Tribute to Realtors & Builders 33
Ponte Vedra Recorder · September 24, 2015
Considering home improvements?
Out-of-the-ordinary upgrades
can enhance livability and value
(BPT)
Swimming pool
Perhaps your home is in pretty
good shape - newish roof, well-maintained furnace and air-conditioning,
and fresh paint throughout. Or maybe
you’ve bought a brand-new house
that’s move-in ready. Even though
you don’t really need to do a thing
to the home, you may still have the
urge to update. But what can you do
when everything is already just about
perfect?
Engaging in some out-of-theordinary upgrades can enhance a
home’s livability, your enjoyment of it
and - in some cases - its resale value
down the road. Before you settle on
an upgrade, ask yourself these key
questions:
• Will it improve the home’s livability?
• Will it improve the healthfulness
or security of the home environment?
• Is it a special feature that appeals to your lifestyle?
• How difficult/easy will it be to
maintain?
• Does it have hidden dollar value?
The value of a swimming pool is
subjective, so the most important
questions to answer are whether a
pool will fit your lifestyle and if you’ll
be up to maintaining it. Pools can be
a great way to relax or get in some
exercise, bond with the kids or enjoy
play time with friends. But you’ll have
to do some work for that fun, including regularly cleaning the pool, adding chemicals as needed and keeping
the pump, lights, heater and other
systems in good condition. You must
also be aware of safety and take appropriate measures to protect children
and pets when they’re near the pool.
Here are some out-of-the-ordinary
improvements that can increase enjoyment of a home while adding value:
Skylights
Skylights are a surprisingly affordable upgrade and it’s easy to see the
lifestyle benefits they bring, including
their ability to make both small and
large areas seem even larger.
Skylights differentiate a home’s
appearance while significantly increasing the amount of natural light
that enters a room - a huge bonus in
spaces where wall windows aren’t
practical or desirable, such as master closets or baths where privacy
is paramount. Energy Star-qualified,
solar-powered, fresh-air skylights, like
those from Velux America, also provide passive ventilation that improves
indoor air quality. Fresh-air skylights
operate with a programmable touch
pad remote control that also manages
energy efficiency boosting accessories like blinds. Available in designer
colors and patterns, solar powered
skylight blinds further allow homeowners to control the amount of light
and warmth that enters or leaves the
room through the skylight. Solar powered skylights and blinds, along with
installation costs, are eligible for a 30
percent federal tax credit. To learn
more visit www.whyskylights.com.
Sunroom
A sunroom won’t improve your
home’s energy efficiency the way a
skylight can, but if the home has a
great view or you relish communing with nature, a sunroom can help
boost your mood. While some expert do-it-yourselfers may be able to
tackle a sunroom addition on their
own, most homeowners will want to
work with a professional contractor to
ensure the structure is sound, wellinsulated, efficient and built to code.
Backup generator
While a backup generator is not a
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Energy Star-qualified solar powered fresh air skylights provide balanced natural light and passive
ventilation in your home while providing decorating flair. Solar powered fresh air skylights and
blinds, which are operated by remote control, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit as are
installation costs. Get details at www.whyskylights.com.
Have your privacy plus
abundant natural light
in the bathroom with
Sun Tunnel skylights.
These tubular units are
also easily and quickly
installed in hallways,
closets, laundry rooms,
and other areas where
conventional skylights
aren’t the best choice.
Light kits make them
useful 24/7 an