HomeownerSeller
September 12, 2018

Whether you are a homeowner planning a major remodel or a seller preparing to put their home on the market, an important factor you have to consider is the products and materials you will use. This time, why not try to become more environmentally conscious when remodeling your home?

You can incorporate eco-friendly and energy-efficient products into your home renovation ideas, especially those green solutions that are easily available and affordable. One benefit is that there are certain tax incentives for homeowners who installed alternative energy upgrades, stated in the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit.

According to the REALTORS® and Sustainability 2018 Report by the National Association of REALTORS® Research (NAR) Group, 71% of respondents said energy efficiency promotion in listings was very or somewhat valuable. Many MLS has green data fields that real estate agents typically use to promote green features, energy information, and green certifications. Likewise, 56% of these REALTORS® find that clients are at least somewhat interested in sustainability.

Here are the major reasons to take on eco-friendly home improvements:

  1. Lower utility bills - In the same report, 28% of REALTORS believe a home's utility bills and operating costs is one of the home features that are most important to their clients. Energy-efficient upgrades can help reduce your water and energy bills — a significant return on investment that any homeowner will appreciate.

  2. To reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment - Tackling these environmentally friendly projects promotes healthy living for you and your family, while helping to save the planet.

  3. Higher ROI when it’s already time to sell your home - Eco-friendly home improvements, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, add value to the home itself. They will be more prominent when it’s time to put your home on the market. Likewise, for buyers who are interested in an energy-efficient home, they can connect to a lender who provides lending products that encourage energy efficient improvements to existing homes.

Yes, there’s more you can do as a homeowner aside from using LED bulbs for your lighting fixtures. Here are some of those green home improvement projects that are relatively low-cost and easy to add or install:

1. Using low-VOC paint for better air quality

Adding a fresh coat of paint to any room is a surefire way to transform it and make it look new. It's also one of the minor fixes that home sellers can do before listing their home for sale. However, many paints contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can cause several respiratory problems and contribute to ozone pollution.

So next time you want to apply a fresh coat of paint to renovate a room, opt for low-VOC or non-VOC paints. These are water-based paints that are generally more environment-friendly than oil-based paints with high VOC content. You will end up with a room that looks not only fresh but also has better air quality.

2. Installing water-saving fixtures and appliances

Whether you are planning a kitchen or a bathroom remodel, it’s a good idea to replace your regular fixtures and appliances with their water-saving counterparts. Installing low-flow fixtures and appliances like faucets, shower heads, dishwasher, and even high-efficiency toilets, can help lower your water consumption. It’s a great way to conserve water without compromising your daily usage and comfort. Eventually, it can offer big savings in your wallet by trimming your water bills — an advantage that you and the future owner of the home can both enjoy.

Toilets, for example, account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor consumption. Switching your older, inefficient toilet with a low-flow model can lower your water bills by about $110 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Think about it: you can save your wallet and the planet at the same time.

3. Electric Tankless Water Heater

Another great option you can add on your next bathroom remodel is a tankless water heater, which is a great way to save water, money, and energy. Tankless water heaters either use gas or electricity and are generally more cost efficient. They heat water you only need to use in just seconds and there’s no need to wait for the water to heat up while wasting more water in the process. It’s another eco-friendly bathroom improvement that can add value to your home.

4. Programmable, Smart Thermostat

Compared to manual thermostats, this smart home technology is a great investment to help make a home more eco-friendly. Smart thermostats, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat, can help you save energy and lower your utility bills since you can control your heating and cooling needs.

The technology will also allow you to program your temperature preferences on the areas where you need it most. You can set up these thermostats (through their mobile apps) to turn on when you wake up and turn off when you leave the house, contributing to bigger savings.

5. Energy-efficient Windows

Energy-efficient dual pane windows made from vinyl, metal or wood offer better insulation for your home compared to older, single-pane models. They can reduce your energy usage during both hot and cold climates, helping you save money while also lowering your environmental footprint.

Double-paned windows also have great soundproofing qualities. They can significantly reduce outside noise, which can be a valuable investment if you live in the city or in a busy urban area and don’t want to wake up to the blaring car horns or sprinklers early in the morning.

6. Energy Star appliances

Replacing your dated appliances with new and high-efficiency models, especially those with an ENERGY STAR certification, will not only allow you to reap the benefits of energy savings but also help sell your home for top dollars. ENERGY STAR is an initiative of the U. S. Department of Energy that identifies energy-saving appliances and products. Its ceiling fans, for example, are 50% more efficient than conventional fans because they use less energy to operate.

