What Realtor’s Insight is Need for Home HVAC Systems?

There are so many things a realtor needs to know about the homes they are selling. You must be a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, a roofer, and an HVAC professional. Well, you don’t really have to know how to perform all the jobs. But you need the realtor’s insight to investigate the various parts and pieces of each to give good advice in the beginning stages of the property visits.

While we recognize the HVAC system doesn’t make or break the sale of a home, we know its impact on the overall opinion of the house. So, the friendly professionals here at Trust Heating and Air have put together our “Realtor’s Insight to HVAC Systems” to help you get the most out of your home visits and client relationships.

Sellers Preparing a Home for Sale

As a realtor, you know the impact an HVAC system can make on a sale. If the system is all new, you can proclaim it as an item to love about the home. If the system has been well maintained, realtors can bring that up as a benefit to the house as well. However, if the unit is old and in its last days of usefulness, the seller may need to consider replacing it to get the best sale price for their home.

If it does not need replacement, the realtor will often find it helpful to suggest an HVAC specialist come out to inspect, clean, and service the unit. Before showing the home, this small step will convey effort on your part and care for the house in the sellers’ interest.

Additionally, having a record of electric bills and service receipts will assist the buyer and their realtor in having confidence in the home’s integrity. And be sure to call attention to any high-efficiency ratings on the unit.

Buyers Insight to the HVAC System

Going into a showing armed with the knowledge of the home will benefit you and your buyer. Gathering information is not readily provided; it shows the work you have put into the buyer’s interest. So, if you are showing a home, be sure to ask the sellers agent the following questions:

• What is the age of the unit?
• Are all of the components the same age?
• Has the system been maintained properly?
• Are their receipts available for service agreements and repairs?
• Is the system rated for energy efficiency?
• What is the current owner’s average utility bill?

Today’s buyers like to see the energy efficiency ratings, especially if they are concerned about the environment and their utility bills.

In fact, according to GeorgiaPower.com,

“About half of our home energy costs comes from heating and cooling our homes. We recommend keeping your thermostat set to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter. In the extreme summer heat and cold winter months, it takes more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You can’t control the weather, but you can control your thermostat, which has a big effect on your bill.”

Now that is a significant amount of usage. When buyers come from other states, they may get a bit of sticker shock seeing our Georgia utility bills. As a realtor, you can help ease their fears by letting them know every home in Georgia has a high utility bill; it is not just that home.

A good realtor will then have prepared a list of ways to reduce the Georgia electric bill for their out-of-state clients. We know you are that excellent realtor. So, we have put together a list of suggestions for your clients experiencing energy sticker shock. This list shows you are concerned and have all the options to make their Georgia house a dream home.

Realtor’s Insight: Ways to Reduce Georgia HVAC Usage and Lower the Utility Bill

Trust us, your clients will thank you for this added bonus in their realtor package, setting you apart, again, from other realtors in the area. So, be sure to offer a printout of the following list of ways to reduce your HVAC costs to all your clients.

1. Sign up for Routine Maintenance. Every home should have appropriate maintenance agreements for all the appliances in the house. The HVAC unit is one of the most expensive devices in the home, so you want to make sure it is cared for. An annual service contract is beneficial to your wallet and your system. Ductwork, compressor fans, filters, and wiring need checking and service from time to time. Get ahead of repairs with a maintenance agreement. Not to mention, it will ensure a free flow of air, which gives you the most air for your energy bill buck.
2. Seal the home to avoid air loss and draft. Air leaks, broken window seals, cracked weather stripping, and cracks sealed in the home exterior walls keep the house from leaking AC or Heat. And it keeps the heat and cold out as well. A well-regulated home begins with air control and no leaks.
3. Improve insulation in the home. There is no counting out how important attic and wall insulation is. If you have them replaced or check that they are in good shape, you keep your home air flow as regulated and secure as possible.
4. Turn down the thermostat. Homeowners save 5 to 15% in heating and AC bills by turning the AC back 10 degrees or so. Adjusting even one degree will help you save money and really isn’t that big of a change.
5. Invest in a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the days to the temperature you desire and never forget to adjust them back. For instance, if you are gone all day 9-5, you may turn the temp up slightly. Then an hour before you get home, you can have the thermostat cool the home to the way you like to spend the evenings. Additionally, you can set it for a degree or two cooler in the night time for better sleep.
6. Change your air filters as directed on the filter itself. Air filters come with a suggestion that estimates the amount of airflow and how long the material will last. So, look and see if they are rated for one month or three months and change them out on time. Set a reminder on your calendar as well.
7. Utilize curtains and blinds to control temperatures. Don’t underestimate the value of your curtains and blinds. They filter the suns-rays and help keep the home cooler in summer. You can open them wide in winter, and you may not even need the heater in Georgia.
8. Ensure your unit is energy efficient. Look at the rating on the side of the unit’s parts. If the rating “energy efficient” or has an energy-star rating, you are in good shape. If no, then when the unit is ready to be replaced, you may consider upgrading to one of the new energy-efficient systems.

When the homeowner applies all these concepts, they will be ensuring the lowest energy usage for the Georgia AC and heat as they can get.

Trust Home HVAC Maintenance Plans

There is no doubt, our Georgia home’s HVAC units take a beating. And since they work so hard for us, shouldn’t we take good care of them as well. Realtors, you would be a good neighbor to remind your buyers and sellers to get signed up with an experienced HVAC company, like Trust Heating and AC.

So, you are aware, here are the careful steps your technician will take to care of your system or that of your client.

• Check all air filters and replace them if needed.
• Test the thermostat to ensure it is cycling on and off.
• Check refrigerant levels and look for any leaks.
• Clean the condenser coils.
• Tighten all electrical connections.
• Check the gas connections.
• Lubricate the moving parts.
• Make recommendations where replacement or repair are necessary.

With preventative maintenance, your clients will know they are safe when inspection time comes. And you, as the realtor, have just gained their trust, one step further.

Realtor’s Insight: Looking for Professional HVAC Inspections

Home inspections will be necessary for buyers before the close of the home. It is better to catch an issue before that inspection than to be informed of a repair needed. It really puts the ball in your court when you are prepared for all of the process’s ups and downs.

Contact the office at Trust Heating and AC today to get a Home Sale/Purchase Inspection scheduled!