Sustainability of Homes: Impact on Property Value

A sustainable home aims to reduce its environmental impact, align with actual housing needs, have excellent insulation, and utilize natural energy sources. A typical example of a sustainable home is a "zero-energy" home, where energy generation matches energy consumption.

The sustainability of homes undoubtedly has a positive effect on property value in the long term. This value rises when a property is sustainable. This is primarily because a sustainable home aligns with future housing policies. For instance, there is a goal to transition all homes away from natural gas in the future. Additionally, a sustainable home is energy-efficient, resulting in significantly lower energy bills.

Well-insulated homes not only lead to lower energy bills but also provide greater comfort. It's essential for the living experience that a home remains pleasantly warm during cold winter days and stays cool during hot summer days.

The rising energy costs make the role of home sustainability even more important. The energy bill is part of monthly expenses, and lower energy costs due to energy-saving measures provide a significant advantage.

Another advantage of sustainable homes is that they represent a step towards future readiness. Sustainability helps reduce the environmental impact by decreasing the reliance on fossil fuels.

Sustainability in homes also promotes independence from fossil fuels when using technologies like heat pumps, solar panels, or other alternative energy sources.

The sustainability of homes plays a vital role when viewing properties. Several factors need to be taken into account, such as the energy label and monthly energy costs. It's also important to know what sustainable measures have been taken. Has, for example, a heat pump been installed, or does the house have solar panels? Are there insulation measures in place, such as floor insulation, cavity wall insulation, or roof insulation? It's also interesting to know what measures need to be implemented to further improve the home's sustainability.

It's advisable to check the energy label during property viewings. The energy label indicates the level of insulation in the house. Both sellers and landlords are obligated to provide a property with an energy label. Energy-efficient homes significantly contribute to the sustainability of properties. An energy-efficient home leads to lower energy costs and reduced CO2 emissions. So, what are the characteristics of an energy-efficient home according to the energy label? Energy-efficient homes are well-insulated, heated sustainably, and use environmentally friendly energy sources. The energy label provides information about these features.

Certain measures related to the sustainability of homes have a considerable impact on sales and rental prices. The most popular measures among potential buyers are insulation and solar panels. This is due to the combination of increased comfort and lower energy bills. For instance, houses still equipped with single glazing are less popular, as it has a negative impact on both selling and rental prices. Potential buyers consider the expenses required to make the house more energy-efficient.

Amstelland Makelaars has the expertise to provide advice and information regarding the sustainability of homes when buying or selling properties. During property viewings, we inform potential buyers about possible sustainability measures that may still need to be implemented. When purchasing a home, it's important to consider future sustainability. For example, it's possible to include financing for sustainability measures when applying for a mortgage. Government financing is also available for making homes energy-neutral. Additionally, various subsidies are available for insulation and energy-saving measures.

Sustainability advice covers a wide range of topics, but it definitely adds value. For example, homes with single glazing should invest in energy-efficient windows. Opting for double-glazing reduces heat loss by 40% compared to single glazing. Such an investment pays for itself, particularly in light of high energy prices. We also provide sustainability advice on other insulation and energy-efficient measures, which, when implemented, limit energy consumption and enhance the quality of living.

We, as sustainable real estate agents, make a difference and actively contribute to finding sustainable solutions. Lack of sustainability in a property impacts negotiation power during a purchase. According to the "Living in Amsterdam" study, 12% of the total number of homes in Amsterdam still have single glazing. Furthermore, in the private rental sector in Amsterdam, 38% of privately rented properties have single glazing.