Category Archives: Green Home

Green Home, Real Estate Market, Solar

Shining a Light on Solar Panels

Shining a Light on Solar Panels: Unlocking the Value in Real Estate Appraisal

Are you considering adding solar panels to your home? Beyond the environmental benefits, did you know that solar panels can also contribute to the overall market value of your property? Real estate appraisers take a multifaceted approach to evaluate the impact of solar panels, considering various factors that go beyond the initial installation cost. Let’s delve into the key aspects that appraisers typically take into account, breaking down the evaluation process.

 Cost Approach: Unpacking the Initial Investment When appraising a property with solar panels, appraisers often begin with the Cost Approach. This involves considering the initial purchase and installation costs of the solar panel system. The age and condition of the panels also come into play, with well-maintained and newer systems being valued more highly due to their extended economic life. This physical depreciation is factored into the overall effective age or condition of the home.

 Income Approach: Powering Up Future Savings The Income Approach centers around estimating the income generated by the solar panels over time. This income can be derived from savings on electricity bills or even income generated by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Let’s break it down: Imagine your solar panels save you $1,500 per year on electricity bills. The appraiser then applies a discount rate (let’s say 5%) to calculate the present value of these future savings. In our example, that’s approximately $24,000, reflects the financial benefit you receive from the solar panels over the years and is not directly added to the market value of the property. Instead, the income approach is used to incorporate the present value of the future energy savings into the overall valuation.

Market Comparison Approach: Solar Panels in the Neighborhood Appraisers also employ the Market Comparison Approach, looking at comparable properties with similar solar panel installations in the local market. This helps gauge how solar panels impact property values in a specific location. If homes with solar panels are selling for 3% more than those without, this percentage increase is factored into the overall market value calculation. In our hypothetical scenario, a home without solar panels is estimated at $250,000, while one with solar panels is valued at $257,500 (3% higher). This implies that, in this case, solar panels could add $7,500 to the market value.

It’s important to note that different appraisers may use slightly different methods, and the impact of solar panels on market value can vary based on local market conditions and buyer preferences. As solar technology continues to evolve and awareness of its benefits grows, the value of solar panels in real estate may see further enhancements. So, if you’re considering going solar, not only will you be contributing to a sustainable future, but you may also be enhancing the value of your home. Find a Solar Company in AR https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/arkansas-solar-panels

Green Home, Home Improvements, Investment Strategies, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Market Analysis

Getting an appraisal when you are already in contract

What happens in a scenario where the buyer decides to have an appraisal performed after the home is already under contract? What are the possible outcome if an appraisal comes in above the contract price or below it?

 If  the Appraisal is above the contract price: 

If the appraisal comes out higher than the contract price, it may be seen as a positive outcome for the buyer. It means that the property is valued higher than what they agreed to pay, potentially indicating that they got a good deal.

However, since the buyer has already agreed to purchase the property for $320,000, they are typically obligated to honor the contract. The buyer may still proceed with the purchase at the agreed-upon price or renegotiate with the seller based on the new appraisal value. Renegotiation could involve trying to lower the price or requesting additional concessions from the seller.

Appraisal below the contract price

If the appraisal comes out lower than the contract price, it can create some challenges for the buyer. The lender (if involved) might only be willing to provide a loan based on the appraised value rather than the contract price.

In this case, the buyer may face several options: a) Proceed with the purchase as planned, covering the difference between the appraised value and the contract price with additional cash from their own funds. b) Renegotiate with the seller to lower the purchase price based on the appraised value. This renegotiation is typically subject to the willingness of the seller to adjust the price. c) Terminate the contract if there are contingencies in place that allow for this, such as an appraisal contingency.

The buyer may be entitled to have their earnest money deposit refunded if they decide not to proceed with the purchase due to the low appraisal.

It’s important to note that the specific consequences and available options may vary depending on the terms outlined in the purchase agreement, any contingencies present, local real estate laws, and the willingness of both parties to negotiate or modify the contract. Consulting with a real estate professional or an attorney would be advisable in such situations to fully understand the implications and potential outcomes.

Before you make a home purchase

It important do research about your neighborhood. Try to find similar homes in the same price range so you can see how your house compares in quality and size etc. And even if there is no mortgage involved, it is always prudent to have an appraisal on a property you are interested in before you enter into a legal agreement. Purchase agreements should always have a contingency in the event the property appraisal comes in below or above your offering price. An appraisal could save you the loss earnest or deposit money, paying too much or even a possible breach of contract.

Green Home

More Ways To Increase Value

Cute Rental HouseHere are four more  examples of ways to increase value.

4.  Rent out the property on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms: If the property is located in a desirable area or popular tourist destination, it can be rented out on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms to generate additional income. Vrbo.com – (formerly known as HomeAway) is one of the largest vacation rental marketplaces,

 Here’s an example of how renting out a property on Airbnb or other short-term rental   platforms can generate additional income:

Let’s say a homeowner has a property in a popular tourist destination that they use as a vacation home for a few weeks each year. The homeowner decides to rent out the property on Airbnb during the times that they are not using it to generate additional income. The homeowner lists the property on Airbnb, sets the rental price, and arranges for a cleaning service to clean the property between guests.

After a few weeks, the homeowner begins receiving booking requests from travelers who are interested in staying at the property. The homeowner accepts the requests and the property is rented out on a regular basis. After accounting for cleaning and other associated expenses, the homeowner is able to generate an average of $2,000 per month in rental income from the property.

In this example, the homeowner was able to generate additional income by renting out their property on Airbnb during the times that they were not using it. This can be a good option for homeowners who have a property in a desirable location and are looking to generate steady income without having to commit to a long-term rental agreement.

