On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 20:11:44 -0400, Stevey Sandlin
wrote:

My last house was 2200 sq foot. It has wall-2-wall carpet, ceramic
tile in the entry way, linoleum in the kitchen, Formica counters. It
was a nice home and I sold it for $140K ( SE USA.)
The realtor described it as an Entry Level home. What does that mean?
A Cheap house?

I'm in a new home now, a bit nicer then the one I was in, and bigger
to boot. However it also has Formica and linoleum in the kitchen.
When I get ready to sell it, I don't want it to be an Entry Level
Home. What changes can I make so it is no longer entry level? I'd
like to do something that I can get use out of now, rather then 5 or
10 years down the road when I decide to sell it.
Suggestions?


Also, the house had Gas heat and a gas water heater. My summer
electric bill was $350 for a 2 story brick house ( 4 bedrooms, 2 & 1/2
bath great room) I don't know the sq foot but it would have to be
closer to 3k then 2500. The bill seems a bit high and I was thinking
of getting a new HVAC unit. The Electric company gave me a flyer
showing that a heat pump was cheaper to use then gas heat. I've had a
heat pump before and I think it give poor heat v/s gas heat. But I
was thinking replacing the HVAC with something ultra efficient or
even using geothermal heat pump (if I went that route.)

Comments on both, thoughts, flames?
S


Steve


An entry level home often refers to a home that a young couple buys
when they have little money. For example, your home may have sold
for 140K when the typical price of home in the area are 200K.
Actually, it is a big plus to buy a home where the surrounding homes
are valued higher. You may be able to add improvements to increase
the overall value, but these improvements must be selected carefully.

For energy costs think about caulking, insulation, thermo pane
windows, shade trees on the south side, etc. Personally I do not like
electric heat--gas heat is less expensive, at least in my region.