Buyers willing to pay more for green homes
Recent surveys of home buyers and builders have found that buyers are willing to pay more for energy efficiency.
Seventy-five percent of homeowners in a new homes survey said that energy-efficient features would most influence their decision to purchase a home.
The top 3 in ‘must have’ features:
- a high level of insulation
- Energy Star-rated windows
- energy-saving equipment
In another survey of 250 U.S. residential builders, builders said that buyers are willing to pay 11-25% for green built homes.
And if you think that the trend is coming from retiring baby boomers, looking for smaller and more energy efficient homes, think again… The average green homebuyer is:
- between 35-50 years old
- has a college degree
- has a fair understanding of green products
When builders were asked why they don’t use more green products, they cited that price and availability are the key constraints.
Taken from:
NAHB and Better Homes and Gardens Survey
Green Builder Media and Imre Communications (January 2007)