How do changing priorities affect the demand for green homes in the USA?

Impact of current trends on the real estate market

The question of how modern trends affect real estate sales remains unresolved. However, experts are confident that such changes can have a positive impact and attract budget-conscious buyers who are interested in reducing energy costs.

The experience of builder Kevin Enyart

Builder Kevin Enyart, who works in Lee's Summit, Missouri, shares that over the past six months he has managed to secure contracts for the construction of two new homes for clients for whom energy efficiency has become a top priority. These buyers, for instance, expressed a desire for high-quality insulation and airtight windows to be installed in their homes.

Nevertheless, homes being built with a focus on energy efficiency are still a rarity. Currently, the housing market situation in America leaves much to be desired: Mr. Enyaart has reduced his construction volume from 40 to 20 houses per year."I used to look at environmental issues with a certain amount of skepticism, but now my views have changed"“Kevin Enyaart shares his thoughts.”

Optimism regarding "green" homes

Optimism regarding the construction of "green" homes is starting to gain popularity. The changing perception of both developers and buyers towards so-called eco-friendly buildings, which require the use of sustainable materials and energy-saving technologies, is likely to impact their market value.

During the period of sharp increases in real estate prices, "green homes" were not very popular, as developers set higher prices for them. However, with the decline in housing prices, interest in such homes has significantly increased, as builders began to offer more competitive prices, coinciding with a rise in the number of people looking to reduce their energy costs.

Energy efficiency

Efficient use of electricityIt has become a critically important factor for consumers, as electricity bills have doubled in most markets. Last year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducted a study to determine which factors are most important to citizens when choosing a home.

• Energy consumption efficiency ranked second in importance, second only to the quality of the apartment itself.
• For comparison, five years ago this aspect did not attract attention.

Debbie Swank's example

Debbie Swonk, a 37-year-old financial specialist, noted that energy-saving issues have had an impact.“significant influence”The decision of her family, when in December 2007 they and her husband decided to buy a house in Texas, which was presented as "affordable." The cost of this two-story house was $379,000.

Trends in construction and housing demand

Interest in energy-saving issues is becoming increasingly relevant among buyers, and this will undoubtedly influence trends in construction and the demand for the corresponding type of housing. The development of modern solutions and technologies to enhance the energy efficiency of homes will not only help reduce costs for owners but also improve the overall environmental situation.

More and more people are realizing the importance of a sustainable approach, which may lead to the need for changes in building standards and increased attention to the quality of materials and resource usage methods. Thus, the current market situation highlights the significance of environmental aspects, which will also influence future trends.

Finding a balance between needs and demands

Developers will increasingly strive to establish a balance between the needs of buyers and the demands of the modern world, where sustainable development takes center stage.

Innovative system in new housing

In the new home, an innovative roof was installed that can reflect sunlight, and a cooling system with two thermal relays was implemented. This technology ensures a comfortable climate in the house, guaranteeing the necessary amount of cooled air on each level. Thanks to this upgrade, the family was able to significantly reduce their monthly electricity expenses: the amounts decreased from400 dollarsto192 dollarsthe area of the new housing has increased by55 square meterscompared to the previous one.

Trends at trade fairs

The trend towards increasing energy efficiency in buildings became noticeable at the exhibition.International Builders ShowThe event took place in January. It showcased innovations in the construction industry. Unlike previous events where eco-friendly materials were presented individually, such as bamboo flooring or carpets made from recycled materials, this year a separate section was dedicated to such solutions.

Challenges in the real estate market

However, despite the positive changes in construction approaches, the residential real estate market is still facing tough times. Analysts predict that sales of homes with energy-efficient technologies are unlikely to change the overall picture significantly. According toCarlos MartinThe assistant to the vice president of the NAHB association reports that, alongside news of traditional construction companies going bankrupt, there are also reports of problems among builders focused on environmental standards.

Problems with obtaining loans

In the US, obtaining a loan has become extremely difficult, which significantly affects some developers who are unable to allocate additional resources.2%from the cost of the construction project for the integration of environmental standards.Kevin EnyartaIt says that to complete the construction of the "green house," he needs to spend approximately an additional amount.3,500 dollarseven after the loan is disbursed.

Encouraging news

Nevertheless, there is also encouraging news. For example, the developerPulte Homes Inc.reports high demand for homes with electricity costs that do not exceed the following100 dollarsper month.

Construction with a focus on energy efficiency

Construction company KB Home has made a major announcement about implementing more stringent energy conservation standards beginning Jan. 1. All new residential buildings to be constructed must meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.

Company representatives emphasized that this step will enhance the competitiveness of their properties compared to existing homes that lack modern energy-saving systems. KB Home's CEO, Jeffrey Metzger, noted:“Everything that helps our clients save is very important to us.”.

Initiatives in the field of energy efficiency

A host of developers are also actively participating in programs that focus on energy efficiency. For example, Masco Corp. reports that about 50 large real estate developers have signed on to an initiative known as Environments for Living Certified Green.

It is worth noting that just two years ago, only ten companies participated in this program.

Modernization of existing facilities

Some construction companies have begun the process of modernizing already built structures aimed at reducing energy consumption. For example, a builder from California, Devon Hartman, used an infrared camera to detect numerous air leaks in a 650-square-meter estate belonging to a wealthy client from Los Angeles.

As a result of the work done, it is expected that the owner's energy consumption will be reduced by almost half.

Perspectives on green materials

The prospects for using eco-friendly building materials are bright. With changing approaches from both developers and buyers towards sustainable housing, there is a growing interest in companies that sell energy-efficient products.

• Tom HuntingtonThe vice president of Johnson Controls Inc. pointed out a significant increase in sales of equipment for optimizing the operation of steam boilers.
• Even companies facing a drop in sales amid the economic crisis are noticing that interest in energy-saving products is helping them mitigate the negative effects.

Current situation in the market

Plastpro Inc., based in Los Angeles, reported a 15% decrease in sales of energy-efficient doors that retain heat or cooled air much better than traditional models. However, it should be noted that the overall number of newly constructed single-family homes has decreased even more significantly — by 40%.

Thus, the current state of the construction materials and real estate market highlights the importance of sustainable building and the use of eco-friendly technologies, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of this industry.

Conclusion

Despite the current state of the housing market in the U.S., the growing interest in "green" homes and energy-saving technologies is becoming increasingly noticeable. Witnessing the changes in buyer demands and construction approaches, I see how the focus on energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials is gradually transforming the market.

It is clear that aspects such as construction quality and energy efficiency are becoming priorities for many consumers, as recent surveys confirm.

Advantages of "green" homes

• Reduced energy costs:Such houses, despite their initially higher price, result in significantly lower electricity costs and, therefore, can become a much more profitable investment in the long run.
• Resilience to market changes:Customers who previously did not pay much attention to environmental issues have begun to realize the importance of energy conservation in the context of rising utility prices.

New opportunities for developers

Changes in the market are also generating new opportunities for builders. Watching the success of innovations and programs aimed at building green homes, such as the Builder Competition program, I am convinced that the future remains in sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

It is important for both buyers and builders to continue working in this direction, striving for resilient solutions that can transform the face of our cities.

Challenges and Opportunities

Certainly, we are facing certain challenges, such as:

• The difficulty of obtaining loans;
• The need for additional construction costs.

Nevertheless, I find it encouraging that more and more companies and consumers are beginning to realize that investing in sustainable homes is not only a contribution to their own well-being but also a concern for the future of our planet. This shift in consciousness could become a catalyst for significant changes in the housing market and serve as a foundation for more responsible and rational resource consumption in the future.