Are you planning to sell your house? If so, you may be surprised to hear just how much buyers value energy efficiency and ecofriendly features today This is especially true as summer officially kicks off
In fact, the 2023 Realtors and Sustainability Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 48% of agents or brokers have noticed consumers are interested in sustainability.
So, if you’re considering selling your house, why does this matter to you? It helps you know what you can do to make your house even more appealing to today’s buyers According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and VP of Research at NAR:
“Buyers often seek homes that either lessen their environmental footprint or reduce their monthly energy costs. There is value in promoting green features and energy information to future home buyers.”
If you want to upgrade your house in a way that maximizes its green appeal, you need to work with a local agent to understand what buyers in your area are looking for The same NAR report identifies the following green home features as most important to buyers at a national level:
Proximity to frequently visited places
A comfortable living space
A home’s utility bills and operating costs
While you can’t change the location of your house, you can take action to make sure it’s as comfortable as possible while also setting up the next owners for lower operating costs. ENERGY STAR shares some suggested upgrades as ones that may be worth considering:
Heating and cooling: Ensure your HVAC system is properly maintained and regularly serviced to maximize its efficiency. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model, if needed.
Water heater: Your water heater uses a lot of energy Upgrading to a heat pump water heater can significantly reduce energy consumption and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers
Smart thermostat: A big part of your energy bill goes to heating and cooling Install a programmable thermostat to better regulate temperature settings This not only enhances comfort but can also lower energy usage
Atticinsulation: Proper sealing and insulation in your attic help prevent air leaks and maintain a comfortable temperature, reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems.
Energy-efficient windows: Replacing old, drafty windows with energy-efficient ones can minimize heat transfer and lower your energy bills
It’s worth noting that you may be able to take advantage of tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home installations and upgrades. These incentives could help offset a portion of the costs associated with eco-friendly home improvements.
As you prepare to sell your house, it’s important to recognize that real estate agents are valuable resources. They can help you determine which upgrades would be most appealing for buyers in your area and provide guidance on which green features to highlight in your listing.
Focusing on energy efficiency and eco-friendly features can help make your house more appealing to buyers today.
Movingisexpensive,butMoverEngagecanhelp!Youwillreceiveexclusive dealsanddiscountsthroughoutyourmove,including15%offHomeDepot and20%offBudgetMoving.Tapintoalltheexclusivedeals!
Connectingutilitiescanbetime-consuming,butitdoesn'thavetobewith ourUtilityConnectconcierge Thisisaone-stopshopwithtrained expertstoresearchthebestservicesanddiscountsavailableandmake theconnection.Youalsohaveaccesstoyouronlineself-serviceplatform togetestimatesandbookservices.Itʼsallinoneplace,youwillloveit!
Manageeveryaspectofmovingandhomeownershipwithyourunique personalHomeownershipPortal. Accessreal-timemarketinformation, findlocalprofessionalsandservicesyouneedtorepairorrenovateand storeallyourhomedocumentssecurely Allwithinonesimpleand convenientplatform!
START BY CHOOSING WHICH OF THESE 4 OPTIONS FIT BEST WITH YOUR SITUATION
First, take the time to understand the 3 laws that govern what the bureaus and creditors can do and your rights throughout the process These are the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Use standard dispute procedures to remove inaccurate trade lines from your credit report Your best chance of success with this method is by mailing dispute letters to the credit bureau in which the inaccuracy on your report was found Follow these recommendations to increase your chance of success
Settle ALL of your outstanding negative accounts with creditors and collectors for a complete deletion of negative information. After that, get in the habit of paying off your credit card balances each month and never falling into delinquency with creditors PLEASE NOTE! In many cases, paying collection accounts will lower your credit score For this reason, we can’t stress the importance of becoming educated on the law before beginning your credit repair journey What makes common sense doesn’t always make credit sense!
If the credit bureaus violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by not removing inaccurate information from your credit report, you can consult with an attorney regarding a possible lawsuit
A personal advisor will review your credit profile to determine how our program will effectively increase your credit scores We work together throughout each step you need to take in order to maximize your score A credit report is like a finger print – it’s unique to everyone! That’s why we recommend all clients to at the very least sign up for our free credit consultation In that consultation we speak to you specifically about the items on your credit report and how to best navigate the process
Now that summer has come knocking on our doors, you need to make big or small changes throughout the house.
