Selling a Home? Consider Energy Efficiency

What to Know About Making an Energy Efficient HomeThese days, buyers often expect a home to have the minimum in energy efficiency. If a homeowner doesn’t have it, the homeowner may struggle to compete with the other homes on the market. In addition, making a few energy efficient home improvements could help to set a home further above the rest. There is a wide variety of different products and energy efficient upgrades that homeowners can utilize for improving home energy efficiency. Here is what every homeowner should know about some of the best energy saving home improvements.

Age of Appliances

There is no doubt that older appliances tend to be less efficient that the latest models. Unless a home was bought when it was new, it is highly likely that the home’s appliances have been replaced periodically. Homeowners who don’t know the age and condition of each major appliance should take steps to find out, especially these household items:

  • The furnace
  • The air conditioner or heat pump. 
  • The water heater

If these machines are headed toward the end of their lifespan, homeowners may need to consider replacing one or more of them to improve the home’s energy efficiency and impress buyers at showings. There is also the possibility that the AC may only need to be cleaned. There are tools available to help with this like the Air conditioner cleaning machine Smartclima is a supplier of materials for air conditioner cleaning and maintenance. 

Energy Efficiency of the Home’s Structure

A lot of people focus on appliances, but the structure of the home has tremendous capability to be energy efficient as well. Start with the home’s insulation. Attic insulation in particular helps to keep heated air inside longer, and the hot air of summer from creeping its way back in as quickly. Increasing the insulation is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that has a big return. Homeowners should also consider the windows. Since windows are thin and cannot hold thick insulation, they tend to be less energy efficient than the rest of the structure. There are ways to combat this inefficiency, by purchasing new windows with a low-e coating and double panes to add extra insulation against heat transfer. Replacing the windows does double-duty in that they can also give the home’s exterior structure an instant refresh, improving the curb appeal.

Neighborhood Standards

Knowing what the home needs also requires taking a look at what other homes in the area have for energy efficiency. Ask a real estate agent about homes the agency has sold in the neighborhood, or even homes the agent has seen. This will help to establish a neighborhood standard, which will guide homeowners in the best kinds of upgrades to make. If homeowners made improvements more recently than most of your neighbors, homeowners may not have to do as much. However, if the area is going all-out on smart home automation to increase efficiency, homeowners may have to step up your game as well.

Budget Constraints

Of course, none of these factors take budget into consideration, which is an important guideline all homeowners must follow. If homeowners decide to replace any major appliances or your windows and insulation, homeowners would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars into the projects. Homeowners would probably get back a significant percentage in an increased resale value, but not everyone has the liquid assets to make the investment in the first place. If homeowners are finding that the renovation budget is limited, focus on the appliances and structural aspects that need the most work or cost the least amount to improve. For example, improving the insulation and adding a smart thermostat would lead to a noticeable improvement in efficiency but cost less than $2,000 to complete.

Common Energy Efficient Upgrades

When it comes to picking energy saving upgrades for your home, don’t feel obligated to choose only the biggest and most recent options. Improving home energy efficiency can be done with any number of different products and upgrades, and there’s a reason the common ones are common: because they work. Here are some of the different common home energy improvements homeowners can make to boost home energy efficiency:

  • LED light bulbs. While LED bulbs cost more than basic ones, they last around 50,000 hours and use less electricity, so the savings will be far greater.
  • A smart thermostat. For saving energy on utilities, smart thermostats can be adjusted from anywhere and can even learn the home’s schedule to be even more efficient.
  • A low flow shower head. For people who like long showers, these shower heads use up to 75% less water without sacrificing water pressure.
  • Install a dual-flush toilet. In order to conserve water, dual-flush toilets have two different flushes that only use the amount of water required and nothing more.
  • Double pane windows. Better insulation means better energy conservation in the summers and winters, and double pane windows provide up to 50% more insulation than normal windows.

Using any or all of these different ways for improving home energy efficiency can help homeowners give their home the edge it needs when it comes to energy efficiency.

Being able to list a home as energy efficient could be a useful tool in separating your home from the others for sale in the area – especially in popular areas like the Brooklyn Park real estate market. With these tips, you can target your energy efficient upgrades to the appliances and structural improvements that offer the best impact for your home sale.

