Real Estate and Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil . . . They Go Together!

When news of the Lybian Embassay envasion first popped up as a discussion thread on social media, I posted what I had intended to be an inflammatory remark about the actions of our political leaders. My college roommate posted an interesting question in response to my remarks. "What could our political leaders do that would satisfy you, or anyone?"

For several days, I thought about this question. My off the cuff response was to say that I thought all aid to countries that engaged in violence should immediately cease and desist. If people are to hate us, to burn our flag, to murder our countrymen, then we should not send them billions of our tax dollars,right? But as this solution develops a very scarey thought immediately comes to mind -- THE PRICE OF GASOLINE.

So what does this have to do with real estate?

No matter what the future holds, and I truly hope it's peace, we face a very real financial crisis if we remain dependant on foreign oil. Today's buyer must accept that a complicated political system and unpredictable capital investment in technology could mean that alternative energy solutions may not be attainable for years if not decades. And that puts a whole new meaning to "Location! Location! Location!"

While yesterday's buyer might not have minded a forty-five minute work commute, today's buyer needs to think what that commute at $5.00 per gallon will cost. How close is the grocery store? How close is dining, shopping, and all those other amenities? Can we walk there? Are we on a bus line? Can we take the golf cart?

We can all reduce dependancy on foreign oil easily by one simple step: USE LESS OF IT.

Here are two suggestions:

1.) When buying your home, buy near where you work, near your child's school, and close to places you must go to regularly. Plan shopping trips for only one or two days per month, and encourage your employer to switch to four day work weeks (let's face it, four ten hour days WILL get the job done). REDUCE your commute any way you can.

2.) Use paper and glass or other recycalable containers. Plastic is is petroleum product and it can't EVER be recycled. Although purchasing over the internet is convenient and affordable, consider the transportation cost of everything you order. Brown UPS trucks aren't terribly fuel efficient. And do you really need to use airmail for that new pair of shoes?

If you are a real estate investor, make transportation costs a VERY big factor in your future purchasing. A good rule to remember is that every dollar spent on transportation costs, is one less dollar someone has to pay in rent!

For information about the the transportation cost of your neighborhood, visit https://www.walksmart.com

For more information about real estate in today's market, visit https://www.shoreline-properties.com