Texans Are Buying Up Tesla-Powered Homes
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New Tesla-powered homes in Houston, Texas, are quickly being snatched by buyers, according to Realtors in the city, despite growing frustration across the country with Elon Musk and his work within the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"We have honestly had no issues with Trump and Musk backlash. In fact, I had over 150-plus people at my broker's open. It was insane, people were very excited," Houston-based broker and director of sales at NextGen Real Estate Jaime Fallon told Realtor.com.
Why It Matters
For a state that has built its economic strength on fossil fuels, the interest in the Tesla-powered homes in Texas is somewhat surprising, but also telling of how attitudes toward alternative types of energies are shifting.
Even more unexpected is how little impact the recent political controversy around Musk has had on the new community of homes in Houston, despite Tesla itself having suffered a plunge in sales over the past few months as a backlash against its CEO.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
The 11 Tesla-powered homes, which promise to be totally self-sufficient in terms of energy, were developed by Utopia Homes and listed by NextGen brokerage and stand in the vibrant Houston Heights area.
Each home features Tesla solar roof shingles, Tesla Powerwall home battery systems, and electric vehicles (EV) chargers. They all comprise three bedrooms, three bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, kitchens with premium Whirlpool appliances, Quartz countertops, under-cabinet lighting, and walk-in pantries, spa-like owner suites with freestanding soaking tubs, dual vanities, and oversized showers, and private yards.
What seems to have attracted so much interest toward the homes is their 24/7 power reliability designs, something Texans do not take for granted. The Lone Star State is not connected to the national power grid, and winter freezes and summer extreme heat often cause significant outages for residents.
"Houston has had a huge issue with electricity," Fallon told News.com.au. "When we lose power, we're out for five days."
"These homes generate energy, so forget about electric bills anymore and on top of that sell the power back to the grid," said Houston Realtor Jacqueline Skweres in an Instagram post.
Such comfort comes at a price. The starting price of the Tesla-powered homes ranges from $524,000 to $544,900, around $180,000 above Houston's median list price of $365,000, according to Realtor.com.
Despite the high price tag, Fallon told News.com.au that interested buyers are "normal, everyday people" from Texas and other states—as far as Washington, according to the broker. "People just want peace of mind and power security," she said.
Newsweek contacted Fallon and Tesla for comment by email on Tuesday morning.
What People Are Saying
A listing for the Houston Tesla-powered homes read: "Step into modern elegance expertly crafted by Utopia Homes. This property showcases groundbreaking Tesla Solar Roof Shingles and Power Wall technology, ensuring 100 percent energy security and eliminating electric bills for a truly sustainable lifestyle. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 power outage protection."
Fallon told Realtor.com: "Who cares who is in office when you don't have power? Houston has had a huge issue with electricity because we're not on the national grid.
"While we are big on oil, gas, and generators, now people are seeing that they can have Tesla-powered homes at similar price points. We are not selling sunset; we are selling power."
What Happens Next
While the Houston homes are doing well on the market, Tesla continues to face growing challenges, which are in part linked to the contentious role Musk is playing in the Trump administration and in part with overseas competition.
The company will release its latest earnings report on Tuesday afternoon, which should show the full impact of the backlash against the Tesla CEO.
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