Report suggests new buyers want green homes

A survey published last week by the New Homes Marketing Board (NHMB) showed that energy efficiency and environmental standards have rocketed up the agenda for new homebuyers to become the third most important aspect they look for when buying a new home.

Purchasers eager to save the environment without breaking the bank need look no further than Crest Nicholson’s Avante, a sustainable yet stylish development in Coxheath, Kent.

The NHMB notes that new homebuyers are becoming increasingly aware that newly built properties are built to the latest environmental standards and therefore are more energy efficient and in turn are more cost effective than ‘second hand homes’. Last year, the National Energy Service noted that new homes are already 60 per cent more efficient and are improving all the time as developers move towards zero-carbon in the next few years.

Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson (Eastern) Ltd comments: “Not only are consumers more environmentally aware but they also realise that eco-homes can save them money through preventing needless loss of heat and electricity. Homes at Crest Nicholson’s Avante development have been designed to reduce their carbon footprint whilst also being stylish, practical and comfortable to live in.”

Avante is an innovative collection of 150 one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses that are pushing the boundaries of sustainable living. Architecturally the attractive homes are of contemporary design and incorporate features that will significantly reduce energy and water consumption.

At Avante each home has been rated ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’ by the EcoHomes independent system of rating for domestic properties. Homes at Avante include low energy lighting and, in addition, glazing within the properties is minimised in the bedrooms and is maximised in the living areas to let light flood in. A generous amount of daylight has been achieved in all properties and is delivered to the heart of the home by a central lantern roof light (a kind of atrium). This unique feature also provides natural ventilation and improves solar gain without compromising security.

Other eco-designs at Avante include a ventilation system with heat recovery which provides a constant background flow of fresh tempered air to the home and extracts condensation. This allows a home to ‘breathe’ and the circulation exchanges the stale indoor air for fresher outdoor air, reducing air pollutants and condensation and preventing mould. The result is lower humidity and a healthier living environment.

Located in Coxheath in Kent, Avante is situated near Maidstone. Well positioned, the development is situated a few miles from the M20. For further information about Avante visit crestnicholson.com. Open market prices for a home at Avante start from £139,500 for a one bedroom apartment.