An energy efficient property is an energy saving asset. It’s an asset because its marketability improves as more energy saving improvements are made. For the shrewd consumer, the word “savings” is a key word and is something they like to get more of. If you can guarantee that the property you are selling them will save thousands of dollars in utility bills, they would be willing to pay top dollar for that. Just like when buying a car, consumers look for property that won’t make them spend a lot to maintain.
Consumers are paying closer attention a property’s running cost because of the rise of fuel prices. Environmental concerns such as global warming also encourages this movement towards energy saving.
There are five simple things you can do to unlock the hidden value of your home, attract buyers, and save money on your bills:
1. Loft insulation
Insulating your loft or upgrading your existing insulation is not very expensive and can save on heating bills, a real selling point for buyers.
2. Cavity wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation is cheap, clean and quick to do and could save on heating bills annually. Plus it only takes around 3 hours on average to install.
3. Upgrade to an energy efficient boiler
More than a third of consumers are put off buying a property with an out of date heating system. Installing an energy efficient boiler will make your home more attractive to buyers.
4. Invest in Energy Saving Recommended double glazing
Almost a fifth of consumers are put off by single-glazed windows. It is recommended that double glazing adds value, lowers bills and reduces noise.
5. Install heating controls
Installing heating controls such as thermostat and automatic timer switches for heating and hot water will improve the efficiency of the heating system, effectively cutting costs further for prospective buyers.
Increasing the energy efficiency of your property is a win-win scenario. Many property owners have already joined the bandwagon on energy saving schemes to improve property value. Once you install or replace existing equipment with energy efficient choices, you’ll have lower maintenance costs, healthier indoor air quality and a higher resale value.
Installing energy saving improvements to your property is the best way to re-sell your property at a good price. Just the words “energy saver” will capture your client’s full attention. As you go over the energy saving features of your property, your client will start doing the math in his head, a sign that he is seriously giving the idea of buying the property a lot of thought. You can then name your price and he won’t be surprised. Because the property does, after all, save a lot of money in the long run.
Buying property such as a home is very much like buying a car. A Volvo may look better and is faster than a Ford but the former has more mileage to the dollar than the latter. A picturesque Victorian-style house that may have a lot of historical value but not a lot of energy saving features will cost a lot of money to maintain as compared to a modern one with all the amenities and all the current energy saving features available in the market.
February 28th, 2008
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Energy efficient |
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Raising property value with the help of plants might seem vaguely surprising to some. How can plants help? Aren’t they merely ornamental objects found around the garden?
What most people don’t know is that plants can modify the climate in and around the home. With the rising energy crisis, it is only normal that homeowners seek the solution in their own backyard, literally. By placing trees, shrubs, vines and landscape structures properly, homeowners can reduce the energy required to keep homes comfortable during winter and summer. This would mean they would rely less on artificial means to stay warm or cool and focus more on strategic landscaping. Along with the reduction of energy bills, a well-planned landscape adds beauty, interest and increase property value.
The use of landscaping as an energy saver has been done for many years but the practice was mainly based on instinct. Now, studies have been conducted to document this interesting and very environmentally friendly method of energy saving. According to one government study, winter heating bills may be reduced by as much as 15 percent, while summer cooling energy needs may be cut by as much as 50 percent.
The use of landscaping in energy saving depends on the different climates and weather changes across the United States. In the cooler, northwest areas the United States, where enormous amounts of energy are consumed in winter heating, control of air infiltration is the priority. Hotter southeastern areas place more emphasis on use of shade to control heat conduction and reduce the need for summer air-conditioning.
Three basic landscape applications which have been proven to save energy are:
• The use of trees as shades
The ability of trees to lower temperatures during summers is considerable. The temperature reduced in a house shaded by a large tree from the afternoon sun could reach up to 8 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Deciduous trees provide summer shade during hot weather, then drop their leaves in the fall when it’s cooler. This allows the warmth of the sun to filter through their bare branches in winter and helps warm the home. Strategic positioning of landscaping elements to take advantage of shade from existing trees energy expended to cool the house can be reduced.
• Windbreaks
The use of windbreaks to obstruct and redirect the flow of wind is another good energy saving device. As wind strikes an obstruction, it can move over, around or through it. The extent of protection on the leeward side is related to the height and length of the windbreak. Impenetrable windbreaks create a strong vacuum on the protected or leeward side, which reduces the protection. Windbreaks composed of living plants allow some of the wind to penetrate, which makes them more effective.
