All Forum Posts by: Ryan VanPatten

Hey, just wanted to follow up your post and ask if you ended up selling? I'm interested in learning more about the market there. Thanks!

@Amos Mainville thanks for the response - sounds like you're quite active in the area. I'll be sure to follow up with you sometime soon.

@Alex Smolowe thanks!

@Theresa Duffy sounds good - I'll message you.

Hi,

I am looking to get suggestions on great Property Management companies in Elmira, NY.

I have a duplex and will need help to manage from out of state.

Hey all, I work for a non-profit that handles energy efficiency and solar projects.  I'd recommend to always keep in mind 'Reduce, then Produce'.  I get into the attics of many multifamily buildings and see tons of issues, with insulation being the obvious need for improvement.  Many, if not all, states have Weatherization Assistant Programs (WAP) that can help for free if you rent to low-income or seniors.

We haven't really dealt with too many multifamily properties going solar, as Virginia is not a very solar-friendly state, but we have had many approach us with the idea of going solar.  As @Angel Dejesus has mentioned, the easiest way for a multifamily property to begin going solar is to install an array that will power the common electric usage, or if the entire property is master metered.  It gets too complicated when it is sub-metered, as a solar system typically can only be attached to one meter in order to gain the advantages of Net Metering.

As solar prices have plummeted over that past 5 years, payback periods have become much shorter - especially as a business since you can depreciate the system (+30% Federal Tax Credit which reduces after 2019).  A great resource for incentives is DSIRE.org.

Also, there are some low-income solar state programs out there as well (again nothing in Virginia - yet) that may be able to install solar for free on low-income properties.

Anyone else have solar on their rentals?  I'd love to hear how you have the deal.

Thanks for all the feedback.  I figured there wouldn't be much in terms of cashflow or direct profit from solar on rental units, but I wanted to ask the community.

It's interesting to hear that home values decrease so much with solar.  I hope this mindset changes sooner than later.

Hi,

I wanted to see if anyone has placed solar pv on rental properties?

If so, what was your motivation? Do you advertise this feature and/or is it a large driving factor to attain particular tenants? How much do you make from selling RECs?

Also when selling, does solar add a premium?

Thanks for any feedback or stories!

@Harriet Baldwin 

Thanks!  I'll have them check it out.

Hi,

I'm hoping to get some help from the community on renting the 2nd side of a duplex in Elmira, New York.  I don't live in the area, so I wanted to ask about laws and leases for Elmira.

My grandparents have used the second side of the duplex for their business forever, but have decided its time to think about retiring and now they need to rent it out as a residence.  They have previously had people living there, but it's been more than a decade since.

Does anyone have an example lease that would coincide with the area's laws?  I have my own, but I use it in Virginia.

Is there any other details or issues that may be a concern?

Thanks in advance for any help!

@Tanya F.Thanks for sharing.  I'm very interested in energy efficient and green homes.  

@Brandon Hall Good to point out.  

I just started in the home energy efficiency field and I'm interested in how it can create value for rentals.