Forbes: Real Estate Experts Share ROI Trends of Wellness Design Home Features
Public awareness of how our living environments affect our health was on the rise before the pandemic, but it has surged dramatically since then. Increased focus on indoor air quality, proper ventilation, and the dangers of pollutants has shifted consumer preferences.
The integration of wellness design improvements in homes has become a key factor in enhancing their appeal and value to potential buyers. Builders are increasingly incorporating features that prioritize health and well-being in new construction projects. Paul Scialla, CEO of Delos and founder of the International WELL Building Institute, notes that homebuyers are willing to pay a premium—often between 10 to 25% higher than traditional real estate prices—for properties that offer wellness benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness about the importance of good ventilation systems in mitigating virus spread. Beyond this, buyers are now more informed about the risks posed by indoor pollutants and harmful chemicals.
Scialla predicts a substantial rise in the global sales of air purifying technologies, projecting a doubling of these sales by the end of the decade, with the U.S. market leading this growth. The increased knowledge about indoor air quality and its impact on health has driven this demand. Homebuyers are looking for advanced air purification systems that can effectively remove harmful pollutants, providing a cleaner and safer indoor environment. This trend is part of a broader movement towards healthier living spaces, where the quality of indoor air is given as much importance as other traditional home features.
In addition to air purification, there is significant interest in other wellness technologies such as water filtration systems and dynamic lighting solutions that can adapt to natural circadian rhythms. These features are becoming more desirable as millennials and Generation Z buyers, who prioritize health and wellness, enter the housing market. Builders are responding to this demand by incorporating these technologies into new homes, creating environments that support physical and mental well-being. The shift towards wellness real estate reflects a growing recognition of the importance of a healthy living environment, which is now seen as a valuable investment by both buyers and builders.