Since the kitchen is a focal point in any house, home buyers will want it to look at its best. If you’re planning a major kitchen renovation, upgrading your washer, dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator will enable your kitchen to stand out in terms of energy efficiency, design, and functionality.

On the other hand, here are some big-ticket renovation ideas if you feel you’re up for it:

  • Eco-friendly wood flooring and using other renewable wood products - Options include bamboo flooring, marmoleum, and other eco-friendly wood flooring substitutes.

  • Solar roof panels - Homeowners who install solar panels, especially when installing a new roof, can receive rebates and credits from the solar power owner or utility company.

  • Sustainable landscaping using native plants - One eco-friendly alternative to improve your home's curb appeal is landscaping using native species of plants. These plants are easier to maintain, and won’t be a risk to the surrounding ecosystem.

  • Improved home insulation - Homeowners can switch to alternative types of insulation that are environmentally conscious, such as insulation made of wool, cotton, or other recycled materials.

Tips on how to effectively sell your energy efficient home:

  1. Find a real estate agent with an extensive background in selling green homes or energy efficient homes. Clear communication is important for selling these upgrades to potential buyers. They have to see for themselves what they will buy and benefit with as the homeowner. This is why finding the right real estate agent who understands the benefits of your energy-efficient home is paramount. He/She should be able to advertise it appropriately, marketing it to the right buyers. The agent should also be able to explain those green upgrades to those interested buyers effectively.

  2. Documentation can help you sell faster. It's important to not only feature the upgrades you made but to also highlight the benefits of those projects for you as a homeowner. Compare your water and energy bills before and after the remodel and emphasize how much you saved. The difference in your utility bills will be a good selling point your interested buyers will look forward to.

  3. Consider getting an appraisal from a certified appraiser who knows how to properly evaluate green properties to determine the value of your energy-efficient improvements. This is a good first step to help you decide how much you should list your property, aside from the list price you and your real estate agent will come up with.

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12 Reasons Why This is a Better Market for Buyers

I TALKED TO A LOT OF POTENTIAL BUYERS AND SELLERS EVERY DAY WITH WHAT I DO AND INEVITABLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY I'M GONNA HAVE PEOPLE THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH JUST SAY, I'M GONNA WAIT TO BUY. I'M JUST GONNA WAIT AND YOU KNOW, IN MY HEAD, I'M THINKING, WAIT FOR WHAT YOU THINK, INTEREST RATES ARE GONNA GO BACK DOWN TO TWO OR 3%. I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA SEE THAT AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIMES. I REALLY DON'T UM I HOPE I'M WRONG ABOUT THAT. UM BUT I JUST, I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING. WHERE THE PRICES AREN'T CRASHING DOWN. WE'RE STILL, IT'S STILL A SELLER'S MARKET, THERE'S STILL UM MUCH MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY OF HOMES. AGAIN, I STARTED THINKING, I GO, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY THE MARKET IS BETTER FOR BUYERS AS WE SIT HERE IN THE, YOU KNOW,THE LAST QUARTER OF 2022 VERSUS HOW THINGS WERE FOR YEARS ENDING IN WHEN THE MARKET SHIFTED RIGHT AROUND EASTER THIS YEAR. THAT'S WHEN THE MARKET CHANGED. SO I CAME UP WITH 12 PROS AND ONLY ONE CON. SO LET ME SHARE THOSE WITH YOU.

 

PRO NUMBER ONE IS A SELLER PAID CLOSING COSTS. THESE SELLERS WERE NOT PAYING ANYTHING UH FOR YEARS, IN MOST INSTANCES, YOU KNOW, THEY PAY THEIR, THEIR REAL ESTATE FEES, DOC STAMPS IN THE DEED, BUT YOU'RE BUYING, YOU KNOW, YOU AS THE BUYER WOULDN'T WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE. WE'RE GETTING SELLERS TO PAY, CLOSING COSTS IN SOME INSTANCES NOW AS A NEGOTIATION POINT. SO THAT'S EXCITING. IT'S LESS OUT OF POCKET FOR THE BUYERS.

 

THE SECOND REASON IS SELLER PAID RATE BY DOWN. WHAT WE'RE DOING IN SOME INSTANCES IS RATHER THAN REDUCE THE PRICE, WE'RE TAKING THAT MONEY THAT YOU WOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE SELLER AND HAVING THE SELLER BY YOUR RATE DOWN. SO I MEAN THAT'S EXCITING TO BUY IT DOWN. MAYBE, AS WE'RE SITTING HERE IN OCTOBER, THERE ARE 7%, YOU CAN BUY IT DOWN TO SIX, MAYBE EVEN FIVE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE PAST.
 

