RENOVATIONS THAT ADD THE MOST RESALE VALUE TO YOUR HOME

pring is a time for new projects and many homeowners take advantage of the warmer weather to tackle renovations. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or are relying on a contractor, you want to know that you are getting the most out of every home-improvement dollar.

Not all home renovations are created equally and some will give you more resale value and will help you to save money on your monthly bills.

Start with the Facts
Get a home energy audit so you can see just where the holes in your home’s envelope are. An energy audit is well worth the investment as it will show you exactly where your home-improvement dollars are most needed. You can also do a home energy audit yourself.

Make your Home More Efficient
Make a list of the top seven things that can be done to improve your building envelope. Having an efficient home will help to improve its resale value and reduce your monthly bills.

Conduct your test on a windy, cool day
Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas-burning water heaters and furnaces
Close all openings like windows, doors and flues if you have fireplaces
Suck the air out of your home by turning on all exhaust fans, dryer vents, bathroom fans, stove fans etc.
Light a stick of incense and walk slowly from room to room, paying particular attention to places where leaks are common like around windows and electrical outlets
Smoke that is blown in or sucked out will show you where the leaks are
Rebates and incentives will help you to decide which energy-efficient renovations will give you the best return on your investment. Your local government will provide rebates, tax credits, incentives and coupons for improvements that reduce your energy and water consumption.