The market is evolving, cars are more modern and technology accompanies us in everything we do. The same goes for houses and the characteristics of newer buildings.
These changes, which have been taking place gradually, have a direct influence on the return on investment made when purchasing a property. The demand for newer homes has been especially high in recent years, compared to resales. Among the common attractions that accompany a new home, such as the possibility of choosing the finishes and personalizing the house, greener and less environmentally aggressive construction concepts have been gaining momentum.
Houses here are already built in a simpler, faster and more practical way in general, compared to the vast majority of constructions in Brazil. Initially, this is a factor that causes fear in buyers, until they can better understand the whole process and the safety and structure behind it.
Construction companies have invested heavily in products that are less aggressive to the environment, better quality floors and walls and paints with lower chemical content.
The savings factor also carries substantial weight when deciding whether to buy a property. Household appliances are programmed to consume less energy, the air conditioning system provides better air circulation and again lower energy consumption, as well as a better sound insulation system.
To give you an idea, houses that, in the middle of summer, cost a family of four around US$400 a month in energy bills, now cost less than US$200, not to mention the possibility of solar panels. The products are also lasting longer, extending the life of the property and therefore maximizing the money involved.
When analyzing an investment, the owner of the property makes the same analysis, understanding that the newer property should generate less maintenance and expenses for him, and lower monthly costs for the tenant who will have lower bills, generating greater satisfaction for both sides involved.
And what should be considered when buying an older house? The possibilities and costs of changing appliances, double-paned windows, installing a solar panel, air conditioning and a newer pool system are all factors that add value and provide greater energy savings.
Today we already have houses being built here on an experimental basis that are totally self-sufficient. Solar panels, special systems with recycled materials and so on keep the property going and I had the pleasure of touring one of them. It's amazing what technology can bring us! Even if it's not the property marketed everywhere, this example already shows us the direction in which we will soon be heading, with greater savings and greater awareness of the environment.