One of the hot summer interior design trends for 2023, bold colors are going to uplift your spirits. White has been reigning with an iron fist in interior designs, but it is time to introduce some bright and bold colors to replace white Add a few vibrant accents to elevate the layout and make the white feel less boring Darker navy blue, turquoise blue, mint green, pale yellow, and baby blue have emerged as favorites this summer to remind you of beach holidays
Thanks to its clean and simple aesthetic, minimalism provides straight lines, open spaces, and muted palettes to make the living space calming and inviting. Warm minimalism is a style that blends the ideals of minimalism with warm, earthy tones, natural material, and exquisite organic textures; and it is trending right now. This summer, try adding layered textures such as throw pillows and rugs, placing indoor plants for a pop of color, and using wooden accents as places.
It is the summer of designer laundry and mudrooms. While no other room in our house is as humble as the laundry room and mudroom, it surely needs a lot of love and care This room needs to be organized and perfectly designed to balance function and style You must have storage options to accommodate the family’s needs Most designers are focusing on creating stylish, low-maintenance, and easy-to-use laundry rooms
The summer of 2023 is allowing these plain yet bold patterns to officially step into the spotlight Stripes are a classic summer trend that has a dramatic potential to create charming layouts You can include striped pillows, throws, rugs, or artwork to add a refreshing summery touch to any room. But be careful, you do not want to overdo stripes as an excessive amount of this pattern can break the style.
In conclusion, you need to change the layout of your home after the stagnancy of wintery slumber. To achieve a summery fresh look, you do not need to upturn your entire home. You only have to sprinkle a few rejuvenating touches here and there from the abovementioned trends and the home will be bright
Summer is the season for DIY projects. But before you embark on your next wish list task, it’s a good idea to hop on some quick home maintenance projects.
Before you start up the mower and begin on a summer of yard work, give it a tune-up Check your mower blades, change the oil, and clean up any gunk in the machinery that has been sitting in the garage or shed since last year. Also, double-check the spark plug and clean out the air filter so your mower can be in its best shape as you begin your summer yard maintenance. The last thing you want is for your lawn mower to break down in the middle of cutting grass and wind up with costly repairs and an uneven yard
Powering washing your house at the beginning of summer is a great way to clear off any grime or stains from the winter months. Whether you hire a professional or choose to DIY your exterior cleaning, power washing your siding, cleaning doors and windows, and washing your roof allows you to create a pristine house exterior that will up your curb appeal and protect your investment. Also, take this opportunity to power wash decks, patios, and porches so you can enjoy evening barbecues and host gatherings without fretting over grimy outdoor spaces.
If your windows and doors look a little worse for wear with paint chipping at the sides or near-impossible stains that need removing, maybe it’s time to repaint these areas of the home. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your window and door trims will help enhance the exterior appeal of your home and give everything the facelift it needs this summer. Depending on your trim, you could also restain wood trim, fencing, and decking during this project as well, giving new life to worndown parts of the house
The driveway is often the focal point of any exterior home design. It takes up a lot of space on your property and can sometimes be an eyesore within your landscaping. If you ’ ve been putting off a driveway update for a while now, perhaps this summer is the time to give your driveway the makeover it deserves Pave your driveway, remodel it entirely, or add more landscaping to make it feel integrated into the outdoor space. If you ’ re satisfied with the current look, consider adding more gravel, sealing cracks in concrete, replacing broken or missing pavers, and touching up the existing driveway so it looks stunning this season.
While you ’ re working on your home maintenance list, updating the deck or backyard patio is a good idea Replace broken and cracked deck boards, add a fresh stain to the wood, and revamp the overall design of the space. If you have a concerted patio, consider giving it some TLC by sealing any cracks, replacing broken pavers, and trimming up the landscaping at the edges for a tidy and elegant look. Also, don’t forget to clean up your patio furniture and spruce up the space with some gorgeous outdoor lighting
Decluttering may not sound like a summer home maintenance project, but believe us. It’s a necessity! Decluttering your garage and shed can be a beneficial step during your home maintenance routine. This allows you to clear out old and unwanted items, reassess your toolbox, sort through your yard tools, and organize your storage systems so you know where everything is before embarking on that new DIY project. This summer project is also a great idea for homeowners who also plan to declutter other areas of the house this season or who are planning to host a yearly garage sale in the fall.
See how new paint colors look on your home... BEFORE IT'S PAINTED! Be "Color Confident" with a Virtual Color Consultation
Tell us your color preferences, and take our style quiz.
Our designers will create 3-5 initial designs for you to see online, then work with you to create more designs until you find the one you love.
Enjoy that feeling of knowing you'll love the paint color after your home is painted No more guesswork!