Royal LePage Study: Canadians Will Spend More for Green Homes
Yesterday Royal LePage released its Eco Home Survey that found that 88% of Canadians want green features in their homes and many are willing to pay more for them. In fact 62 per cent are willing to pay between $5,000 and under $20,000, for green features, while eight per cent (8%) of respondents are willing to spend $20,000 or 
more on a green home.
“The mood of Canadian homebuyers and sellers is changing with the times - environmental concerns are impacting the decisions people are making about their dwellings. From simple energy conservation efforts to the more elaborate use of organic building materials, the environmentally conscious mindset that our agents are seeing in clients is not a passing trend,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
Some of the highlights of the report include:
Atlantic (72%) residents are the most likely to pay more, whereas Ontario residents (60%) are the least likely to pay more for an eco-friendly dwelling.
Fourteen per cent (14%) of homeowners are already living in an eco-friendly abode.
The survey found that 16 per cent of respondents say they exercise their green side from time to time, when it is convenient, and only nine per cent (9%) claim to be at one with Mother Earth, and live a very green lifestyle.
Seventy-eight (78%) believe there is a direct link between the unseasonably warm temperatures and decades of the world's lack of awareness about the environment. Albertans are the most reticent about such a link, with 68 per cent of respondents from Alberta claiming to see a link, whereas 82 per cent of people in Quebec believe the two elements are related.
Mature Canadians edge out the younger set when it comes to recycling. Respondents aged 55+ (77%) are more likely than those aged 18 to 34 years (67%) to engage in traditional recycling practices.
More women (31%) than men (18%) are going green for their health. Conversely, more men (41%) than women (23%) cite cost savings as the most influential factor for making a change.
72 per cent of Canadians say they engage in traditional recycling practices.
The most popular green modifications that poll respondents already implement in their homes include switching from regular light bulbs to CFL light bulbs (74%), adding window and door sealers to prevent heat loss (61%) and switching to high efficiency washers and dryers and using low flow water fixtures (54%).
Royal LePage has also partnered with NAGAB (the National Association of Green Agents & Brokers) and Royal LePage agents like me will be able to be trained by NAGAB to assess environmental elements within a home and identify properties that adhere to green standards. Look for the logo here and, or on my website soon.
You can find the Royal LePage Eco Home Study press release here.