Quote:
Originally Posted by computerworks
You're right there, Steve...The gov can't pay this either.
But (hypothetically) if I can get a set of new efficient windows on my 60 years old house when it comes time to sell and have the local utility foot 50-75% of the bill and the state, etc give rebates for the rest...and it enhances the value of my resale and saves some energy....what so bad here?
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Ron,
Nothing is wrong with the initiating of the thought process.
I certainly agree, that we, as human beings need to conserve our natural resources and that includes the Earth as a whole.
The problem with the thought is who is going to pay for it? OK, Well the home owner will pay for it before the home can be sold. Right?
WRONG.
Realtor.com has right now for sale 4,151,687 properties. I am not foolish enough to think they all have structures on them. However most of them do, and this does not include all the For Sale by Owner homes, nor the homes that are recent in foreclosure or on the auction blocks, nor the homes that are for sale and not published on the Internet elsewhere.
My point is there are MILLIONS of homes for sale right now. As you all know the market has taken a "little" dip in the last few years. Economist, (many on Wall Street) now estimate that an overwhelming 70% of all homes that are for sale right now in this country are in a negative equity situation.
If the home owners are in a negative equity now, where is the money going to come from to pay Sales fees, Settlement fees, back taxes, and then the upgrade fees in addition to that?
From the Federal Government. Right, The original statement is the Government cannot pay what it has now, so are you suggesting we borrow money form the Chinese, to loan to the Federal Government to give us credit to remodel our homes when there is no equity now? How then will changing the windows, give us enough equity to sell the home and profit? It won't!
Of Coarse not, your smarter than that.
Yes, there is a problem with older homes, yes we need to save the planet, yes we need to cut back and conserve electricity (and water) yes, yes, yes. I agree with most of the reasoning behind the thought.
It is the solution that is stupid, in my opinion.
If we, as builders, continue to adhere to modern construction techniques and Energy Star standards that are currently in place Attrition will take care of the rest. Sure you will have older homes that survive and get remodeled. I agree. You should also agree that most (heavy in the MOST) people tend to upgrade when they remodel. That would include energy efficiency items.
It is the making it MANDATORY, before a home, (or building) can sell that I think is wrong. Isn't there enough For Sale properties right now that will get foreclosed on because the owners don't have the equity to pay for professional marketing to aid in the sale, or do we really want another, 4.2+ MILLION foreclosures?
It is possible.