Many of the talks I give center around advising developers, builders, current homeowners and buyers how to build or retrofit homes and what to look for in a new, efficient, “Eco-Friendly” home. This month I would like to concentrate on the seller. With more homes on the market and prices at a plateau or dipping, we are currently in a “Buyers” market. If your property is priced well and people are showing interest, often it’s the “added value” from environmentally friendly upgrades that will tip the scale in your favor. These Eco-Renovations can make your house the better value. 

 

Start by making improvements that cut your energy bill each month. Change your incandescent light bulbs to CFL’s or LED’s. Replace appliances with energy efficient models. Tightly seal windows and doors with weather-strip and refresh caulk around sinks, tub and shower areas to reduce cooling and heating costs.

 

Air quality can be bad enough outside; do what you can for interior. Refresh interiors with zero or low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints. Use FSC woods or Bamboo flooring with non-toxic bindings, and linolium, cork, or “green” carpeting everywhere else. That “fresh paint” and “new carpet” smell is toxic off-gassing which can last for weeks, sometimes months, after the paint has dried and installation is over. It is especially dangerous for young children and older adults but it effects everyone. And clean the HVAC grills and ducts which can trap and spread dust and allergens when the system is switched on.

 

 

Reducing water usage in drought prone Southern California is a huge feather in your Seller’s cap. Start by checking your water meter while no water is being used. If it’s moving, you have a leak. Listen for running water in the pipes or bathroom. Even a small leak can add up to big waste; fix them all. Install water conserving plumbing fixtures and water flow constrictors on sinks and showers. If you aren’t replacing your toilet with a low-flow toilet, place one or two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water in your toilet tank. This practice saves up to one gallon of water each time you flush. Waiting for the water to get hot in the shower can waste gallons of water every day. Reduce this running water waste by replacing old water heaters with “instant on” water heating systems and water pressure pumps.

Outside, “Rain Barrel” watering systems for your landscaping can cut down on water usage – water from one 1.5 inch rain storm gathered from a 750 sq. ft collection area will fill nine 60 gallon barrels! Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are much more efficient than sprinkler systems. And you can train your plants to be more self-reliant by watering rarely and thoroughly to encourage roots to grow deeply into the ground.

 

Once you’ve created your home’s “Green Pedigree”, comparable houses on the market will have a hard time competing. Features like these show you care about your world and environment and make your property much more attractive to the educated buyer.