends less waste to landfills. Alternative
energy sources means a home neither contributes to rolling blackouts nor is it
as badly affected by them.
Better for the environment. In the
U.S., homes are responsible for 21 percent of the country's greenhouse gas
emissions, according to the USGBC. Living in a green home means that you are
helping reduce the causes of climate change. Using local materials means less fuel
is used when shipping exotic materials from other countries and ensures fair
trade and labor issues.
Optimize life cycle of a home. The
greenest homes are sustainable, meaning they are built to last and work
effectively for generations.
Rick Merlini is a certified professional master builder and real estate sales trainer. He is a two time builder for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and a record holder for building a 3900 square foot home in 53 hours and 54 minutes. For more information on buying foreclosure homes, visit his website: http://foreclosuremadeez.com.