Realtors® must understand their client’s wants and needs in order to help sell them homes. With today’s buyers, one of the main wants is sustainability. Building for a better, greener future is hot among homeowners.

What are Sustainable Homes?

Sustainable homes are homes that efficiently use resources such as energy or water. These homes might have energy efficient appliances, solar panels, or newly installed insulation. The key is, they’re focused on energy savings and green living.

These features appeal to today’s homeowners for two reasons. First, more people are committing themselves to protecting the environment, and living in a sustainable home moves them closer to their goal.

But, eco-friendly homeowners aren’t the only ones who are after sustainable homes. Sustainable homes conserve energy and water, meaning homeowners save on utility bills. Savings appeals to all homeowners, not just those committed to living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

How Popular are Sustainable Homes?

A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors® found that 68 percent of home buyers viewed energy efficient appliances as important, while 67 percent of home buyers viewed energy efficient lighting the same way.

Realtors® also reported that clients valued smart homes, renewable energy systems, landscaping for water conservation, and eco-friendly community features, such as bike lanes and green spaces.

Buyers are even willing to pay more for sustainable homes. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Los Angeles found that green homes sold for 9 percent more than comparable homes.

Realtors® have definitely taken notice of this trend. In the recently released Realtors® and Sustainability Report, 70 percent of Realtors® said it’s important to promote sustainability in today’s housing market.

How can Homeselfe Help?

Despite the high demand for green homes, 70 percent of Realtors® reported that they hadn’t worked a property with green features within the last 12 months. If a home isn’t currently sustainable, it’s the Realtor’s® job to show homeowners how to increase their home’s sustainability. The easiest way to do this? Let Homeselfe help.

The Homeselfe app lets Realtors® perform a quick energy audit on any listing. Then, it shows the homeowner how he or she can make improvements to increase their home’s energy efficiency. The app even shows an estimate of how much each improvement will cost, and how much it will affect the asking price.

Realtors® wanting to list increasingly sustainable homes can use the Homeselfe app to show sellers what upgrades to make prior to listing. By completing some of the suggested upgrades, sellers can make their home more appealing to buyers, and increase its value as well.

The sustainability trend is showing no signs of slowing down, so it’s important for Realtors® to get on board and use Homeselfe to their advantage! Those who do can see increased home sales and shorter listing times.

Homes that are attractive to buyers sell for more, and sell faster, a bonus for Realtors® and homeowners alike. When using Homeselfe for greater sustainability, both of these things become a reality.