Why New York Homebuyers are Increasingly Interested in Green Homes

Some of the biggest benefits of green homes include their environmental benefits, their money saving abilities, and that they make great long-term investments.

I love seeing how more and more of us are becoming aware of how our actions impact the planet around us. We're getting more aware of how our energy usage, or water consumption, and just our everyday actions impact the planet as a whole. And our homes really do have a lot of impact here! Reducing the carbon footprint of our homes is a huge way to help the planet and showing builders, real estate agents, and people in the building and home industry that there's more demand for eco-conscious homes will help us continue to build and create even better homes for the planet. 

So what makes a home green exactly? Sustainable homes reduce the environmental impact by using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water usage, and using more Earth-friendly building materials. All of these help conserve these natural resources which supports us in further caring for and supporting the world we live in. Things like Energy Star approved appliances, low-flow faucets and showerheads, and using materials like bamboo or recycled glass really can make a difference. Especially if these features become more and more the norm in new houses, or expected renovations in older ones. They also may be built in a way that's more energy efficient, rely on different sources of energy, like solar or geothermal, or take more consideration of the environment around them. 

And as more New Yorkers become aware of how our homes impact the planet, we're becoming more hungry for homes that not only care better for us, but also for the world we live in.

Beyond that, more eco-friendly homes can have a big impact on the other kind of green: our wallet. Being more energy efficient usually means a lower power bill and greater water efficiency equals a lower water bill- and in a state with a notoriously high cost of living, who can argue with lower utility bills? It pays off in way more ways than one to look for a more sustainable option when buying a house.

Also, since the demand for green homes is only rising, purchasing a more sustainable home option may be the best long-term investment you can make. In fact, a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that green-certified homes sold for 9% more than comparable homes that were not certified. This suggests that eco-friendly homes may be a smart long-term investment choice, as they are likely to hold their value better over time.

It's really exciting to see more New Yorkers interested and invested in greener home options. Individual choices matter so much in our fight for the planet, but when demand for truly better options becomes more and more normal- that makes a sweeping impact not only on the planet, but on the whole landscape of building, renovations, real estate, and beyond. And it isn't just for us Earth-loving hippies either! It's for those who just want some lower utility bills or a home that they can resell for an even better value in the years to come.

If you're looking for a more sustainable home option, make sure to go with a real estate agent that values the same things too. And when looking for a more sustainable home option, there are plenty of things to look out for that can help you really tell if it's a more eco-friendly home or not. It's important to look for homes with energy-efficient appliances, good insulation, sustainable building materials, water-saving features, and renewable energy sources.