Happy Earth Day! Is it a Trend or the Way of the Future?
Clearly, there is a movement to do all we can to help our planet and to preserve precious resources. Everything we do makes a difference; using fabric shopping bags, carpooling into the office, buying locally, or turning off all your lights when you leave a room. All these things add up to helping us reach the goal of a Greener, Healthier Planet.
When selling your home, why should it matter whether you leave a Green Footprint behind? Does it make a difference if your home is energy efficient?
In the fall of 2007, HGTV pulled together the Top 10 things that buyers were placing high on their priority lists when shopping for a new home. Energy Efficiency was number one. Oraclepoll Research did a study where buyers rated Energy Efficiency third, right behind location and price. From what we are seeing, if you can make some changes and updates in your home before you sell, more people will be interested in your property.
The obvious choices to make are low-flow toilets, aerators for all taps, low-flow shower heads, and Energy Star Rated appliances, furnace, hot water tank and windows. By having these items in place prior to your home being placed on the market, you have a head start on improving the marketability of your house.
These changes, if needed, can cost a little up front. In Canada, there are rebates and Eco-grant programs available where you can receive money for these improvements.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is one of those resources available to homeowners. NRCan offers homeowners home evaluations by licensed service organizations, detailing the homes energy efficiency from the attic to the foundation. They will provide a detailed, personalized report including a checklist of recommended retrofits to improve the overall efficiency of the home. This report also states the grant amounts available for each recommendation, and you are eligible to receive up to $5000 in grant money. All work must be completed within an 18 month period, and a post evaluation must be completed prior to March 31, 2011. For more details, and the full article, visit them on the web at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.
On a smaller scale, think of how your daily activities and practices at home can make a change for the better. Think of using Earth-Friendly products for cleaning and painting. Find ways to conserve water. Use cloth bags instead of plastic shopping bags.
Think Green! We can all make a difference!
When selling your home, why should it matter whether you leave a Green Footprint behind? Does it make a difference if your home is energy efficient?
In the fall of 2007, HGTV pulled together the Top 10 things that buyers were placing high on their priority lists when shopping for a new home. Energy Efficiency was number one. Oraclepoll Research did a study where buyers rated Energy Efficiency third, right behind location and price. From what we are seeing, if you can make some changes and updates in your home before you sell, more people will be interested in your property.
The obvious choices to make are low-flow toilets, aerators for all taps, low-flow shower heads, and Energy Star Rated appliances, furnace, hot water tank and windows. By having these items in place prior to your home being placed on the market, you have a head start on improving the marketability of your house.
These changes, if needed, can cost a little up front. In Canada, there are rebates and Eco-grant programs available where you can receive money for these improvements.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is one of those resources available to homeowners. NRCan offers homeowners home evaluations by licensed service organizations, detailing the homes energy efficiency from the attic to the foundation. They will provide a detailed, personalized report including a checklist of recommended retrofits to improve the overall efficiency of the home. This report also states the grant amounts available for each recommendation, and you are eligible to receive up to $5000 in grant money. All work must be completed within an 18 month period, and a post evaluation must be completed prior to March 31, 2011. For more details, and the full article, visit them on the web at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca.
On a smaller scale, think of how your daily activities and practices at home can make a change for the better. Think of using Earth-Friendly products for cleaning and painting. Find ways to conserve water. Use cloth bags instead of plastic shopping bags.
Think Green! We can all make a difference!
Posted by New View Property Enhancements at Wednesday, April 22. 2009 
Categories: EcoStaging
Tags: EcoStaging Environment EcoEnergy
Categories: EcoStaging
Tags: EcoStaging Environment EcoEnergy
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