Business & Real Estate: Smart ways to increase your home value

Philip A Raices

Everyone that owns their home always wants the value of their place to increase, but time does that automatically, as history has shown over the years.

However, most don’t think of the new gadgets and things that will truly increase its’ worth and save you and your next purchaser money over the long run.

The most economical upgrade is LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lighting, that will brightened your rooms five times brighter than incandescent or CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) type bulbs, while saving huge sums of money over the near and long term.

Assuming energy savings over 50,000 hours per household, (assuming on average a home uses 25 bulbs) LED bulbs will last five times longer, using 70 percent less electricity and savings can be as much as $6,668.75, based on a study that was done by eartheasy.com.

PSEG will provide a credit for purchasing the “Energy Star” rated bulbs through them for your business, but I do not think they will do this for your home, but you can inquire about it.

However, the savings is still there and if you have a large office, when lighting is crucial, the savings can be even greater than your home, it all depends on your usage.

Smart gadgets that will control the temperature inside your home, (and let you know if there is lack of heat) hot water tank efficiency, turn on and off lights, etc..

Also, there are “smart” fixtures that will shut off your water when your hands are not under the faucet (as you may have seen in hotels), devices that will determine leaks in your home, when you are away for the winter in Florida or wherever, and make a call to your plumber or water company to alert them of any issues.

This can all be done from your smart phone or device from the comfort of wherever you maybe around the globe, via the internet.

Today, there are also new cutting edge smart and wireless alarms And door bells with cameras, that will always make you aware of who is entering your home or at your door.

Again, it is imperative that you make comparisons between those items that you plan to install and Consumer Reports is an excellent source to determine your choices and their value and efficiency.

Technology has advanced way beyond what one might have imagined just three-five years ago, which when properly planned out and installed, will add value as well as safety to your home.

The next item would be new windows that are at least double paned which will reduce your energy costs drastically, assuming you have older windows (over 25 years) that are not at least double or triple paned (add argon gas for even more efficiency and savings).

The more you can save on energy, the more you are creating greater demand, value and therefore a better sales price, when you are ready to sell.

One very economical tip is, don’t forget about insulating your attic with at least R19-29 Bats that will keep your heat and air conditioning from escaping your home.

Installing an attic fan to help those utilities work more effortlessly and efficiently will also go a long way in added some value to your home by making it an “energy saver” instead of an “energy waster.”

Solar panels would be another item to consider today (purchase don’t lease them).

This will be the number one way to save money and energy consumption now and going into the future and make your home energy independent, instead of energy dependent; where energy might just be more expensive under conventional resources.

You will also help our environment by reducing your carbon footprint in our ever changing demand for electricity and energy.

Always get three estimates and make comparisons, because there are some major differences between companies.

Alon Musk, (Tesla) owns a Solar company, whose panels are radically different and quite amazing and customizable to your roof!  Keep in mind that, “Cheap is Expensive and Expensive is Cheap” in your search for the right solar panels for your roof. You want at least 90+ percent efficiency, whereby too much shade on your roof will work against you and your energy savings.

If you need any type of advice concerning adding energy efficiency and value to your home now and going into the future, always feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help, in guiding you through the sometimes complicated decision making process and at the same time assist you in saving money.

The Fire Works Displays this 4th of July, were the most magnificent and colorful, that I have ever experienced from New York City through Long Island; what was your experience, email me your thoughts!  I hope you, your family and friends had an enjoyable, relaxing and fun day.  Happy 241st birthday to our country and many, many more!

Philip A. Raices is the owner of Turn Key Real Estate in Great Neck. He can be reached by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or by cell, (516) 647-4289 to answer any of your questions. 

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