Each year the local real estate coverage includes a great piece about real estate trends for the coming year. This year’s top ten like last year has some trends that support affordable, more efficient living.
4.) Location Tops the ‘Must Have’ List
They want transportation, retail conveniences and good schools or the home is off their list,” said Jeff Benach, co-principal of Lexington Homes.
Luckily there are great tools available to consumers today to better understand location options. Abogo (“abode” + “go”) by the Center for Neighborhood Technology helps home buyers understand the transportation costs linked to a specific address. Walkscore offers a similar tool for those going by foot!
The size of American homes is trending down. This makes it less pricey to buy, and leads to lower operational costs (fixing things and paying utility bills) when there is less space.
Never has it been easier to make smart renovations in the Chicago area! Energy Impact Illinois launched in November, bringing together a plan to make energy efficiency improvements easy to do, access to great contractors and links to financing and incentives that makes the work affordable. Target projects save 15% on their energy use!
Of the 35 projects listed in Remodeling Magazine/Realtor Magazine Cost vs. Value report, 24 include an opportunity to upgrade energy efficiency at the same time. The cost to add efficiency during an existing project (walls open, etc.) than to do it later stand-alone. So whether your heater goes out this year, or you are remodeling the attic into a bedroom, Energy Impact Illinois or similar resources are your best friend to get the most bang from your buck and comfort from your home!
