Going green in 2022

Sustainability is no longer a trend, in fact, research highlights that it is a priority for home movers in 2022. We highlight why going green could help you win instructions and demonstrate some simple actions you can take to demonstrate sustainability.

Consumer demand

The demand for eco-friendly homes is only increasing year-on-year. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of home buyers are looking to purchase a sustainable home, whilst 38% of home movers choose companies that are socially and environmentally responsible. Furthermore, it is thought that 82% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a sustainable home. With that said, it’s safe to say that the demand for sustainability is on the rise.

Lower costs

While eco-friendly homes can be more costly, it seems the investment can be more cost-effective in the long run. The introduction of solar panels, proper insulation and air-source heat pumps may require a larger fee to begin with, but the long-term return on investment is becoming much more heavily considered by the average homeowner. 

A competitive advantage

Did you know that 84% of home movers believe that companies are solely responsible for their ecological impact? It is becoming increasingly more important to take responsibility for your carbon footprint and become more sustainable. In fact, in doing so, you could end up winning instructions against non-sustainable competitors.

Marketing

Choosing to take steps to become more sustainable shouldn’t go unnoticed. In fact, you can even market these changes to enhance your offering. Going digital? Explain to your customers why you’ve made the jump from printed materials. Using recyclable materials? Let people know! Taking on more eco-friendly listings? Include this in your marketing materials, make sure the property description is clear on the listing and promote the benefits of the property to prospective buyers.

Profitability

The data speaks for itself – more sustainability means more listings which leads to more income. Eco-friendly homes tend to be more expensive, which means more income for your estate agency. Plus, by making sustainable choices as a business, you may also reap the rewards in other ways, too. For example, save money by reducing your use of single-use plastic, or save on the costs of print materials by making some of it digitalised.

Simple steps you can take

• Transport: instead of driving to appointments or the office, consider taking public transport, cycling or walking where possible.

• Reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

• Rethink your paper usage: digitise your print collateral where possible or use FSC print.

• Stop using plastic bottles: it’s easy to buy a bottle of water while you’re on the go, but instead of turning up to a valuation with a plastic bottle, opt for a reusable stainless-steel bottle instead.