If you’re looking to sell your home at one point or another, all you need is one buyer. However, how long it takes to acquire that buyer and whether there are other potential offers can have great influence over how much your home will actually sell for.
While an updated kitchen or freshly renovated master suite can add value, that value is more subjective. A universal way to ensure that you get a return on your investment is with energy efficiency upgrades.
Connection Between Home Value & Energy Efficiency
As anyone who’s ever paid a bill knows — the lower it is, the better. Home buyers are realizing that when seeking out the best new home, energy efficiency matters. Not only does this indicate that they’ll be paying lower monthly energy bills, but they’ll also be more comfortable and experience significantly fewer issues with home health.
Just take a look at what surveys across the country have revealed:
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Average home buyers are willing to pay an additional $7,095 for a home if it shows reduced energy costs of $1,000 per year.
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On average, homes that are energy efficient sell 18 days faster than regular homes.
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Higher energy efficiency would cause 81% of home buyers to choose one home over another.
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Energy efficiency is the top unmet housing concern. It ranks above updated kitchens and storage space.
Although it seems like many people want energy efficiency, homeowners continue to choose superficial improvements over fundamental upgrades to increase energy efficiency, comfort and home health.
Home Improvements to Increase Value
In order to see which upgrades would benefit your home, you should first have a Whole Home Evaluation conducted. This will provide insights into where your home is losing energy and how its indoor air quality stacks up.
Most homes in Northern Westchester have similar issues. The home improvements that can make the biggest difference and add the most value to your home will generally include:
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Comprehensive Air Sealing & Improved Insulation
Performance-based air sealing and insulation, either cellulose or spray foam, will help to keep your home warmer during the winter and cooler in the summer months. This will increase comfort while reducing the use of HVAC systems, saving money and the environment.
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Energy Efficiency HVAC Systems
New high-efficiency heating and cooling systems are designed to offer optimal comfort throughout the entire home. Mini-split heat pumps, for example, are an excellent way to provide both heating and cooling with minimal energy use.
