Make Your Home a Buyer’s Dream in 5 Easy Steps
Increase the Value of Your Home to Live in it or SELL It in FIVE Easy Steps!
by Ingrid Weir
Today’s real estate market is a dream if you’re looking to buy a new home, which is great if you’re a renter or buying your first home. However, how are you supposed to compete in this market if you need to sell your current home? What should you look for in your new home?
First, take a moment to consider how you think as a buyer. When you go to buy your new home, what is an immediate turn on… and what immediately turns you off to a home? Chances are, your buyers are going to be thinking along very similar lines, as well.
By appealing to your potential buyer’s sense of style, comfort, environmental responsibility, and fiscal sensibility, you have the ability to set your home apart from the rest.
These are five simple things you can do to increase the value of your home to potential buyers!
1. Flooring
I’m sure you have walked into a home that might have been beautiful in 1978 or 1985, but in this day and age, the avocado green or pink plush carpeting, linoleum that curls up at the edges, or stick down vinyl floors completely destroy your ability to think about placing your beautiful furnishings in that room. The idea of having to change out flooring to your potential buyer is daunting to say the least, but you can do it fairly easily and change the entire vibe of the space.
The most important things to remember when choosing your new flooring are neutrality and durability. Think about using eco friendly or sustainable flooring materials such as recycled flooring, carpeting made from natural fibers, bamboo, natural linoleum, or eucalyptus among others. This will help increase your marketability as a “green” home… and bonus, it might bring you some good karma for doing your part to help save the planet!
2. Electric Radiant Floor Heating
When replacing your floors, why not add a zoned, energy efficient electric radiant floor heating system? Since this is a relatively new concept in the United States, not only will this help to set your home apart from the others on the market because of the feel of luxury and novelty of it, an energy efficient, zoned heating system adds another “green” feature to your home.
There are electric radiant floor heating systems available for under all types of flooring including bamboo, wood, carpeting, tile, and even your shower among others. Look for a company that will customize the system according to your floor plan and individual heating and electrical needs. Make sure the system is UL listed, complies with your flooring manufacturer guidelines, is energy efficient, offers damage detection, has no electromagnetic radiation (EMR/EMF), and will not raise your floor level. Also, make sure that the thermostat is GFCI protected, UL listed, and ENERGY STAR® compliant.
3. New Plumbing Fixtures
This is another simple fix that can make a huge difference in your home! While you can go all out with this if you want to, you can make a kitchen or bath look like a new room with the right plumbing fixtures.
Replace old styles with new, clean, classic, neutral styles. While you are at it, put in low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets. If the water heater is old and out-dated, consider replacing it with a tankless water heater or another energy-efficient model. These are simple changes that either a licensed plumber or you can make for very little money and effort in many cases!
4. Faux Finish Walls to Hide Imperfections
So, your walls may not be perfect, and you really do not feel like going through the time and expense of completely redoing them, right? Well, try a faux finish! Faux finishes add character to your walls, and the textures can help to hide imperfections, too.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, Google a professional in your area. Make sure you take a look at their portfolio, and check into what kind of brushes and paint they will be using. A good brush and paint can be the difference between a beautiful job and shoddy work with even the most talented artist.
5. Finish Your Basement
Capitalize on that extra space you have down there. Why waste that space by leaving it for the spiders, dust, and your junk to sit? This does not have to be as difficult of a job as you might think. Simply put in a drop ceiling or the like, throw up some sheetrock, a little paint, some flooring, and voila, no more wasted space!
Ok, so it might take a little bit more effort than that, but not much, and do you have any idea how much easier it is to sell a home with a finished basement than one without?
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but I would have to put in duct work and have my forced air heating and a/c system reconfigured to work in the basement, too… and even with that, we know that it’s nearly impossible to heat a basement with the same system as in your home upstairs.
So, what can you do? This is where you would use under floor heating or a portable area rug heater and a portable air conditioner. When choosing your systems, make sure that you contact someone who you can trust to help you consider all factors.
