As real estate prices continue to drop in the current tough seller’s market, smart homebuyers will invest money saved in features that can increase the perceived value of their new homes. Bali and Graber window treatments help create a more welcoming and safe environment, and can even contribute to lowering energy costs in a new home.

Curb Appeal
This “buzz” word refers to a passer-by’s first reaction to the exterior of a home. It’s literally what makes a potential homebuyer get out of his or her car and decide to take a look at the home’s interior. While a large part of curb appeal is a freshly-mowed lawn, immaculately trimmed trees and siding that hasn’t faded in the sun, functional and attractive Bali and Graber window treatments also can make the new owner feel “at home” and house-proud.

New homeowners look to do everything possible to avoid covering their windows with draperies or sheets during the move-in process. While any type of aesthetically-pleasing window treatment will provide privacy and security, new homeowners should select durable Bali and Graber window treatments that will ultimately serve as a value-added feature. It has been proven that Graber Wood Shutters are a window treatment that can actually make a positive impact on the market value of a home.

Graber Wood shutters — especially those in darker finishes — add an atmosphere of sophistication to a new home. However, if a homeowner doesn’t have the time or budget necessary to install Graber real Wood Shutters upon move-in, Graber Faux Wood Shutters are an excellent alternative. Graber Faux Wood Shutters share the same decorative wood look without the accompanying price tag and more complex installation.

A Valuable View
A gorgeous view can be a powerful addition to a new home. Homeowners should treat a unique landscape as a work of art “framed” by the home’s windows. Bali and Graber Solar Shades are an ideal choice for highlighting breathtaking scenery. They allow for nearly unobstructed enjoyment of the great outdoors, while also blocking damaging UV rays to protect your interior from fading. 

Bali and Graber Solar Shades also provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for new homeowners. They minimize distracting glare on television and computer screens, and reduce heat transmittance to keep the home’s interior temperate. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the fabric color of the Solar Shades, the more effective the temperature control.

Bali and Graber Solar Shades are available in fabrics that allow for varying degrees of openness, often measured by a percentage. The openness of a fabric determines both the clarity of the outdoor view and the level of UV protection. For instance, a fabric with 3% openness offers 97% UV blockage.

Blind Ambition
Bali and Graber Wood Blinds are among the most popular window coverings available to homeowners. While they may be viewed as traditional, their classic and distinctive look adds warmth to any room of the home. 

In order to really make a statement, homeowners should select Bali and Graber Wood Blinds in darker stains, which is the current trend. Make sure the finish complements the overall exterior palette of the home. 

Wood Blinds have a reputation for being more costly than other window treatment options. While the return on investment provided by these blinds can be significant, Bali and Graber Faux Wood Blinds are a smart option for new homeowners who have only a limited budget to install new window treatments throughout the home.

Bali and Graber Faux Wood Blinds offer the authentic look of real wood at a lower price. Additionally, Faux Wood Blinds may be preferable to real wood in high-humidity locations like kitchens and bathrooms.

Bali and Graber Faux Wood Blinds are more than just an economical choice — they really last too. All Bali and Graber Faux Wood Blinds feature a UV rating of at least 500 in order to ensure the blinds maintain their color the entire time the home is on the market. 

Conservation Counts
The majority of today’s homeowners are concerned with rising energy costs, especially in the summer months, when cooling a home can put a major strain on the pocketbook. Bali and Graber window treatments that lower electricity bills by reducing reliance on air conditioning can help new homeowners stay within their budgets. 

The installation of Bali or Graber Cellular Shades in rooms that receive intense sunlight eliminates the need to turn up central air and also becomes a value-add feature in a new home. 

As their name implies, Cellular Shades feature a cell design that forms pockets of air. These pockets trap both heat and cold to help regulate inside temperatures all year long — even during frigid winters. When selecting Cellular Shades, homeowners should examine their R-Value. This number rates the effectiveness of the shade at preventing energy from escaping to the outside. The higher the R-Value number, the more insulation the Cellular Shade provides.

An additional benefit of Bali and Graber Cellular Shades for new homeowners is their ability to absorb sound. If a home is located in a particularly congested neighborhood — or right next to a busy roadway — the owner should look for shades with a high Noise Reduction Coefficient.  

As with Bali and Graber Solar Shades, Cellular Shades can provide an eye-catching view while still maintaining your privacy. A bottom up/top down option allows Cellular Shades to be raised from the bottom or lowered from the top only halfway to allow the perfect amount of natural light into your space.

Safety First
Although it may be common sense, a feeling of security during the move-in process is a necessity. 

Installing Bali and Graber window treatments that offer privacy from the outside world can make new homeowners feel safe and protected. Windows that are directly in the neighbors’ line of sight may be outfitted with shades in room-darkening fabrics. If bedrooms and bathrooms are situated on ground level, homeowners should consider shades manufactured with blackout fabric. This fabric provides maximum privacy — no images will be visible upon closure. Blackout fabrics also offer superior light control, which is an added benefit if a window receives extreme exposure to the sun’s rays for a majority of the day. 

As the general population ages, more homeowners will be concerned with accessibility, even in relation to window treatments. This same issue is of importance to homeowners who may be physically challenged or experiencing limited mobility. Bali and Graber provide a range of motorized shades for those who might have difficulty accessing standard controls on windows in hard-to-reach areas.

Conversely, families with small children will appreciate the inherent safety of Graber and Bali blinds and shades with cordless lift systems or control wands that totally eliminate the need for hazardous cords and chains.  

New homebuyers typically expect to spend thousands of dollars on window treatments. Many builders simplify this important purchase by teaming up with leading window treatment companies like Bali and Graber to give new homeowners an easy and affordable way to purchase window treatments at the time of construction. 

Buyers can get Bali and Graber custom window treatments for less than off-the-shelf prices, and they can roll the cost right into their mortgages. Such programs provide “windows of opportunity” to make the transition to a new home more efficient and enjoyable. 

For more information, see www.lowes.com/homedecor or visit your local store.