Home buyers want energy-efficient features first and foremost, says survey

Owning a home is an important investment, and, while you may not be thinking about selling yours to upgrade or relocate any time in the near future, it's always a good idea to keep in mind the kinds of changes you can make to your property to increase its value. 

Recently, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) released a press statement announcing a survey it had conducted to determine what home buyers look for in a property. 

"This survey is a great resource for building professionals, as it provides an inside look at the things home buyers really want or don't want in their homes," said Rose Quint, NAHB's assistant vice president for survey research, in the press statement. "With the housing market beginning to recover, and more consumers in the position to purchase a home, it is more important than ever for builders to be armed with this information."

Builders aren't the only ones who can benefit from this information, though. In fact, existing home owners who have been thinking about investing in green technology will be happy to hear that, according to the NAHB's survey, one of the main features buyers seek out is energy efficiency. This includes Energy Star-rated appliances as well as basic weatherization upgrades to windows, heating systems and other aspects of the home. The survey states that nine out of ten buyers would rather purchase a property with energy-efficient features that would result in lower monthly utility bills than buy a home that costs 2 to 3 percent less. 

Fortunately, individuals with green technology projects in mind can take advantage of cost-effective tax credits in 2013. 

If you're interest in home energy conversion, you should contact a home inspection contractor. These professionals can perform an energy audit and help you determine next steps.