5. Install energy-efficient upgrades: Installing energy-efficient upgrades, such as solar panels or energy-efficient appliances, can not only save the owner money on energy costs, but it can also increase the property’s value.

Let’s say a homeowner has an older property that is not energy-efficient, and they want to reduce their energy costs and increase the property’s value. The homeowner decides to invest in energy-efficient upgrades such as installing solar panels, upgrading insulation, and replacing old windows and doors with energy-efficient ones.

After completing the upgrades, the homeowner notices a significant reduction in their monthly energy bills. Additionally, the property’s value has increased due to the energy-efficient upgrades, making it more attractive to potential buyers if the homeowner decides to sell the property in the future.

In this example, the home owner was able to reduce their energy costs and increase the property’s value by installing energy-efficient upgrades. This can be a good option for homeowners who want to save money on their energy bills, reduce their environmental impact, and increase the value of their property.

pasture land6. Subdivide the property: If the property is large enough, it can be subdivided into multiple parcels and sold separately, or the individual parcels can be leased or developed.

Let’s say a homeowner has a large property with a lot of acreage. The homeowner decides to subdivide the property into smaller lots and sell them separately to increase the overall value of the property. The homeowner hires a surveyor to subdivide the property and create new property lines, and then applies for the necessary permits from the local government.After the property is subdivided, the homeowner lists the new lots for sale. The smaller lot sizes make them more attractive to buyers who are looking for more affordable options or who want to build a smaller home. After selling all of the lots, the homeowner is able to generate a higher overall sale price for the property than they would have if they sold it as one large parcel.

In this example, the homeowner was able to increase the value of their property by subdividing it into smaller lots and selling them separately. This can be a good option for homeowners who have a large property with a lot of acreage that they are not using, or who want to generate additional income by selling off portions of their property.

pool amenity7. Offer amenities: If the property is a vacation rental or located in a desirable area, offering amenities such as a pool, gym, or hot tub can make it more attractive to renters or buyers and potentially increase its value.

 Let’s say a homeowner has a property with a large backyard. The homeowner decides to add a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a built-in outdoor kitchen to the backyard to make it more attractive to potential buyers and increase the overall value of the property.

After completing the additions, the homeowner notices that the backyard has become a more desirable space for outdoor entertaining and recreation. Potential buyers are now more interested in the property because of the added amenities, and the homeowner is able to sell the property for a higher price than they would have if the backyard had remained untouched.

In this example, the homeowner was able to increase the value of their property by adding additional amenities to the backyard. This can be a good option for homeowners who have a large outdoor space and want to make it more attractive to potential buyers, or for those who want to increase their own enjoyment of the property.

 

 

Green Home

Popular Kitchen Trends

Home styles and  trends  may change over the years however a newly remodeled kitchen  is always in demand and at the top of the list of must-haves.

White cabinets with light green walls and cherry wood floor

Here are a few timeless trends one may consider when giving their kitchen facelift.

Very light or all white kitchens. All white cabinets and walls appear to be a lasting trend here.  If all white is too much then you can add a light color to the walls to emphasis the bright clean look of the white cabinets.

 Medium to Dark flooring. Stained hardwoods, ceramic tile or vinyl plank floors tend to balance or off set the lighter colors of the walls and cabinets.

Quartz Countertops. This countertop choice  is known for its ability to resist stains and damage over the long term. Engineered or “leathered” quartz adds another layer of protection and is also expected to remain a popular trend for kitchens.

 

Green Home

Seven Principles of a Healthy Home

The National Center for Healthy Housing NCHH is an organization dedicated to establishing healthy, energy efficient and safe homes for families of all income levels. The NCHH also provides educational programs, tools, and resources to help home owners to create and maintain healthy homes. Their website helps you identify and fix the health hazards in your home that could make you and your family sick.healthy home

A study conducted by the group examined 248 older homes in NY and Boston that underwent energy conservation improvements such as installing new insulation, new heat and air systems and improving ventilation. They wanted to see if installing newer systems would have a positive impact on the health of the occupants. After six months, the results showed that after the improvements were made subjects reported reduced sinusitis and other allergies by 20 %, hyper-tension by 14% and obesity by 11%.

The NCHH suggest the following seven principles for maintaining a healthy home. They are:

Dryness: Damp houses provide a nurturing environment for mites, roaches, rodents and molds, all of which are associated with asthma.

Clean: Clean homes help reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants.

Pest-Free: Recent studies show a causal relationship between exposure to mice and cockroaches and asthma episodes in children; yet inappropriate treatment for pest infestations can exacerbate health problems, since pesticide residues in homes pose risks for neurological damage and cancer.

Safe: The majority of injuries among children occur in the home. Falls are the most frequent cause of residential injuries to children, followed by injuries from objects in the home, burns, and poisonings.

Contaminant-Free: Chemical exposures include lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and environmental tobacco smoke. Exposures to asbestos particles, radon gas, carbon monoxide, and second-hand tobacco smoke are far higher indoors than outside.

Ventilated: Studies show that increasing the fresh air supply in a home improves respiratory health.

Maintained: Poorly-maintained homes are at risk for moisture and pest problems. Deteriorated lead-based paint in older housing is the primary cause of lead poisoning.

The NCHH conducts key research on aspects of childhood lead poisoning, lead hazard control, reducing exposure to allergens and other residential hazards.  Results from these studies have been used to shape federal and state regulations relating to safer construction and residential housing.

If you or members of your family are suffering from allergies and you live in an older home, check out the website for tips on how to make your house a safe place for adults and children to play. Visit   Healthy Home today!

 

Sources: http://nchh.org