Go green. Reduce your carbon footprint. Manage your energy usage. Watch your wattage. Recycle. Reuse. Repurpose. Do these words ring a bell? They should, you can’t open a magazine or watch TV without hearing about new initiatives, products and plans for “greening” your life.According to Move.com, 50% of Americans’ New Year ‘s Resolution was to go green and reduce their household energy usage. Home buyers are asking, “How environmentally friendly is this home?” Realtors recognize the importance of this issue and have added a new search feature to Realtor.com that allows shoppers to customize their search for “energy efficient” homes.
So, how can you make the home you are selling energy efficient without breaking the bank?
1. Change out light bulbs
2. Fix any leaking, dripping or running faucets, hose bibs or toilets
3. Weather strip doors and caulk
Able to spend a little more?
1. Install low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads
2. Install solar screens on your windows
Want to go whole hog?
1. Check with your City and see what energy rebates they offer for major purchases like appliances and heating and cooling systems
2. Replace the insulation in your house
There are great resources out there with many more ideas for how to “green” your home. Not only will you ensure that your house appeals to those buyers looking for energy efficiency, you will make Mother Earth happy too!
www.energysavers.gov/your_home
To read more of our series on What Home Buyers Want and How You Can Make it Happen, click here.
- What Home Buyers Want and How You Can Make It Happen: #2 Energy Efficient Features - July 24, 2010
- What Home Buyers Want and How You Can Make It Happen: #1 Large Kitchens - July 17, 2010
- What Home Buyers Want - June 20, 2010
