The following guest post was provided by Real Property Management.
There are many ways to make a rental property more energy-efficient. Some upgrades are inexpensive, while others may involve a more substantial investment. Still, over time the utility savings can make most efficiency upgrades worth the cost.
What Does Energy Efficiency Look Like?
So, what does an energy-efficient rental property look like? Most have some of the following energy-efficient features:
Solar Panels. To see significant savings on energy costs, solar panels are the way to go. Solar panel technology has come a long way in recent years, making it much more cost-effective to invest in a solar energy system for your rental property.
Some solar installers may also offer incentives or payment plans that can help reduce your upfront costs. Plus, many states offer a healthy tax deduction for solar energy systems.
Doors and windows sealed. One upgrade you can do right now is to make sure that your rental property’s windows and doors are properly sealed. Air leaks are one of the biggest culprits of poor energy efficiency.
By simply caulking around door and window frames or adding some weather-stripping, you can give your rental home an instant efficiency boost.
Updated windows. Of course, if your rental property is an older home and the windows haven’t been updated for a long while (or ever), replacing your windows may be your best course of action. New windows are incredibly energy efficient, since many block both heat and light. New windows can also solve problems with condensation, moisture damage, and more.
Depending on the type of window you choose, there may also be a nice tax deduction available to help offset some of the initial cost.
Proper insulation. Insulation is critical to a home’s energy efficiency. Without proper insulation in walls, attics, and basements, your rental could be prone to problems like frozen pipes, climate control issues, and can even shorten the life of your HVAC unit. If you haven’t checked your rental property’s insulation levels in a while, now is a good time to have an inspection done.
Energy-efficient lighting. Sometimes, improving energy efficiency can be as easy as changing a light bulb. In fact, switching all the light bulbs in your rental property to long-lasting LED bulbs could save you both time and money all year. Energy-efficient lighting is designed to stay lit for months or even years, significantly reducing the cost and frequency of replacement.
Not sure where to start?
Improving the energy efficiency of your rental properties may not be difficult, but it will take time and, potentially, an initial investment. With so many ways to create an energy-efficient home, you may not be entirely sure where to start. If that is the case, consider hiring Real Property Management to perform an energy audit on your rental property and make recommendations customized to your properties and situation.
Contact your local Real Property Management office to learn more.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
About Real Property Management
Real Property Management is the largest residential property management franchise organization in North America, managing more than 64,000 properties for individuals, investors, and institutions.
With 35-plus years of industry experience and expertise, each of the more than 350 independently owned and operated RPM offices provide superior professional property management services that lead the industry. We make sure you are at market in your rental rates. We thoroughly screen tenants, handle maintenance quickly and safely, and when a vacancy occurs, we fill it quickly. Our expertise, systems, digital platforms, and processes operate together to make sure your property is working hard to help you achieve your financial goals. Using the right property management company can put more money in your pocket, not less. We partner with you to optimize your return on investment, while protecting and preserving your rental property asset. REAL return on investment, REAL service, REAL communication – that’s the Real Property Management difference.
1I plan to purchase a rental property with my IRA. Does the rental income have to go back into my IRA?
Yes, all income generated by an IRA-owned property must return to your IRA. This ensures that you retain the tax-deferred or tax-free status of the investment.
2Can my IRA purchase real estate that I currently own?
No. This is considered a prohibited transaction (see IRC 4975). You may not purchase a property, or interest in a property, that’s currently owned by a disqualified person, which includes yourself.
As Equity Trust Company (“Equity Trust”) is a directed custodian, like any investment, it is your responsibility to conduct your own due diligence before investing and before choosing a provider that is right for you. Equity Trust may, from time to time, establish independent contractor relationships with third-party providers, as described above, whereby you, as the IRA owner, can have access to third-party providers for services that may be beneficial to you. Equity Trust is not an affiliate of any such provider. Equity Trust makes no recommendation or representations as to any provider and service or the needs generally of any IRA owner or any IRA. Any service available from any provider that offers investment education or advice solely reflects the views of such provider and in no way represents any recommendation or advice from Equity Trust. Opinions or ideas expressed by third parties, their affiliates, and employees are not necessarily those of Equity Trust nor do they reflect their views or endorsement. IRA owners are in no way obligated to purchase services and IRA owners are free to choose a provider with services as they deem appropriate. IRA owners should consult with their financial and legal advisors before choosing to work with any provider.
