Mary Foley Real Estate Inc.
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When your pocketbook determines you can’t afford a new, energy-efficient home, you can still satisfy your preferences by upgrading an older house. Try these options for improving energy efficiency in your home.
Apply for the FHA’s Energy-Efficient Mortgage program. With an EEM, you can finance an already energy-efficient home or use funds for certified home improvements that promote responsible energy use. Contact your lender to see if your state participates in this federal program.
Ask your utility provider for an energy audit. Most utilities offer this as a free service to customers. They’ll check for leakage around doors and windows, outlets and vent pipes and make suggestions for improvement, repair or replacement.
Have your home inspector check your attic spaces. You'll gain knowledge about how deep your insulation should be to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Hire an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and air conditioning, ductwork, and airflow. If your ducts need cleaning, employ a service to handle that. Not only will you have improved circulation, but you'll also reduce allergens, and lower your energy costs.
Trade out traditional toilets for low-flow models. Add aerators and flow restrictors to faucets and showerheads to reduce water consumption.
Install solar-operated power vents to your attic to expel heat in the summer. Consider a solar-powered water heater too. And, if your roof can handle it, install solar panels to boost your electrical power. Many states offer rebates for solar panel installation, so check to see what’s available in your area.
Install a programmable thermostat to help you conserve energy when you are away from home.
If you have a larger improvement budget, consider big-ticket items such as a geothermal heat pump, a residential wind turbine, or a fuel cell. You’ll find that on-going tax credits for these items can save you money over the years. If your municipal codes allow it, add a roof garden or mini-ecosystem to cover your existing roof. These systems retain moisture and insulate your home from heat or cold.
Your property specialist can help you determine which homes lend themselves to these upgrades. They'll introduce you to mortgage lenders that specialize in energy-efficient loan products.
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While the millennial generation (people born between 1980 and 1989) accounts for the majority of homebuyers today, the other generations--both older and younger--cannot be discounted. Aging Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) and up-and-coming Gen Yers (those born between 1990 and 1998) are still forces to be considered when marketing your home. How do you position your property so that appeals to young families, middle-age professionals and those past retirement age? Below are just a few tips on how to do this seemingly impossible task.
While older homebuyers make be attracted to dramatic colors and accent walls, younger buyers are looking for a blank palette that they can personalize. Using white, beige, gray and similar tones for walls, cabinets and carpeting will please those buyers without alienating baby boomers who are adept at adding color with art and accessories.
Buyers of all generations are increasingly savvy about properties on the market and neighborhoods, due to the amount of information available online. Most buyers search online for available properties before they ever contact a real estate professional. Make sure that your home is showcased online with lots of images and even a video "walk-through".
Buyers of all generations want to enjoy their home without having to do a laundry list of chores to keep it well-maintained and attractive. This means keeping your landscaping to a minimum as well as choosing low-maintenance materials like laminate flooring and composite siding when you remodel.
Younger buyers want to have shopping, dining, schools and other conveniences nearby, so they don't waste precious time driving to and from attractions. Older buyers may have limited mobility and thus want services close by. Access to public transportation is also a plus for buyers of all ages. Write a list of what's available nearby so that your potential buyers have all of those facts at hand and don't have to do all of the research themselves.
Making your property attractive to multiple generations of homebuyers doesn't have to be an impossible task. Set yourself up for success--and a quick sale--by sticking with neutral colors, making your property available to online shoppers and educating your potential buyers on what services and attractions are available near to your home.
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