Everyone is looking to save money and energy these days and make their home more efficient. The truth is buyers are also looking for these details in the homes they are seeking. Here are a few tips to make your home more efficient, put more money in your pocket, and appeal to a wider range of buyers!
Projects with Immediate Payback (0 to 6 months)
Wrap the Water Heater Until you're ready to upgrade to a super-efficient, on-demand water heater (which costs about 25% less to operate than the big tank in your basement because it heats only the water you need), get the most from your existing one by covering it with a water heater blanket. This insulated jacket fits over the tank to help reduce the gas, oil, or electricity that's required to keep hot water and at the ready. You can install it in just a few minutes. And while you're at it, insulate the first five feet of hot-water pipe after it exits the tank and the last five feed of cold-water supply before it enters the tank. Together, these fixes will yield an immediate 15% reduction in the heater's operating costs.
COST: $30 PAYBACK: up to $50 per year.
Install a Programmable Thermostat Turning down the thermostat 7 degrees at bedtime will knock 10% off your heating costs, but who wants to wake up to a frigid house? A programmable thermostat automatically drops the heat at night and cranks it up in the morning, so the house is warm before your alarm clock rings. Program it to lower the heat again while you're at work and the kids are in school all day and you'll reap additional savings. Best of all, many of these battery-operated units are easy to install yourself. COST: $30 to $80 PAYBACK: $100 to $250 per year
Seal Gaps and Cracks Check the attic floor and basement ceiling for gaps around pip and wire penetrations and fill them with insulating foam, such as Great Stuff, which expands to fill any void you find. Check doors and windows for air leaks and seal with self-adhesive weatherstripping. COST: $50 for all the Great Stuff and weatherstripping you'll need PAYBACK: $100 to $250 per year
Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs If you replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, you can slash as much as 15% off your household electricity bills. Look for bulbs with the highest Color Rendering Index you can find - generally in the low- to mid-80s, compared with early CFLs which scored about 70, and incandescents, which have a CRI of 100.
COST: about $3 each; $60 to replace 20 bulbs, two-thirds of the bulbs in a typical house PAYBACK: as much as $10 a year for one high-use bulbs; $150-$170 a year for 20 CFLs
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The BEST Italian Pastries in Connecticut
One of the greatest perks of being in sales is the ability to drive around the state and explore the wonderful mom and pop shops. Being Italian I am a sucker for authentic homemade Italian pastries. Lucky for me on my way back from a listing I took in Cromwell, I found Patty Cakes!
Patty Cakes is a truly authentic Italian pastry and deli shop. They are located on RT 3 (948 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT 06067). I was greeted by a friendly staff and was asked to sample their cannoli filling. O-M-G! Hands down the creamiest, smoothest, richest, and best filling I have ever experienced. Couple that with a fresh, crunchy cannoli shell.. you have a match made in heaven!
In addition to purchasing 3 cannolis I tried a ricotta square and pistachio cake. Both equally delectable in freshness and quality. The ricotta square was sweet, moist and had morsels of chocolate chips in every bite. The pistachio cake was unlike any cake I’ve ever had. I was pleasantly surprised to taste that yummy ricotta filling in the cannoli in the cake!
Although I couldn’t contain myself in sampling before I snapped a shot, here is what the pastries look like.
I HIGHLY recommend everyone tries Patty Cakes in Rocky Hill. I know I will be there for their zeppoles on St. Joseph’s Day. Happy eating!! :)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Top 5 Home Upgrades When Selling Your Home
Updating and upgrading your home can add value, but what repairs really recoup your investment? Home sellers in the Greater Hartford area are facing the harsh reality of falling home prices. One way to ensure top dollar for you home is to make small upgrades. Use this list as a guideline for investing into your home’s appearance prior to selling it to get the biggest bang for the buck.
- Vinyl Siding Replacement (85%) – Siding your home will run about $12,000 but you will recoup over $10,000 of the repair. Remember, first impressions are EVERYTHING! Ensuring your home has curb appeal will covert drive-bys into showings. Also, vinyl siding in maintenance free, another plus for your potential home buyer.
- Minor Kitchen Remodel (79.7%) – A minor kitchen remodel generally runs about $23,000 with a recoup of $18,000 of the cost. Here are a few tips to maximize your budget. Reface old cabinets rather than purchase new. Add new hardware to modernize the feel of your kitchen. Splurge on glass backsplashes which add color and a luxurious feel. Thinner granite countertops with a beveled edge are a great way to add value without busting your wallet. Look for mid-range appliances that mimic the high end. If you have funds to only replace one appliance, go for the fridge and do stainless.
- Garage Door Replacement (79.4%) – A new steel garage door runs about $1,400 and you will recoup about $1,100 of this expense. Only replace the garage door if it is worn and tired looking. Again, the garage door increases the curb appeal of your home. Consider this repair especially if you have a front facing garage door.
- Wood Deck Addition (70.4%) – A wood deck in general will cost $12,000 and you will recoup about $8,700 of the investment. This is a quick way to add outdoor living space; one of the hottest trends in real estate. Consider wood over the composite materials. Composite will run you about 25% more in the cost of materials and will only increase your return by about 4%.
- Attic Bedroom Remodel (69.6%) – Building an attic bedroom (with full bath and living area) runs about $58,700 and will add an additional $41,000 to the value of your home. Buyers are becoming more aware of homes with additional living space. By 2008, 20% of young adults 24-35 years old are living in their parent’s home; up for 11% in 1980. This is one of the cheapest ways to add living space.
These are the top 5 home upgrades to consider when selling your home in Hartford or Tolland County
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