BiggerPockets

Hello, I am new to the forum, and am interested in focusing on a niche market, renovating older buildings using green building techniques. I'd like to hold on to the properties and rent, but think I might need to sell them in the beginning to build up my cash.

Does anyone have any experience in this? I've read green building costs are 2% higher than regular building costs, but don't know how this would translate to a renovated house as opposed to a new building.

I'm interested in making homes green also. Please keep us posted on your progress.

There are different "shades" of green. Bright green will cost you a lot more than 2% imo. You might get your appliances, ac and windows green for 2%. I think there are other

You can do somethings to be green without digging into your pockets.

Here are a few ideas that I try to do when possible ..

- List old building materials/sinks/faucets/lightfixtures/garage items on Craigs List FREE section. (youd be supprised how many people want your 'junk' .. I had people fighting over 50s wall paneling!)

- Use bamboo or Cork instead of hardwood. (sustainable resource)

- Use energy efficient light bulbs or dimmer switches (I heard E/S bulbs have mercury in them so I stay away from that)

- Install a day/night programmable thermostat

- Replace windows with double-pane LOW-E.

- Install added insulation (attic, basement ceilings, ect)

- Install Energy Star appliances

- Convert oil furnaces to gas if possible.

- Upgrade furnace to high-efficiency unit (90+ rating)

- Convert oil water heater to gas if possible.

- Recycle: demo, paper towels, drink bottles, ect.

- Replace the toilet (old toilets use a lot more water!)

I have a good friend in the business, he is doing market reasearch currently, I am really curious about this as well.

I did a cost analysis and found that it is not very profitable to flip, however I am really curious about renting.

An example is a place I am looking at an 8 plex that does not have individual gas and electirc thus land lord must foot these costs. So since I would have to foot the costs I am waiting for the market reasearch to see if I would be able to charge a premium for rent givne a green apartment complex

I was thinking of buying one of those dual flush stools that save alot of water,,,till I found out they cost 500 bucks.

Most regular 1.6 gallon flushers are 100 bucks or less

THEN I remembered,,i dont use enough water in a billing period to get over the minimum. SOOOOOO I get NO value out of doing that very thing

On second thought,it would be a waste of 500 bucks since the one I have works fine.

Point is,,see how much real green costs?? That 2% is all smoke and mirrors. I saw recycled floor tile too,,,costs over 10 bucks a square foot when regular tile is at most 2-3. How can that make sense??

IF the price is equal or less,go green,,if not, dont.

If you truly want "green" renovations its going to cost you a lot more than 2% more and be careful to do your research as to what is truly green.

You can be green with your toilet by putting a small bottled water in the tank. It tricks the tank into thinking its full while using less water at flush time.