5 Energy-Efficient Renovations

#1. Windows and Doors
Holes in windows and doors allow conditioned air to leak from your home and allow outdoor air to infiltrate, which can tax your heating and cooling systems and raise your energy bills. Caulk around windows and doors where there are gaps. Also caulk areas where plumbing lines or electrical wiring extend to the exterior of the home.

5 Energy-Efficient Renovations

#2. Floor and Wall Insulation
Insulation acts as a barrier to heat movement and helps keep any home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, all while using less energy. Make sure insulation is used at potential gaps around attic stairways or over the attic access door as well.

5 Energy-Efficient Renovations

#3. Shedding a Little Light on a Simple Solution
By replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents, you can use up to 75% less energy on lighting alone. A wide assortment of CFLs is now available for almost any type fixture found in a home.

5 Energy-Efficient Renovations

#4. Appliances and HVAC Systems
Major household appliances are a good place to start to be more eco-friendly. Change the filters of your HVAC systems regularly and consider upgrading older appliances to take advantage of newer, more efficient designs.

5 Energy-Efficient Renovations

#5. Programmable Thermostat
This energy-saving step can have a positive and noticeable impact right away. Programmable thermostats are fairly easy to install and once they are set up you can adjust them as the weather changes. For every degree that a thermostat is set back, you may realize a savings between 1-3% on your heating or cooling bills.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

#1. Low mortgage rates - borrowing at today’s record-low rates helps you start building equity as soon as the sale closes.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

#2. Move-in condition - homeowners have continued to spend on maintenance and repair and kept their houses in good shape while waiting to sell.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

#3. Terrific opportunities – besides deals on foreclosures and short sales, owners of many desirable properties are also looking to sell.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

#4. Appraisal regulations - appraisal guidelines are aligned with market realities, ensuring that deals will finish on time.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

#5. Multiple programs – besides homes being more affordable, there are several housing programs that encourage and enable homeownership.

Tips for Maximizing Small Spaces

#1. Pocket doors - reclaim usable space that would be taken up by clearance for a swinging door. These are particularly handy for closing off pantries, closets, niches or even entire rooms.

Tips for Maximizing Small Spaces

#2. Improve circulation – open communal areas such as the kitchen, dining and living room to remove narrow hallways.