You may be looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment, and if you’re looking to build a home, there are plenty of reasons to build sustainable. From using renewable materials to installing solar panels and even building smaller, here’s what you should keep in mind if you’re looking to build your home the eco-friendly way.

Build a smaller home

There are many benefits of building a small home, from a lower building cost to less maintenance and even better energy efficiency. You could build the largest, most eco-friendly home, but still a small home built with the same eco-friendly home design will have the least environmental impact. Whether you’re interested in living in a tiny home or you just want your home design to be space-efficient, there are so many ways to build a smaller, smarter home so that you can still live comfortably while reducing your footprint.

Plan for solar panels

Use the sun as an energy source as much as you can. Installing solar panels on your rooftop is a lot easier if you plan to have a solar-powered home from the very beginning of the building process. Solar panels are an investment, but once they’re installed, they are an excellent source of clean, low-cost energy. As a home builder, you have the opportunity to plan for solar panels from the beginning, meaning you can position them to perfection and optimize your energy use from the moment they are installed. 

Use sustainable materials

One of the easiest ways to build an eco-friendly home is by using sustainable materials. Choose a wood supplier who follows sustainable planting practices, and install flooring made renewable materials like bamboo, cork, and linoleum. From the roof and walls to the floor and insulation and even the cabinets and counter-tops, every element of your home can be built using greener, more sustainable materials, thereby reducing your environmental impact from the moment you break ground. 

Ensure proper insulation

Your insulation should not only be sourced from sustainable materials, but also should be proper and effective. The better your home insulation is, the cooler your home will stay in the summer and the warmer it will stay in the winter. This means that better insulation reduces energy consumption season after season, as you’re less likely to run your air conditioner in the hotter months or turn up the thermostat in the colder months. Heating and cooling make up around 50 percent of the average household’s energy consumption, so why not reduce your energy bill while also reducing your environmental footprint simultaneously? 

Water harvesting and conservation

Have you ever considered harvesting rainwater? Like solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system can be an investment upfront, but it will surely save you money in the long run. After a storm, a proper rainwater harvesting system collects water and stores it to be used for plumbing or sprinkler systems. Additionally, you can conserve water by equipping your home with fixtures and appliances that work to lessen your water consumption, like low-flow faucets and toilets and Energy Star washers and dishwashers. 

Article Source: Realty Executives International

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Everyone wants to save money but it’s usually easier said than done. And let’s face it, you’re only human! When there’s so many tempting things to purchase related to home buying, it’s essential to set yourself up for success early on. If you’re wary about where to start, try some of these helpful tips for how to save for a down payment.

Lower your Current Mortgage Rate with Refinancing

Purchasing a home is a huge expense. If you already own a home and are looking to relocate, consider refinancing your current mortgage to save for a down payment. 

Refinancing pays off and replaces your current loan with a new one that has different terms and conditions. These terms and conditions may include your interest rate, the balance itself and the length of your loan. 

In turn, the benefits of refinancing can lower your monthly payment or rate, change your loan type, get rid of mortgage insurance (PMI), provide funds for repairs or home improvements, consolidate debt and, most importantly, give your savings a boost!

Practice More Mindful Spending

Avoid the constant urge to frivolously spend by steering clear of stores that are your Achilles heel. Prioritize your needs first and then ask yourself if what you’re purchasing will improve your way of life.

A good way to do this is by taking a personal inventory of your goals and aspirations. If saving for a down payment is your prime concern, it may be helpful to ask yourself if what you’re buying is actually necessary. Spend smarter by being more mindful. In the end, your savings account will thank you!

Invest Any Extra Savings

Investing is a great way to save money for any upcoming plans such as securing a down payment. The easiest way to begin investing is by enrolling in your employers retirement plan. Many companies offer contribution matching up to a certain percentage which means free money for you! If this is not an option available to you, consider contacting a financial investment firm to help manage your money for a profitable future.

If you’re less inclined to seek the help of a professional, there are plenty of online apps that will guide you through the process of investing. Just be sure to take precautionary steps for keeping your mobile data safe and prevent your information from being put into the wrong hands.

Create a Budget You Will Stick To

Budgeting is another vital way to save money for a down payment. When creating a budget, be sure to take into account all your needs, wants and debt. From there, responsibly allocate resources within pay periods by tracking your spending and frequently reviewing account statements. 

Remember, even though you’re attempting to live a more economical lifestyle that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself every now and then! Just make sure you don’t overdo it and remember mindful spending, by scheduling them out in advance to better align with healthy financial habits. 

Shop the Sales

Hit the clearance section first before venturing out into more costly departments when shopping for necessities if you’re looking to save up. Most of the stores you visit on a daily basis have discounted products available for purchase. And yes, even most supermarkets have sale sections.

Take it a step further by gathering coupons that will enhance your saving efforts. Keep an eye out in local magazines, Sunday newspapers and other advertisements to pinch pennies wherever you can. 

Overall, saving for a down payment is a long-term commitment., but also a large reward at the end. Remember your life goals and keep in budget of what your dream house will cost you in the future.

Article Source: Realty Executives International 

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Today, several companies and resources have been created to protect our household solely. Take home security systems, for example. It is ideal to set up and install home security according to Security Baron because it helps keep your home and family safe.

