Green home improvement projects may not be as popular as traditional non-green improvements but the GREEN trend does seem to be catching on as people realize the benefits.
According to a McGraw Hill study, 70% of homebuyers would rather buy a green home than a non-green home in a down economy. The Management Information Services/ICMA has said that “landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.”
Based on national average cost and return on investment (ROI) to sellers…
The top 5 GREEN home improvements recommended to home sellers are:
1. Plant native trees and plants ($141 average cost / $399 average price increase / 284% average ROI / 65% of agents recommended)
2. Replace air filters ($141 cost / $399 price increase / 284% ROI / 65% recommended)
3. GREEN home staging ($223 cost / $445 price increase / 199% ROI / 47% recommended)
4. Weather strip and caulk doors and windows ($169 cost / $313 price increase / 185% ROI / 68% recommended)
5.Install programmable thermostats ($146 cost / $249 price increase / 170% ROI / 62% recommended)
The complete 9 GREEN home improvements are as follows:
Green Home Staging
Green home staging is focused on environmental sustainability. It is geared at reducing waste that is may be added to landfills and other environmental benefits. In addition to traditional staging advice, Green stagers offer education and guidance to the seller by developing ways to effectively “green” market their home. Green stagers reuse props; create props from recycling materials from partnerships with other local businesses; recycle old and worn out props by donating them. In a green staging assessment, they also suggest how to incorporate ways to repair or upgrade in regards to the conservation of resources, water efficiencies and recycling.
VOC Paint
Conventional paints contained high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that produced a breathable gas when applied. VOCs diminish air quality and may be detrimental to your health. Today, alternative manufacturing techniques have allowed the development of low- and no-VOC paints that release no, or minimal VOC pollutants, and are virtually odor free.
“Most of these things aren’t going to be looked at up front so they don’t add value but you should go ahead and take care of weather strippinig and replacing air filters so that it doesn’t come up on inspections and then make the home appear to be unkept.”
“Being ‘Green’ is usually more expensive than the immediate short run savings will offset and therefore this is still a very hard area to push in our area.”
“Energy saver electricals, use energy star appliances.”
“I advise my clients with older water heaters and/or furnaces to take advantage of tax credits and replace them with new energy saving models and get the tax advantage plus make the home more appealing to potential buyers. Also, taking advantage of any passive solar the home may have that is being under-utilized.
East
“Have energy certified appliances and air handlers, plus hot water heater.”
“Check and renew insulation!”
“I haven’t found green improvements to be a sought-after element yet. However, a new energy efficient HVAC system, windows and roofing definitely makes a difference to most folks as they are such expensive items to replace. “