Make sure that when you are picking out your portable air conditioner that it is energy efficient, operates quietly, and will cool your area effectively. You will also want to decide whether you want an evaporative system where the water evaporates into the air or a system with an exhaust that you have to empty.
So, as you can see, there are many ideas to help you increase the value of your home if you are looking to sell before jumping into the exciting buyer’s market that we have right now. These are just a few that are sure to make a big impact. If you are still looking for ideas, just take a look around at some open houses, make sure you pick a real estate agent who knows your area and has a proven track record, and ask her or his opinion for some more ideas.
This is an exciting time in the real estate market! There are so many opportunities out there that were not available when the market was bloated just a few years ago. Enjoy it!
Set yourself apart with Green Products
According to Rex Nutting, Washington Bureau Chief of MarketWatch, the inventory of previously owned homes up for sale in May 2007 rose to the highest level in relation to sales in 15 years, putting even more houses into an already glutted market.
According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders and McGraw-Hill Construction, 85% of homeowners said they were more satisfied with their new green homes than with their previous, traditionally built homes. The survey allowed respondents to state more than one reason for buying an environmentally friendly home; showing that nearly 50% of those surveyed said that concern for the environment was a reason to buy a green home, and the same percentage held that their family’s health was a reason. 63% stated lower operating and maintenance costs motivated their purchases.
Additionally, homebuyers were willing to pay a higher price up front to get those benefits. “We found that people buying green homes were willing to pay an $18,500 premium in order to get a green home,” said Harvey Bernstein, vice president of industry analytics, alliances, and strategic initiatives at McGraw-Hill Construction.
To be classified as, “Truly Green”, homes must include three or more products or features addressing the following:
1. Energy-Efficiency
2. Indoor Air Quality
3. Resource Management and/or Use of Recycled Materials
4. Site Management/Location of the Home and its Surroundings
5. Water Efficiency
Who is the Competition?
Their research showed that only 0.3% of existing homes qualified as “Truly Green” whereas, 2% of homes incorporated a green product, such as energy-efficient doors and windows, appliances, or heating.
In Jack Trout’s “Differentiate or Die: Survival in Our Era of Killer Competition”, he warns, “Those who fail to differentiate their product or service, in the mind of the consumer, won’t stand a chance.” This is your chance to differentiate yourself as a renovator, builder, homeowner, real estate agent, or other professional looking to change your business as well as the world.
Who is Buying Green Homes?
The report found that those apt to invest in a green home are women, who are married, affluent, well educated and are likely to be in their mid-40s and from the Southern or Western states. The popularity of green features is not limited to new construction.
The research estimated that about half of U.S. homeowners recently renovated their homes, and about 40% of them used green products. Energy-efficient windows and doors, as well as energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems are some of the most popular green upgrades, Bernstein said.
Green Building Products
Water-Efficient Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology from Delta
Delta Faucet Company showerhead uses just 1.6 gallons of water per minute. Delta worked with Bowles Fluidics Corporation to develop their H2Okinetic Technology™, which produces droplets that are large, resulting in good heat retention and body wetting.
What makes this product green?
• Fixtures and equipment that conserve water
• Equipment that conserves energy
Underwater Standing Timber Salvage by Triton Logging
Triton Logging, Inc. harvests underwater standing trees from forests that were submerged decades ago by reservoirs created by hydroelectric dams. The trees are cut, which ensures that the reservoir floor and sediments are not disturbed in the process. Douglas fir, western white pine, lodgepole pine, hemlock, and other species are recovered year-round. All of the milled wood is certified as SmartWood Rediscovered by the Rainforest Alliance. The company produces a range of lumber products and is launching a line of glulam beams made from underwater-salvaged timber.
What makes this product green?
• Salvaged products
SageGlass Tintable Glazing from Sage Electrochromics
SageGlass® is an electronically tintable exterior glazing that provides glare control on demand while preserving views. The product is available from such partners as Velux®, Architectural Wall Systems, Inc., Harmon, Inc., the Vistawall Group, Wausau Window and Wall Systems, and YKK AP America, Inc. While SageGlass is currently very expensive (increasing the cost of insulated glass six- to seven-fold), Sage Electrochromics expects the cost to eventually become competitive with standard high-performance glazing combined with interior mechanized shades.
