A Buyer’s Guide to Green Homes

It’s good to be green. But here are some things to bear in mind if you’re considering buying a green home.

What exactly is a green home?

A green home is usually thought of as being a property that is very energy efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable.

A green home will have high levels of insulation, thermal efficiency and water efficiency. It is likely to have solar photovoltaic panels, battery storage and maybe a heat pump or biomass boiler for heating.

Other features of a green home include the use of sustainable, recycled or environmentally friendly materials.

A green home may be a zero-carbon home. It may be a Passivhaus – a house designed to use minimal energy.

The benefits of a green home

One of the big attractions of a green home is the knowledge that you’re helping the environment and making the future more sustainable.

A green home should also benefit from low utility bills and be warmer in winter. 

Green homes may also offer a healthier living environment.

When buying a green home, you might be able to get a green mortgage. These sometimes offer advantageous terms.

The drawbacks of a green home

Often, there’s only a limited choice if you’re looking for this type of property.

These homes are likely to cost more to buy in the first place. According to research by Savills, eco-friendly new homes can cost up to 12% more than standard properties.

A green home may also be more challenging to sell in the future if it is constructed of unconventional materials (as it could be trickier to get a mortgage). 

Although they may be desirable to buyers, not everyone is able or willing to pay a ‘green premium’.

The buyer’s dilemma – what to do

If you’re interested in buying a green property, it’s a good idea to consider all the options. Identify all the homes for sale within your budget in your preferred area. Look at the pros and cons of each.

You might decide that it’s best to buy a home that is currently not so green, and then retrofit it to make it more sustainable.

If you’re looking for a home to buy, why not contact us to see what we have on our books? If you have a home to sell, call us to arrange a valuation.

We hope you’ve found these thoughts useful. Please feel free to forward or share them with your friends and colleagues.