It's good to want to help others and make them happy, It shows you have a heart, but recognize that those are completely different unlimited desires based on your limited resources of money, time, and energy. 

These improvements will cut your energy bills by 30% or more and you will get the best ROIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?

9ft HIGH ceilings,live/work option, hardwood floors, ultra quiet sound reducing windows/walls, energy efficient, wall-to-wall carpet, granite counter tops w/custom maple cabinets, walking distance to BART & Estuary.$795,000 : Age is 8 years Build in 2008 Price per sqft $305.Unit 1: 3 Bed/2 Bath Rent 1950Unit 2: 3 Bed,2 Bath Rent 2300Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or just friendly advice, Thanks.

If you don't have a programmable thermostat, that sounds like it would be a worthwhile investment in this case.Another option would be to bring in a company to give the property a home energy audit.

While I may not actually lay money down in that area when I get home because of market factors I'm missing, it really helps focus my energy.

Those with economies dependent in part or in whole on energy jobs will be beat up pretty bad. 

Bottom line, they are usually high energy scams!  

Futures markets aren't pricing in nearly as much increases as the Fed, world growth is slowing, China is weaker than it has been in my lifetime probably, BRIC's are weak, energy slowing down, and there is $7 Trillion or so in worldwide debt with negative rates.

@Shweta Gupta@Bill Manassero  I would strongly caution you on buying a 20k home in any of the cities Bill mentioned.. those are not appropriate for first time investors or investors who are not seriously capitalized.. this is a very special asset class that takes an inordinate amount of time and energy to be successful at and rarely will a out of state investor buying one of these have the horse power to put the appropriate team in place etc etc.  

Also, are there any energy efficiency rebates on high efficiency machines that make newer models worth purchasing?