Does Your Laguna Beach Home Meet the Green Standard?

Does Your Laguna Beach Home Meet the Green Standard?

I want you to reach deep into your pockets, pull out a fat wad of cash, and spend it. Generously. Not on yourselves. Not even on me. On the planet. Yes, like it or not, green is the scene in ‘11.

The Laguna Beach home you live in is the perfect place to start. Ah, the wonders you’ll work with solar panels. The marvels you’ll achieve with double-pane windows. I know, I know. Once upon a yesteryear, energy efficient measures sent shivers through the family budget. But that was then, and this is now – a glorious new era when costs have slid way, way southward.  This drop is one of the many reasons that green all the rage on planet earth. The all-knowing honchos at Pike Research say the trend will continue -- expenditures for eco-friendly housing upgrades are expected to hit $50.2 billion in 2014. A pretty tidy sum, wouldn’t you say?

So take this gal’s advice and convert some of the green from your wallet into green for your Laguna Beach home. Trust me, you can’t go wrong. In fact, it’s a fantastic investment. Many homeowners claim their utility costs drop by as much as 40 percent after they greenify. Favorite options include solar water heaters, Energy Star appliances, solar ovens, insulation, and water reclamation systems. All easy to do. And all incredibly effective. A recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory demonstrates that homeowners who install solar panels stand a real good chance of recouping their investment. In fact, when it comes time to sell, a home gone green generally fetches a better price.

And let me tip one of my many hats to Uncle Sam. (At last count the number was approaching 1,000.)  The government is offering many generous tax incentives to owners who add a bit of greenery to their homes. What you get depends on what you do. But by all means, do something!

Yes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the zillion and one green options out there. So don’t stress it. Just narrow down the field to a couple of choices. Maybe solar cooking or composting.  See how that works out. Then add to the arsenal when you feel good and comfortable. 

And when it comes time to sell your greenified Orange County home, guess what?  All those eco-upgrades will boost the sales value of your property, much the same way an ocean view would.

OK, so are you ready to preserve the planet and make a great investment all at the same time, right?  Great! There are a million and one ways to get your green on. I’ll even help you. So please, please contact me if you have any questions.

And, of course, if you long to live in a Laguna Beach home you can greenify to your heart’s content, I’m ready to assist you. As an expert in coastal properties, I can help you discover the endless golden opportunities here in the Laguna Beach Real Estate market. But don’t wait until they’re gone. Connect with me now at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Until next time, keep it classy, Laguna.