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Agency Relationships In Real Estate Transactions

What to Know About Making an Energy Efficient HomeThese days, buyers often expect a home to have the minimum in energy efficiency. If a homeowner doesn’t have it, the homeowner may struggle to compete with the other homes on the market. In addition, making a few energy efficient home improvements could help to set a home further above the rest. There is a wide variety of different products and energy efficient upgrades that homeowners can utilize for improving home energy efficiency. Here is what every homeowner should know about some of the best energy saving home improvements.

Age of Appliances

There is no doubt that older appliances tend to be less efficient that the latest models. Unless a home was bought when it was new, it is highly likely that the home’s appliances have been replaced periodically. Homeowners who don’t know the age and condition of each major appliance should take steps to find out, especially these household items:

  • The furnace
  • The air conditioner or heat pump. 
  • The water heater

If these machines are headed toward the end of their lifespan, homeowners may need to consider replacing one or more of them to improve the home’s energy efficiency and impress buyers at showings. There is also the possibility that the AC may only need to be cleaned. There are tools available to help with this like the Air conditioner cleaning machine Smartclima is a supplier of materials for air conditioner cleaning and maintenance. 

Energy Efficiency of the Home’s Structure

A lot of people focus on appliances, but the structure of the home has tremendous capability to be energy efficient as well. Start with the home’s insulation. Attic insulation in particular helps to keep heated air inside longer, and the hot air of summer from creeping its way back in as quickly. Increasing the insulation is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that has a big return. Homeowners should also consider the windows. Since windows are thin and cannot hold thick insulation, they tend to be less energy efficient than the rest of the structure. There are ways to combat this inefficiency, by purchasing new windows with a low-e coating and double panes to add extra insulation against heat transfer. Replacing the windows does double-duty in that they can also give the home’s exterior structure an instant refresh, improving the curb appeal.

Neighborhood Standards

Knowing what the home needs also requires taking a look at what other homes in the area have for energy efficiency. Ask a real estate agent about homes the agency has sold in the neighborhood, or even homes the agent has seen. This will help to establish a neighborhood standard, which will guide homeowners in the best kinds of upgrades to make. If homeowners made improvements more recently than most of your neighbors, homeowners may not have to do as much. However, if the area is going all-out on smart home automation to increase efficiency, homeowners may have to step up your game as well.

Budget Constraints

Of course, none of these factors take budget into consideration, which is an important guideline all homeowners must follow. If homeowners decide to replace any major appliances or your windows and insulation, homeowners would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars into the projects. Homeowners would probably get back a significant percentage in an increased resale value, but not everyone has the liquid assets to make the investment in the first place. If homeowners are finding that the renovation budget is limited, focus on the appliances and structural aspects that need the most work or cost the least amount to improve. For example, improving the insulation and adding a smart thermostat would lead to a noticeable improvement in efficiency but cost less than $2,000 to complete.

Common Energy Efficient Upgrades

When it comes to picking energy saving upgrades for your home, don’t feel obligated to choose only the biggest and most recent options. Improving home energy efficiency can be done with any number of different products and upgrades, and there’s a reason the common ones are common: because they work. Here are some of the different common home energy improvements homeowners can make to boost home energy efficiency:

  • LED light bulbs. While LED bulbs cost more than basic ones, they last around 50,000 hours and use less electricity, so the savings will be far greater.
  • A smart thermostat. For saving energy on utilities, smart thermostats can be adjusted from anywhere and can even learn the home’s schedule to be even more efficient.
  • A low flow shower head. For people who like long showers, these shower heads use up to 75% less water without sacrificing water pressure.
  • Install a dual-flush toilet. In order to conserve water, dual-flush toilets have two different flushes that only use the amount of water required and nothing more.
  • Double pane windows. Better insulation means better energy conservation in the summers and winters, and double pane windows provide up to 50% more insulation than normal windows.

Using any or all of these different ways for improving home energy efficiency can help homeowners give their home the edge it needs when it comes to energy efficiency.

Being able to list a home as energy efficient could be a useful tool in separating your home from the others for sale in the area – especially in popular areas like the Brooklyn Park real estate market. With these tips, you can target your energy efficient upgrades to the appliances and structural improvements that offer the best impact for your home sale.

