Do you have gutters? Are they working correctly? What most people don’t know is that gutters are more important then just catching the rain above your door so you don’t get drenched walking into your house. Gutters are the first line of defense to keeping your basement from flooding or even ruining your whole house foundation. Rain gutters divert the water away from your house to prevent you from having to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on replacing rotten wood, killing mold, re-painting, and fixing your foundation. Remember, even if you have gutters on your home, if they are stopped up, leaking, or flowing in the wrong direction, it’s as if you have no gutters at all. Make sure you take these simple precautions to ensure yourself less headaches and worries in the future.

How energy efficient is your home? Did you know that some power companies will give you a Free in-home energy audit and other incentives to help you save energy and save money on your monthly bill? Does your attic have the correct amount of airflow for your size home? Is your attic properly insulated? Are all your doors and windows sealed tightly? These are just a few things to think about all year round whether your trying to keep the cool air in or the cold air out, you could be saving up to 30-50% on your energy bills just by taking a few precautions.

Here are some things you can do to help with your energy consumption and your monthly bills:

• Roofing – Energy star qualified roofing can not only save you 20% a month on your energy bills but you can also get a tax credit at the end of the year with qualified products! (Up to $1500 tax credit right now) Remember just because it is white roofing doesn’t mean you will be getting that tax credit and just because its energy star roofing doesn’t mean it has to be white!
• Attic Insulation & Ventilation – Making sure that you have the right amount of intake ventilation vs exhaust ventilation will help keep your attic cool year round and protect your roof from getting damaged from underneath and will actually add years of life to your roof. Don’t forget about the insulation! Blown in insulation is a cheap way to add r-value to your attic and is easier to make sure every part of your attic is covered, however batts of insulation will give you a more consistent r-value that will hold up longer over time as long as you make sure to thoroughly cover the attic area. These two points combined is the number 1 way conditioned air escapes a home.
• Windows, Doors & Skylights – Most people forget about their skylight when replacing the roof or their windows & doors, most skylights are two thin pieces of plastic put together and give you no insulation from the elements. Replacing your windows, doors and skylights with double pained insulated glass will qualify you for the energy star tax credit and save you tons on utilities.

Are you getting the full value out of your home? Investing in your home can not only add value to your house, but it can add comfort as well. Giving yourself a much needed area of your home that you can relax in or entertain in. Depending on what project you choose, you can add on average anywhere from 4% to 25% or more to your homes selling value. Just by doing things as small as renovating your bathroom. Remember everything you do to your home will add value but to add the most value to your home, there are a few key things you should do. Renovate your bathrooms, update your kitchen, create curb appeal by having it hardscaped, finish out your basement, and making your home energy efficient.