Tag Archives: Energy Star Portfolio Manager

Top 10 Tools For Green Property Management (that Might Be Good for Green Renters Too)

Beyond the fun stuff I find online, I often discover interesting new tools, calculators and guides that help me understand my environmental impact, find resources I need and manage or market my assets better. A few of my best finds for green property management are outlined below.

Net-Zero Begins with You

Net Zero by 2030 is the challenge of all property owners, managers and renters, but what does it actually mean and how will you get there. Buildings use or consume energy through lighting, HVAC, laundry facilities, appliances, etc. In the future, many buildings will also produce energy, energy equivalent to the amount they consume; hence the term “net-zero”.

Are Green Appraisals Possible?

Perhaps a better approach than wagging fingers at iinadvertent energy hogs is to make the right choices easier. For instance, “Would you rather have solar energy or wind for your entree? How about a side of low-flow dual flush toilets and a faucet aerator with your order?”

Of course, in the real world it is not that simple. Even the choir has a difficult time incorporating green features into their existing buildings because of the difficulty of documenting their value. Real estate appraisers are in the same pickle jar. They must examine the cost to build, replacement value, income (if any) and use comparable sales to support the final value. Except there aren’t any comparable sales in most neighborhoods. At least, not yet.

On-Line Management Costs & Benefits

Purchasing the right property management software for your building is important. If you are beginning your search, remember to seek advice from your local or national apartment association and fellow members. Software can be expensive and if it adds costs to operations, it should have a benefit. We provide six resources and pricing for evaluating various levels of software services.