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Upgrades can increase buyer interest By Connie Sutton If you’re considering putting your Four Corners home on the market this year, there are plenty of projects that can increase interest in your home without breaking the bank, especially if you consider sustainability upgrades. Energy-efficient or green home improvements can offer a wide range of benefits from saving money on utility bills to increasing the value of a home. The modern homebuyer is increasingly aware of the benefits of energy-efficient homes. Here is a range of green products and renovations to fit any budget that can increase home efficiency and value.
Low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets
$50 - $350 Water consumption is one of the biggest areas of conservation that you can tackle inside of a home. Plus, it’s no secret that the bathroom is always of key importance to many potential buyers. Lowering the amount of water that’s used without losing water pressure is the key function of low-flow fixtures. They can lessen the amount of water you use by 0.05 to 2.5 gallons per minute.
Energy Star appliances
$300 - $2,000 Most recently built homes already have efficient Energy Star appliances. However, older homes may still have energy hogs from yesteryears plugged in. More efficient models can potentially reduce energy use by 15% to 50% depending on the product. An
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insulation, you could be losing money through the walls and ceilings. Home insulation is the first line of defense when it comes to keeping a home’s heating and cooling bills down. Insulation types range from wool, which is renewable, sustainable and fire retardant, to spray foam that is easy to use on older homes. When retrofitting a house with new insulation, research the required R-value for the room of the home to ensure a sufficient amount of insulation is installed.
Solar panels Energy Star washing machine, for example, can reduce energy by 25% and water usage by 45%. Since kitchens are usually the first room people consider for upgrades, Energy Star appliances should be on the renovation list.
Energy-efficient windows and doors
$500 TO $25,000 Homebuyers love to see a home that has new windows and doors. But the benefits don’t stop there, as long as you have a tight envelope, energy-efficient doors and windows could lower energy bills by as much as 15%. Combine this perk with upgrading the insulation of the home, and you could increase the value of a property by 1 to 3%.
Improved insulation
$800 TO $5,000 If your home is more than 10 years old, chances are the standard necessary amount of insulation wasn’t built in. Unless the home has been retrofitted with additional
Four Corners Real Estate Guide
$10,000 TO $25,000 Solar energy is a great source of power to harness for your home. A solar panel system can help significantly lower your energy bill, which can increase the value of your house. The initial setup fees can be high, but Colorado offers a 26% federal solar tax credit to offset the cost. Every dollar saved in home energy can lead to a big increase in the home’s value. If larger investments aren’t realistic, some smaller improvements still make a home more sustainable for a lower cost. Consider using smart thermostats for better control of heating and cooling systems, switching to LED lighting and installing programmable timers that can switch off the lights when nobody is in the room. Check out how much energy and resources a home currently uses, then determine what upgrades are right for you and your home.
