4 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PROPERTY MORE SUSTAINABLE

Striving to incorporate more eco-friendly habits into your daily life? Interested in trying out some simple ways to make your property better for the planet too? You’ve come to the right place! We can highly recommend looking into the sustainability of your house and even your garden. Not just for altruistic reasons, but also because it can lower the cost of running your home. You can make your house more sustainable — whether buying new or improving your current environment — with some quick changes and some thoughtful investments. This means your property could be saving energy, water, and maintenance on systems and appliances.

Eco-friendly ways to increase your property’s value

Best of all, while you create a healthier environment for yourself, your family, your pets, and the planet – you could also be increasing the value of your home should you ever choose to sell. How? Simple. Making your property more sustainable can go a long way in attracting buyers who value these conveniences and amenities. But, while sustainability is an area of fast innovation in home building, home systems, appliances, and lighting – what exactly should you be upgrading on your property? Let’s consider the four essential pillars below:

1. Find out about solar panels

To start, why not get a consultation on whether your property can easily adapt to solar power panels? This will depend on your type of roof and its exposure to the sun. In the long run, running your property on solar power will save you thousands off your electricity bill and also reduce the impact of relying on non-renewable energy sources.

2. Consider going green

There are so many benefits to having more plants in your home and even a robust garden as well as a composting system if you have the yard space. Investing in plants is wonderful for naturally purifying the air, helping to reduce any street noise and is even proven to aid with stress and anxiety. They can also provide shade to cool the home in summer, which in turn will lessen your property’s reliance on non-natural and expensive cooling systems. Planting your own fruit, vegetables, and herbs will also reduce your reliance on the local grocery which will reduce the amount of packaging waste you produce.

3. Find out about local recycling

Look into your municipality’s recycling guidelines and speak to your local estate agent to find out about where you’re able to drop off recycling in your area. If you feel your neighbourhood is underserved, consider spearheading communications to introduce that recycling be collected from the households in your community for even more convenience.

4. Upgrade your water-efficiency

If you do get solar power, this will be able to sustainably heat your water without reliance on the grid. However, there are many other ways to optimise the way that your property uses this precious resource. For example, you could install a rainwater tank to reduce pressure on your local water supply systems and invest in waterwise shower heads in your bathrooms. After all, doing your bit to conserve water is important, but it can also be as simple as adding a bucket to your shower to capture excess water for your garden. You could also invest in a greywater system to maintain your garden during times of drought, which could double as a way to invest in the resale value of the property.

Building sustainable homes in South Africa

Investing in a more sustainable property can reduce waste, increase durability, and improve the energy and water efficiency over the lifespan of a home. In South Africa, these green features are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, especially as a result of the ongoing load shedding and the prevalence of droughts in our country. Don’t hesitate to speak to your local RE/MAX real estate professionals for advice on the best sustainable home improvements in your neighbourhood and for your specific type of property. Ultimately, when it comes time to sell your property, our team will have invaluable insights into what the market responds to in your area.