THE THIRD IS THE SELLER PAID TO ONE RATE BY DOWN. AND WHAT THAT IS IT'S A NEW, IT'S A NEW PROGRAM THAT A LOT OF LENDERS HAVE WHERE THE SELLER BUYS DOWN YOUR RATE AND IT'S 2% LESS THE FIRST YEAR. SO IF IT'S 7% YOU'D PAY 5% THE SECOND YEAR, IT'S 1% LESS. SO IF IT'S 7% YOU PAID SIX AND THE THIRD, YOU'D BE AT SEVEN IN THE THIRD AND BEYOND, YOU'D BE AT 7%. OKAY? BUT HERE'S THE DEAL WITH THAT THAT GETS YOU THAT GETS YOU ABLE TO AFFORD MORE HOUSE HERE IN THE SHORT TERM AND THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER,ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN IN THE IN THE FUTURE EITHER THE FIXED INTEREST RATES ARE GONNA COME DOWN SO YOU CAN REFINANCE OR THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER LENDING PRODUCTS THAT ARE GONNA COME OUT MAYBE ARMS UM LOOK THEM UP WITH OTHER SOLUTIONS TO,BECAUSE AFFORDABILITY IS AN ISSUE NOW WITH THE RATES GOING UP IN THE PRICE INCREASES IN RECENT YEARS. SO THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOU ON THE TABLE.

THE FOURTH REASON WHY BUYING A HOME CAN BE BETTER HERE NOW AT THIS POINT IN 2022 THAN IN RECENT YEARS IS SELLER PAID REPAIRS. UM YOU KNOW, SELLERS DIDN’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. IN FACT, THEY SOME OF THEM DIDN'T EVEN WANT BUYERS TO HAVE INSPECTIONS FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES. NOW THE SELLER IS THE SELLERS ARE GOING AHEAD AND MAKING YOU KNOW, REPAIRS ON THEIR PROPERTY BEFORE PUTTING THEM ON THE MARKET. THEY'RE REPLACING ROOFS, YOU KNOW, IF THEY NEED TO REPLACE ROOFS AND THERE'S ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT THE SELLERS ARE WILLING TO DO THAT THEY WERE RESISTANT TO DO IN RECENT YEARS JUST BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH DEMAND.

 

THE 5TH REASON IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME IS SELLER PAID IMPROVEMENTS. SELLERS ARE GOING AHEAD AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR HOME PRIOR TO PUTTING THEM ON THE MARKET WHERE UM YOU KNOW, WHEREAS BEFORE THERE WAS JUST ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO, SO, YOU KNOW, YOU AS THE BUYER ARE GONNA BENEFIT FROM THAT BE THE ONE THAT WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THAT.

 

THE SIX POINT OF WHY THIS IS A BETTER HOME FOR A BUYER TO BUY TO BUY MARKET IN RECENT YEARS IS PRICE NEGOTIATION. THERE WAS NO NEGOTIATION AND PRICE PREVIOUSLY IT WAS, HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY OVER LIST PRICE? TO TRY TO GET THE HOME RIGHT AS CRAZY AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE PAYING, YOU KNOW, $6100 OVER LIST PRICE. THEY WERE GIVING AWAY THEIR SEASON FOOTBALL TICKETS. I MEAN, MAD TRIPS, its MADNESS. OKAY, ALL THAT'S GONE. SO WE'VE GOT PRICE NEGOTIATION NOW, THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

 

THE 7TH REASON WHY THERE'S IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME HERE IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS MARKET IS YOU PAY LESS THAN ASKING PRICE. RIGHT? YOU FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANY OTHER COMPETING OFFERS, IF THEY'RE NOT, WE CAN NEGOTIATE A LITTLE BIT RIGHT? SO, I MEAN, THAT'S EXCITING, YOU GET A BETTER DEAL THAT WAY.

 

THE 8TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOUSE IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIVE INSPECTIONS, OKAY, WAIVING INSPECTIONS IS A TEAR. IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA, BUT I MEAN, PEOPLE HAD TO DO IT TO GET A HOUSE RIGHT? UM YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS AS YOU WANTED TO BE BEFORE YOU BECOME THE OWNER OF THAT HOME AND UM, YOU KNOW, NOW WE'VE GOT TIME TO DO INSPECTIONS AGAIN AND JUST MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S THE SMART INVESTMENT FOR YOU. SO THAT'S BACK IN PLAY.

