ENERGY SAVING TIPS: START WITH A FULL HOME INSPECTION
With the cost of energy a constant strain on everyone's budget, anytime is a good time conduct a full home inspection and see where adjustments can be made that can help bring down energy costs.
The professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation offer the following suggestions for surveying your home and making modifications that can improve your electric and oil bills.
Proper Insulation: Appropriate insulation for the home has myriad benefits to keeping energy costs at bay, as the combination of products and construction techniques act as armor against outside temperatures, both hot and cold, air leaks and moisture. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using the right insulation and sealing air leaks can reduce heating and cooling needs by as much as 10 percent. Consider an insulation overhaul if any of the following scenarios apply to you.
Ducts: The critical network tucked away in the ceiling, walls and floors that moves air from the furnace and the central air conditioner to each room in the home can be the biggest culprit in terms of wasted energy dollars. Ducts that are poorly or improperly insulated can allow heated air to seep into unconditioned areas (space that is heated and cooled), adding significant dollars each year to heating and cooling bills. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can lose up to 60 percent of heated air before it reaches the register if ducts are not insulated and they travel through unconditioned spaces like the attic or the crawlspace. To protect against such loss:
Appliances: Major home appliances such as refrigerators, washer/dryers and dishwashers can account for as much as 20 percent of household energy consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. When shopping for replacement appliances, study the federally required yellow and black EnergyGuide labels on appliances. They will outline annual energy consumption and operating costs of each appliance.
Windows: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that inefficient windows, skylights and glazed doors account for more than 25 percent of a typical household's energy bills. Those costs can decrease significantly by installing windows with double-pane insulated glass, heat-resistant coatings or airtight frames.SELLING IN A BUYER'S MARKET
Although home prices have leveled off during the course of 2006, that does not mean that sellers still can not get good prices for their homes. The sale may take a bit longer, but a little creativity can help the seller move a home without having to drop the price.
The professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation offer the following suggestions for sellers who want to speed the process.
Nip and Tuck. If a repair is required, it is a good idea to go ahead and fix the problem. Potential buyers will cast an extremely critical eye over your home and, in a situation when more houses are available on the market to choose from, they may take a pass on a home that needs too many repairs.
Offer a "Seller's Contribution." A seller can sweeten the deal by including offering assistance to the buyer in ways that do not require lowering the asking price. There are many traditional contributions that a seller can offer; however, the sky is truly the limit if a seller really wants to move a house. For example:
Rainer
34,235
34,235
Comments(0)