Placing your Boston Seaport condo for sale? Or just looking to increase the value and appeal of your Boston condo for when you do? Here’s something you should know – condo buyers are increasingly looking for homes with environmentally friendly features.

What Energy Efficient Features Do Buyers Want?

According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), when buyers think about eco-friendly features, they’re looking for (see visual below):

Heating and cooling costs: 82% of buyers consider heating and cooling costs to be one of the most important factors when looking for a home. And efficient heating and cooling systems with programmable thermostats can significantly lower monthly energy bills.
Windows and doors with proper insulation: These help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without overworking the HVAC system, which turns into saving on energy bills.
Energy-efficient lighting and appliances: These can save money on utility bills and reduce a home’s overall energy use too.
Commuting costs and environmentally friendly community features: Living in a community designed with energy-saving amenities and shorter commutes can reduce expenses and environmental impact.
Landscaping for energy conservation: Strategically placed trees and shrubs can lower cooling costs in the summer.
Solar panels: Solar panels can also provide long-term savings and are an attractive feature for eco-conscious buyers.

The common theme? Environmentally friendly features are popular with buyers because they help them save money and make homes more comfortable to live in. But making some of these updates before you sell your house doesn’t just benefit buyers – it’s worthwhile for you too.

How Green Features Benefit You

If your appliances or systems are aging, upgrading them now means you can enjoy the savings and comfort while you’re still living in your Boston Seaport condo

The U.S. Department of Energy has introduced Home Energy Rebates, which can provide households with up to $14,000 in savings on energy-efficient upgrades. This includes insulation, duct sealing, heat pumps, and more. These rebates make it more affordable than ever to improve your home’s efficiency.

Then, when you decide to sell, you’ll reap the rewards again. Energy-efficient homes stand out in a competitive market and appeal to the growing group of environmentally conscious buyers.

Studies also show that homes with energy-efficient upgrades, like those with high-efficiency HVAC systems or modern insulation, are more desirable for buyers- and they generally net a higher price. Research from Freddie Mac found that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average than homes without these upgrades.

Work with a Real Estate Agent to Maximize Value

Not sure which upgrades to prioritize? That’s where a local real estate agent comes in. They can help you identify the eco-friendly features that buyers in your area value most. Whether it’s adding Energy Star appliances or improving insulation, they’ll guide you in making the best choices for your house and your budget.

Boston Condos and the Bottom Line

Making environmentally friendly upgrades can pay off in more ways than one. You can enjoy saving on energy bills and improved comfort now. Additionally, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re contributing to a more sustainable future while adding value to your home. Ready to learn more about how you can make your house stand out? Contact a local real estate agent today.

Eco-Friendly Renovation Tips for Your Condo

If you are thinking of renovating your Boston downtown condo, maybe it’s also time to consider including some eco-friendly changes. By choosing green alternatives, you are not only helping the environment but also your condo and your health.

Whether you have a complex project in mind or only some small changes, here are some eco-friendly renovation tips for your Boston condo.

Improve insulation for better energy efficiency

Insulation is one of the most important elements of a functional and properly maintained condo, even though it is often overlooked by condo owners. A deteriorated insulation means that there are constant temperature fluctuations inside your condo.

One of the main objectives of an eco-friendly renovation is to save energy. That is why it’s a good idea to rethink your insulation system and to choose a more efficient alternative. The good news is that you can now choose from a variety of products that are designed for a minimal impact on the environment.

Spray-foam insulation is more effective than standard products, which makes your condo more energy efficient. Plus, it also absorbs noise from the outside.

Remove toxic chemical cleaning products

Before and after renovating your Boston condo, cleaning and pest control are essential steps that usually involve using strong chemical products. However, there are more and more non-toxic cleaning products available on the market that are just as effective. Standard ones can be dangerous for your health over time and they can be toxic for your pets.

The top solutions against spiders, roaches, and other types of intruders need to be safe for you, your pets, and the environment. Using eco-friendly products inside your condo makes it a safe haven for your family.

Try green alternatives to building materials

Whether you are renovating your kitchen, your bathroom, or all the floors inside your condo, you can try using eco-friendly building materials. These new generation materials are much more sustainable than traditional ones. Bamboo, for example, is more sustainable than wood, but it is also very durable and resistant and it is a great choice for floors.

You can be even more creative and decide to include a green wall inside your condo. Green walls are made from special bricks, that is made only of natural ingredients and that allow plants to grow on their surface. This way, you will not only add an interesting element to your decor, but you will also enjoy cleaner air.

Include elements that help conserve water

Another objective of eco-friendly renovations is to minimize water consumption as much as possible since water is one of the natural resources that is being overexploited. You can help conserve water even on a small scale, in your condo. First of all, you need to fix any kind of problem that leads to unnecessary water consumption.

After fixing any dripping faucet or leak that you might have, you can introduce elements that are designed for water conservation, such as low-flow toilets. Also, if it is possible, you can use collection tanks for rainwater.

Boston Real Estate Search

Boston real estate blog post

Having an eco-friendly Boston condo seems like an idea we should all strive for. As a Bostonian I enjoy the outdoors, and do my best to take care of the environment, but sometimes when it comes to living in my Boston condo I’m not quite sure how to make a substantial change. The truth is, I can’t install solar panels or wind turbines-I think the Beacon Hill condo association would have a hard time with that. But here is a few things we can all do:

Change your Lightbulbs!

LED lighting uses significantly less energy, and produces light levels comparable to traditional lighting. LED bulbs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, and only use 10 watts of energy. Installing LED lighting in your home is a quick and easy way to make a big change in terms of efficiency, and cost.

Water Conservation

Turning off the water in the sink while you brush your teeth, and trying to take shorter showers are both good ways to conserve water, but investing in eco-friendly low-flow toilets, and tankless water heaters are even better. Eco-friendly toilets use-less that one gallon of water to flush, and for an average 3-bedroom home, that can save you 6,000 to 9,000 gallons of water annually. Tankless water heaters only heat water on demand and are therefore 34% more efficient than traditional water heaters. You can even use rain collection barrels to collect rainwater as an alternative source of water for your yard.

For those who live in a single-family home, the chart below lists more ideas you can implement.

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Updated Spring/Summer: 2020

Eco-Friendly Boston Condos

Eco-Friendly Boston Condos

Boston Condos for Sale