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5 Pros & Cons to Living in Your Multi-Family Rental Property

What to Know About Making an Energy Efficient HomeThese days, buyers often expect a home to have the minimum in energy efficiency. If a homeowner doesn’t have it, the homeowner may struggle to compete with the other homes on the market. In addition, making a few energy efficient home improvements could help to set a home further above the rest. There is a wide variety of different products and energy efficient upgrades that homeowners can utilize for improving home energy efficiency. Here is what every homeowner should know about some of the best energy saving home improvements.

Age of Appliances

There is no doubt that older appliances tend to be less efficient that the latest models. Unless a home was bought when it was new, it is highly likely that the home’s appliances have been replaced periodically. Homeowners who don’t know the age and condition of each major appliance should take steps to find out, especially these household items:

  • The furnace
  • The air conditioner or heat pump. 
  • The water heater

If these machines are headed toward the end of their lifespan, homeowners may need to consider replacing one or more of them to improve the home’s energy efficiency and impress buyers at showings. There is also the possibility that the AC may only need to be cleaned. There are tools available to help with this like the Air conditioner cleaning machine Smartclima is a supplier of materials for air conditioner cleaning and maintenance. 

Energy Efficiency of the Home’s Structure

A lot of people focus on appliances, but the structure of the home has tremendous capability to be energy efficient as well. Start with the home’s insulation. Attic insulation in particular helps to keep heated air inside longer, and the hot air of summer from creeping its way back in as quickly. Increasing the insulation is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that has a big return. Homeowners should also consider the windows. Since windows are thin and cannot hold thick insulation, they tend to be less energy efficient than the rest of the structure. There are ways to combat this inefficiency, by purchasing new windows with a low-e coating and double panes to add extra insulation against heat transfer. Replacing the windows does double-duty in that they can also give the home’s exterior structure an instant refresh, improving the curb appeal.

Neighborhood Standards

Knowing what the home needs also requires taking a look at what other homes in the area have for energy efficiency. Ask a real estate agent about homes the agency has sold in the neighborhood, or even homes the agent has seen. This will help to establish a neighborhood standard, which will guide homeowners in the best kinds of upgrades to make. If homeowners made improvements more recently than most of your neighbors, homeowners may not have to do as much. However, if the area is going all-out on smart home automation to increase efficiency, homeowners may have to step up your game as well.

Budget Constraints

Of course, none of these factors take budget into consideration, which is an important guideline all homeowners must follow. If homeowners decide to replace any major appliances or your windows and insulation, homeowners would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars into the projects. Homeowners would probably get back a significant percentage in an increased resale value, but not everyone has the liquid assets to make the investment in the first place. If homeowners are finding that the renovation budget is limited, focus on the appliances and structural aspects that need the most work or cost the least amount to improve. For example, improving the insulation and adding a smart thermostat would lead to a noticeable improvement in efficiency but cost less than $2,000 to complete.

Common Energy Efficient Upgrades

When it comes to picking energy saving upgrades for your home, don’t feel obligated to choose only the biggest and most recent options. Improving home energy efficiency can be done with any number of different products and upgrades, and there’s a reason the common ones are common: because they work. Here are some of the different common home energy improvements homeowners can make to boost home energy efficiency:

  • LED light bulbs. While LED bulbs cost more than basic ones, they last around 50,000 hours and use less electricity, so the savings will be far greater.
  • A smart thermostat. For saving energy on utilities, smart thermostats can be adjusted from anywhere and can even learn the home’s schedule to be even more efficient.
  • A low flow shower head. For people who like long showers, these shower heads use up to 75% less water without sacrificing water pressure.
  • Install a dual-flush toilet. In order to conserve water, dual-flush toilets have two different flushes that only use the amount of water required and nothing more.
  • Double pane windows. Better insulation means better energy conservation in the summers and winters, and double pane windows provide up to 50% more insulation than normal windows.

Using any or all of these different ways for improving home energy efficiency can help homeowners give their home the edge it needs when it comes to energy efficiency.

Being able to list a home as energy efficient could be a useful tool in separating your home from the others for sale in the area – especially in popular areas like the Brooklyn Park real estate market. With these tips, you can target your energy efficient upgrades to the appliances and structural improvements that offer the best impact for your home sale.

