At the beginning of the millennium, the real estate industry began to become interested in many consumers’ desires for environmentally friendly homes and products. The surge in real estate sales and prices that occurred in the middle of the decade took everyone’s mind off of the environment, however, and ‘green’ building was placed on the back burner. Now that it has become clear that human-induced climate change is a real thing, and people are more concerned with saving money, many are starting, again, to care more about creating energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes.
A Yahoo! study, Home Horizons 2012, had this to say about the feelings of the American public regarding the ideal home:
“Unlike bullish years gone by, the so-called American dream home isn’t a supersized McMansion – it is a ‘green’, energy-efficient home built with ‘sustainable’ materials that yield a lower carbon footprint. Or, more often, it is a home remodeled with energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly home products… there is a growing consensus that the dream home must be more energy efficient.”
Here are some facts from the study:
- 50% of people consider green/energy efficient appliances/materials are a requirement of their dream home – it is more popular than perennial favorites such as “building a custom home” (38%); “water views” (38%) and “mountain views” (32%);
- 60% of those in the market say that green/energy-efficient appliances are amenities they’d like to have in their next home;
- 27% of those in the market say that wanting a greener, more energy-efficient home is a significant reason they want a new home.
- For about one in four of those surveyed in the Home Horizons study, living in a more energy-efficient home is a major reason why they plan to move.
Prospective and future homeowners are now much more conscious of environmental and cost-related issues than they were when housing prices were inflated. If you are trying to sell your home, or just want to save money (and the environment), you should consider adding energy-efficient appliances and materials to your home.
Going Green pays off!
 |
Michael Dunsky Vice President of Mortgage LendingP: (508) 528-1800 F: (508) 749-7695Michael.Dunsky@guaranteedrate.com guaranteedrate.com/MichaelDunsky NMLS ID: 21372 38 Pond St, Ste 208 • Franklin, MA • 02038 NMLS ID 2611 |
Comments(2)