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Answers (11)
- Robert Guice, "ARC6676.com"
- Contributions:33
The energy audit is way better than the City's first plan: to require sellers to update the ineffecient features of their home (ie: AC/Windows, etc) prior to selling.
The goal of the energy Audit is to make the new buyer aware of how effecient/ineffecient the AC, windows, insulation, etc is and to give them an idea of cost vs savings if they are to update it.
The goal is for Austin to be a green sustainable city. I personally think it is in the right direction but needs a little tweaking.
It is mostly aimed at the Central Austin homes built prior to the 70s that are under 1500 sqft and have $500+ utility bills.
This energy audit will most likely not devalue your house per the tax assessor b/c you don't have to have it done unless you sell your house.
If you want to lower your home's value make sure to get current stats, take photos of your property condition and bring it to the assessor to protest. If you can prove your house couldn't sell on the market for what they are taxing you they will lower it.
The goal of the energy Audit is to make the new buyer aware of how effecient/ineffecient the AC, windows, insulation, etc is and to give them an idea of cost vs savings if they are to update it.
The goal is for Austin to be a green sustainable city. I personally think it is in the right direction but needs a little tweaking.
It is mostly aimed at the Central Austin homes built prior to the 70s that are under 1500 sqft and have $500+ utility bills.
This energy audit will most likely not devalue your house per the tax assessor b/c you don't have to have it done unless you sell your house.
If you want to lower your home's value make sure to get current stats, take photos of your property condition and bring it to the assessor to protest. If you can prove your house couldn't sell on the market for what they are taxing you they will lower it.
- Terry Williams,GRI,CLHMS, "Terry Williams GRI"
- Contributions:99
Although the City had good intentions, it wasn't well thought through. As the previous agent said, it doesn't apply to multi-family and condos. Most importantly, there is no enforcement entity for the city to enforce it through. In other words, so what if you don't do it, no one can fine you for it. They tried to get the police dept. to enforce, they wouldn't. It just costs the sellers more money to sell their homes in a down economy. It does not force anyone to do any upgrades or repairs, but gives buyers and sellers more issues to argue about. To me, it is just another very poorly thought out City policy such as the Capitol Metro train that still hasn't run 1 1/2 years later.
- Don Groff, "Austin Texas Realtor"
- Contributions:355
I can see both sides of the argument. The benefit to the buyer is they have a good idea of areas they can work on to improve the efficiency of their home and reduce their energy bills in the future. On the other hand this requirement is adding another step to the home buying process which already has a lot of issues and hurdles to begin with.
- Jackie Clark, "JackieClarkAustin"
- Contributions:1
I believe the energy audit is a solid complement to a normal home inspection. Buyers have a right to know as much as possible about a property that interests them, and the energy audit provides good information about the construction, material composition and insulation of a home. Over the long run, the presence of this requirement will encourage builders, home service professionals and owners to construct and maintain homes as energy-efficiently as possible. We blogged about the energy audit back in June - here is the link if you are interested in learning more about this helpful environmental initiative! http://www.austinresidentialproperties.blogspot.com/Best regards,
Jackie Clark
Broker, 25 Years in the Austin Market
Austin Residential Properties
A Division of Jackie Clark Realtors
www.AustinResidentialProperties.com
Email: jackie@jackieclarkrealtors.com
Jackie Clark
Broker, 25 Years in the Austin Market
Austin Residential Properties
A Division of Jackie Clark Realtors
www.AustinResidentialProperties.com
Email: jackie@jackieclarkrealtors.com
- real estate mike
- Contributions:2001
who performs the audit? sounds like an easy way to make easy $$. Another burden for homeowners is just what you need in a reccession, good job legislators. Reducing our energy usage locally does matter but worldwide many countries could care less.
- wjbarnet
- Contributions:1
Does not apply to multi-dwellings, e.g., condominums!
- Allen Deaver, "homeforsalekyletexas"
- Contributions:141
The Austin Energy Audit is just one more hurdle a homeowner has to jump over before selling. The audit isn't pass or fail but what can be done to make the home more energy efficient. Common sense would tell a buyer the older the home chances are the less energy efficient it would be. This is only my opinion as a local real estate agent who also has a background in HVAC.
- aquasurfer
- Contributions:2
I am hoping this will reduce the value of my old house for tax purposes. All this funny money has pushed taxes through the roof these past few years. I hope interest rates go back to 9% with 20% down so my house I paid off will be taxed at the lower rate.
The energy audit should work for everyone that doesn't have the 3 improvements by lowering their tax valuation. This is a double sided sword with improvements to the house, it makes it easy to increase taxes. I have been to many houses this past two years where the low interest rates have forced people to move that were retired and had their house paid off and got stuck with a $8000 tax bill on an old house they wanted to live in. The prices were up due to people getting a 5% loan with almost nothing down and getting that loan with no assets except a new mercedes they owed 90% on!
The energy audit should work for everyone that doesn't have the 3 improvements by lowering their tax valuation. This is a double sided sword with improvements to the house, it makes it easy to increase taxes. I have been to many houses this past two years where the low interest rates have forced people to move that were retired and had their house paid off and got stuck with a $8000 tax bill on an old house they wanted to live in. The prices were up due to people getting a 5% loan with almost nothing down and getting that loan with no assets except a new mercedes they owed 90% on!
- Kimberly White Erlinger, "Green Realtor Kimber"
- Contributions:44
I think it's a very good idea: it will increase Austin homes' efficiency, will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and hopefully decrease our need for another power plant down the line.
Other cities have had similar plans for years and they've worked just fine; besides, who wouldn't want an efficient home and reduced energy bills?
- IAmWinner
- Contributions:2
Excuse my spelling in my first comment.
- IAmWinner
- Contributions:2
This new energy audit is just another way for the City of Austin to make more money off the citizens who live here.
It is my understanding that before you sell your home after June 1, 2009, the new energy is mandatory; however, you do not have to comply with the recommendations of the city for their findings. But when you do have a buyer for your home, the buyer will probbly request that the seller comply with the City of Austin's findings!
It is my understanding that before you sell your home after June 1, 2009, the new energy is mandatory; however, you do not have to comply with the recommendations of the city for their findings. But when you do have a buyer for your home, the buyer will probbly request that the seller comply with the City of Austin's findings!
What do you think about the new Austin Energy Audit that goes into effect on June 1, 2009?
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