Get Going Green!
The National Association of Home Builders reports that nearly 90 percent of home buyers consider energy efficiency to be a very important factor in their home search. So, how can you make your home more appealing to potential buyers while still being cost conscious? Simple, review the tips below for ways to move your home in the green direction and take the time to do your research while shopping. Websites like nextag and bizrate offer you the chance to compare and contrast the price of items from different stores all in a matter of seconds with their customized searches. So what are you waiting for? Get going green! Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Fixtures. Take a look at your sinks, showers and toilets, are they equipped with low-flow fixtures? Not only will low-flow water fixtures help reduce your water bills, but they are one of the less expensive green changes you can make to your homewell-known brand companies like Kohler have low-flow showerheads starting at just under $47. Installation of these fixtures is easy and makes an immediate impact on your water consumptionwhich translates to lower bills which in turn, can be very persuasive to home buyers.
2. Appliances. There are numerous purchases you can make for your home, but one large purchase that will actually save you money while living in the home is to buy Energy Star-rated appliances. Consider upgrading your kitchen appliances to Energy Star-rated appliances and see your energy bills drop within a month. Cost conscious? Before purchasing a tank-less water heater contact your gas provider as some providers allow for discounts and rebates if you purchase an approved tank-less water heater.
3. Insulation. Drop your heating and cooling bills instantly with simple changes like calking, sealing and protecting your home from the outside weather. Do-it-yourself insulation like adding weather-stripping under doorways and around windows or calking cracks around door frames is not only cost-effective, but also can be visually appealing to potential buyers.
4. Flooring. It is a well-known fact that hardwood flooring, while appealing to most buyers, can be quite costly to install. Consider an eco-friendly alternative: Bamboo. Bamboo flooring gives the natural beauty of wood in your home without the heavy price tag and negative environmental impact. Tough and durable, bamboo is available in laminated strips, planks or tiles so you can choose the ideal design for your room.
5. Programmable Thermostat. While it might not be something that stands out immediately to new homebuyers, a programmable thermostat will make a big impact on your energy bills that will stand out to potential buyers. In just one season, a programmable thermostat pays for itself by maintaining the preset temperature. If you arent home during the day, why do you need to keep the house nice and cool then? A programmable thermostat allows you to preset the temperature and time to correspond to when you are home and want the home kept at a comfortable temperature. Programmable thermostats are available in most hardware stores starting at $50.
Remember to talk to your real estate agent for additional ideas on how to make green changes to your home. Make sure that your agent knows what changes you have already made and that they are highlighting these green aspects of your home to potential buyers. Sometimes these changes arent ones that are visible to the eye, but a good agent can help point out these special features of your home.
1. Fixtures. Take a look at your sinks, showers and toilets, are they equipped with low-flow fixtures? Not only will low-flow water fixtures help reduce your water bills, but they are one of the less expensive green changes you can make to your homewell-known brand companies like Kohler have low-flow showerheads starting at just under $47. Installation of these fixtures is easy and makes an immediate impact on your water consumptionwhich translates to lower bills which in turn, can be very persuasive to home buyers.
2. Appliances. There are numerous purchases you can make for your home, but one large purchase that will actually save you money while living in the home is to buy Energy Star-rated appliances. Consider upgrading your kitchen appliances to Energy Star-rated appliances and see your energy bills drop within a month. Cost conscious? Before purchasing a tank-less water heater contact your gas provider as some providers allow for discounts and rebates if you purchase an approved tank-less water heater.
3. Insulation. Drop your heating and cooling bills instantly with simple changes like calking, sealing and protecting your home from the outside weather. Do-it-yourself insulation like adding weather-stripping under doorways and around windows or calking cracks around door frames is not only cost-effective, but also can be visually appealing to potential buyers.
4. Flooring. It is a well-known fact that hardwood flooring, while appealing to most buyers, can be quite costly to install. Consider an eco-friendly alternative: Bamboo. Bamboo flooring gives the natural beauty of wood in your home without the heavy price tag and negative environmental impact. Tough and durable, bamboo is available in laminated strips, planks or tiles so you can choose the ideal design for your room.
5. Programmable Thermostat. While it might not be something that stands out immediately to new homebuyers, a programmable thermostat will make a big impact on your energy bills that will stand out to potential buyers. In just one season, a programmable thermostat pays for itself by maintaining the preset temperature. If you arent home during the day, why do you need to keep the house nice and cool then? A programmable thermostat allows you to preset the temperature and time to correspond to when you are home and want the home kept at a comfortable temperature. Programmable thermostats are available in most hardware stores starting at $50.
Remember to talk to your real estate agent for additional ideas on how to make green changes to your home. Make sure that your agent knows what changes you have already made and that they are highlighting these green aspects of your home to potential buyers. Sometimes these changes arent ones that are visible to the eye, but a good agent can help point out these special features of your home.
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