Each month I mail an Item of Value to my customer base.  This is the mailing for April.  As always, let me know if I can help with anything!

Today’s Homes and Appliances Are Built Smart.

Here are some ways you can integrate new technology into your home so you can both relax and increase its value.
 

The Future: Whole-House Remote Control.
With home automation, the ability to control every aspect of your home—from lighting and room temperature to entertainment center—can be held in your hand. A “smart home” uses a single centralized controller to integrate various systems, so that with the push of a button, you can turn on
lights, open or close blinds, adjust multiple rooms to your desired temperature or even activate or deactivate your security system. You can set a group of actions to happen at pre-set times or to activate when certain events occur. Just about anything you plug in can be networked into your home automation system. This makes your life easier and provides a great selling point if you decide to put your home on the market.
 

Be Smart. Save Energy and Money with Efficient Appliances.
Cut your monthly utility bills while helping the environment by purchasing appliances—refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry
machines, etc.—that are energy efficient. The planet (and your wallet) will thank you.
LOOK FOR THE ENERGY STAR® LABEL ENERGY STAR products exceed the minimum energy efficient requirements set by the federal government. In addition, utilities and state governments may offer rebates on ENERGY STAR-rated models.
Pay attention to the Energy Guide label as well. This label allows you to compare the typical annual energy consumption
and operating cost of different models of the type of appliance you're thinking of buying.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE
Why buy an oversized appliance when a smaller counterpart will get the job done? When you choose the appliance that fits your needs, you’ll save money and reduce your energy bill.

CHOOSE NATURAL GAS
Look for dryers and water heaters that run on natural gas, rather than electricity.
THINK LONG TERM
Energy efficient appliances last for years and will lower your monthly utility bills over the lifetime of the appliance. The long-term savings will help offset the appliances’ higher initial
purchase price.

BATHROOMS ARE GETTING
SMARTER BY THE DAY.
Technological advancements are now available for bathrooms. An intelligent showering system allows users to store their preferred water pressure, temperature and hydro-massage
settings for each showerhead, and save the settings as a custom program. Family members can then select their personalized shower experience from the digital display. Bathroom floors can be installed with heating systems that warm themselves at pre-set times each day. Even towel bars can be heated to make your towels more soothing.
Smarter toilets are also on the horizon. One new toilet seat can sense users based on weight, and it will heat or cool the seat to their preference using in-line water flow. In Japan, one company has designed a toilet that can measure weight, body fat, blood pressure and blood sugar levels and transmit the data to your computer.

A SMART HOME IS A GREEN HOME.
One of the most important trends in modern home design is incorporating environmentally friendly amenities. A recent National Association of Realtors® survey of members showed there is increased demand among potential homebuyers for homes with green features. Nearly nine out of ten agents said their clients are very interested in energy-efficient features and their potential cost savings.
Here’s a look at the green housing trends that will not only bring an older home to the new millennium, but also attract younger buyers when it’s time to sell.
COPPER ROOFS. These roofs tolerate inclement weather and will last 100 years versus a composition roof that lasts only 30 years. Copper elements can also be completely recycled.
LOW-EMITTANCE (LOW-E) WINDOWS, DOORS AND
SKYLIGHTS. This glass lets in natural light but blocks the sun’s UV rays that heat up the inside of a home. This glass will reduce energy consumption, and its special low-E glazing also stops the sun from fading fabrics, wall coverings and artwork.
CHEMICAL-FREE LIGHTING. LED (light emitting diodes) lighting contains no hazardous chemicals, uses 80 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent light bulb and can last up
to 20 years.
GREEN TOILETS. Green toilets conserve water (which can save you 30 to 50 percent on your annual water bill) in different ways: low-flow toilets use about 20 percent less water per flush, dual-flush toilets with two buttons give home owners the option of flushing with a half or full tank and pressure-assist toilets reduce water usage by half.
INDUCTION COOKTOPS. The coils of an induction cooktop
release their energy directly to the pot or pan and its contents.
This means less energy is diffused in the cooking process.
RECLAIMED WOOD. Fast-growing plants (e.g., bamboo) and
unused pre-cut wood find new life as gorgeous, affordable
countertops. Cork flooring is a great alternative to hardwood
because it is extremely durable yet inexpensive.
NONTOXIC PAINT. To keep indoor air clean and cut down on
landfill pollutants, use paints that don’t contain toxic volatile
organic components (VOCs).
 

HOW HIGH TECH IS YOUR HOME?
If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your next new home, add the following questions to your checklist:
1. Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hook-ups?
2. Are there enough telephone extensions or jacks?
3. Is the home prewired for a home theater or multi-room audio and video?
4. Does the home have a local area network (LAN) for linking computers?
5. Does the home already have wiring for DSL or another high-speed Internet connection?
6. Does the home have multi-zoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?
7. Does the home have multi-room lighting controls, window-covering controls or other home automation features?
8. Is the home wired with multi-purpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfiguration to update services as technology changes?
Check out www.hightechhomemag.com for the latest high-tech products and services.

© 2009 Buffini & Company All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. LGK APRIL CAP S