Mark helps clients in Gwinnett, North Fulton, Forsyth & Cobb County. Click here to register for a Free Home Buying Guide.

As a real estate agent serving Gwinnett, North Fulton, Forsyth and Cobb counties, I have a wide area of expertise. While everyone knows we have to conserve energy, the challenge is how to get started and what is the value in “going green” with your home?

Let me being by speaking of the value. In the Atlanta area, while a few people may pay more for a more efficient home, most will use that as a swaying feature between 2 comparable homes and the green home will sell faster. I wanted to share with you some ideas that we recommend if you wanted to go green and discuss the resale value of each option.

HVAC:  Replace A/C systems with a 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) or greater unit. Update furnaces to high AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) system of 80 or greater.  These will have a tremendous impact on your utility bills while you own the property, and is a great selling point. Also, when the prospective buyer looks at the property, knowing it is a relatively new system will be a big plus.

Install programmable thermostat(s).  Not only will this help you be more comfortable when you arrive home, it will save energy as well.

Replace kitchen appliances with ENERGY STAR rated appliances.  Everyone loves newer appliances. We all know that kitchens help sell homes, so make yours more attractive with this feature.
 

Replace plumbing fixtures & toilets with water conserving fixtures & low flow toilets.  In Georgia, as well as many other areas of the country, we are experiencing major issues with water shortages.  In some metro counties, this is actually a requirement before a seller can sell. We expect that more and more counties will enact similar legislation, so this might be a way to get your house prepared in advance.

Improve insulation. We find that the home’s insulation gets packed down over the years, so refreshing insulation in the attic or adding insulation in the walls will certainly reduce your energy cost as well as provide a great selling feature. It will make the house much more comfortable.

Replace old single-pane windows with Low-emissivity (Low-E) rated windows.  A Low-E coating is a microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layer deposited directly on the surface of one or more of the panes of glass. Old windows are drafty, but the new windows are great for keeping the outside temperatures from affecting the interior temperature of the home.  This is an expensive but very effective alteration.  When we priced out new windows for our home, we were amazed at the pricing, but feel that it will allow us to be more comfortable and save us money in the long run.

While there are other options to consider, we don’t feel that they are as practical, but we thought we would list them for you to think about:

Solar technologies for heating, and active systems for power generation to supplement the grid. 

Grey-water recycling system.  

 
Rainwater retention systems. 
 

Ventilation systems that replace indoor air with fresh outdoor air. 

A whole-house and reverse osmosis water filtering systems.  Provides better tasting water and also reduces the waste of bottled water.

Even if you do only a couple of these items, you will find that you have increased the comfort and value of your home for years to come. If you have any further questions about going green, feel free to contact us – www.AtlantaHousingSource.com or call 404.886.8789.

First, you should look at the exterior of the property, including the siding and the roof. Does the siding look worn, or in need of paint or repairs? Are the roof shingles securely fastened? Do you notice any sagging in the home’s roof? These items can represent major repair expenses, so you will want to look closely at them to make sure that you will not have to spend thousands of dollars in maintenance costs after you move in.

Second, you should look at the condition of appliances and mechanicals. Are the refrigerator, garbage disposal, plumbing fixtures, and furnace in good working order? Also, have these items been recently updated, or does the house come with older models that may need to be replaced within a few years?

Third, pay close attention to the ceilings, particularly on the top floor. Discolored, cracked, or sagging ceilings may indicate that the roof has leaked – again, representing a major repair expense. Cracks in the ceiling or walls may also indicate structural problems with the home, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to remedy.

Finally, take a look at the neighborhood surrounding your home. Have the neighbors kept their homes’ exteriors updated? Are lawns and landscaping properly maintained? Do the neighbors feel comfortable letting children play outside? The condition of your neighborhood can be an indicator of whether your home will increase in value.

If you have doubts about the features of your home or the condition of your neighborhood, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced real estate agent, who can help you determine if a particular home is a worthwhile investment.