How a Compass And The Utility Bills Can Guide You To A Better House

For a number of years we moved around the country as corporate employees buying and selling a series of homes because the job required it.

We were looking for all the standard things like good resale, good schools, good neighborhood and cute houses.

But over and above those things we were also looking for some characteristics that many people ignore when they go shopping for houses.

I always carried a compass with me while I was shopping. I always wanted to know what direction the houses faced.

Why?

A house that faces in the right direction will be cheaper to heat and cool than other homes in the same neighborhood.

In the fiery hot desert southwest a house needs protection from too much heat gain from the sun.

It just makes economic sense to find real estate that has some smart additions like earth sheltering and good quality windows.

Demanding the seller give you data on the utility bills will tell the story every time.

Heating and cooling costs are rising. If the house you are considering is bad science, 6 to 12 months of utility bills WILL tell the story.

It really matters to me and it will matter to you, too. If you don’t get the facts…every day you have to pay for neglecting this issue.

Another characteristic we would look for in a home was usable basement (earth-sheltered) space. These types of spaces are often ignored in many homes. But houses with usable daylight basements or basement space of any kind are great because they are cheaper to heat and cool, regardless of geographic location, than other areas that are above ground.

Our current home is in a mountain location. It is perfectly positioned for maximum heat gain in winter. The first floor is earth sheltered and includes 1 bath, 1 bedroom, a laundry, and a kitchen/dining/den area. There is also an earth sheltered garage where nothing has ever frozen in winters that may see nighttime temps as low as 20 below zero.

In summer the surrounding hardwood forest shades us and keeps us cool without air conditioning.

It has saved us big money through the years.

And that is the point.

The right kind of structure that takes into account the weather in your area and what utility bills you might have to pay…or not…could save you big money on utility bills for all the time you own a house.

Study up on the kind of science that could save you money. Look for a house that could save you money throughout the life of the house through good science.


Ron Stone has a note buying business. His company buys mortgage notes. Learn more about mortgage note buying and selling at Commercial Mortgage Buyers or Private Mortgage Buyer