color can celebrate the look you love while making it your own .
Energy efficient lifestyle features
Green considerations and energy efficiency are top priorities for many of today ’ s first-time homebuyers , so it ’ s important to look for a home that has conservationminded features like a high-efficiency water heater or low-flow showerheads . The best eco-conscious home features , however , will also enhance your lifestyle . Upgrades like Energy Star-qualified , solar-powered , freshair skylights like those from Velux America provide natural light plus passive ventilation , helping to cut energy costs while reducing dependency on artificial light and ventilation sources .
If you buy a home that already has skylights , you can personalize them by adding energy efficient blinds in designer colors and patterns .
And if you add solar powered skylights to the home , it ’ s easy and cost-effective since there is no cost for electrical work to operate the units . Solar skylights , blinds and installation costs are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit . A programmable touchpad remote allows you to adjust the amount of light entering through the venting skylights and also to adjust the blinds with the touch of button . The skylights close automatically in case of rain .
You can also easily and affordably add more natural light to interior spaces like hallways and closets with Sun Tunnel tubular skylights , which can be installed by a handy DIYer in a few hours . Visit www . whyskylights . com to learn more .
Room to grow
More Americans are living in multigenerational homes . Whether you plan to grow your family by having kids , moving your aging parents in with you , or adopting as many pets as you can fit in your house , you may find you ’ ll need more space in your new home before you ’ re ready to move out of it . Homes that have unfinished basements and / or attics will be easier to customize for your growing space needs . Converting an attic or basement into living space can cost much less than having an addition built on your home and attics are perfect spaces to easily add light and fresh air with skylights or roof windows .
A price that lets you add value
Popular renovation and fixer-upper shows make it easy to understand the idea of finding a home at a price that will allow you to add value . A home that needs some renovation and upgrading will likely cost less than a comparable new home , but it also affords you the opportunity to extensively personalize your space . If you buy a home that needs work for a price well under your budget limit , you can use the extra money to invest in renovations that put your personal stamp on your home . In addition to customization for additional enjoyment , those upgrades will also allow you to instantly add value to your home .