Skylights are sometimes viewed as a luxury addition to the home, they can actually be a green home improvement. Think about it, a skylight is really just a window, so all the advantages of installing energy-efficient windows apply. That includes improving your home’s looks, lighting, energy efficiency, and overall comfort.

There are a few reasons that skylights are so popular in living a green lifestyle. The first is that, like any window, the right skylight has the potential to help increase energy efficiency in your home (and reduce energy costs), especially when it comes eliminating heat transfer and making the most of passive solar heating.

The other reason skylights are so green, is that they maximize natural lighting,

as well. Though they are not automatically an energy improvement; they must be placed strategically and be shaded in the summer to maximize energy savings. A skylight with southern exposure, will provide your home with valuable passive solar heating in the winter months, reducing home heating costs. A skylight on west-facing roofs will add to your cooling costs all summer long.

If you’re selling your home, or just want to improve your curb appeal, there are easy things you can do. The best way to really see what other people see when they look at your house is to take a picture of the outside of your home. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it’s easier to see problems when color isn’t around to affect our senses.

What is your first impression of the house and yard area? What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them? Ok, now let’s be honest. What are the worst exterior features of your house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Next, walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive? Sometimes it’s as simple as repairing a loose shutter or sprucing up your potted plants.

Local realtors say whether you plan on selling or not, there are things every homeowner should do to keep their home in tip top shape.

Simple ways to spruce up your home:

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
• Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
• Clean windows and gutters.
• Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
• Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.
• Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.

Don’t forget about your home when it gets dark outside. One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting.

Simple ways to add curb appeal at night:

• String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.
• Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
• Make sure lighting that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.

These are all relatively inexpensive way to increase your curb appeal. Whether you plan on selling or not, follow these tips and you’ll have the best looking house on the block!

In the current real estate market , many homeowners are opting to stay put and make improvements  to their homes. Not a bad idea, considering the fact that it is truly a buyers market. Many buyers are looking for the deal of the century and are flat out refusing to pay top dollar for a house. So, with that said, is it time to update your home’s exterior?

Give your home a wow-worthy makeover that fits your family’s lifestyle and budget. Whether your house is on the market or you just want to rev up its curb appeal, consider an exterior update for your next home improvement project. Think about it, your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers or your neighbors see when they look at your house. An inviting entryway looks great from the street to your door and signals a cozy, attractive interior.

Keep in mind that even the smallest of updates, such as a fresh coat of paint, can drastically enhance a home exterior. Choose durable exterior materials that can withstand the test of time and the elements. When selecting a color scheme, search for one that complements the style of home you live in, and consider using color to highlight and define your home’s architectural features. With today’s vast collections of exterior paints, hardware, and materials, you can create a beautiful, cohesive look on any budget.

Now that you’ve made the easy and fun updates to your home’s exterior, you need to tackle some of the bigger areas. I’m talking about  doors, garages, lighting, roofs, siding, stonework, and windows.  My realtor friend, Debbie tells me new siding is a huge plus. She also says old, on its last leg, residential roofing can be a deal breaker. Many are even investing in metal roofing because it lasts three times as long and is by far the most durable. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why investing in your roof can drastically increase the resale value of your home.

The cold of winter can be absolutely brutal to a house. That’s why fall house projects are an important way to prepare for the upcoming season. First things first, make sure your furnace is in good working order. If not, hire a professional to either fix or replace it immediately. You don’t want to risk not having heat in the dead of winter.

Next up, focus on your windows. If you have cracked glass or drafty doors and windows, you will be losing money on your heating expenses in the cold weather. One of your fall house projects should be having a home repair expert inspect your doors and windows to make sure they won’t be letting in drafts.

It’s also a good idea to install weather stripping or replace broken glass panels if need be. Fall is also a great time to have someone examine the roof for loose shingles or loose flashing around chimneys; that will help you avoid some nasty surprises when it rains.

Gutters are a small part of your house than can cause you big problems. If your gutters are clogged or broken, they can allow water to damage the roof, create ice dams, leak into the attic, and even pool around the base of your house, causing water damage in your basement. Hire a licensed contractor to not only empty the gutters of leaves and inspect them to detect potential signs of trouble. Be sure to make gutters one of your top fall house projects.

Make sure you don’t forget to shut off the outside water and drain the pipes, so you don’t have to worry about water freezing and bursting the pipes over the winter. If that happens, it’s going to cost you big to get everything replaced.

Many people love the character older homes have, but not the problems that come along with them. Experts say there are things you need to do in order to properly maintain an older home.

The first thing you should do is get the roof repaired before any further damage is done. The next thing is to have the electrical updated to code to reduce chances of an electrical fire. Plumbing would be next, but make sure you have taken into consideration all that you plan to do to the home. For instance, you don’t want to have the plumbing modified, then decide to remodel a bathroom or kitchen and have to redo what you’ve already done.

Older homes will most definitely have windows that are far from energy efficient. There are window companies that can help you pick out new, Energy Star windows that will match your old world style. When you get your first energy bill, you’ll be glad you switched them out.