Apartment Searchers on the Lookout for Greener Digs - Green Building, Amenities, Rent Trends - Multifamily Executive Magazine

When it comes to how sustainability and environmental friendliness play into renting apartments, maybe consumers are just a little bit bipolar. While cognizant of how green building features reduce energy usage and save the planet, renters have traditionally been wary of any price premiums associated with greener apartments and have shown little inclination to pay higher rents for sustainability features.

Just give them time, says Evan Matzen, sustainability manager for The Home Depot’s San Diego–based HD Supply Facilities Maintenance division. While showing a similar dichotomy in the perceived cost versus value of green apartments, new research conducted by San Diego–based Stratus Research for HD Supply suggests that budget-bruised consumers aren’t just looking for ways to cut costs—they’re beginning to recognize the savings in renting more energy-efficient apartments, too, even as they still seek to “do the right thing” by going green.

Read more...Apartment Searchers on the Lookout for Greener Digs - Green Building, Amenities, Rent Trends - Multifamily Executive Magazine