Starting this June, those who wish to sell a home in Austin will be required to have their home inspected for energy efficiency. This new ordinance does not require the seller to upgrade any leaks or other problems that may be found, but it does state that the buyer be made aware of the outcome of the audit via disclosure. Of course, given the current market and economy, anything that may decrease the value of a home should be repaired prior to sale. Buyers don’t want to think of what needs to be fixed when looking at a home, so it will be better to make any necessary upgrades before putting the house on the market.
The energy audit will be looking into four areas of energy efficiency. There will be a duct pressure check on the air conditioning unit to check for leaks. Weather stripping around doors will be inspected. Shades and screens, especially on the east, west, and south sides of a home will be looked at, as will the type of insulation found in an attic. Energy Raters can be found online at Austin Energy’s Website, and will generally run about $300 for every 2,000 square feet. If you decide to go ahead with the upgrades, the home will need to be inspected again when complete.
There is another option considered in compliance with the new ordinance. Homeowners can participate in the Home Performance with Energy Star Certificate program. Homes that have already done so within the last ten years are exempt from the ordinance. In this case, a home performance contractor will inspect the home, sometimes for free with a bid for work. The same areas will be reviewed as with the energy audit, and then the information will be sent to Austin Energy for review. To receive a certificate of completion, three of the requirements must be met or the homeowner must have received a rebate of $500 or more from Austin Energy.
In either case, Austin Energy must approve the upgrades for energy efficiency. The information must be contained within the Seller’s Disclosure and is good for ten years.
You are putting your home on the market, not because of foreclosure or a similar financial downfall, but because you are ready to move. Perhaps you have been relocated or need more space; whatever the reason, the number of foreclosures surrounding you may have you a bit nervous. How are you supposed to move your home without losing a considerable amount of money and wasted effort?Planning.
You have to start smart and that involves thinking through your actions. A real estate agent will help you with that. He/she is well aware of the market’s current situation and will know how to price and advertise your house. Even with an agent, before you price it, drive around to the other homes for sale in your area. Look at their interior and exterior, and then their price. Get a realistic comparison of quality, and you’ll have an idea as to how much your house should cost. Don’t’ be tempted to under or over-price your property. Doing either will cost you profit, whether it’s because you don’t net what is deserved or buyer’s choose cheaper homes. Finally, decide how long you would like to be on the market. If you can’t afford to be there for long, you must ask for less money.
After your home is listed, be sure that everything inside is pristine. Nothing should appear broken, rundown or tarnished. You are competing with foreclosed and thus cheaper homes. Your higher price means that your interior and exterior must be perfect.
You can sell your home. It’s not impossible, and it doesn’t have to involve serious monetary loss. You simply have to think, plan and play the market wisely. There’s a buyer out there for you, who will offer what is warranted. Make sure you ask for it.
Curb appeal is much more than just the appearance of the house. Curb appeal includes the landscaping that frames the house as well. This would encompass, not only the driveway, sidewalks and lawn, but the flower beds, trees, and other plantings that surround and create a setting for the house.
As outlined in an article in the Realty Times, a potential buyer is influenced as much by the landscaping of a property as the house itself and well-planned plantings can raise the value of a home as much as 11 percent. As spring approaches, and the market warms along with the weather, sellers would do well to take stock of their landscaping choices. Curved flowerbeds, bright annuals, and a variety of plants can add to the appeal.
With abundant and diverse plantings, though, comes a caution. Landscapers should take care to avoid attracting unwanted pests such as termites and ants. Mulched flower beds need a concrete barrier between the bed and the house to guard against infestation. An eye toward how the elements work together overall is important, as well as the health and placement of shrubs and trees. For example, willows are notorious for invading septic or sewer systems as their roots naturally seek out plentiful sources of water.
Maintaining the landscape is a high priority in contributing to healthy plantings. Tree limbs need to be pruned, grass mowed, weeds kept under control. This not only reduces the chances of insect and vermin infestation, but contributes to a higher curb appeal and consequently to a higher price for your home.
I was watching an HGTV real estate show yesterday and I finally got around to posting about oneof the things that the sell this house-type shows do, that are kind of hokie. In this particular episode, the sellers were getting ready to sell their condo. The condo was terribly dated and had low end appliances. The designer came in and proceeded to cover the appliances with a stick on faux stainless steel veneer. In the show, the owners did replace the stove and microwave vent hood with real stainless steel appliances, but when they had the open house they let the prospective buyers comment on the wonderful stainless steel appliances and didn’t correct them or inform them that only two of the appliances were stainless steel and that the dishwasher and refrigerator were actually covered with the veneer.
Granted it’s a tv show, but I think that some people out there might think that it’s acceptable to use this stick on and then advertise stainless steel appliances when they are actually not stainless. I’m not a lawyer, but if the appliances looked like stainless and were advertised as stainless steel and after the sale closed the buyer found out the appliances were covered with veneer and not really stainless, I’d be seriously worried as a seller or listing agent. I think the veneer is a neat product, but if you play above board you’d have to advertise it as something like “faux stainless steel” appliances. In the last 5 years of selling residential real estate, I’ve not run across anything like that, but I know I’d really pause if I read “faux stainless steel” on a brochure. I think it might work for some properties and it may look great, but some research will show that it is only heat tolerant to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. 122 degrees is not very hot and I think dishwashers and stoves could damage the faux finish because they may get hotter than that.
Bottom line: If you try this technique to update your appliances be sure to disclose what you did to the prospective seller and avoid misrepresenting the appliances. It could be a costly mistake.
If any agents, brokers or owners have used the veneer and have feedback or know more technical information about it, I’d love to hear from you.
