What environmental influences have to do with real estate prices

The value of a property is negatively affected by environmental factors such as noise, odors from production facilities and exhaust fumes from cars, trucks and factory chimneys. Conversely, green spaces in the neighborhood of the property such as parks, tree-lined avenues, forests and playgrounds with lots of plants increase the value.

Generally speaking, emissions from factories and heating systems in residential and commercial properties have decreased in recent years. Only the exhaust pollution caused by cars and trucks has increased. The discussion about driving bans due to excessive nitrogen oxide pollution in city centres has made many people, especially families with young children, more aware of the issue. It is therefore to be expected that in future more people will be influenced by the air values measured locally when choosing a property. High emission levels in turn have a negative impact on property values. While this factor plays a minor role in conurbations with a high demand for housing, it certainly comes into play in medium-sized cities with a relaxed real estate market.

Noise pollution is already far more prevalent among many consumers. Surveys show that this is by far the biggest everyday nuisance that people suffer from. Here, too, people are more likely to accept noise pollution, for example from a busy road, railroad line, businesses with night-time delivery traffic or aircraft noise, in a large city with a high demand for housing than in rural regions. This is especially true in large cities if the building has special noise protection measures, such as triple-glazed windows, special noise-absorbing building materials, etc. In this case, the impairment will affect the property value, but not as much as in the countryside, where prospective buyers tend to expect a quiet residential area. If this is not the case, you as the seller of such a property must expect price reductions and a longer brokerage period.

Incidentally, this can already be seen in many villages and small towns today: apartments and houses often stand empty on the main roads and thoroughfares because people find it too noisy. At the same time, apartments in side streets and residential areas in these communities can easily find buyers and tenants.

Do you have a property on a noisy street or near a factory? We can help you find the right buyer despite these environmental influences.

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