Retaining the Value of Your Home: Why Building With Intention Matters
- Dustin Wiebold
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
When you invest in a home, you want it to hold its value over time. And while it’s true that home prices often rise, most of that increase comes from the land, not the structure.
Land appreciates because it’s scarce. But the home itself? Unless it’s built with intention, it naturally depreciates — systems wear out, utility bills rise, repairs stack up, and what once felt like a dream home starts to feel like a money drain.
Sam Rashkin’s Housing 2.0 illustrates this with a powerful graphic: land values go up, while home values trend down. But here’s the good news — depreciation doesn’t have to be inevitable. By designing smarter and building responsibly, you can create a home that lasts longer, costs less to operate, and retains its value far into the future.
Why Shortcuts Backfire
Cutting corners in the early stages of design and construction may look like savings on paper, but it often results in:
Higher heating and cooling bills
Poor airflow and uncomfortable rooms
Mechanical systems that are too big or too small
Constant maintenance and repair costs
According to Angi and Bankrate, the average homeowner spends 1–4% of their home’s value each year on upkeep and repairs — about $2,000 annually for a $200,000 home【Angi, Bankrate】. And while no home is maintenance-free, the difference lies in what kinds of repairs you’re paying for.
In a conventional build, costs often go toward things like:
Re-sealing drafty windows and doors
Patching drywall cracks from structural settling
Frequent HVAC repairs or replacements from oversized systems working overtime
Addressing moisture issues that can lead to mold or warped siding
With a SIP-built home, many of those headaches are dramatically reduced. Straighter walls mean less cracking. Airtight construction means fewer drafts to chase. Smaller, right-sized HVAC systems work less and last longer. By planning for performance up front, you shift from reactive, costly fixes to predictable, low-maintenance living.
Building for Longevity and Performance
Homes built with intention tell a different story.
Energy Efficiency: Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) create a tight, continuous envelope that slashes energy loss and reduces monthly bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates SIP homes reduce heating and cooling energy use with case studies showing up to 50% savings when combined with whole-house design strategies【DOE】.
Durability: SIPs create straighter, stronger homes that resist warping and settling — fewer cracks, fewer call-backs, and less money poured into fixes【SIPA】.
Health & Comfort: Thoughtful airflow and moisture control create healthier, more comfortable living spaces.
Predictability: By planning up front, you eliminate the guesswork and unexpected costs that derail so many projects.
This is how you flatten the depreciation curve and hold value over time.
A Healthier Home Environment
Beyond energy savings and durability, there’s another benefit that can’t be overlooked: your health. A tighter, well-designed home reduces drafts, moisture problems, and allergens, while maintaining balanced airflow. That means fewer respiratory issues, less mold risk, and a cleaner, more comfortable living environment for your family.
And while your land appreciates and your home holds its value, the biggest appreciation might just be in you — feeling healthier, more comfortable, and more at ease in your space (and no, we don’t mean Zillow putting a price tag on you).
Pair that with lower environmental impact — reduced waste during construction, smaller HVAC systems, and long-term energy savings — and you’ve got a home that’s as good for the planet as it is for the people living inside it.
Clearing Up the “Homes Always Appreciate” Myth
Yes, many people sell their homes for more than they paid. But that increase is usually tied to land value — not the house itself. The structure still ages, and ongoing expenses erode that equity.
The real win is when you combine land appreciation with a home designed to perform, last, and remain desirable for decades. That’s when you maximize both resale potential and day-to-day living value.
The Housing 2.0 Advantage
Rashkin’s framework challenges us to rethink how homes are built. By focusing on efficiency, comfort, and long-term performance, we don’t just accept depreciation — we change the rules.
At PBD, we use Housing 2.0 principles and SIP technology to help clients craft homes that are both affordable and sustainable. It’s about smarter building, lower lifetime costs, and homes that stay valuable longer.
Build Smarter. Live Better.
Whether you’re planning your own dream home, guiding a client, or working in construction, the message is the same: value comes from building with intention.
At Performance by Design, we help you:
Dream responsibly. Build intelligently. Live your legacy.
👉 Ready to protect your investment from the very beginning? Let’s build smarter — together.
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