Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate

When the Market gets a little soft or the Media makes it sounds the Real Estate World is coming to an end, that seems to be when buyers and sellers alike begin to get a little more picky about the homes they buy and how their homes look when they sell.  However, it is not ALL about how the home looks to some people.

With Financing being in the news a lot and how more and more consumers are not able to afford a home that they once could, Consumers are looking at other items in the house besides Granite Counter Tops and HardWood Floors.  It is $$$ and $$$ Saved.  Buyers are wanting more than ever a home that is more affordable than the next.  So, I am about to show you how:

          Your Cream Puff Home                                                                  May very well be a Clunker.

Let's start with this.  When many people buy cars now they look at how many MPG the vehicle will get.  With the price of gas being so high, many are willing to pay A LITTLE MORE for the car in order to pay less at the pump. 

Buying a house is starting to be a similar concept.  This is one of the main reasons why many people are leaning towards new construction.  It is not just because they can pick out everything they want, it is for a more efficient house. 

Take for example a home that will sell for $100,000.  If the home is a little older and has utility bills over $350 dollars, this may have very well just taken a handful of buyers out of the pool that can afford this home.  It is possible that this buyer can go buy a BRAND NEW HOME and have a light bill half the price and BIGGER for that matter. 

When you are selling your home you need to be ahead of the game.  If the seller of this $100,000 home has to reduce their price $8000-$10000 to compete because of the light bill, that would be really sad.  Why not put just a little more in to your Cream Puff to make it a Decadent TiraMisu, make money and sell quicker? 

Now, this is really something that you should prepare for so that you can reap some of the advantages yourself while you are in the house.  Maybe, if you know that you want to move in a couple of years...start now!

Here are a few things you can do to get that bill down, help make your home appraise for a little more, and have a larger pool of buyers (if your agent markets the property as such).

• Added Insulation in the Attic.  For as little as .48 per sq ft you can add a significant amount of insulation in your attic.  It saved me appx. $75 a month on my bill.
• Use those Squiggly Light Bulbs in the areas that you use most.  It really does work.
• Change out some of your windows or ATLEAST Caulk around them.  Your windows are one of the biggest areas that your will have Heat Loss or Gain.  You may not even have to do all 4 sides of the house.  Maybe just the South and West Sides.
• Add Awnings or Overhangs to your windows to help block the sun.
• Add a Radiant Barrier Paint to underneath your roof decking.
• If your A/C or Heat System goes out, UPGRADE to a 14 SEER or higher.
• If you have to change out your appliances, go with an Energy Star Rated Appliance. 

Now, don't get me wrong.  The inside of your home is still VERY important.  Buyers want a clean, well maintained  and often times updated home.  However,  If your home is already a Cream Puff inside, what are your miles per gallon like? 

If you need help or recommendations on what to do to your home to make if more efficient, I would recommend an Energy Rating.  These professionals grade your home, give it a score while also telling you what you can do to make it more efficient and at appx. what cost.  You can find one here. 

So, keep in mind that buyers are looking for Energy Efficiency too.  Try to keep a balance in your upgrades..Not just cosmetic...Not all Efficiency.  It will most always pay off in the end.  If you need any information regarding selling your Updated/Upgraded home or need to know why a Specific Marketing Plan is so important when selling a home that is more efficient, please feel free to contact me.

Other Informative Posts:

• The 411 on CFL's In Your Home
• Buying in The Woodlands-Where do I start?
• 12 Steps To Buying Your Home
• Please...Stop the F Word!
• Appraisals-Bank vs. County
• Questions That Can Get Your Realtor In Trouble

Photos are Thanks to Michael_L  and happyfacewoman on Flickr.com