Chicago Green Condos
Have you ever wondered what it means to be green? It can be used to describe something organic or it can be used when describing something environmentally friendly. Not only in everyday living, but In today’s real estate market, green is becoming more and more popular. Homeowners are making changes for the good of the environment. Chicago Green Condos are what is hip and what is hot. Condo buyers are seeking environmentally friendly places to call home.
From using materials that are made from recycled products like countertops and tile, to selecting faucets and fixtures that save water, to heating, cooling and appliances that saves energy, finding a Chicago Green Condo may not be as difficult as it sounds. Even if you cannot find the ideal Chicago green condo it is easy to take something ordinary and make it green. And even the smallest of changes can benefit the environment and save money. This past weekend marked the second year of Earth Hour where countries across the globe were asked to turn off their lights for one hour. This year Commonwealth Edison utility announced after Earth Hour 2009, that the demand for electricity fell by 1 percent in Chicago and northern Illinois, reducing about 139,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Here are a few tips to make your Chicago condo a Chicago Green Condo:
First, change the appliances to Energy-Star appliances. In 1992, in an attempt to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the United States Environmental Protection Agency created Energy Star. Changing to Energy Star refrigerator can reduce energy consumption by as much as 20% while an Energy Star dishwasher can save as much as 41%.
And a simple change of your light bulbs to fluorescent lighting can save reduce energy consumption by 75 % and the bulbs will last up to ten times longer than normal incandescent lights.
Home electronics are also rated for energy efficiency.
From changing the appliances to Energy-Star appliances, changing the water faucets and fixtures to water saving models to selecting light colors for your surroundings that reflect the light and not absorb the light, changing bulbs to fluorescent bulbs, adding insulation, replacing windows and even the roof are all ways that can make Chicago Green Condos a great place to call home. Not only would you be saving energy, but the savings of money can really add up annually.
Consult a Realtor at OwnACondo.com to begin your search for a green condo.
Environmentally Friendly Condos
How do you find environmentally friendly condos? If you’re the type of person that wants to live in space that takes into consideration everything green, it’s important to hook up with a condo specialist that has a designation that certifies them a specialist in this field. There are many realtors in the Chicago area that specialize in this.
In Chicago you can find environmentally green condos by doing a google search, but more importantly, through your local realtor. Many times an office will have one or two realtors that focus primarily on this type of real estate.Â
The cost for buying an environmentally friendly condo now is a tad more expensive upfront, but in the long run, may save you thousands of dollars in the future. Some of the significant savings will be on your electric and heating bills.Â
There are many developers that are moving in the direction of being environmentally friendly. You’ll see several advertisements with “green condos†or “environmentally friendly condos†phrases attached. If you have trouble finding any of these condo developments, the best thing to do is call a specialized Realtor that focuses on this. There are “green realtors†that will be able to pin point all the green developments in the Chicago condo arena.
Chicago condos have felt a tremendous downturn in value over the last three years with the real estate market collapsing allowing great opportunities to buy green condos everywhere. Condo developments are sitting with green inventory everywhere allowing condo buyers to pick up deals at 50 cents to 75 cents on the dollar. It’s really an incredible time to buy right now. Interest rates are at an all time low, financing for condos can be easy if you have the right down payment and the deals are everywhere.
Environmentally friendly condos will enhance your way of life and you’ll find that you’ll have much to show to your friends when you own one of these Chicago condominiums. Take the time and make sure you research the Chicago real estate market thoroughly before moving forward with your real estate investment. This will be one of the biggest purchase of your life. Seek out a Chicago realtor.
