Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island helps buyers find greener homes

Homebuyers are increasingly becoming more conscious of being green. Things like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and water saving and filtration faucets have become standard in many home designs. Now, many homeowners are looking for even more ways to make their home environmentally friendly. Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island (HHIMLS) members know the trends to look for when finding an environmentally conscious home.

Home builders have become increasingly eco-aware by using locally sourced, recycled, and repurposed materials that are non-toxic. Additionally, new design concepts have begun to emerge. For example, passive solar design concepts allow the windows, walls, and floors to collect, store, and distribute solar energy throughout the home. This design allows the home to keep heat from the sun in during the winter but also rejects too much heat in the summer. This energy-saving design can cost as little as $101 per square foot and can save 40 to 70 percent of heating and cooling costs.

Another popular trend in today’s green home market is composting. Many today are utilizing their waste for a better purpose. Many communities, like Port Royal Plantation and Long Love Club of Hilton Head, have begun to offer community gardens. These gardens allow community members to “adopt” a piece of land to compost and grow plants. Garden caretakers will water and feed your plants to make sure they grow. Additionally, many new types of composting bins have been designed in recent years to make composting easier and more popular than ever. By allowing bacteria to break down in unused waste, good soil and fertilizer can be made to grow more plants for a home garden.

As electric cars have gained popularity, electric homes are also increasing in popularity. Many new developments and communities are moving away from gas stoves, gas water heaters, and gas furnaces to begin the transition into all electric appliances. Electric appliances reduce emissions put into the air and atmosphere. These appliances typically also cost less and can save money and the environment in the long run.

While these many eco-friendly trends can certainly be good for your home and the environment, many also want to make sure their home is resilient enough to withstand damage from natural disasters and overall wear and tear. Elemental.green says, “’Resiliency’ is becoming the new ‘sustainability.’” Homes that are able to withstand hurricane force winds, fires, and other disasters allow for less pollution after a devastating event. Fortunately, many resilient materials and technologies already exist, like shutters and fire-proof materials that are able to withstand such disasters, as well as backup battery systems for unanticipated power outages.

With all of these advancements in mind, it’s easy for anyone to make the change for a greener home. HHIMLS can help. “We keep you up-to-date on changes in the MLS that will make it easier for you to identify these features,” said Colette Stevenson, chief executive officer of HHIMLS. “That’s why we’re greening the MLS. A green MLS allows you to identify and filter green features and certifications in our listings. With increasing amounts of state and local governments encouraging or even mandating green design and construction, it is anticipated that demand for certified green homes will increase dramatically.”

HHIMLS provides tools to keep agents educated on all the trends in real estate. You can find more information about HHIMLS at hiltonheadmls.com.

About Multiple Listing Service Of Hilton Head Island

Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island (HHIMLS) is a premier multiple listing service in South Carolina, established in 1976. A proud member of the Council of Multiple Listing Services, it is the listing platform facilitating more than $3 billion in annual real estate transactions. Headquartered on Hilton Head Island, it serves all of South Carolina. HHIMLS is vital to real estate professionals’ and to consumers’ success by maintaining the most dependable and powerful data in the marketplace, updated in real time. More information about HHIMLS is available at hiltonheadmls.com and (843) 785-9696