Green home market check-in: Aussies keen for sustainable houses, but price affordability may hold them back

With Australian homes producing 13% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, it’s no surprise that Aussies are keen to find greener options for their property and finances.
However, a recent property report by Domain finds that affordability and availability of sustainable homes is a significant roadblock for many Australians.
The report shows that “two-thirds of home buyers have a preference for energy-efficient homes when given a choice,” but the median price of a sustainable house has an additional cost of about $127,000, making it less attainable–especially for first home buyers.
Below you can see that the price difference between an energy-efficient home and a non-energy efficient home has increased throughout the years.
However, eco-friendly homes tend to be more money efficient and economical in the long run, especially when it comes to utility bills. According to Domain, several homebuyers realise this, which is why these homes sell faster than non-energy efficient homes.
The Domain report also says, “a house built with a 7-Star energy rating will save on average $450 per year on heating and cooling compared to a 6-Star energy rating.”
“[Eco-friendly homes] have greater buyer interest (8.7% more views per house listing and 5.5% for units) and sell quicker (-3.8% less days on market) than their non energy-efficient counterparts. Regardless of location, they are found at a premium Australia-wide,” says the report.
What makes a property sustainable?
Typically having a sustainable property means that it’s energy efficient and is built in such a way that it reduces its general emissions. This may include having solar panels, proper wall insulation, having recycled water pumps and using recycled materials.
Just like electric vehicles, the technology and materials for sustainable homes is expensive, and is usually reflected in the property’s original upfront cost. It also doesn’t help that recently material costs have gone up due to the disruption of the supply chain during the pandemic.
For example, the average cost for installing solar panels now can be anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000. And what determines the final cost ultimately depends on the location, size, oration and who installs your panels.
Installing just solar panels doesn’t mean that a house is sustainable. Several factors are in play, and the more technology, materials and appliances in the structure to make it green, the more likely it’ll be reflected in the price.
As mentioned, these eco-friendly homes come with a pretty hefty premium upfront, but it might save the buyer money in the long term.
Domain also says that only 1% of home buyers actively search for eco-friendly homes when looking for property, which is a bit of a paradox because Domain’s research says that sustainable homes sell quicker than non eco-friendly ones.
It’s also possible that some buyers just aren’t aware that eco-friendly options are out there, so it certainly pays to do some research.
If you’re on the market for a green home, it might be good to consider a green home loan. Several green loans reward you with discounts for choosing a greener option. Alternatively, you can start comparing home loans below.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 13 August 2022
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Variable Home Loan 70
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.10% p.a. variable3.12% p.a.Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
CompareCompareVariable Home Loan 70
Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.10% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.10% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan 70
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Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.14% p.a. variable3.06% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- -
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
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Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.64% p.a. variable3.66% p.a.Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
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PAYG Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.29% p.a. variable3.33% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
CompareComparePAYG Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $840
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the PAYG Home Loan
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Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.79% p.a. variable3.79% p.a.Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
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