But in an on-the-go world, many homeowners want access to these systems while remote, right from their smart phone.

For this reason, the best way to safeguard your family is to concede home security with an associated mobile application. It is also important take into account how well the mobile application functions with your home automation system.

Function Of Security Mobile Applications

Several functions have been featured for mobile home security apps. The mobile application can be used to control and access your system remotely and monitor your home. This integration could also be used to keep in touch with your pets at home or see what your kids are doing. Have you experienced forgetting to lock your door? With the application, it won’t be a problem. You can easily use the application to shut and lock your doors. These are just a few of what the mobile home security apps can do. 

There are several home security with high-quality applications. Here are the five best home security with mobile applications.

Frontpoint Security App

Frontpoint home security has been notably impressive, as well as the application bundled with it. Using the Frontpoint home security mobile app, you can control and access your home security automation remotely. 

You can also use this application to turn your system on or off, control locks, lights, receive real-time alerts for any event based on your exact specifications, and much more. It means you won’t have to worry about having an extended vacation.

Vivint Sky Mobile App

The Vivint Sky Home Security is one of the best when it comes to home security systems. It offers a wide range of tools and machinery to protect your household. Plus, they sealed the deal with launching their Mobile application.

The Vivint Sky Mobile App is an application you can use to control your whole security system. Using the application, you can monitor your home window sensors, view indoor or outdoor surveillance cameras, and check the doorbell. This mobile application looks stylish and is easy to use.

Protect America App

The Protect America mobile app is used to control your entire home security from your palm. It has all the same actions as with any other applications that can control your home security. 

You can disarm or arm your security alarms, view your event history and view recorded and live video anywhere. With the use of this application, you can unlock or lock your house door to control who goes and comes and at what time. 

ADT Pulse APP

With the use of the ADT Pulse app, you can arm or disarm your security integration system. This application has all the controls of your small appliances and can easily turn them off. 

It also notifies you of when your children return home and see live footage of your backyard. The ADT Pulse app has been notable for its features that allow you to schedule your vacations and other events and set up custom automation. 

Canary App

The Canary app has been notable for its stylish mobile design, plus its great functions. It is known for its easy to use applications. With the Canary app, you can watch surveillance footage and primarily control all your home security devices. 

You also have the option to receive security and activity alerts along with video footage of the event. It has amazing features to connect your home to an emergency responder and it can trigger a siren signal for any emergency. 

Takeaway

Security systems have been a helpful tool to keep your household safe and sound. But, there is another way to always keep in touch with your home. Have the home security applications continuously updated and installed on your mobile phone. By doing this, a sure safe and happy family is guaranteed. 

Article Source: Realty Executives International

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Great Lakes Region of Realty Executives raises $10,000 during their BOO-LING FOR WISHES event! The event took place on October 17th, 2019, a day when Realty Executives' Brokers and staff got together to participate in this annual fundraiser benefiting Make-A-Wish® Illinois.

This is the 8th year we held this event and we’re SUPER honored to get the opportunity to show our support for Make-A-Wish®. We aimed to raise at least $5,000 - the average amount needed to grant one child's wish but thanks to everyone's efforts, $10,000 was raised!!

THANK YOU to all who participated - whether it was donating to the cause, gathering donations, wrapping gifts, and all other tasks that made this such a successful event.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to the members of Executive Council for their efforts in planning and executing such a fun and beneficial event. Executive Council members are Brokers and staff in the Realty Executives family who have volunteered their time to help plan community events such as this one.

Homeowners and REALTORS® alike want new roofs and kitchens. According to the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, released by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the two projects rank as the most popular home improvement projects among both demographics.

The report, which examines homeowners' reasons for completing the projects ranked, also provides the costs and seller recovery values for many of the tasks.

Although NAR regularly releases similar reports, this is the first time since 2017 the organization has released this report, and there are some notable differences from what was included in that iteration two years ago.

"This year, we saw the estimated cost of closet renovations increase from 2017; however, we also saw an increase in the cost recovered from this project," Brandi Snowden, director of Member and Consumer Survey Research at NAR, tells Housecall. "Because homeowners are staying longer in their homes, we see them investing more elaborately than in the past."

Another effect of homeowners staying in their residences longer is they're choosing to invest their money in projects that they'll use on a daily basis, and that will improve the functionality and livability of their home.

Aside from kitchen renovations and upgrades and closet renovations, other interior projects hugely popular with both homeowners and REALTORS® this year are HVAC replacements, new wood flooring, bathroom renovations and adding new bathrooms.

As far as exterior projects, the REALTORS® surveyed in the report note that new roofing was most popular among homeowners, and, in their opinion, would add the most value to a home. Other exterior projects that ticked off both of these boxes were new vinyl windows, new vinyl siding, new garage doors and new fiber-cement siding.

Additionally, a Joy Score was calculated by NAR for each of the projects reported. This score is based on the happiness homeowners noted for each of the renovations. For exterior projects, new fiberglass and steel front doors scored the highest Joy Score each, at 9.7.

For interior projects, several renovations scored a perfect Joy Score of 10. They are: complete kitchen renovations, closet renovations, full interior and individual room paint, kitchen upgrades and basement conversions to a living room.

Article Source: RisMedia

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com