7 Reasons to Go Green in NJ Real Estate

Why choosing a green lifestyle is advantageous for buyers and sellers in the NJ Real Estate market

The world is currently facing an excessive number of social and environmental problems including rapid population growth, climate change, shrinking forests and wildlife species, increasing deserts and eroding soils. The earth's temperature is already significantly increasing as a result of human activities. Going green is simply taking the necessary steps to utilize technologies that do not disturb the earth's ecosystems or overall atmosphere. Our planet has a fixed amount of natural resources with a number already depleted. As the rate of population growth greatly impacts our finite resources, there will be much fewer available. If we plan to leave the next generation with the same standard of living we have enjoyed, we must preserve the foundation of that standard of living. If we save for things such as college educations and weddings, why can’t we also save clean air, water, fuel sources and soil for future generations? The following are reasons why going green is beneficial for buyers and sellers in the NJ Real Estate market:

 

Reason #1: Going green saves money on such things as energy usage while also protecting our global and local environment. Green builders of eco-friendly NJ Real Estate have seen drastic advantages.

 

Reason #2: You can increase the value of your home by installing solar panels or purchasing water-saving showers, therefore giving you an edge with potential buyers when you sell your home.

 

Reason #3: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, our country would save $20 billion a year if today’s NJ Real Estate were enhanced with green methods. With minor home improvements such as tightly sealing insulation, homeowners can save significant amounts of money.

 

Reason #4: Eco-friendly homes built with recycled materials such as decks made of plastic and wood fibers last up to five times longer than conventional wood decks and never need maintenance or repair. This type of upgrade is often found throughout many of our NJ Real Estate green homes.

 

Reason #5: Green homes have better indoor air quality than other homes, whether old or new. By using nontoxic paints and cleaners, homes are physically healthier and more comfortable for homeowners.

 

Reason #6: Inside the house, Energy Star appliances and water-saving plumbing systems will significantly cut water usage in your green NJ Real Estate project. For example, toilets built before 1982 use an astounding 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. If replaced with a high-efficiency model that uses fewer than 1.3 gallons per flush, you'll see immediate savings.

 

Reason #7: Federal tax incentives for green NJ Real Estate are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These incentives cover up to $1,500 (from $500), based on 30% of the cost of the improvement including windows, insulation and heating/air-conditioning upgrades. There are also 30% credits for renewables such as solar hot-water systems, small wind systems and geothermal heat pumps.