Will Green Features Increase Your Tucson Home’s Value?

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A lot of homeowners are wondering if green features like solar panels increase the value of their home.

Solar panels on your roof are common green features. Hot water heaters are too, but it doesn’t end there. Things like sustainability, a house that uses recycled materials, and anything that conserves water or energy are also considered green features. If you already have these features installed in your home, or you’re thinking about investing in them, here are a few statistics to consider.

Solar systems increase the value of your home by $3 per installed watt. Most houses have a 6,000 watt system. That usually costs $25,000 before any incentive you might receive. However, with solar energy, you’ll experience an $18,000 increase in your home’s value.

Another study by the University of California at Berkeley studied 1.6 million home sales during a 5-year span. They examined homes that were designated as green or energy efficient. Energy efficient homes were found to sell for 9% more compared to those without green features.

Keep in mind boosting home value means more than just adding on green features. Additionally, it’s only been five years since these features have been available in single-family homes. There isn’t much hard data out because this kind of thing is so new. One thing’s for sure, though; anytime you can improve the overall cost of homeownership, it will add value and marketability. As energy costs continue to rise, energy efficiency will appeal to more buyers.

If you’re thinking about buying or a selling a Tucson home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer any questions about this topic and more!

How Kevin Wood helped us sell my mother-in-law’s home from out of state and find a great condominium.

"After 51 years of marriage my father-in-law passed away suddenly leaving my mother-in-law alone 2000 miles from her family. When she decided to move I had two problems. First, selling her four-bedroom home in Florida and then, finding the right condominium blocks from my home in Arizona. Now, I’ve known Kevin Wood for years, so he was my first phone call. Kevin researched and interviewed several local Florida real estate agents before recommending one who went above and beyond to help me sell her home, and that was the easy part. Next, we had to find my 77 years old mother-in-law a suitable condo. We knew it would be a fraction of the size of the home she had lived in for decades, so it had to have the amenities, view, and physical condition that she required. Plus, it had to be close to my home. Kevin spent significant time researching my area and provided the inside information we needed to make the right decision. A few weeks later we closed on the perfect unit. My mother-in-law couldn’t be happier with her new home and we couldn’t have made her happy without Kevin Wood, my realtor for life. I wholeheartedly recommend you contact Kevin whether you are buying or selling, locally or long-distance, Kevin does it all."

- Maury Kauffman

Is Spring Always the Best Time to Buy in Tucson?

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Value Report

When I got into the real estate business in 2005, I was told that spring is always the best time to sell a home. I was skeptical, but I took a look at the numbers and it’s true.

This is what I found: Between January and June of every year for the last 60 years, 75% of all the inventory available was sold.

That’s ¾ of homes selling in the first six months of the year. This could be happening for a number of reasons:

• Corporate and military relocations happen in the spring
• Home values rise in the spring

• Families tend to move at this time before summer break
• Curb appeal peaks during the spring
• Tax season brings tax returns, which are used for down payments on homes

There are many more reasons why people come out and buy during the spring. Some are simple reasons like the weather is just better, but other reasons are more complicated. Either way, it’s a fact that the springtime is the best time to buy or sell a home.

We expect a really excellent market to take shape this year, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to buy or sell a home.

I look forward to hearing from you!