Going Green For Your Home Today
With the increase in news articles in the local and national media related to the dangers of global warming, and even an Academy Award having been given to Al Gore for his film “An Inconvenient Truth”, we are seeing more and more information regarding Green, Sustainable, Eco-Friendly, or Earth Friendly living coming to the forefront. This new trend is proving to be another means that homeowners can take advantage of to not only benefit the environment and their own quality of living, but to increase the value and sales appeal of their home.
A recent study of U.S. homebuilders by Green Builder Media/IMRE Communications indicates that, nationwide, over 80% of potential home buyers prefer to buy homes that incorporate sustainable or energy efficient features. Of those buyers, half are willing to pay 11-25% more for environmentally friendly homes.
Many buyers are specifically requesting to see homes built or remodeled utilizing green products and principles and energy-efficient products. Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn’t necessarily have to encompass the entire home. Keep these ideas in mind when you are ready to do some remodeling on your home.
- Use non-toxic paints and sealants
- Install programmable thermostats
- Install energy efficient appliances and lighting
- Consider natural materials from sustainable resources such as bamboo flooring
- Use local building materials and/or recycled building materials
- Tighten up your house with new windows, outside doors, insulation, or a new roof – the tighter your house is, the less energy you will consume to heat and cool it and the fewer outdoor pollutants get inside.
- Landscape using native plants that are in balance with the local climate and require minimal resource inputs, such as fertilizer, pesticides and water
- Look for a “green” contractor who is willing to use sustainable building practices
- Install energy efficient heating and cooling systems* or opt for solar energy systems*
*Tax credits are available for many types of home improvements including adding insulation, replacement windows, and certain high efficiency heating and cooling equipment.
See the chart at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s2. The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined is $500 during the two year period of the tax credit. This tax credit applies to improvements made to your primary residence from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007.
Folsom Luxury Homes and Land Specialist
Our motto is to always “Do the Right Thing”, starting with providing premier executive real estate service to buyers and sellers of Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills luxury homes and land.
For more information from California Home Network visit Patrick Warholic, The Home Marketing Specialist, and for free, no registration required, MLS home and property searches with amazing home search results at your fingertips, along with its ease of use, no registration required advanced home search features that will simply amaze you. You can even perform a home search by using the new Google Map home search feature, with advanced community search parameters, and even do an advanced home search for “green” energy saving features too. Maybe you are searching for a new home investment property or a great deal on a second home. Well, now you can find great real estate deals with REO bank owned properties and short sale homes listed in the MLS directory. This real estate information is right at your fingertips, and once again, no registration is required.
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