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For Sellers

How Eco-Friendly Features Can Boost Your Home’s Value

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Selling your house? Or just looking to increase the value and appeal of your home for when you do? Here’s something you should know – homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes with environmentally friendly features.

What Energy Efficient Features Do Buyers Want?

According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), when buyers think about eco-friendly features, they’re looking for (see visual below):

a blue and white rectangles with white text

  • Heating and cooling costs: 82% of buyers consider heating and cooling costs to be one of the most important factors when looking for a home. And efficient heating and cooling systems with programmable thermostats can significantly lower monthly energy bills.
  • Windows and doors with proper insulation: These help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without overworking the HVAC system, which turns into saving on energy bills.
  • Energy-efficient lighting and appliances: These can save money on utility bills and reduce a home’s overall energy use too.
  • Commuting costs and environmentally friendly community features: Living in a community designed with energy-saving amenities and shorter commutes can reduce expenses and environmental impact.
  • Landscaping for energy conservation: Strategically placed trees and shrubs can lower cooling costs in the summer.
  • Solar panels: Solar panels can also provide long-term savings and are an attractive feature for eco-conscious buyers.

The common theme? Environmentally friendly features are popular with buyers because they help them save money and make homes more comfortable to live in. But making some of these updates before you sell your house doesn’t just benefit buyers – it’s worthwhile for you too.

How Green Features Benefit You

If your appliances or systems are aging, upgrading them now means you can enjoy the savings and comfort while you’re still living in the home.

The U.S. Department of Energy has introduced Home Energy Rebates, which can provide households with up to $14,000 in savings on energy-efficient upgrades. This includes insulation, duct sealing, heat pumps, and more. These rebates make it more affordable than ever to improve your home’s efficiency.

Then, when you decide to sell, you’ll reap the rewards again. Energy-efficient homes stand out in a competitive market and appeal to the growing group of environmentally conscious buyers.

Studies also show that homes with energy-efficient upgrades, like those with high-efficiency HVAC systems or modern insulation, are more desirable for buyers- and they generally net a higher price. Research from Freddie Mac found that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average than homes without these upgrades.

Work with a Real Estate Agent to Maximize Value

Not sure which upgrades to prioritize? That’s where a local real estate agent comes in. They can help you identify the eco-friendly features that buyers in your area value most. Whether it’s adding Energy Star appliances or improving insulation, they’ll guide you in making the best choices for your house and your budget.

Bottom Line

Making environmentally friendly upgrades can pay off in more ways than one. You can enjoy saving on energy bills and improved comfort now. Additionally, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re contributing to a more sustainable future while adding value to your home. Ready to learn more about how you can make your house stand out? Contact a local real estate agent today.

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Agent Value

The Secret To Selling Your House in Today’s Market

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A few years ago, homes were flying off the shelves and getting multiple offers well over their asking price. It felt like you could name your price and still have buyers lined up at the door.

But today’s housing market is different. Buyers are getting more selective now that inventory has grown. Homes are sitting a little longer. And more sellers are having to cut their prices.

So, how do you still come out on top? It all starts with one thing, pricing your house right from the start. Today, that matters more than ever – and it can make or break your sale.

There’s a Real Price Disconnect Between Buyers and Sellers

A recent survey from Realtor.com shows 81% of home sellers believe they’ll get their asking price or more. But the actual sales data shows there’s a growing gap between what sellers expect and what buyers are actually willing to pay.

In fact, an annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 44% of recently sold homes went for less than the asking price. And 1 in 3 sellers had to cut their price at least once before the home sold. It’s a sign that expectations may be a little out of step with today’s reality.

Check out the graph below. It uses data from Redfin to show that asking prices (blue line) are higher than actual sales prices (green line) by a wider and wider margin:

a graph of sales and pricesThis tells you something important: not all buyers are willing to pay what many sellers are asking. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell for a great price – but it does mean you need to start with a price that reflects what people are willing to pay in today’s market.

What Happens When You Overprice Your House?

Pricing your house high initially may seem like a smart move, so you have more room to negotiate. But the reality is, an overpriced home can sit on the market and turn buyers away. 

Buyers are smart. And when they see a house that’s been sitting for a while, they start to wonder what’s wrong with it. That can lead to fewer showings, less interest, and eventually, a price cut to re-ignite attention. As Realtor.com explains

“By getting the right price early on, you can increase the odds buyers will be interested in the home. In turn, this decreases the chances the home will sit on the market for a lengthier timeline, also reducing the odds you’ll need to lower the listing price.”

The longer a house sits, the harder it can be to sell.

You Still Have a Great Opportunity – If You Price Your House Right 

To avoid making this mistake, it’s important to lean on an agent who knows what’s happening locally when you set your asking price. 

