5 home features that save new buyers money over time!

The biggest concern for a majority of new homeowners is of course money. Buying a home is a rather large investment, and buyers are always looking for a better deal. Showcasing all the ways a home will save them money is a sure fire way to get them excited and in the right homeownership mindset. Below is a quick list of home features that can be big selling points to budget-conscious buyers in our Real Estate market.

1. Efficient, programmable smart thermostats

One of the biggest costs for homeowners is their monthly energy bill, so if a home already features an efficient thermostat, you can relay the substantial cost savings to potential buyers. Energy efficient thermostats are generally programmable, so homeowners can set times of the day for the furnace or air conditioning to turn off and on. The newer, “smart” thermostats take this a step further and allow people to control the thermostat from their phones or have the device to automatically adjust itself to operate more efficiently based on historical data.
There are numerous other factors that contribute to energy usage, but good thermostats can save homeowners up to 20 percent off their energy bill per year.

2. Quality window treatments

Though it is something that often gets missed, the right window treatments can be a compelling selling point for buyers. For example, awnings over windows that face the sun for long periods of the day can dramatically cut down on heat during the summer, up to 77 percent on west-facing windows. Shutters and shades tend to be better for energy efficiency than drapes or blinds as they are generally better sealed against sunlight and heat. So if the home has shutters or shades, you are already ahead of the game!

3. Big gardens

A big garden can be a huge selling point for green-thumb buyers who’d like to save a lot of money on food and enjoy the taste, quality and fulfillment of growing their own food. I read an article a few weeks back that said having a 600-square-foot garden can produce around $600 worth of fresh produce per year while costing only $70. Even if the home has a smaller garden, you can talk up how growing your own tomatoes, peppers or other produce saves dollars per pound compared to buying them at the grocery store. They also taste great and you don’t have to worry about chemicals or pesticides.

4. New (and durable) roofs

Newer roofs made from novel materials can be costly, but tend to last between 20 and 50 years depending on the material. Potential buyers know that a new roof means, it means that they won’t have to worry about making that big investment for a long time. An energy-efficient roof can help improve the home’s insulation, heating and cooling to cut down energy usage and save the buyer money on their utilities. Metal roofs in particular are a great option. Studies have been done on the advantages of copper roofing that show its potential for lifespan and durability though we do not see this option here in Saskatchewan unless its in Wascana Centre.  Well-installed metal roofs are also capable of being far better insulated, meaning lower energy costs in the home.

5. New and efficient appliances

Check the Energy Star ratings and age of a home’s washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher and other appliances. Newer appliances mean that buyers won’t have to replace them anytime soon. Meanwhile, appliances that have good Energy Star ratings for their efficiency can add up to big annual savings.

With all five of these home features considered, the two underlying principles for saving money are durability and energy efficiency. Durability means you are not spending money to maintain, repair or replace materials as often as others. Energy efficiency means reducing one of the biggest monthly costs of owning your home. New homeowners, who tend to be thrifty homebuyers these days, will appreciate every dollar saved.

If you have questions or would like me to blog about something in particular, please email me and of course always check back to read and pass along my blogs!

Peter Fourlas – Regina Realtor®
Real Estate Agency
1377 Hamilton Street, Unit 308B Regina, SK S4R 2B6
Phone: (306) 529-0009
Web: www.brandonw343.sg-host.com
Email: Peter@pfourlas.ca