No one is happy about Gas prices. It was just a short time ago, I paid $4.25/gallon. 
If you are familiar with Phoenix, you know how spread out the city can be. It can take an hour to drive from Fountain Hills to Glendale. It can take 40 minutes to drive from Scottsdale to Peoria and if you are in Mesa, it can take as much as 20 minutes to get to ASU (Arizona St. University) in Tempe.
Unfortunately, the impact of high gas prices is bing felt in the Real Estate market. Buyers have less disposable income to pay for the monthly mortgage and I am finding that buyers are less excited to get in a car and drive around Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert to Carefree to preview homes.
I do not know if this is a solution. However, Hypermiling, the pursuit for improved fuel economy through a variety of driving techniques and maintenance , may help you add a few miles per gallon and have fun doing it.
Here are 10 Tips of Hypermiling that can save you some $$ at the pump:
- High Tire Pressure - under-inflated tires can lower fuel efficiency
- Less weight in the car - don't go on a diet, just remove the spare and extra junk
- Efficient Speeds - under 55 mph
- easy Acceleration - don't floor it,
- minimize braking - anticipate what is happening so you don't have to step heavy on the breaks
- slow down through coasting - not braking so it takes less energy to speed up again
- lower octanes - work just as well has higher octane energy gas
- time stop light - do not speed up to a red light
- drafting behind trucks - (not recommended for safety) - however, hypermilers do utilize this technique
- car pooling - sharing driving with friends/co-workers can save a lot of gas
there are many other techniques that these Hypermilers use. Including aftermarket equipment to measure energy output through gauges.
However, I am gong to follow a few of these tips and let you know if I can garner an extra 4-5 miles per gallon.
By the way, if you are planning to look at houses, meet your Realtor in the middle. Everyone should get in one car (preferably your Real Estate Agent's) and go together.
Have a great week and happy Hypermiling. Save money and help the environment.
By the way, there are a few realtors (read the comments below) that I am sure will be happy to take the time and show you some homes
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james wexler , a.k.a, wexzilla -- thanks for the hypermiling tips to save money driving. I drive 40 minutes to work, used to be no big deal, but spending an extra $300/month when prices where high, really cuts into savings, .. thanks again
James,
You have just taken away my teen driving style. This is just sooooooo wrong.
Thanks for the tips. Good luck.
As always, your post is informative and fun to read. Thanks for the tips.
Don - that is very funny, I remember 'cruising' in high school , not very cool to wear a seatbelt back then.. no less hypermile :)
Jim - My hubby says to throw the car in neutral while going downhill and glide as long as possible.
wexzilla - I remember the good old days of 2001- 2005 when no one even looked at the price of gas, ... now I look everytime I drive by a station,
Hello James,
Gas takes a big bite out of everyone's budget these days and any way to save is helpful.
Cynthia - we had open house traffic down as a result of the high gas prices. Buyer noted that they just would go home after lunch with the family instead of driving around to look at houses
I have to say that , in one way, the high prices of gas have been good for realtors.
I know that I qualify my buyers financial situation and level of buyer interest much better these days and well before I will just get them in my car and drive them to tour homes that either they cannot afford to buy or are really just window shopping and not serious about buying.
James ... good stuff. Thanks for this post about 10 Tips of Hypermiling that can save you some $$ at the pump. Nice. Harrison
on the bright side of High gas prices, ...
I actually got me off the couch and to start exercising again, I ride my bike to work. It has saved me money, got in better health, and Al Gore will be happy about my smaller carbon footprint
Barbara - what a great opportunity to use a difficult time and turn it to a positive to better your business;Qualifying buyers better, before you spend your time and your (gas) money to show them houses they may never want to buy! - We could all do this a little better, high gas prices or not!
James - this just goes to show that we can always turn lemons into lemonade if we put our minds to it.