79% of the respondents plan to purchase or rent sustainable housing.

57% rate their neighborhoods as somewhat or very unsustainable.

95% have not benefited from subsidies for eco-friendly housing investments.

On the occasion of Sustainability Day in Romania, Storia.ro conducted a survey among individuals in search of housing to gauge their perceptions regarding sustainability in the real estate sector.

The survey results indicate significant interest in sustainable housing: 79% of respondents stated that they would have plans to buy or rent a sustainable home, underscoring the increased importance of ecological aspects in housing choices.

Furthermore, 72% of participants consider sustainable development in the real estate sector to be of great or essential importance, with an additional 21% finding it quite important.

Pragmatic or ecologically minded? The economic impact of sustainable housing:

While 60% of those surveyed believe that sustainable development in the real estate sector can lead to long-term savings for homeowners or renters, only 17% of respondents would be willing to pay a higher price for an eco-friendly or environmentally low-impact home. Forty-seven percent stated that this decision would depend on the home's sustainability level and cost, and 34% said they would not be willing to pay more.

On the other hand, when asked to choose between a larger but less energy-efficient home and a smaller but energy-efficient one, 70% of respondents opted for a smaller, energy-efficient home. This illustrates once again the heightened interest of Romanians in sustainable housing.

When it comes to the factors influencing their decision to purchase or rent a home, the respondents highlighted some key aspects related to sustainable development. Energy efficiency (82%) was at the top of their preferences, emphasizing the importance of reduced energy consumption in housing choices. Thermal and acoustic insulation (70%) came second, showing concern for thermal and acoustic comfort. Sustainable heating systems (63%) were ranked third, and renewable energy sources like solar panels were mentioned by 55% of respondents. Other factors, such as waste management (36%) and the use of recyclable materials (28%), followed in the preferences of the respondents.

Sustainable Practices and Perspectives in Real Estate Development:

Many of the respondents are actively adopting eco-friendly measures in their homes. 77% of them use energy-efficient bulbs, such as LED or CFL, showing a commitment to reducing electricity consumption. Additionally, 60% of the surveyed individuals use energy-efficient appliances, and 53% regularly recycle waste.

Other eco-friendly habits include tending to indoor plants (46%), installing additional thermal insulation (37%), and using eco-friendly cleaning products (34%).

There is also a 10% proportion of respondents who have solar panels or other renewable energy sources in their homes, indicating a heightened interest in sustainable energy sources. These actions demonstrate a significant commitment to protecting the environment and adopting eco-friendly practices in everyday life.

According to the survey, respondents have identified several characteristics and amenities they would like to see integrated into future homes and real estate projects in Romania. The largest proportion (69%) desired expansive green spaces and parks near housing projects, indicating a growing desire for a more natural and green environment around residences.

Additionally, 59% of respondents appreciated lighting systems with motion sensors and light intensity adjustment, showing interest in energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Other desired features include smart energy and resource management systems in homes (53%), rainwater harvesting and storage for later use (46%), as well as the possibility of installing recycling and composting systems in residential complexes (45%).

These responses reflect the increased concern of the Romanian population for the environment and sustainability in urban development, underscoring the importance of an ecological approach in future real estate projects in Romania.

Opportunities for Financing and Perceptions of Neighborhood Sustainability:

Despite 95% of the respondents having not yet benefited from any subsidy programs or tax incentives for eco-friendly housing investments, it is interesting to note that 45% of them would like to have access to such benefits in the future. For the other 50%, these programs remain an unfamiliar area, emphasizing the need for more information about available options for sustainable investments in the real estate sector.

Although 76% of the respondents have not purchased or rented eco-friendly or environmentally low-impact homes so far, they find this topic interesting. When asked to choose between the area of the home and factors related to sustainable development (such as access to public transportation, proximity to green areas, eco-friendly infrastructure, renewable energy sources, or waste management), the surveyed individuals declared that both criteria were equally important to them (51%). Nevertheless, for 38%, the location was more important, and for 12% of those surveyed, sustainable development factors took precedence.

57% of the respondents consider the neighborhood in which they live to be somewhat or very unsustainable, highlighting the potential for significant improvements in this regard. In contrast, 30% of participants perceive their neighborhoods as sustainable or very sustainable, while another 13% remain unsure about the sustainability level of their neighborhoods.

Moreover, 62% of survey participants have not heard about sustainable urban development initiatives in their cities or regions, such as green neighborhoods or eco-friendly projects. These findings underscore the growing desire and need of Romanians to live in homes that are in harmony with the environment and indicate the direction that the real estate market in Romania is heading.