What makes this product green?
• Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
• Improves light quality
WeatherTRAK Smart Irrigation Controls from HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.
The best option for outdoor landscapes is usually native, climate-appropriate plantings that do not require irrigation, but where irrigation is required, efficiency is essential. HydroPoint® Data Systems, Inc. has revolutionized irrigation management in North America through its WeatherTRAK® irrigation control systems that create watering schedules based on physical landscape features (soil type, slope, and plantings) as well as weather data that is beamed wirelessly to the controllers each day. Both residential and commercial WeatherTRAK systems are fully compatible with most irrigation systems, and they offer an Internet control unit. The company has partnerships with irrigation equipment providers The Toro® Company and Irritrol® Systems.
What makes this product green?
• Fixtures and equipment that conserve water
• Reduces storm water pollution
Electric Radiant Floor Heating Systems by Speedheat® US
Speedheat® electric radiant floor heating systems conserve energy by being installed in touch directly with the floor covering. This allows the systems to perform optimally, using significantly lower amounts of electricity than similar systems and other conventional heating systems. The systems can be installed under any flooring type, including tile, hardwood, vinyl, carpeting, laminate, and portable products under area rugs. The systems use a programmable smart thermostat, used for zone heating. As a result, you only heat the areas you occupy and not the entire home.
What makes this product green?
• Energy savings
• Improves Indoor Air Quality
Coolerado Cooler Advanced, Indirect Evaporative Air Conditioner from Coolerado, LLC
The Coolerado Cooler is a revolutionary air conditioning system that relies on the evaporation of water (latent heat of vaporization) to cool a space, but its similarity to standard evaporative coolers, or swamp coolers, is so remote that the company does not even use the term “evaporative” to describe its product. Water consumption can be significant; it is comparable to or slightly lower than that of direct evaporative coolers—as much as 12 gallons per hour at peak load, but typically averaging about 4 gallons per hour over the cooling season.
What makes this product green?
• Energy savings
• Improves Indoor Air Quality
Product Information:Delta Faucet Company
55 East 111th Street
P.O. Box 40980
Indianapolis, IN 46280
www.deltafaucet.com
Triton Logging, Inc.
6675 Mirah Road
Saanichton, BC V8M1Z4
www.tritonlogging.com
Sage Electrochromics, Inc.
One Sage Way
Faribault, MN 55021
www.sage-ec.comHydroPoint Data Systems, Inc.
1726 Corporate Circle
Petaluma, CA 94954
www.weathertrak.com
Speedheat® US, LLC
120 Arnold Mill Park, Suite 100
Woodstock, GA 30188
www.speedheat.us
Coolerado, LLC
4700 West 60th Ave., Unit 3
Arvada, CO 80003
www.coolerado.com
About the Author:
Ingrid Weir is a member of an elite team of electric radiant floor heating professionals, who concentrate on energy-efficient heating solutions. For more information, contact Speedheat US, LLC at 1-888-WARM FLOOR (1-888-927-6356) or www.speedheat.us. Address is listed above.
Sources:Existing home-sales decline hits builder stocks – Full week for company earnings, housing data opens with a thud – http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/home-builders-busy-week-gets/story.aspx?
guid=%7BA4CD62C3-5CCF-46B1-B673-77F4C33C4182%7D – By John Spence, MarketWatch – Apr 24, 2007 Home sweet green home – Most buyers of resource-efficient homes say they’re more than satisfied – http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/most-buyers-green-homes-satisfied/story.aspx?
