LINCOLN SQUARE — The hottest amenity in real estate isn't heated floors, a chef's kitchen or a double-wide lot.
It's lead-free pipes.
Listings are now touting "all new copper pipe from the home to the street" alongside more traditional features like stainless steel appliances, his-and-her vanities and desirable school districts.
The water crisis in Flint, Mich., coupled with lead testing of water sources in Chicago Public Schools, has increased worries among buyers, particularly younger first-time buyers, according to Carmen Rodriguez, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker.
Newer buyers are "being extra cautious about inspections," Rodriguez said.
Agents on both sides of the transaction — buyers and sellers — are consulting with clients on how to address concerns about lead, she said.
Real estate pros are accustomed to dealing with safety scares, Rodriguez said.
Lead-based paint was a hot issue several years ago, followed by radon and mold, she said.
"The news from Flint brought [lead] back to the surface," Rodriguez said.
So expect lead-free pipes to join "stunning new construction" and "gorgeous finishes" among realtors' selling points for the foreseeable future.
Real estate listings are touting lead-free pipes alongside chef's kitchens and high ceilings. [Redfin]
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