Green Building Trends Home Buyers Should Know

As sustainable living becomes more popular, homeowners and buyers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly home construction. Incorporating sustainable construction trends in a new or existing home encompasses a wide range of upgrades, from using recycled materials to installing green energy systems. 

To help you along, we'll take a look at some of the most popular sustainable construction trends in residential real estate—which are important to know for any real estate investor or homeowner. We'll also discuss the benefits of each trend and how they can help you save money. So if you're considering building or buying a new home, be sure to read on for eco-friendly construction trends!

Sustainable Materials

Sustainable building materials are becoming increasingly popular in home construction, and builders are beginning to use more recycled and recyclable materials in their projects. This includes using recycled plastic, glass, metal, and wood. In addition, builders are also using sustainable resources such as bamboo, cork, and wool insulation. These materials are environmentally friendly, durable, and long-lasting, and if you're selling, buyers may be more interested in touring your sustainably-built home.

Maximizing Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most important sustainable construction trends, and builders are taking steps to ensure that their homes use as little energy as possible. This includes installing solar panels, using LED lighting, and insulating the home to prevent heat loss. In addition, many builders are now offering buyers the option to purchase a home with a green energy system already installed. These systems can provide renewable energy to power the home, and they can often be used to offset the cost of your monthly energy bill. If you play your cards right, you can even yield a high ROI on your energy-efficient upgrades.

Emphasis on Water Conservation

Water conservation is another important sustainable construction trend, and builders are taking steps to reduce the amount of water used in their homes. This includes installing low-flow toilets, showers, and faucets. Greywater systems can repurpose water from things like laundry and showering and use it to water plants and irrigate the yard. 

In addition, many builders are now offering homes with rainwater harvesting systems installed. These systems collect rainwater from the roof and use it for watering plants, flushing toilets, and other non-potable uses. By conserving water, you can save money on your monthly water bill and help to protect the environment, not to mention make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Green Features: Solar panels, EV Charging Ports & More

Builders are incorporating more green features into their homes. Installing solar panels is one way to make your home more environmentally friendly, and it can also help you save money on your monthly energy bill. Additionally, installing solar panels can qualify you for tax rebates that offset a portion of the installation cost.

Another increasingly-popular green feature is electric vehicle (EV) charging ports. If you own an EV, having a charging port installed at your home will make it convenient for you to charge your vehicle. Even if you don't own an EV, having a charging port will increase the appeal of your home.

Build a Sustainable Future

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in both residential and commercial real estate. As awareness of sustainable construction grows, we can expect to see more homes and businesses being built using green materials. Sustainable construction is here to stay for homeowners, buyers, and builders alike, and learning about sustainable trends in residential construction will empower you as a consumer when choosing high-ROI home improvements.