Green is the new gold
KW Research survey reveals the green features that matter most to buyers.
Green homes sell faster and command a higher price than traditional construction, and the demand for green homes is climbing quickly. According to a survey conducted recently by KW Research, nine out of 10 agents indicated that green homes have a higher market value than similar homes without green features.
So just what green features have the highest appeal among buyers? A double-pane or low-e window tops the following list of 17 features that fall within the category of œgreen.
Green features that buyers were looking for in their home search in the past 12 months:
| Double-pane or low-e windows | 39.1% |
| Energy-efficient appliances | 36.8% |
| Insulation | 25.7% |
| Heating/cooling/climate control | 25.5% |
| Solar panels or solar powered heating or appliances | 22.4% |
| Non-specific energy efficient or desire to keep bills low | 15.1% |
| Tankless or other high-efficiency water heater | 14.8% |
| Water conservation (rain barrels, low flow toilets) | 9.7% |
| Low- or no-VOC paint | 7.9% |
| Energy efficient and/or sustainable roofing materials | 5.9% |
| Tech shield/radiant barriers | 4.8% |
| Bamboo flooring | 4.3% |
| Energy efficient lighting | 3.9% |
| Air quality / Allergies / Asthma | 3.0% |
| Fans | 1.8% |
| Landscaping, xeriscape | 1.0% |
| A home that is “off the grid” | 0.5% |