Eco-friendly housing is on the rise, and for a good reason. Green living can increase the value of
your home and help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.
In a broader sense, the evolution of ecologically minded houses has become more popular as
well — there was a 10% increase in the market value of Green Building from 2020 to 2021, and
that trend seems set to continue for the remainder of the decade.
However, buying an eco-friendly home can be tricky. Real estate agents are aware of buyer
trends and will do anything to make a house seem more sustainable than it really is. You can
side-step insincere sales techniques by looking for a few key features when buying an eco-
friendly home.
Construction
If you’re buying new, you have to consider the carbon cost of construction when looking at eco-
friendly homes. Construction is typically carbon-intensive and nonrenewable, and unsustainable
materials are used during the building of your home.
Look out for homes that use sustainable building materials. Eco-friendly materials like wood,
straw bales, hempcrete, and rammed earth can minimize your home’s impact on the
environment. These homes may cost a little more than commercially built houses, but you can
rest easy in the knowledge that you’ve done your part to combat climate change.
If you do buy a home that utilizes sustainable building materials, find a builder in your area that
can work with the material. Most builders aren’t trained to work with bamboo or straw bales and
will struggle to mend and maintain your home. On the other hand, sustainability specialists can
help you plan future renovations and see your sustainability vision through to the end.
Location
If you’re looking to relocate, you should consider living in a sustainable state. Vermont, New
York, and Hawaii are amongst the most sustainable states to live in, as your tax dollars will be
put to good use by sustainability officials.
The state you live in will also impact the effectiveness of features like solar panels and wind
turbines. You may struggle to generate enough electricity in colder, darker states. So, consider
moving to a warmer state where there are more days of frequent sunshine or high winds to
power personal turbines.
Features
When viewing a sustainable home, ask about common eco-friendly features and installations.
Be on the lookout for sustainable landscaping, as savvy design can capture surface runoff and
reduce the amount of water you use in sprinkler systems.
You should also review major installations like solar panels and wind turbines. Find out how
effective the current installations are, as you may find that they are in dire need of an upgrade.
You don’t want to lay out thousands for a new solar panel or attic insulation right after you move
in, and a good agent should be able to give you all the info you need.
If you drive an electric vehicle (EV), ask about plug points and energy efficiency. Since EVs take
an hour to a full day to fully charge, it’s certainly in your best interest to ensure your house may
have EV charger capabilities. By doing so, you won’t waste your time at your nearest charging
station or worry about filling up the battery before commuting to work.
Expertise
Expert estate agents can help you find the perfect home for your family. Sustainability-oriented
agents have a log of all the sustainable houses in the area, and won’t sell you a home that is
poorly insulated or built with carbon-intensive materials.
High demand means that you will need to negotiate if you want to buy a sustainable home at a
reasonable price. Adopt a cooperative negotiation mindset, and try to find a solution that works
for you both. This will be easier if you focus on properties that have been listed for some time
and are already closer to your original budget.
Conclusion
Truly eco-friendly homes are hard to come by. Maximize your chances of living in a carbon-
neutral, eco-friendly home by working with sustainability-oriented estate agents. They can help
you find a home with all the charging ports, solar panels, and green landscaping that you need.
