05 May Sustainable Features Are a Priority to Homebuyers

According to the National Association of Realtors, when homebuyers are shopping for a new home, sustainable features are now a priority. The NAR is responsible for identifying buyer and seller behavior, breaking down trends by generations.

Builder Online published metrics identifying which generation comprises the largest share of home buyers, what size home is most common for each generation, and how much traction multi-generational homes are gaining in the housing market here.

According to the 2014 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report this is the breakdown of the sustainable factors to homebuyer importance:

• Heating/cooling costs: 36%
• Commuting costs: 32%
• Energy-efficient lighting: 22%
• Energy-efficient appliances: 21%
• Landscaping for energy conservation: 10%
• Environmentally friendly community features: 9%
• Solar panels installed on home: 9%

Environmentally friendly feature preferences now top buyers’ list of criteria, but how do they differ by generation? See the chart below from Builder Magazine: