Investing in your home little by little can significantly pay off over time. There are certain updates you can do without spending too much money or time, and they will still positively affect your home's value. Once you decide to sell your property, you'll be glad you did these things to make your home stand out in the local real estate market and sell faster. When it comes to home updates, the features that draw the most attention these days are related to the environment and making your home energy-efficient. For that reason, we present the best eco-friendly upgrades to increase your home's value and help you go green to protect our planet. 

Do home upgrades need to be expensive to increase the property’s value?

Surely, luxury upgrades put your home on the list of the most exclusive properties in the area, but in general, home upgrades don't need to be too expensive to raise the value. The main thing is to focus on the needs of prospective buyers. And these additions don't need to be costly at all. Nowadays, people enjoy having their home as green as possible or adding features such as a home office. When doing home upgrades or renovations, consider using sustainable materials. You can use locally sourced wood or stone and recycled or reclaimed bricks or timber. Some of these materials can also lower the cost of your remodel, and they are eco-friendly to boot. These features help sell a property in a competitive market and make the sale faster and more successful. Now let's see what the selection of eco-friendly updates you can do to increase the value of your home as much as possible. 

Insulation for maximum energy-efficiency 

The main goal of many homeowners is to spend minimum energy to heat their homes. However, even with the most innovative heating systems, the heat goes away quickly if your attic isn't insulated. For that reason, foam insulation in the attic and your garage presents one of the best investments on the list. They keep the heat inside the house, decreasing your energy bills. In general, all of the upgrades that reduce the bills will be the most appreciated by prospective buyers. 

Replacing old windows and doors 

Another efficient way to save energy and make your home more eco-friendly is to replace the windows and doors with a more energy-efficient option. Energy-efficient windows ensure no heat leaks outside, keeping the optimal temperature inside the house. Apart from blocking the cold coming inside during winter, such windows also help you minimize noise pollution. This is a game-changer for everyone living on busy streets with a lot of traffic, where you can always hear car sirens and other noises. Replacing your front door as well as your garage door is another way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. However, if that's out of your budget, consider repainting them before the sale – it will improve the curb appeal and attract buyers faster. 

Appliances upgrade 

Old appliances in your kitchen and bathroom may be drawing a lot more energy than necessary. With the evolved technology we have these days, you choose among many different appliances that save energy. These Energy-Star-rated appliances will reduce your bill and also help with the waste of electricity and water. Such good-quality appliances will increase your home's value and make sure a prospective buyer decides on the sale much faster. 

Installing solar panels 

Even though this is probably one of the most expensive projects, installing solar panels is one of the eco-friendly upgrades that will increase the value of your home without any doubt. Solar panels reduce the environmental impact of your property, make your home more energy-independent, and finally – reduce your bills to a minimum. These panels collect renewable energy from the sun and convert it to electricity – perfect for people living in areas of the country that have a lot of sunny days during the year. However, peakservices.com experts remind you to take good care of your panels to make them more efficient. Regular cleaning is an essential maintenance task you should do once or twice a year.

A tankless water heater 

A water heater is necessary for every home, and it's one of the most used appliances in every family. A tankless water heater is a perfect replacement for a traditional storage-tank water heater. Instead of holding a certain amount of water and heating it all the time, tankless water heaters heat the water only when you need it, making it over 30 percent more efficient than the traditional one. Even though it's a more expensive solution, it increases annual savings and is surely one of the desirable features of home buyers. 

Outdoor upgrades that increase your home’s value 

Don't forget that great outdoors are not only going to make your home's curb appeal better, it will also raise its value. Some of the eco-friendly updates you do include:

• Upgrading your decking to a composite material that requires less maintenance and will not rot;
• Installing energy-efficient outdoor lighting (this is something you can apply to your indoor space as well)
• Add artificial turf – this eco-friendly solution for your yard will conserve water and money in the long run, but it also doesn’t need harsh fertilizers or sun to keep it healthy-looking.
• Use eco-friendly paint to add color to your front door, fence, etc.
• Choose eco-friendly furniture and decoration for your outdoor sitting space;
• Use a composting pile to create soil for your landscaping needs instead of spending a fortune on it.

In a world where overspending and pollution have become common, homebuyers value sustainable solutions for their new home. This is why these eco-friendly upgrades will increase the value of your home and make sure it spends less time on the market. If you're planning to sell soon, plan your renovation budget well. See what upgrades you can do for the money that will bring the most value to the property without breaking the bank. 

YOUR HOME SOLD GUARANTEED, OR WE WILL BUY IT*!
NO GIMMICKS! That's right, if you list your home through us and it does not sell, we will buy it ourselves. To see more about our Guaranteed Sale Program, visit www.DwightsGuaranteedSale.com or call The Dwight Streu Team direct at 780-462-5002
.
.
.
*Conditions apply. Guarantee by MaxWell Polaris