Eco and energy friendly living WILL raise the value of your property.
While environmental concerns may leave hardcore capitalists cold, there is no denying the fact that many consumers ARE concerned about the environment. They will boycott products that scientific research have deemed “bad for the environment” thus forcing many businesses to either close or re-model or replace their products. Styrofoam products, tobacco products, and beauty products among others have suffered the censure of those that have gone “Green”.
But there is an upside to this capitalist tragedy. If manufacturers can deliver products that are environmentally safe or friendly, they have customers. Everything from biodegradable packaging to environmentally friendly beauty products have been churned out by the same companies and have been received well by many consumers. It’s really just a matter of giving the public what it wants.
Property owners are quick to pick up on this trend and have taken steps to ensure that there assets are energy saving and are thus environmentally friendly.
For the homeowner who wants to sell his property at a more than reasonable price, making home improvements not only beautifies your house but also adds to its value. However as homeowners become more environmentally conscious they look for ways to improve their homes and make them as “green” as possible.
Here is a list of home improvements you can do to raise your property’s value:
• Install Solar Panels – this will eliminate the use of electricity and gas
• Place a sky lights on the ceiling – this will make the rooms brighter and eliminates the use of artificial light during the day
• Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs – these little babies can save you up to 50% of electric consumption for lighting fixtures
• Improve Roofing – selecting the right color and insulating it can dramatically lower a room’s temperature on a hot summer day
• Install a Motion-detector outside to replace outdoor lighting – you only need light outside if there is someone there, right?
• Make sure your plumbing’s in perfect condition – prospective homeowners are very leery of faulty plumbing and will sometimes even bring out an expert to check on this aspect before buying
• Install showerheads with low flow – saves water
• Install an aluminum-clad storm door – keeps the heat in and the wind and cold out
• Install an automated thermostat – as the temperature changes, the thermostat will adjust accordingly avoiding the use of excess heat when it’s already warm inside the house
• Install glass doors for your fireplace – this effectively keeps the heat from escaping faster through the chimney
• Install more fans – air conditioning is expensive people!
• Insulate your home – lessens the need for artificial cooling or heating
• Plant trees and shrubs in your yard – a great way to regulate the heat or cold that enters your house
Whether or not you are doing it for the environment or for money, the results are still the same. Energy saving improvements in your home will help raise property value precisely because the need for an earth friendly solution is addressed.