• The use of foundation plants
The homeowner needs to realize that good landscaping practices offer one of the most practical methods of reducing energy consumption in homes. The investment becomes an even greater bargain, when the homeowner considers the added benefits of the increased real estate value and more attractive homes and communities.
Other ways to save money and lower your bills will you learn here!
February 26th, 2008
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Whether you’re a professional interior decorator or a self-help individual who wants to make changes in your home, organizing and planning is the first thing to consider for a general interior decorating job. It is where everything should start as everything should fall according to a planned segment of work.
The market is flooded with many things about home decorating. It will take you forever in choosing the right one if you don’t have a specific decorating style in your mind. The internet offers many different styles to choose from. You can get one for yourself and decide whether it’s feasible for your budget and for your taste.
Generally, not all general interior decorating jobs need to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be a major work, and most main problems need only simple solutions. All you have to do is make an overall assessment of the place and judging from your preferred style, make a quick estimation of what is to be done.
When walking in an interior space of a building, you will notice that your eye is looking for something soothing to focus on and looking for a main element. That element is called the “focal point” of the room. A lovely garden viewed from the living room’s picture window is a wonderful focal point. The fireplace, whether big or small, may also be considered a good focal point. If the room has no distinctive quality, you have to create one. The idea of a focal point is to have something to focus on to and linger for a while.
Make alternative sets of decors for each item, like throw pillow covers, table covers, draperies, etc. Change them as often as the season changes. In that order, your set will harmonize with the changing time of year. Variation is much more dynamic in general interior decorating.
Interior decorating is one way to harmonize your self and your home, yoga Is an other way.
Learn yoga with this book!
February 25th, 2008
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Interior decorating |
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Gardening is the act of growing plants for their beautiful flowers and fruits and vegetables for consumption and for other healthful reasons. This human activity dates way back into prehistory.
Many people enjoy the refreshing smells of flowers and the beauty of their different color schemes. A lot enjoy the peacefulness that gardens bring yet not a great number of people enjoy the process involved in growing these beautiful flowers and in making calm surroundings. In fact, many view gardening as an unpleasant task. Though there are some who enjoy it as a hobby.
Numerous researches reveal that gardening gives many health related benefits. It is a key tool to decrease everyday life’s stress and develop individuals. This activity provides exercise, reduces stress and provides relaxation. Studies show that people who interact with plants recover much faster from everyday stress and mental fatigue. For some people, a garden’s tranquil atmosphere became their escape from the pressures brought about by work or family responsibilities. Caring for the garden is also an inexpensive way to relax and unwind and helps one to refocus on the creation.
Gardening provides a creative outlet and a sense of accomplishment. It teaches people that life does not always give immediate rewards. It teaches patience for in gardening the results of one’s efforts pay off some time in the future.
It is also a personal link to nature. While many of us won’t get the chance to visit the tropical rainforests of Central America, we can enjoy the beauties of nature in our own backyard.
Another benefit of growing a garden is it can be a tool to strengthen family bonds when families work together in garden activities. Children can be taught about team work and work skills through gardening activities. Whether you like gardening or hate it, the benefits it brings are many and undeniably useful.
February 24th, 2008
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We use a lot of energy in our homes everyday. We use them in lighting, heating, cleaning, washing, bathing and a lot more. Unfortunately, energy in the form of gas and electricity is not in endless supply and it costs a lot of money to avail of any for our homes. Utility expenses take out a big chunk of our pay checks every month. If we could save even just 20% of what we normally pay every month to large corporate service providers in order to avail of these hard to live without amenities the savings would be considerable. Buying property or a home that has various energy saving features guarantees huge savings.
A property that’s more trouble than its worth, is not worth keeping nor is it worth buying at all. A property that saves you money in utilities and maintenance over the next 10 years or so is worth considering. The emphasis is on “saving”, energy saving to be precise. As soon as this term is included in the property’s features, property value will soar.
Making smart decisions to improve the energy saving factor or efficiency of your home can help to increase the overall value of the property, as well as cutting utilities bills. Property owners will be rewarded for their efforts, with lower gas and electricity bills and they could also see a significant rise in the future value of their house.
