Philadelphia Real Estate Home Staging
Philadelphia Real Estate Home Staging
Home Staging – A Buyer’s Perspective by Larry Flick, Prudential Fox & Roach, Realtors
Mark your calendars because this February marks the beginning of the spring real estate season. Unlike 2010, this year there is no federal tax credit to incentivize wary buyers. This year the major selling point for potential home buyers focuses on Going Green.
According to a recent study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 88 percent of buyers said that heating and cooling costs were important, 71 percent desired energy efficient appliances, and 69 percent wanted energy efficient lighting.
Energy efficiency, in particular, has emerged as a top priority for consumers because power bills have more than doubled in many markets. This is especially relevant for many home buyers in the Greater Philadelphia Region due to the recent deregulation of PECO, which took place January 1st of this year.
Last year, the National Association of Home Builders found consumers ranked energy efficiency second, only less to quality of living space, when listing the top 12 influences in buying a home. Five years ago, energy concerns didn’t even appeal within the annual survey.
What does this mean? Energy conservation saves money by decreasing utility costs, and that is music to homebuyers’ ears. Many home buyers are taking a “closer look” at homes this season, looking for amenities such as compact fluorescent lighting, programmable thermostats, ceiling fans and Energy Star certified windows. People are looking to simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint and cut costs.
What does this mean for home sellers? This year, staging your home green is a must. Spending extra money on eco-friendly, resource-saving appliances and equipment will save both you and your home buyer money at closing time. In fact, the federal government is giving home owners a tax break this year for going green. You can receive up to a 30 percent tax credit for the first $5,000 spent on upgrades and improvements to your home’s energy efficiency. Some eligible upgrades include new windows, doors, air conditioners and furnaces, insulation & solar energy. For a full list of green energy tax breaks, please click here.
To search Philadelphia Real Estate listings for condos, homes and apartments click here.
Blog post compliments of CenterCityTeam’s Philadelphia Real Estate Blog
Frank L. DeFazio, Esquire
Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors – Society Hill
530 Walnut Street, Suite 260
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.521.1623 Direct
610.636.4364 Cellular
888.308.1148 Fax
[email protected]
www.CenterCityTeam.com
