Health and wellness have been important to homeowners since houses have existed. But these traits have taken on new importance as a result of the pandemic. Here are a few things to focus on to show your buyers that your take health and wellness seriously.
Fresh Air
You’re likely already building homes that give homeowners chances to breathe in fresh air. Perhaps you’re implementing large, easy-to-open windows for your buyers, for example. But there may be other, more subtle things you can do to make sure the air is as fresh as possible.
One way is to re-examine ventilation in the homes you build. Many builders rely on natural ventilation through cracks and gaps in the home. But between more regulations on the “tightness” of homes and questions like “Where does my bathroom fan pull air from?” you may want to consider extra steps to increase air quality and ventilation.
For example, you might think about installing whole-house ventilation systems. While this isn’t standard in the US just yet, some states (e.g., California) have begun mandating whole-house ventilation. However, if this isn’t realistic for you, consider using (and recommending) HVAC filters with higher MERV ratings (13 or up). Additionally, ceiling fans are increasingly popular.
Another (more controversial) step to take is installing electric ovens over gas. Recent studies have shown that gas stoves emit dangerous amounts of nitrogen dioxide, which can have poor health effects on humans, especially children.
Keep Bringing the Outdoors In
Related to good ventilation is homeowners’ desire to bring the outdoors in. There are a bunch of ways for you to do so, from sliders to pass-through window designs. But maybe the most popular way to do so is by building porches and patios.
A recent NAHB study showed that homeowners really want patios and front porches. In fact, 82% of surveyed homeowners said that a patio was either “essential or desirable,” while 81% said the same about a front porch.
Another way to bring the outdoors in is by creating common spaces for people to safely gather outdoors. This is especially useful for tract and community-style housing. Well-manicured park areas and rec centers within these communities are ways you can provide outdoor space that allows for safe gathering.
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Energy Efficient Is Appealing
Energy efficiency has been popular for some time. LEED certification and Energy Star appliances are fairly common indicators of energy efficiency. But did you know that there’s a newer, voluntary certification you can achieve to show off how you speak to health and wellness?
The Indoor airPLUS program, established by the EPA, lets builders show how they reduce the instance of indoor air pollution. Home builders can achieve this certification by being Energy Star certified and then fulfilling the requirements necessary. This program is especially useful for home buyers with respiratory issues like asthma.
A New-Home Warranty Could Help
As you think about how to implement health and wellness into your homes, consider covering all your homes with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) New-Home Warranty. At its core, a 2-10 New-Home Warranty protects you and your buyers against “unsafe, unsanitary, unlivable” structural conditions.
On top of that protection—and similar to health and wellness—a 2-10 New-Home Warranty provides your buyers with something they really want. According to a joint survey from NAHB and 2-10 , 94% of prospective buyers say that they’re more likely to purchase a new home from a builder who offers a new-home warranty.