Your agent will look at recent local sales, buyer trends, and inventory levels to find that pricing sweet spot for your neighborhood – because it’s going to be different based on where you live.

And here’s something else to keep in mind, home prices have climbed more than 57% over the past five years. So, even if you price a bit below the number you had your sights set on, you’ll likely still be in a great position profit-wise.

With a local real estate agent’s help, you’ll attract more attention, avoid seeing your house sit on the market too long, and maximize your chances of getting a strong offer.

In today’s market, the right price works. As Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, explains:

“. . . the best properties, well priced are selling quickly in most of the country.”

Bottom Line

The market has changed, but your opportunity to sell hasn’t. You just need the right pricing plan. Talk to a local real estate agent to go over what’s happening with prices in your area and determine what price would help your house sell quickly and for top dollar.

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Equity

You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home

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If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth – just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life.

Since affordability is still a challenge, a lot of first-time buyers are struggling to buy a home in today’s market. Even if they have a stable job and a solid plan, buying can still feel out of reach. But that’s where your equity could make all the difference.

To give you an idea, the average homeowner with a mortgage has $311,000 worth of equity, according to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic). That’s significant. And some parents are using a portion of their equity to help their children become homeowners, too.

According to Bank of America, 49% of buyers between 18 and 26 got money from their parents to use toward their down payment (see chart below): 

a diagram of a graphEven though the data doesn’t specify how many parents used their equity, the wealth they’ve built through homeownership may have helped make it possible – especially given how much equity the average homeowner has today.

While what’s right for each person’s specific situation will vary on a case-by-case basis, that’s a powerful legacy to pass on. It helps those younger people buy a home, build equity of their own, and begin the next chapter of their life with a little less financial stress and a lot more stability. And for those parents? It’s a way to turn what they’ve built into something deeply meaningful.

This isn’t just about money. For many homeowners, it’s about being the reason their child gets to say, “we got the house.” And giving them the kind of head start they might’ve only dreamed of at their age. And here’s the part that really sticks. Compare the Market says: 

“Of those who did receive monetary aid from parents and grandparents to buy a house, 45% of Americans said they would not have been able to purchase a house without financial support from parents and grandparents.”

Bottom Line

Your equity could be the thing that makes homeownership possible for your children when they might not be able to do it on their own. So, here’s the question.

If helping your kids buy a home was more feasible than you thought, would you want to explore that option?

If you want to learn more or find out the best way to make it happen, talk to your lender and a financial advisor you trust.

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For Sellers

Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

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If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: why would I give that up?”

But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need to. So, let’s flip the script and ask this instead: 

What are the chances you’ll still be in your current house 5 years from now?

Think about your life for a moment. Picture what the next few years will hold. Are you planning on growing your family? Do you have adult children about to move out? Is retirement on the horizon? Are you already bursting at the seams?

If nothing’s going to change, and you love where you are, staying put might make perfect sense. But if there’s even a slight chance a move is coming, even if it’s not immediate, it’s worth thinking about your timeline.

Because even a year or two can make a big difference in what your next home might cost you.

What the Experts Say About Home Prices over the Next 5 Years

Each quarter, Fannie Mae asks more than 100 housing market experts to weigh in on where they project home prices are headed. And the consensus is clear. Home prices are expected to rise through at least 2029 (see graph below):

a graph of a graph showing the price of risingWhile those projections aren’t calling for big increases each year, it’s still an increase. And sure, some markets may see flatter prices or slower growth, or even slight dips in the short term. But look further out. In the long run, prices almost always rise. And over the next 5 years, the anticipated increase – however slight – will add up fast.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you’ll be looking to buy a roughly $400,000 house when you move. If you wait and move 5 years from now, based on these expert projections, it could cost nearly $80,000 more than it would now (see graph below):

That means the longer you wait, the more your future home will cost you. 

If you know a move is likely in your future, it may make sense to really think about your timeline. You certainly don’t have to move now. But financially, it may still be worth having a conversation about your options before prices inch higher. Because while rates are expected to come down, it’s not by much. And if you’re holding out in hopes we’ll see the return of 3% rates, experts agree it’s just not in the cards (see graph below): 

a graph with lines and numbersSo, the question really isn’t: “why would I move?” It’s: “when should I?” – because when you see the real numbers, waiting may not be the savings strategy you thought it was. And that’s the best conversation you can have with your trusted agent right now.

Bottom Line

Keeping that low mortgage rate is smart – until it starts holding you back.

If a move is likely on the horizon for you, even if it’s a few years down the line, it’s worth thinking through the numbers now, so you can plan ahead.

What other price point do you want to see these numbers for? Connect with a local agent to have a conversation, so you can see how the math adds up. That way, you can make an informed decision about your timeline.

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Copyright © 2020-2025 Landshark Mark, LLC. All rights reserved.  
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in these article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage, Landshark Mark, LLC and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.