guid=%7B1539C4AB%2DF4E7%2D49A4%2D99D1%2D83555EC8E27A%7D – By Amy Hoak, MarketWatch – Mar 26, 2007
“Differentiate or Die: Survival in Our Era of Killer Competition” – Jack Trout
BuildingGreen Announces 2006 Top-10 Green Building Products – http://www.buildinggreen.com/press/topten2006/top-10-list.cfmDelta – Jerelyn Wilson – November 15, 2006
U.S. Green Building Council – LEED for Homes – http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147 – Homes Pilot Version 1.11a released February 1, 2007
Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy Consumer’s Guide – http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12760
6 Reasons to Heat your Floors!
Well, yes, when we have people touch our demo unit, you would be amazed at their reactions. We have an unheated (cold) tile on one side and a warmed tile on the other side. I can’t even describe the looks on their faces… I’ve actually had people stand there, with their hand on the demo unit, while talking.Also, we all know that we lose most of our heat through our feet, so it makes sense to keep the floors warm. Between the location of the heating being at your feet and the way that radiant heating heats you in a similar way to the sun’s rays, research has shown that most people are comfortable at temperatures that are between 6-10 degrees lower than with forced air.
2. Under what kinds of flooring can we put heating?
You name it… carpeting, tile, hardwood (floating and laminate), vinyl, stone, area rugs, shower floors… you name it, it can be heated.
For under wall-to-wall flooring, you would use a GFCI-protected, programmable smart thermostat that controls both the ambient and floor temperatures, so you have complete control over your individual comfort level. If you already have your flooring installed or just want spot heating, there is the portable, under rug heater, RugBuddy™ that you simply plug in and turn on and off or use an appliance timer for your convenience.
3. What about operating costs?
This, of course, depends on your utility company as far as the actual cost to operate, but I can tell you that you may be surprised at how little electricity they use. I know that my heating bills have gone down considerably, since I started using radiant floor heating in my home, years ago.
4. Is floor heating energy-efficient?
Between the low electrical use, the fact that you are warmer at lower temperatures, and the fact that you are only heating the areas that you are using, electric radiant floor heating is extremely energy-efficient.
5. What’s in it for me?
- As already stated, there is the comfort factor, energy savings.
- You can also dust your house less because you don’t have to worry about central heating blowing air around in your house and circulating mold, dust, viruses and bacteria, and other allergens and environmental contaminants around your home or office.
- If you have sore joints, as I do, it helps to increase circulation.
- There is no maintenance.
- No EMF (electromagnetic field) or carbon monoxide!
- It’s silent, so you won’t have the noise pollution from other heating systems.
- These systems are also completely safe and GFCI-protected, so there is no risk of electric shock or fire!
6. I live in the South… we don’t need heated floors here, right?
This one has been common, particularly among builders… but think about it… we all have some sort of heating systems in our homes, and we know we are using them, based on our utilities going up so much in the winter, right? I know that here, in Georgia, I couldn’t possibly go without heating, and my floors were always the coldest part of the room before I used Speedheat.
A little personal story for your amusement…
I remember when I was younger, my mother used to always lay down on the floor for a couple of minutes, to make sure that the kids were warm down there.
“We can’t tell how cold they are down there since we are so high off of the ground”, my mom used to say.
When I interviewed for Speedheat, that was the first thing that came to my mind.”Oh, my gosh!”, I exclaimed. “Now I won’t have to worry about choosing between roasting in my house and freezing the kids!”
Author Bio:
Ingrid Weir is a member of an elite international team of experts, who invented electric radiant floor heating in South Africa in 1985.
Products include electric radiant floor heating, suitable for all flooring, including:
- Carpet – CarpetMate™ Area Rugs – RugBuddy™
Tile - TileWarm™
Laminate – WoodBeWarmer™
Hardwoods – WoodBeWarmer™
Stone – TileWarm™
Vinyl – TileWarm™
Showers! – Yes, shower floors, seats, you name it – TileWarm™
…and more.
About Speedheat Electric Radiant Floor Heating
Since inception, Speedheat has spread like wildfire throughout Australia, Europe, the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, and now in the United States.
For more information:
Call Toll-free: 1 888 WARM FLOOR
Please feel free to add any opinions as to why you would or would not want to use electric radiant floor heating!
