In an ever changing landscape of home construction, the building industry has shifted to offer a different marketing message. That shift is because of consumer demand and innovation. The building industry now builds more comfortable, resilient, healthier, and lower cost of ownership homes. What does all that mean? Builders are building homes with better features that include better indoor air quality and energy and water saving features that save homeowners money. So instead of listing price per square foot, consider that value per square foot is what consumers want in their homes.
The recent article from "Green Builder, Music to The Ears" shares why their "narrative" is changing. In-demand features are reshaping housing. Consumers want better indoor quality, healthier interiors and energy saving measures. Sharing the message differently helps consumers to make informed decisions about new construction.
As prices rise, making homes "less affordable" why would home buyers look to pay more for housing? Survey after survey, from the National Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of Home Builders, and others, shows that home buyers will pay more for a home if they can have a healthier home and save money on energy efficient upgrades. And builders are building these homes.
Thanks to Energy Star and increasing construction standards in building codes, builders are building energy efficient, more comfortable, healthier homes. Buyers can now expect these homes when they see 3rd party ceritified results in new construction.
Total cost of homeownership includes lower energy bills, making these homes desirable. The buying public wants these homes. What can realtors do? Get educated. Understand the features and how they work. Know which features lower an energy bill, provide a healthier home with good indoor air quality. And understand which features are typically better in new construction versus re-sale homes.
The next time you're looking for a home, compare the total cost of ownership for an existing home versus a new home. Ask a listing agent of a re-sale home to provide a list of annual electric bills, then compare to a newly constructed home. The value per square foot will most likely be higher in a new home thanks to these features.
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