All Forum Posts by: Nathan Stanley

If you finance the solar, it can actually be difficult to sell the home because the buyer may not want to take over the payment plan. 

According to a few articles I've read, you can expect to get your money back when you sell. So installing a $25,000 solar system will increase your sales price by about the same amount. There are many variables to consider, such as size of the solar system, location of the home, etc. For example, the latest study I read said a solar system in New York will increase sales price around 5% while Riverside, CA only increased 2.5%.

Whatever you do, don't listen to "studies" performed by solar companies. They'll tickle your ears with all kinds of BS to make a sale, just like Joshua is doing in this thread. Find your own resources, study your local market, talk to actual solar owners.

If your summer AC bills are over $400/mo I would start with looking at the building envelope and HVAC rather than just adding solar. If you do add solar later you'll need less of it to offset what you use.

Few things to consider: 

1. If you're financing these things and you need to sell the property does the solar company allow for someone to take over payments or will you need to cut into your bottom line to sell the property? 

2. When replacing or repairing the roof how does that affect the labor from the roofer with the panels in the way?

3. This is a depreciating asset that you're sticking on top of your otherwise appreciating asset.

4. Ask an appraiser what value they give to these systems.  You might be surprised at their answer.

5. How much does it cost to maintain them/replace parts?

Nice 

@Nathan Stanley which company are you going with?

Super smart!

One of the biggest misconceptions is you have to spend $$$ to go solar.

You can go solar for $0 down; still own the system and get tax credits and lower your bill by 30-50% especially in SDGE territory.

I do this for a living and would love to give you an investor friendly deal. We should be able to lock in your winter rate all your round.

That's not something I would spend money on for a rental property. As for whether it will add value to your house, that really depends on your area. Find some comps with installed solar and see what they sold for per square foot.