Cents & Sensibility-Smaller Energy-Efficient Home
This is the first of four blogs on the Cents & Sensibility of the 2010 HOMEBUYER having to do with smaller and more energy-efficient homes.
It was reported in a RISMEDIA article dated January 22, 2010—Better Homes and Gardens recently revealed proprietary research and insights on what consumers are looking for in their next home and overall priorities guiding current and future home improvement projects.
The survey of nationwide potential new home buyers and existing home owners who are planning improvements in the next few months found top priorities to include;
- price
- energy-efficiency
- organization
- comfort
SMALLER ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME
Continuing the “downsizing” trend, more consumers (36% in 2009; 32% in 2008) expect their next home to be “somewhat smaller” or “much smaller.”
A greener home will be a priority, with 87% planning to have high-efficiency heating/cooling in their next home and 86% planning to have high-efficiency appliances; 24.9% will have geo-thermal heat.
When asked how today’s housing market and economic turmoil have impacted priorities for their next home, 76% said energy-efficient heating and cooling systems will be “more important” and for 70%, Energy Star appliances will be “more important.”
Almost half (48%) say green building practices/materials will be “more important” when purchasing their next home.
