The real estate market and sustainability market are both seeing a boom right now. According to HSH, 68% of homebuyers want an environmentally-friendly home.
The definition of a 鈥済reen鈥� home is any type of house that is designed to be environmentally sustainable. That could include anything from solar panels to a rain barrel irrigation system for an outdoor garden. The sky鈥檚 the limit when it comes to eco-friendly options.
Thankfully, because sustainability is becoming such an important feature for homebuyers, it鈥檚 becoming easier to find features that matter to you. If you鈥檙e feeling stuck in your search and you need a green guide to buying a home, we鈥檝e got you covered.
Keep these tips in mind on your sustainable journey, and you might be able to find your ecologically sound home sooner than you think.
Be 鈥淪mart鈥� in Your Search
Smart homes are becoming just as popular as sustainable properties. In Europe and North America, the number of smart homes reached 102.6 million in 2020.
These homes typically feature automation systems that control operations such as:聽
Smart homes and sustainability tend to go hand-in-hand for a variety of reasons.
First, you can program almost everything in a smart home to be more energy-efficient. Consider installing a smart home thermostat, for example, that won鈥檛 waste as much energy excessively heating or cooling your house.
Or, install a smart water system that will give you clear data on your water usage. Knowing how and where you鈥檙e wasting water will make it easier for your family to change your usage habits.
Most smart homes also feature the latest and greatest in appliance technology. Energy-efficient appliances are modern聽聽and save you money on your utility bills almost immediately.
Technology is at the forefront of sustainability nowadays. So, if you see a modern home listing with major upgrades, or even see a listing advertised as a smart home, be sure to give it a second look.聽
Look For Obvious Sustainable Signs
With sustainable homes becoming more popular, owners are doing what they can to make eco-friendly changes that boost appeal and value. You might end up looking at homes with a higher asking price because of those updates. But, the reward will certainly outweigh the initial price tag.
So, what features should you look for when you鈥檙e searching for a sustainable property?
There may be some things that are more important to you than others. For example, if you have a large family that tends to eat up a lot of energy, solar panels can cut down on your electric bill and waste less energy, too.
You should also consider the size and location of whatever home you鈥檙e interested in. Size matters. The larger the home, the more resources will need to be used.
Again, if you have a large family that might be unavoidable. No one wants to be crammed into a house like sardines. But, you may want to find a large place that offsets the energy use in other ways.
Location is also important when you鈥檙e buying any house. But, it鈥檚 especially meaningful when you want to live sustainably.
Do your research on cities and areas with low ecological footprints. You might be surprised to find that even some of the busiest cities in the country have a lower gas and energy consumption than other areas.
Another good rule of thumb is to look at green real estate websites.
Sites like ListedGreen are dedicated to showcasing sustainable homes for sale all across the country. This way, you don鈥檛 have to sift through hundreds of traditional real estate listings just to find an environmentally friendly place.
Understand Your Upgrades
A home doesn鈥檛 necessarily have to be completely eco-friendly when you make an offer. If you鈥檙e willing to put in some of your own work, you can find your dream house at a reasonable price, and then make your own sustainable upgrades afterward.
Some of those upgrades will be simple and inexpensive, like blocking any gaps, using draught-proofing strips on the windows, and switching out the lighting for LED bulbs (they鈥檙e 90% more efficient.)
Some upgrades might be a bigger undertaking. You should consider that in the price of the home and what you鈥檙e willing to offer. If you鈥檙e going to have to put thousands of dollars into sustainable upgrades, you don鈥檛 want to blow your budget on the mortgage.
Things like solar panels, new windows, or energy-efficient appliances can cost quite a bit, but they鈥檙e still a worthwhile investment. And besides, you鈥檒l end up saving money in the long run.
Even installing new insulation or having a new roof put on can help you reach your sustainability goals sooner.
Also, if you do decide to get rid of the home鈥檚 existing appliances for newer models, consider appliance recycling to dispose of them safely so they don鈥檛 end up in a landfill.
If you鈥檙e not sure where to get started, consider making a checklist of your green priorities. It might include items like:
The possibilities are endless when it comes to the sustainability upgrades you can make, all the way down to choosing natural, non-toxic cleaning supplies.
Final Thoughts
Whether you鈥檙e just starting your house hunting journey or you鈥檝e been looking for a while, it鈥檚 important to narrow your search to properties that line up with your sustainability goals.
Keep the ideas in this article in mind on your house hunting journey. Understanding what a green home looks like to you is the first step. Don鈥檛 be afraid to set standards and make lists of features that are important to you.
But, even if you can鈥檛 find your perfect home from a listing, let your creativity and sustainability motivation be your guide as you add to an existing home to meet your needs.
