Do buyers and renters really care about green buildings?

I’m currently diving deeper into sustainability features and green building options. I’d love to discuss and share opinions on green certifications and these sustainability features. Do you think these aspects actually affect buyers and renters in their decision processes? It feels like the supply of green buildings mostly comes from adaptations and regulations in the real estate sector, but is there really a pull from consumers demanding it?

They care, but only to the point that they have to pay a premium for a ‘green’ building. Then, they don’t give a flip.

Then how do you explain the shift in a large supply of new projects that are labeled as green nowadays?

Depends on who pays the utilities. If the tenant pays, they might care more about efficiency.

The builders were afraid of getting canceled if they didn’t claim to build green.

In my experience, buyers will not pay more for green features, even if it saves them money in the long run. They’d rather have open floor plans with gourmet kitchens than solar panels. Builders often incorporate green features because they get tax breaks or government pressure, like in California.

Certifications often feel like virtue signaling. Just give me the most efficient building possible.

Renters generally don’t care. The only thing they might care about is lower utility bills.

In my area, I occasionally have people who care about this, but there are so few options that trying to differentiate on green building would mean getting zero houses. It’s just not a big deal, and it’s often more expensive, so even if people like the concept, they’re not usually willing to pay more.

In California, all new housing must have solar, which isn’t listed in the price. I’m just not buying a new house in California.

They care when they’re not green. Renters won’t pay more for a green building but will complain if their home isn’t insulated well. They want comfort but won’t pay extra for energy efficiency.

Yes, green features mean they made investments to reduce costs—like energy-efficient lights, geothermal systems, or greenery on roofs to block sunlight.

It’s not the renters’ responsibility to think about climate change. We elect leaders to make developers do the right thing instead.

Separate buyers from renters. Focus on specific locations; there’s no countrywide rule on value. In high-demand areas, the cost is high, and green features often don’t matter much. Buyers tend not to recoup the higher costs unless regulated.

In many markets, it’s not a top demand for consumers. But that can change in areas where it’s required.