Priorities For Remodeling In 2010 Include Energy Efficiency, Organization & Comfort

A survey of nationwide potential new home buyers and existing home owners who are planning home improvements found top priorities to include price, energy-efficiency, organization and comfort.

Today’s homeowner is also looking for a home that fits the entire family – from a multi-tasking home office, to expanding storage space needs, to a living room that can adapt to advancements in home entertainment and technology.

As a group, low-cost replacements — new siding, windows, doors and roofing — deliver the best bang for the buck now, a considerably better payback than from a two-story remodel or a kitchen remodel, also in terms of resale value.

Given great improvements in materials, you can replace your inefficient 10- or 15-year-old products with highly efficient ones for a decent return when you sell.  In addition, the improvements help you save on heating and cooling bills.  Replacing leaky windows with highly efficient newer ones is a good example.  The technology behind the glass and frames has so improved that you’re tightening up your home’s weatherproofing in the process.  You get more comfort, and, from a real-estate point of view, new windows show off your house from the street.

Information from the cost vs. value report about remodeling.