Central air - for those buying a home

Would you pay a little more for a house with Central Air?

Our Realtor wants us to advertise our home at the sale price of 2 other homes in our area that didnt have CAC, but were the same style (ranches). I feel it's a big selling feature, especially since we'll be showing in the hot summer months - I plan on jacking up the AC. We also have a central air cleaning system. It's really great - it zaps out particles and adds a clean scent into the house. Our house is being advertised as "Diamond" condition.

Our house is also in better condition, all new energy star appliances, new roof under warrantee, new siding, new triple pane glass windows, new doors, 2 new refrigetators, new wood floors in the LR and DR, new bathroom on the main floor and recently renovated bathroom in the basement (both full bathrooms), etc. We know we may get lower offers but I'd hate to advertise at the lower price and get offers even lower than that. We've put a lot into this house, and we need some cash from the sale to use as DP on the new house.

Just curious. If not - I'll ask again when it's over 95 degrees out and humid

Message edited 6/22/2008 5:54:01 PM.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would pay alittle more - b/c it's a big project

$10K? $15K

I think you agent just doesn't want people to skip your house b/c the other 2 are priced less

I get that an extra $10K- $30K on a mortgage doesn't make a huge difference in the payment- but I feel alot of people are very hung up on price right now

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would pay a bit more....by the time you figure a new furnace, time, and all the pain to pay even $5000 more is worth it for me. I HATE summer and I HATE to be hot so...yea it's worth it

Edited to add it was #3 on my list when we were looking for a home....
#1 Fenced in back yard
#2 Basement
#3 C/A

Message edited 6/22/2008 8:09:29 PM.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would pay more for CAC - totally worth it IMO. we have it in our apt now and it's priceless!

we have it running from late May - end of Sept, sometimes even October. that's almost 1/2 the year

eta: what is the MLS # of your house? FM if you don't want to post.

Message edited 6/22/2008 8:22:41 PM.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I will definitely pay a bit more for that. I hate the heat and DH sweat way too much in the summer.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

For CAC alone, I'd pay maybe another $2-3k. But, you have A LOT of nice features, so I'd go $15-20 higher than the comp homes.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

i would totally pay more for CAC. don't let the realtor bully you.

Message edited 6/22/2008 8:42:50 PM.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would definitely pay a little more for a house with central air.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

You have every right to sell your house for more. Dont listen to your agent! And just b/c your house isn't the cheapest of the other 2 near you, doesnt mean you wont be the first to sell!


GL!

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would definitely list it for more. When we were looking, a house with CAC was always more money than one that didn't have.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

i would list it for more, but i wouldn't be surprised if you got low-balled because of it.

it might be a big selling point for some buyers, but in this market, a lot of people know how desperate sellers are to get rid of their homes, and are willing to pay less now for a home they can improve on in the future. so if you list your house for 10-15K more than other similar homes in the area without CAC, those houses are going to go first. JMO.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would pay more for a house with CAC. And from all that you mentioned about your house, it seems you should be pricing it a little higher then the other houses in the area. GL and don't let your RE shove you around. You set the price and if you need to lower it down the road then so be it. GL!

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would pay a little more for CAC, but not a lot. I think most buyers think of CAC as a perk (like in-ground sprinkler) that is really nice, but does not increase the value of your home substantially.

I would price it to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket expenses to install it, but I would not look for appreciation. Thus, if you paid $5K to install CACt (I have no idea how much it costs), then price your house higher by $5K.

For me, I would not pay $20K more for the home with CAC if it was comparable to the other home on all other levels.

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I would so pay more for CAC esp with this humidty!!!!

Re: Central air - for those buying a home

I really appreciate the responses. The CAC is definitely worth more than $5k, the materials I think were about that much and the duct work and it was installed in 2003. The other thing is the central electronic air cleaner. Remember the air cleaners restaurants used to have when smoking was allowed? It's like that. I noticed another thread on this board about how to keep a house smelling nice... with this system I never have to worry about the house smelling bad and we have pets - people tell me that they would never know we had pets if it weren't for the food and water dishes out. It keeps the house super clean, great for people with allergies and/or pets, or those with pets who have visitors with allergies. The higher listing price is also of course including the other amenities.