A more formally thought out post on why Austin shouldn't force green.

How do you keep the economy growing? How do you create a community or city that continues to thrive, bursting at the seams begging for more room, more people, more opportunity? 

You keep the markets moving. You encourage people to buy and sell. You find ways to make those actions more feasible. You help the citizens of that specific area. You don’t deter them. You don’t place a mountain of paperwork, technicalities and fees in front of them. It’s common sense, but apparently, common sense is eluding Austin officials. 

They are currently considering ordinances that would require individuals to meet specific energy efficient standards before selling they’re home. Residents would have to submit a request to list their property, go through an inspection process and then make any necessary adjustments. Once that was complete, they could open their doors to prospective buyers. The problem is “that” could take months.

There are not enough home inspectors in the city to keep up with the booming desire to sell and buy. And even if there were, the additions necessary to meet standards are not changes that can be made overnight. They involve a considerable amount of money and manpower. If those two things are not available, the seller will have to sit and wait until they are. Eventually, everyone will be sitting and waiting; no one will be selling or buying.

Austin is asking for trouble. It is asking for a real estate market that does nothing but twiddle its thumbs, which will slow the economy and stunt the city’s growth. No one, particularly the residents, want to see that happen. There are better solutions to our ecological problems that do not involve waylaying real estate. If we find them, we can enlist them, and then everything - the Earth, the economy and us - can continue to move forward.

Joe

Realtor Code of Ethics | Lakeway Texas Real Estate

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