It is almost closing time at hundreds of big-box suburban hardware stores all over California. At this one in the suburbs of Sacramento, 21 lawnmowers fill the sidewalk out front, parked near a dozen bags of ready-to-use potting soil….
This real estate article was posted from Home Front real estate blog
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People - GeeeeeeZ! Taking a side on the bubble discussion is like actively discussing abortion, the war in Iraq, or the Dixie Chicks! Neither side is open to others opinions and no one is going to budge. I for one am sticking to my guns (just like like everyone else) and unless anyone is going to give me their doctorate in economics with a proven track record of predicting the future let’s not go there for a while. If I end up wrong I will be the first to admit it - somehow I get the feeling that most of you will be on whatever side is right - right then. Let’s get a new subject going here. I want to talk about our areas most valuable asset - Lake Tahoe and the environment in general as it relates to Real Estate.
I for one am huge proponent of “Green Building” and am very happy with the trend for many custom homes to be built with not only energy and water efficiency in mind but the use of recycled lumber, carpets, and insulation — as well as products with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to protect indoor air quality. It is sad that many had to wait until oil prices climbed before they started thinking that there has to be a better way — but — regardless of the reason any small step to independence is a move in the right direction. I would like to commend the Tahoe Sierra MLS (TSMLS) for recognizing this trend that , in my opinion, in the future will become increasingly important in a home buyers search criteria. The TSMLS has incorporated into their search criteria for Realtors factors such as special insulation, recycled carpets, energy efficient appliances, and other “green” features. People are not only focusing on this because they want to be free of gas companies that “surprisingly” triple their profits even though gas prices were driven up! Gee I wonder why? But people are also more conscientious of the environment then they have been in a decades.
Off my soap box and back to Tahoe. It is my opinion that the most comprehensive asset that our area has is Lake Tahoe - a unique gem and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in the States. It also has the great ability to stabilize our market as it is not something that you can reproduce and being near it and a part of it will always be desirable as long as we protect it. As a quick example while the Reno/Sparks market did drop over 10% (in some cases) in 2006 in Incline Single Family Homes appreciated by a modest +/- 8% and Condos appreciated about 11%. Sales volume was down but prices were up. What would have happened to our market in the absence of the Lake? or Would we even have been in the position for a decline without it? How many speculators would have gone elsewhere without the Lake (and river of course) despite our great tax climate and college? These are questions that may never be answered but are fun to think about anyway.
My question to you is - how important will “green” features be in the purchase of your next home? and Why? Let me know and thank you in advance for your response.
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Understand first of all that there IS a difference between price and value. Price is the amount you are asking for the property. Value is buyer perceived, and this perception of value is influenced by many factors such as location, features, condition, comparison to other purchase option, etc. By attending to details that can have a positive impact on the value, sellers can significantly increase their chance of attracting qualified buyers willing to pay the asking price.
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One of the best justifications for owning a home, at least for financial reasons, is the tax savings that result from deducting mortgage interest. The deduction for mortgage interest stands as one of the few remaining tax deductions for the typical middle class taxpayer. Despite the changes to the tax code over the past several years and the repeal and limitation of many non-housing itemized deductions, mortgage interest is still deductible. On first and second mortgages and home equity lines of credit (with some limitations) for first and second homes, your mortgage interest deduction is still a good financial incentive to buy a home. Full Article »
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