Green Real Estate Properties

Going Green
Being "green" seems to be the "in thing," but what exactly does it mean?

There's no question we are a wasteful society, just go visit your nearest landfill. It's amazing what and how much we throw away. So, one way to be green is to recycle or reuse more often.

Recycling doesn't just mean putting newspapers in a green bin and plastic in a blue bin. Recycling can mean repurposing an item or allowing someone else to use it. Remember, "one man's junk is another man's treasure." So, have a yard sale, donate to your local charity, or give to someone you know who might be able to repurpose the item. It always amazes me how fast something disappears if I stick it at the end of the driveway with a "FREE" sign!

The latest trend in reusing/recycling is to salvage parts of old buildings for new. The hardwoods are difficult to come by, so reusing old boards from a nearby tear-down makes sense. Homeowners who want to add character to their new home or are rehabbing an old one, are salvaging doors, fireplace mantels, hardware, etc. from houses, barns, and commercial buildings.

Of course, one of the concerns is high utility bills. Adding solar panels, geothermal heating/cooling, wind generators, etc. can help save on utility expenses.