Improve the sales value of your home

No one wants to sell their home at a price they don't feel is right. So, if you're not receiving an offer that you're comfortable with, use this time to make a few minor upgrades to help increase the sales value of your home. It's expected that buying activity may pick up again later this year. In the meantime, consider making improvements that you can showcase as an attractive selling feature.

These days, energy savings are at the top of many home buyers' minds. One of the most effective energy-saving projects that any homeowner can do is upgrade the amount of insulation in the attic. You don't need to hire a contractor to do the job and it can be a quick and easy project for those that are time-starved.

"All homes should have at least 15 inches of insulation in the attic," says David Flood, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning. "Upgrading your attic insulation to this requirement using PINK FIBERGLAS can help reduce your heating and cooling bills.* An increase in savings that pays year after year is certainly an incentive for buyers and can help sellers get the price that they want for their home."

On a free weekend, visit www.pinksavesenergy.ca to help you prepare for your attic insulation upgrade. Then, visit the PINK FIBERGLAS Insulation aisle at your local building supplies store and speak with an associate to gather the amount of insulation you need for your home. The rest is easy - just follow the step-by-step online guide.

Upgrade your attic insulation up to 15 inches - a value of R-50 - and you may qualify for a government retrofit rebate of up to $600. Visit the Natural Resources Canada website to learn more at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca. By insulating your attic to R-50 you also help reduce green house gases by a half ton+ per year!

Jump on declining home prices

Some sellers are concerned about selling their home at a lower price than planned. But if you're one of the many sellers looking to upgrade to a larger home, the market can present opportunities for you. Though you may be selling a smaller home at a lower price, you may also have the benefit of buying a larger home with a larger difference in the selling price. In fact, according to a Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast, released earlier this year, average house prices are forecast to dip nationally by three per cent from 2008 to $295,000. This decline may put some sellers in a better position to sell and buy now, rather than waiting.

To learn more about home improvements that can help increase a home's sales value, visit www.owenscorning.ca.

* Savings vary depending on the original amount of insulation in your home, climate, house size, air leaks, and personal energy use and living habits.

+ Based on an average attic size of 1700 square feet with existing R19 insulation, averaged over seven cities in Canada

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