Adding Value to Your Home with Green Updates
By Tim Smith
Today’s home buyers are more environmentally conscious than ever before; as such, many prospective home buyers look for houses with energy-efficient upgrades. Not only do these upgrades tend to save homeowners money on energy costs, but they can also help to reduce a household’s carbon footprint — which is a must for anybody who’s trying to live a “green” lifestyle.
If you’re looking to sell your home, then, there are a few “green” updates you might want to consider making to increase your resale value while adding sales appeal in the process.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
One of the best upgrades you can make in terms of your return on investment is to install new, energy-efficient windows, such as double-pane windows filled with argon gas or innovative low-E windows. Yes, you’ll spend a little bit more on these windows, but they’ll be a huge selling point for your home and save you money on your heating and cooling bills in the meantime.
According to Care2.com, homeowners can see as much as a 65%-75% increase in home resale value with such an addition.
Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling System
Another excellent upgrade for homeowners to consider is that of upgrading their home’s existing HVAC system. This is especially recommended for homes with HVAC systems that are more than about 15 years old. A new system may include a new furnace, central AC unit, and even insulated duct work. To top it all off, a programmable or smart thermostat can help make the most of the home’s new equipment.
According to GreenBlizzard.com, homeowners could add as much as 30% to their home’s resale value by upgrading to an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. Of course, homeowners should also be aware that this is a substantial investment, as new energy-efficient HVAC systems can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 (or even more, in some cases).
Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Finally, today’s homeowners expect a home to have upgraded appliances. So if you’re going to be replacing your appliances before selling anyway, why not look into replacing the existing ones with energy-efficient ones? Specifically, replacing ovens, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers with Energy Star rated appliances can help you add up to 18% to your home’s resale value, according to GreenBlizzard.com. In the meantime, you’ll also get to save yourself some money with these appliances in your home.
As you can see, there are plenty of “green” updates worth considering that can substantially increase the resale value of your home. At the same time, you can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that the next people to live in your home will enjoy a reduced carbon footprint on your behalf. For more energy efficiency as well as other home ideas visit Modernize. http://modernize.com
Real Estate Tip 3: A picture is worth a thousand words. Attractive, high-quality pictures really do sell houses! Click To Tweet
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