The Green Column 10/21/2010

The Green Column

by Richard C. MacCrea, Andrews Valley Initiative

rmaccrea1@gmail.com

How to Comparison Shop Houses

Some people think they can get the best value by choosing the house with the lowest    cost per square foot. Big mistake.

Is a full size Ford cargo van a better deal because it costs less per square foot than a Honda Civic? How ridiculous! Likewise we should consider many more factors than price when choosing a home.

First consider your needs and wants. A family with small children has different needs than a home business person, than a retired person, than someone who is blind or in a wheelchair. A smaller, well planned home might serve your needs better than a large one with lots of wasted space. Even though there are lots of big, cheap (and risky) bank foreclosures for sale, building a custom home might be a better deal. Designing and building to your exact needs might allow you to live in a smaller, less costly, but much better home. Your home might cost more per square foot, but less per month.

How energy efficient is the home? Even if it costs less per square foot, your savings  might be lost in higher utility bills. Spend a few hundred dollars on an energy inspection before you buy that bargain house. Know what you are getting before you sign the papers. Include the estimated utility payments in your cost comparison.

Next consider the quality of the home. Repairs can be very costly. Bad construction can cause moisture problems, leading to mold, rot, and termites. Cheap materials might need to be replaced sooner. Hire a home inspector and ask about the quality of the construction. Get estimates on the repairs. This information is very important before making an offer on a home. Most people do not have enough knowledge or experience to take a chance on a bargain home with problems. Remember: Include the cost of repairs in your cost comparison.

What about the reputation of the builder? Many have gone out of business. If you buy that house will the builder be around to honor the warranty? What if the builder cut corners on the house? A solid builder standing behind your home makes it worth more.

Now is a great time to build a home if you can get financing. Rates are the lowest I have ever seen. Local builders who have survived the recession have been tested and survived. Material costs are still down. Building a custom home also gives you the opportunity to greatly reduce energy costs. By positioning the home to absorb winter sunshine, and shading it from the summer sun, by upgrading the insulation, designing the home to fit your needs, reducing wasted space, planning to reduce excavation costs and erosion problems, and using better materials, your home could be much better, less costly, more efficient, and more valuable, even though it costs more per square foot.

Richard C. MacCrea is the director of The Greening of  Andrews Valley, a program of Andrews Valley Initiative. He works in the field of energy efficient, green building. rmaccrea1@gmail.com