If you wish to sell your property in the near future, you might be thinking about different ways to renovate and refresh your home, in order to increase its value on the market. Whether that means changing up a few appliances or installing entirely new systems, the best course of action might be to choose more sustainable solutions, as an increasing number of buyers are more interested in eco-friendly properties than their standard counterparts. To that end, here are some of the best green home improvements you could make, to add value to your property, and attract more environment-conscious buyers:
Opt for energy-saving appliances
Replacing any older appliances is always a vital step to do before putting your property on the market, in an effort to increase its value and appeal. But in order to attract more eco-conscious buyers, it’s best to focus on Energy Star appliances like ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines, which will significantly decrease both the energy and the water usage in your home.
If you want to take your renovations a step further, greener buyers will also appreciate other, seemingly smaller aspects that will help to increase the energy efficiency in your home. This includes improved insulation, replaced windows or window seals, new wiring, or more efficient lighting fixtures, all of which will make your property that much more sustainable.
Choose sustainable water systems
Much like energy efficiency, conserving water is also an important factor among environmentally-friendly buyers. To that end, installing more sustainable water systems in your home might be a brilliant way to add some “green appeal” to your property. Think about installing low-flow plumbing features, such as toilets, faucets, and aerators, which save a significant amount of water yearly, while being quite an inexpensive improvement.
Considering the fact that recycling systems are also incredibly popular among greener buyers, you might also want to opt for a system that harvests rainwater, or a “greywater system” that recirculates the water from sinks and showers to the landscaping, for instance, as long as you have the means and the facilities to do so.
Install efficient solar panels
Solar panels are among the greenest and most efficient ways to generate energy and save on future electricity bills, not to mention they are arguably the most tangible and visible sustainable changes you could implement. As younger, more environmentally-conscious buyers are well aware of the importance of energy conservation, solar panels will undoubtedly give your home a great advantage.
However, solar panels could often turn out to be quite a large investment when paid for up-front. For that reason, you might want to shop iinergy & pay later with Humm, an option that will provide you with high-quality solar power systems, while allowing you to pay afterward in regular, interest-free installments, making for the smartest and most affordable investment overall.
Select smarter home technologies
Including automated systems and newer technologies in your property can be a big plus for all potential buyers, but especially more environment-conscious ones. Such smart features make living in your home simpler and more enjoyable, while also increasing energy efficiency, thus increasing the value of your home as well.
While there is currently a wide variety of smart home devices you could opt for, features like thermostats that allow for automated temperature adjustments might be among the most important aspects, as they help tremendously with energy conservation efforts. Another feature you might want to consider is smarter lighting solutions, such as Wi-Fi lightbulbs or automatic outdoor lights, which can also aid in energy savings, while simply being a handy living aspect as well.
Go for eco-friendly materials
Replacing the current flooring, repainting the walls, or even incorporating new furniture are also efforts that are often made before putting a home on the market, for increasing its appeal and value. If you’ve planned on changing these aspects as well, it might be best to focus on more sustainable and eco-friendly materials, in order to attract more environmentally-conscious buyers.
When it comes to greener flooring options, materials such as cork, bamboo, or reclaimed wood tend to be the best options, and they are great solutions for any potential furniture as well. In an effort to adhere to green practices, non-toxic adhesives should also be used during the installation process. This non-toxic aspect is important when it comes to the paint as well, as low or zero-VOC paint is always the most eco-friendly choice you could make.
While more sustainable home improvement choices might not seem quite as beneficial at first, eco-friendly upgrades will undoubtedly attract more conscious buyers, and present a significant return on investments.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer. He’s a regular contributor to the “Smooth Decorator” blog and numerous other online publications where he writes about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.