The installation of improved levels of insulation, heating appliances and adequate ventilation will influence potential buyers as the issue of saving energy grows. With earth awareness issues comes energy saving issues that influence the thinking of would-be property owners. Emphasis on the energy saving features of the property increases its value by almost half its asking price. The energy efficiency of your home has a direct impact on its marketability.
Buyers are more conscious of savings now than they were before. With the present economic crisis, making smart choices when going into long term investments such as property is a very important factor. Most consumers nowadays go for durability and energy saving features rather than beauty and lifestyle statements.
An energy efficient home is more comfortable than one that is not. The owner can use whatever amenities in his home he wants to without fear of incurring astronomical bills. In choosing an energy saving property, you are choosing a lifestyle of comfort and ease. Choosing a home that will promise you big savings in the long run is a good investment.
Real estate value changes with changes in the economy. Presently, the economy is down, thus real estate value is also down. If you are selling your property, it might be wise to consider making some energy saving improvements to give you an edge above the rest who are also trying to sell their property. Make your property more attractive and marketable by making a few cost effective changes such as energy saving features. Installing improved insulation that efficiently keeps the heat in and the cold out for example could give your property that added advantage.
February 22nd, 2008
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Today’s economy is much different then what it was like back ten years ago. Anybody could sell a home back in the 1900s instantly and make a profit. It was the beginning of a system where people could make thousands of dollars in one home transaction. Now it is much different, you have to put a lot of effort into your home even before you get people visiting your home. People today give away vacations for somebody to buy their home. It is a win-lose situation at this point and many people are losing the battle. If you really want your home to sell, you must be willing to be the extreme seller. Without the effort of selling something, you will not sell your home. Here are my tips on how you can put in a little effort and benefit with great riches.
Get some curb appeal
The first thing that a potential buyer will see is the front yard. The front yard can tell a lot about the sellers and the buyer can make a prediction on what the house is like just by viewing the front yard. The number one thing you can do to attract buyers to look at your house is to have a wonderful lawn. A wonderful lawn can be done by just mowing or your can landscape your front yard to have a home touch that the buyer will notice.
Home Remodel
Simple changes to your home can make a tremendous difference on your home value. A simple improvement to your kitchen could mean that the buyer will sign the contract to buy your home. Everything that you do to make your house better will pay off in the long run and if you do a remodel project be sure to consult with your contractor before you start doing something that you might regret. Somebody that is an expert in the field of remodeling can really help you decide on improvements that you should do to make your home’s value increase.
Add an incentive to attract buyers
A simple no down payment offer can attract buyers that don’t have enough money to pay for the down payment but they are really interested in your home. I have seen sellers try to give away a car to get their home sell. You want the buyer to be really interested in your home and if requires an incentive to get the buyer to your doorstep, you should do it.
February 10th, 2008
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The traditional method of location, location, location is indeed popular but it takes a lot more then just a perfect location to get a buyer for your home. Buyers want a place to live where they feel at home and if your home does not provide this quality, they will most likely look somewhere else. A buyer wants a home that is unlike other homes but they want a home that is unique to their living requirements. Everybody has a certain standard on how they want to live and the home contributes much to the aspect of living. Some people may want a pool at their home to be happy and others may want a walk in closet that can hold their entire wardrobe. What the seller needs to know what the buyer wants in a home.
The wants of a buyer outweighs anything else that a seller can do. The whole world revolves around the needs and wants of the buyer. This statement is ultimately the statement of what a business person might say. So, what does the buyer want? First of all they want a great location for their personality. If a family is trying to buy a home, they might look if the home has schools nearby and if it is a safe place to live. If the buyer happens to be a hard working business person that works downtown, he or she might want a location where they can reach their workplace easy. All these factors determine who you should be marketing to. Once you know who is most likely to buy your home, you can begin marketing to the type of people that might be interested in buying your home.
The condition of the home plays a major role in the buyer’s decision to buy your home. Buyers have a wide variety of things that they expect when they purchase a home. A small family might look for a home that is in a condition for children. This might mean that you add accessories that cater to families in your home. A business person might be interested in what you have to offer if you take the time to include part of his or hers office in the home. This might be that you offer an office space to accommodate their work.
In a way location and the condition play a major role in who you are marketing your home to. With a little effort, you will be able to sell your home soon. You just have to be willing to know who you are marketing to and what they expect in a home.
February 6th, 2008
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Selling Advice |
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