Seeking Green Homes
Home buyers across the country and in Kansas City are seeking green homes. According to McGraw Hill Construction research dating back to 2006, “The green home building market most rapidly accelerated during the housing downturn when builders experienced in green remained in business at higher proportions than those not knowledgeable about energy-efficient and green home building.”
Seeking Green Homes
Now buyers are looking at green features to help their buying decisions and are paying more for green. For example, the Kansas City Star reported in late May, “Adding a solar energy system to your home or business is a demonstrated money-saver. Sourcing energy directly from sunlight costs a fraction of paying the power company for your electricity. Solar energy system owners’ energy savings rack up, over time-saving homeowners $50,000 plus, with commercial properties often seeing savings of $1,000,000 plus (over a 25-year period).
Beyond Simple Savings, Solar Adds to Property Value
Energy efficiency and responsible environmental decisions are increasingly important to the modern consumer, and that trend is just getting started. From new builds to figuring out how to get the best from existing structures, efficiency is becoming the next real estate buzz word.
Not convinced? The local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has recently added “green fields” to capture real estate efficiency data important to the modern buyer. Additionally, the Missouri Department of Energy has initiated a Green Building Network to document and recognize efficient homes, as well as information and programs to educate realtors, lenders, appraisers, and homebuyers on proper real estate valuation. These steps all lead to better documentation of and access to efficiency information.
Solar adds value to a home by making it cheaper to live in
What Does it Mean for a Home to be “Green?”
- The use of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is increasing in both new and existing homes. In one study, this form of insulation produced energy savings of 16% to 22%.
- Energy efficient windows
- New doors
- Solar panels
- Newer, high-efficiency furnace.
- Energy-Star appliances.
- Heated Floors.
- Geothermal heating system if you’re building a new home.
- Tankless Water Heater.
Improvements You Can Do Now
- Caulk. A homeowner’s best friend. Seal up a leaky house to save on energy costs.
- Add a programmable thermostat.
- Install low flush toilets.
- Install efficient showerheads.
- Change to energy efficient light bulbs.
- Buy a timer for lights.
- Choose an energy efficient power strip.
- Add smart house technologies for remote access.
- Use a clothesline. If your HOA allows.
A recent study by Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) revealed that “Savvy investments in energy efficiency retrofits for buildings could yield more than three times their value, amounting to about $1 trillion in energy savings in a decade, says new research from Deutsche Bank and The Rockefeller Foundation.
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Terra Firma Property Solutions, LLC is a professional, full-service real estate solutions firm.
We buy and sell properties throughout the greater Kansas City area. We specialize in buying distressed homes, then renovating and reselling them to home buyers and landlords. Terra Firma Property Solutions: excited to be part of the economic rejuvenation of Kansas City and its surrounding areas.
Call us today at (816) 866.0566
Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash
