Green Property Management

Landlords stand to gain in two ways from upgrading or purchasing new homes with green features:
 
1.  Enhance the bottom line: 

• In marketing, we can promote green features thereby demanding $25 to $100 or more per month in rent, depending on the upgrades and price range of the property.  Even with the increased rent rate, we can probably show prospective tenants how these features reduce their monthly cost of living expenses, particularly in utility bills, making your property more attractive to lease.
  
   
• Alternatively, we could leave the market price at a relative constant while promoting the benefits of green features to prospective tenants.  This will assuredly speed up the leasing process reducing the number of days the property sits vacant saving the landlord lots of money in carrying costs.
  
   
• Because tenants will be more comfortable in a green featured home, there is a higher probability that they will renew their lease, saving the landlord lost opportunity costs through vacancy.
  
   
• When it comes time for resale we can promote these features in the marketing program to get more money for the home, and sell it faster than the conventional competition.
   

2.  Play a role in necessary conservation of natural resources:

• While many people are focused on finding new supplies of energy and water, what makes most sense is finding ways to reduce consumption.  This is ecologically responsible.
  
   
• Become a leader in the ecological movement by setting the example.

So what can you do to make your home more green?  The most efficient way is to buy one already built that way.  But since there have been so many homes built without these features, you may need to consider green upgrades:

• Do a home energy audit or hire a professional to do one on your home.
  
   
• HVAC:  Replace A/C systems with 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) or greater, and updating furnaces to high AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) systems of 80 or greater. 
  
   
• Replace kitchen appliances and water heater with Energy Star rated appliances.
  
   
• Replace plumbing fixtures with water conserving fixtures.
  
   
• Take advantage of passive solar technologies for heating, and active systems for power generation to supplement the grid. 
  
   
• Install programmable thermostat(s).
  
  
• Replace old single-pane windows with Energy Star rated multi-pane windows.
  
   
• Improve insulation in older homes built before present day codes.
  
   
• Install a gray-water recycling system.
  
   
• Install rain-water retention systems.
  
   
• Improve interior air quality with ventilation systems that replace indoor air with fresh outdoor air.
  
   
• Improve potable water quality by installing whole-house and reverse osmosis filtering systems.
  
   
• Constructing wind screens and shade with intelligent landscaping and planting.  These features make the home less susceptible to harsh weather conditions.
   

Among the many Atlanta area markets, 3 Options Realty serves the North Metro area, including the communities of Gainesville, Cumming, Buford, Sugar Hill, Dacula, Alpharetta, Roswell, Acworth, Canton, Smyrna, Vinings, Sandy Springs, Norcross, Duluth, Lilburn and Lawrenceville., but we also have agents serving in the mid and southern regions of the city in Douglas, Fulton, Clayton, and Dekalb counties.