Given that real estate practitioners tend to drive at least 20,000 miles per year, rising gas prices are hitting them hard in the wallet. Bernice Ross, real estate columnist for Inman.com, offers these ideas for mitigating your driving costs:
*Consider working from home a couple days per week, which could save upwards of 40 percent on fuel expenses.
*Use video tours or Power Point presentations to show listings to co-workers, rather than making an in-person trip to the property.
*Reducing your vehicle's weight by keeping unnecessary items at home.
Run numerous errands in a single trip.
*Screen buyers to ensure they visit only those homes that best meet their needs.
*Change your driving style; Edmunds.com reports that drivers can use 31 percent to 37 percent less gas by gently accelerating; and they can lower gas consumption by 12 percent to 14 percent by driving the speed limit.
*Take advantage of cruise control reduces gas consumption by 7 percent to 14 percent, while turning the car off while waiting uses 19 percent less gas.
*Fuel up in the morning, and reduce wear on your tires by ensuring they are inflated at the recommended levels.
*Stay cool; Experts note that turning the air conditioner off does not save gas.
Source: Inman News, Bernice Ross (07/18/08)
This article is from Realtor Magazine Online Edition - Daily News for July 21, 2008
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