How do I determine which housing/location choices will waste the least money, energy,  and resources.  And build the most wealth?

Determining which housing and location choices will minimize waste, energy consumption, and resource usage while building wealth involves considering several factors. Here are some key considerations to help you make more sustainable and financially beneficial decisions: Energy Efficiency, Location and Transportation, Size and Design, Water Efficiency, Renewable Energy Potential, Sustainable Neighborhood, Long-Term Investment Potential, and Lifecycle Costs.

Woodbike. Let's break this down. The questions.... 1) How do I determine which housing/location choices will waste the least money, energy, and resources. Hard to answer. Being closer to work will save you time and gas with the car. A home facing north/south will not get as much sun on the windows as those facing east/west saving energy. A smaller home will take fewer materials to build and use less energy to heat/cool. A new home might have better energy features such as low-E double pane windows, spray foam insulation, 2x6 exterior walls, or even solar panels. Even a natural "Texas" landscape VS a well-manicured lawn can save water and money on upkeep. And now question #2.....2) Build the most wealth? Forget anything that was generally said with #1. Staying in a home for a long period of time is a "forced" savings account. Instead of paying a landlord, you are paying yourself as you pay down the mortgage amount. And at the same time hopefully, values on the property (ANY PROPERTY) are generally going up. These two factors are the best bet to build financial wealth. Now we can talk about remodeling homes, buying foreclosures, waiting for a "buyers" market, etc....but in general the faster you buy and stop paying rent the faster you will start gaining wealth. I hope this helps. Call us with more questions. Mark McNitt MarkKnowsHouston.com 832-567-4357 Bernstein Realty

Sooooo many variables here but a fun question, none the less. It depends on personal choices a great deal. You have to start with your "Must Haves" and work backwards. If you live in a cave or underground, cooling costs are way down. Will it have solar panels? Tax rates are one of the biggest factors. LED bulbs EVERYWHERE. Will you catch your own water? Compost? Garden? Is it in a MUD? How much is the HOA? These are just a few but some of the most common things to be aware of when keeping costs down is priority number one.

Energy efficiency: Look for housing options that are energy-efficient, such as homes with modern insulation and efficient heating and cooling systems, which will help to reduce energy loss and save on energy bills. 2. Location: Choose a location that is close to your work or has reliable transportation options to reduce the amount of time and money spent commuting. 3. Size: Consider the size of the home or apartment you need to live in based on your needs. Choosing a home that is too big or too small will result in wasted space and resources. 4. Sustainable materials: Look for homes that are built with sustainable materials and have features like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. 5. Resale value: A home in an area with growth potential is likely to increase in value over time, building wealth for the homeowner. 6. Maintenance costs: Consider the maintenance costs of the home or apartment you're considering. Old properties may require more upkeep, which can be expensive. By weighing these factors, you can narrow down your options to the housing/location choices that will be the most sustainable and cost-effective in the long term.