Envision Eco Solutions

Green Features: Opportunity in a Difficult Market

Posted on April 27, 2010. Filed under: Uncategorized |

Today’s challenging real estate market has left many home sellers searching for any way to position their property ahead of others. Buyers hold the power and are intent on getting what they want since delaying a purchase may only prove profitable.  One important factor that stands out among many homebuyers is a desire for green features in their next home. Adding green features to a home is a beneficial marketing strategy that resonates well with today’s homebuyers.  Green features reduce ownership costs, create a healthier living environment, are less damaging to our environment, and increase the marketing appeal of the home. 

Homebuyers are interested in green features because they directly benefit their health, wealth, and the environment.  Green features reduce energy and water consumption, which reduces the cost of living. With the cost of energy becoming increasingly expensive and therefore responsible for draining homeowners’ savings, homebuyers find it practical and wise to factor energy efficiency into their home buying decision. 

Many homes contain household products and materials that emit harmful chemicals into indoor air.  Products such as paint, cabinetry, furniture, and carpeting may be off gassing the chemicals used to make those products into the home.  Homes with green features often contain alternative materials and products that do not emit these chemicals and are therefore less harmful to its occupants.  These features resonate well with homebuyers and help differentiate the home from others. 

Homes with green features may also contain sustainable materials that are less harmful to our environment which is a significant concern among many eco-conscious buyers today.  Aside from the economic and health benefits of green home features, aspects of a home that are environmentally friendly are important to many buyers who want to reduce their impact on the environment.    

Adding green features to a home is a strategic way for sellers to position their home for sale.  In a market where buyers can afford to wait if they do not find what they want, the selective incorporation of green features and an effective marketing strategy is key to reminding homebuyers exactly why your home is something they want now.  In a depressed housing market where finding a buyer remains a challenge, green features offer an opportunity home sellers should not overlook.