Every single one of our first-time homebuyers asks this question. As recently as two years ago, I had never heard this question before. Extreme weather events are affecting the way we think about homeownership both financially and from a quality-of-life perspective.
If you are concerned about how the environment might affect your investment and living situation, here are five things to consider:
A Waterproofed Basement:
Home inspectors will tell you that any basement is capable of leaking under the right circumstances. Those circumstances seem to be occurring more frequently, and, therefore, waterproofing your basement is becoming more of a necessity than an option. If the home you are buying doesn’t have waterproofing and a sump pump, it is good to budget to do this yourself in the next few years.
Air Conditioning:
Once listed as a perk, air conditioning is a necessity for most buyers. If a home doesn’t have air conditioning, plan for a way to put it in. This is usually easily done either with a centralized system or with wall-mounted units.
Insulation:
A well-insulated home, particularly an attic, is one of the best ways to regulate the temperature in your home year-round and cut down on heating and air-conditioning costs.
Monitor the Trees:
Everyone loves a big tree; if you have one or two on your property, make sure you have an arborist prune them every few years. That way, they can also tell you if part of the tree might be likely to come down in a wind storm, and you can hopefully mitigate the risk.
Be Part of the Solution!:
If you are able, choose eco-friendly options wherever possible. There are many ways to do this. Here are a few: Buy a home in a walkable neighbourhood to cut down on driving, use high-efficiency appliances, keep your yard green to abate water run-off into the streets.
What are some of the ways that you are future-proofing your home against a changing climate?
As always, stay safe. — Robyn Vander Vennen, The Kim Kehoe Team.