Continue Reading

Waterfront House Plans For Best Views: Luxury Lake House Design

What to Know About Making an Energy Efficient HomeThese days, buyers often expect a home to have the minimum in energy efficiency. If a homeowner doesn’t have it, the homeowner may struggle to compete with the other homes on the market. In addition, making a few energy efficient home improvements could help to set a home further above the rest. There is a wide variety of different products and energy efficient upgrades that homeowners can utilize for improving home energy efficiency. Here is what every homeowner should know about some of the best energy saving home improvements.

Age of Appliances

There is no doubt that older appliances tend to be less efficient that the latest models. Unless a home was bought when it was new, it is highly likely that the home’s appliances have been replaced periodically. Homeowners who don’t know the age and condition of each major appliance should take steps to find out, especially these household items:

  • The furnace
  • The air conditioner or heat pump. 
  • The water heater

If these machines are headed toward the end of their lifespan, homeowners may need to consider replacing one or more of them to improve the home’s energy efficiency and impress buyers at showings. There is also the possibility that the AC may only need to be cleaned. There are tools available to help with this like the Air conditioner cleaning machine Smartclima is a supplier of materials for air conditioner cleaning and maintenance. 

Energy Efficiency of the Home’s Structure

A lot of people focus on appliances, but the structure of the home has tremendous capability to be energy efficient as well. Start with the home’s insulation. Attic insulation in particular helps to keep heated air inside longer, and the hot air of summer from creeping its way back in as quickly. Increasing the insulation is a fairly inexpensive upgrade that has a big return. Homeowners should also consider the windows. Since windows are thin and cannot hold thick insulation, they tend to be less energy efficient than the rest of the structure. There are ways to combat this inefficiency, by purchasing new windows with a low-e coating and double panes to add extra insulation against heat transfer. Replacing the windows does double-duty in that they can also give the home’s exterior structure an instant refresh, improving the curb appeal.

Neighborhood Standards

Knowing what the home needs also requires taking a look at what other homes in the area have for energy efficiency. Ask a real estate agent about homes the agency has sold in the neighborhood, or even homes the agent has seen. This will help to establish a neighborhood standard, which will guide homeowners in the best kinds of upgrades to make. If homeowners made improvements more recently than most of your neighbors, homeowners may not have to do as much. However, if the area is going all-out on smart home automation to increase efficiency, homeowners may have to step up your game as well.

Budget Constraints

Of course, none of these factors take budget into consideration, which is an important guideline all homeowners must follow. If homeowners decide to replace any major appliances or your windows and insulation, homeowners would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars into the projects. Homeowners would probably get back a significant percentage in an increased resale value, but not everyone has the liquid assets to make the investment in the first place. If homeowners are finding that the renovation budget is limited, focus on the appliances and structural aspects that need the most work or cost the least amount to improve. For example, improving the insulation and adding a smart thermostat would lead to a noticeable improvement in efficiency but cost less than $2,000 to complete.

Common Energy Efficient Upgrades

When it comes to picking energy saving upgrades for your home, don’t feel obligated to choose only the biggest and most recent options. Improving home energy efficiency can be done with any number of different products and upgrades, and there’s a reason the common ones are common: because they work. Here are some of the different common home energy improvements homeowners can make to boost home energy efficiency:

  • LED light bulbs. While LED bulbs cost more than basic ones, they last around 50,000 hours and use less electricity, so the savings will be far greater.
  • A smart thermostat. For saving energy on utilities, smart thermostats can be adjusted from anywhere and can even learn the home’s schedule to be even more efficient.
  • A low flow shower head. For people who like long showers, these shower heads use up to 75% less water without sacrificing water pressure.
  • Install a dual-flush toilet. In order to conserve water, dual-flush toilets have two different flushes that only use the amount of water required and nothing more.
  • Double pane windows. Better insulation means better energy conservation in the summers and winters, and double pane windows provide up to 50% more insulation than normal windows.

Using any or all of these different ways for improving home energy efficiency can help homeowners give their home the edge it needs when it comes to energy efficiency.

Being able to list a home as energy efficient could be a useful tool in separating your home from the others for sale in the area – especially in popular areas like the Brooklyn Park real estate market. With these tips, you can target your energy efficient upgrades to the appliances and structural improvements that offer the best impact for your home sale.

Continue Reading