Money Saving Winter Investments

Having the proper amount of insulation in a home is imperative in saving energy costs.  It is estimated that 65% of American homes are under-insulated, thus raising the estimated energy bills nearly 40%. Insulation is not frequently on a person’s primary list of interests when purchasing a home, or even maintaining their current house.  However, it should be.  Not only does insulation play a huge role in sustaining a comfortable home in which to live, but more importantly it is paramount in potentially saving you a vast amount of money. 

As energy costs are continuously on the rise, it only makes sense to equip your home with the correct amount of insulation. Insulation conserves energy, thus saving you money. Homes built as recently as the late 1970’s have insulation levels far lower than the recommended levels of today.   And should you be looking to purchase a home this winter, be sure it too, is properly insulated. 

Most insulation will pay for itself over a very short period of time.  The best return on your money is to insulate where there currently is none. So, are you baffled on where to begin?  Calling your local real estate agent is a great place to start.  Whether you are looking to purchase this winter, or simply need advice on maintaining your current home, your agent knows the value and importance of home insulation.  They will be able to offer you guidance on who to contact and for what reasons.  Insulation companies can perform energy audits and assessments on your current home, or the home in which you are looking to purchase.  The audit will assure that the home is properly sealed.  And if not, it will report on ways to improve its energy efficiency.  The assessment from the insulating professional will determine the current R-value of the insulation, measuring its ability to resist heat traveling through it.  Depending on the results, suggestions will be made on where, and how much insulation should be added.

Regardless of anything else you do this winter, make it a priority to examine the insulation levels in your current home, or potential purchase.  Adding insulation is an easy step to take as a homeowner, to save up to 20% on your next energy bill.  Working with your insulation professional, you can decide on which variety is most suitable for the home’s particular needs. 

The dread of receiving this year’s winter electric bills could be alleviated. Get in touch with me and I will be happy to help you get started, and/or help you find your dream home.

The Long Group with RE/MAX Results 
Daniel.Long@Results.net 
Rachel.Long@Results.net 
(952) 240-8821 
http://www.TLGhomesMN.com/ 

Photo courtesy of 401K (2012)/Flickr.com 

Negotiate Buying a House

You are a buyer that wants "the best deal" here a few things that can be negotiable in a real estate transaction. Remember, a good negotiation provides a win-win for both sides. Price - At the end of the day no seller is going to want to sell their house for less than it is worth. With that said, there are a lot homes sitting on the market for a long time because they are overpriced. If you see one that you like, don't shy away from it because it is out of your price range. Ask your Realtor to do a valuation with comparables supporting a price that is realistically fair, provides that factual information with an offer, and if the seller is serious about selling, the will consider your price. Closing Cost - As a buyer you will have to come up with enough cash for a down payment and to cover you closing cost. Closing cost are fees charged to the buyer from the Mortgage Lenders and Title Company. These cost usually run about 3% of the sale price. When buying you can negotiate for the sellers to cover these cost for you. That does make your offer less attractive because for the sellers it is all about the bottom line. However, being that buyers need to bring cash for a down payment it can be difficult to have the extra 3% cash to pay for closing cost. With that said, consider paying a little more on the home to offset the difference to the sellers if they pay closing cost. That is a win-win! Closing Date - If you can be flexible with your closing date that holds value to a sellers as they may be in need to purchase another home after they sell. The sellers may in turn be more flexible on their price. Personal Property - It is not uncommon for the seller to leave the Washer/Dryer, Window Treatments and Kitchen Appliances that are currently with the home but is not mandatory. When making an offer you will want to make sure to write those in. If there are specific items (e.g. Living Room Furniture, Lawn Ornaments, Garage Freezer, Pool Table) that you want, they might come with a price. Sometimes the sellers are happy to part with things like this and sometimes they want more money$. Since there is a value on items like a Pool Table, don't expect it to be a part of the deal. However, Pool Tables are not exactly easy move so, you might good a bargain. I hope you find this helpful and Happy House Hunting!