THE 9TH REASON WHY THE MARKET IS BETTER NOW FOR BUYERS THAN IT WAS IN THE RECENT HOT MARKET IS INSPECTION NEGOTIATIONS, OKAY. UM, EVERYTHING WAS AS IS BEFORE FOR THE MOST PART, OR VERY, VERY SMALL, REPAIR LIMITS THAT WERE PUT ON THE, PUT ON THE CONTRACTS AND UH, NOW YOU CAN GET STUFF FIXED. YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT EASIER. IT'S A LOT EASIER TO GET A FIXED SELLER, TAKE CARE OF IT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN AND THEN HAVE IT BE YOUR PROBLEM ONCE YOU BUY IT.

 

 

THE 10TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER FOR BUYERS TO BUY NOW THAN IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU GOT TIME TO THINK IT OVER RIGHT SO MANY BUYERS JUST NEEDED A HOUSE, RIGHT? AND I MEAN, IT'S LIKE, YOU GOTTA, YOU GOTTA DECIDE RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES THE BUYERS WERE SETTLING FOR A LOT OF STUFF THEY REALLY DIDN'T WANT JUST BECAUSE THEY NEEDED A PLACE TO LIVE. SO YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO THINK THINGS OVER AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS GONNA BE THE RIGHT MOVE FOR YOU.

 

 

THE 11TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER TO BUY A HOME IN THIS MARKET THAN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU CAN HAVE CONTINGENCY CON CLAUSES IN YOUR CONTRACT, YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, I MEAN, PREVIOUSLY, IF YOU HAD A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE, WHY WOULD THE SELLER EXCEPT THAT WHEN THERE'S YOU KNOW 10 OTHER OFFERS OR 20 OTHER OFFERS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT? MAYBE GOT A HOME TO SELL. NOW YOU CAN FIND A HOUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'LL FIND A SELLER THAT'LL TAKE A CONTINGENCY ON THE SALE OF YOUR HOME AND YOU CAN TIME EVERYTHING BETTER THAT WAY AND YOU KNOW, HAVE A LOT LESS STRESS.

 

 

THE 12TH REASON WHY IT'S BETTER FOR BUYERS TODAY THAN IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS HOT MARKET IS YOU'VE GOT LONGER CONTRACT TO CLOSE IF YOU WANT IT RIGHT THERE, THEY'RE NOT PUSHING TOO CLOSE AND YOU KNOW, 20 OR 30 DAYS LIKE THEY WERE IN THE PREVIOUS MARKET. SO YOU'VE GOT LONGER TIMEFRAMES, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU'VE GOT A HOME TO SELL OR YOU KNOW, YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO MOVE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, YOU NEGOTIATE IT OUT NOW.

AND OF COURSE, THE ONE CON OF BUYING TODAY AND IT'S A VERY SHORT LIST IS THAT INTEREST RATES ARE HIGHER, RIGHT? UM YES, THERE'S STILL HISTORICALLY LOW EVEN AT 7%, BUT IT'S A LOT HIGHER THAN THREE. AND UH WE UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT YOU KNOW, LIKE WE ALWAYS SAY UM MARRY THE HOUSE AND DATE THE RATE UM THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK DOWN. I MEAN THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER PRODUCTS THAT ARE GONNA SHOW UP. UM IT'S A LOT BETTER TO BUY AT 7% THAN IT IS IF IT GOES UP TO 10 OR 12 AND THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY SMART PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE SAYING IT'S GONNA GO UP TO 10 OR 12 BEFORE THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE. SO 7% ISN'T GONNA LOOK SO BAD WHEN THAT DAY COMES. SO AND AGAIN LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN ALWAYS REFINANCE LATER IF YOU WANTED TO. UM THERE'S GONNA BE ALL SORTS OF OTHER PRODUCTS THAT WILL COME OUT. BUT YOU KNOW AT LEAST YOU CAN GET THE HOME YOU WANT AND LIVE YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN THAT DAY COMES YOU'LL HAVE OTHER OPTIONS. IF I CAN HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING BUYING OR SELLING, JUST REACH OUT TO ME. YOU CAN IF YOU'RE SEEING THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, GO AHEAD AND DIRECT MESSAGE ME, I'LL BE THE ONE ANSWERING YOU SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO IF YOU TALK TO ME I WILL BE THE ONE TALKING TO BACK, IT WON'T BE AN ASSISTANT, IT'LL BE ME. AND SO JUST KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING. IF HE COULD AND UM IF YOU PREFER YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT ME AT 85O-677-1630. YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL GO AHEAD AND LIKE THIS, SHARE IT WITH ANYBODY THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW UM PUT IN THE COMMENTS WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PROS AND CONS LIST. AND UM IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM YOU CAN FOLLOW ME @MEETSCOTTGREGORY, LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU SOON. TAKE CARE!

 

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