Real Estate Experts: Energy Efficiency is Becoming a Deciding Factor When Choosing a New Apartment
On the real estate market, buyers have again begun showing interest in new developments, and energy efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions have emerged as a new sales argument
„When purchasing a home, location and the infrastructure of the area remain the most important criteria. However, looking at the statistics from the Kinnisvara24 portal, the number of home seekers who indicate a desire for an A or B energy label has grown by 35% compared to previous years," said Martin Matsberg, marketing director of the real estate portal Kinnisvara24.
Olari Vokk, head of the sales department at real estate development company Endover, also noted that home buyers have recently begun placing greater emphasis on environmental aspects. „If a few years ago people chose a more affordable apartment with a lower energy class and simpler technological solutions, today people increasingly prefer homes with high energy classes, energy-saving solutions and heating systems, and are willing to pay more for them," added Vokk.
According to the developer, it is also becoming increasingly important for people that everything needed for life is located close to home. „People don't want to spend their lives in traffic jams, and there is now more consideration given to one's ecological footprint – the 15-minute neighborhood concept and dense urban development are new trends," said Vokk. There is also appreciation for proximity to green spaces near home.
Both the current market situation and more environmentally conscious behavior have led people to prefer smaller apartments again. Instead of the traditional 100 square meter 4-room family home, functionally planned 80 square meter apartments are being chosen. „For example, in the Rocca Towers new development, the most popular 4-room homes are 77 square meters. Thanks to smart planning, they have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a laundry room, a utility room, a walk-in wardrobe and as added value a balcony," described Vokk the latest apartment trend. Smaller homes are cheaper to purchase and their maintenance costs are also lower.
Developers are also increasingly guided by the principle that complete reconstruction of an old building into a higher energy class home is more environmentally sustainable than building a new building. „When analyzing new development projects, it can be seen that real estate developers are paying increasingly more attention to the energy efficiency of heating systems," added the marketing director of Kinnisvara24. For example, Endover's Riviera Viimsi project has received increased interest not only due to its direct location by the sea but also thanks to its environmentally friendly and cost-effective ground heating solution.
In April, the portal Kinnisvara24 is once again organizing Estonia's largest new developments campaign "Fresh Strawberries", during which special offers are made to home seekers. In total, 25 real estate companies are participating in the campaign with 42 projects. Energy efficiency is one of the keywords for all of these projects.
