Heart-Friendly Features to Look for in a New Home

Heart-Friendly Features to Look for in a New Home

by Dr. David Reis

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
eXp Realty CT & eXp Realty NYC (NY)
Mobile: (203) 980-6811
e: david.reis@yourdoseofrealty.com

August 13, 2025

When you’re buying a home, you’re not just choosing walls and a roof — you’re choosing a space that will shape your daily habits, routines, and ultimately, your health. As a realtor and a cardiologist, I’ve seen firsthand how our living environments can affect heart health. The right home can inspire you to move more, stress less, and live longer.

Here are heart-friendly features to keep in mind during your house hunt:

 

1. Walkable Location

Look for neighborhoods with sidewalks, parks, and easy access to shops and cafes. A walkable community encourages daily physical activity, which helps lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and strengthen your heart without the need for a gym.

2. Stairs You’ll Actually Use

Yes, stairs can be good for you — but only if they’re practical and inviting. An open, well-lit staircase can turn everyday trips between floors into mini workouts, boosting your cardiovascular endurance over time.

3. Plenty of Natural Light

Sunlight isn’t just great for your mood — it helps regulate your sleep cycle, which is crucial for heart health. Aim for homes with big windows, skylights, or a sunny balcony to keep your circadian rhythm and stress hormones in check.

4. Space for Stress Relief

Whether it’s a quiet reading nook, a small home gym, or a meditation corner, having a dedicated spot for relaxation can help lower cortisol levels — the stress hormone linked to heart disease.

5. Kitchen That Makes Healthy Cooking Easy

Heart health starts in the kitchen. Look for homes with enough counter space, good lighting, and well-placed storage so you’ll actually enjoy preparing fresh, home-cooked meals instead of relying on takeout.

6. Proximity to Green Spaces

Living near a park or garden isn’t just pretty — it’s proven to lower stress and encourage outdoor activity. Studies show that even 20 minutes in nature can help reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

7. Quiet and Peaceful Surroundings

Chronic noise — from traffic, loud neighbors, or nearby industry — can elevate blood pressure over time. A home in a quieter area can give your heart (and your mind) the rest it needs.

Final Thoughts

Your home is more than a financial investment — it’s a health investment. By choosing a space that promotes movement, peace, and healthy habits, you’re not just buying property; you’re building the foundation for a longer, healthier life.

If you’re ready to find a home that’s as good for your heart as it is for your lifestyle, I’d love to help you find it.

Let’s Talk!

Let’s Talk! The entirety of living and working priorities and decision-making is shifting. It’s an amazing time to thinker colleagues to build by collaboration. Let’s connect and talk real estate business development.

Email

david.reis@yourdoseofrealty.com

Phone

(203) 980-6811

The views, opinions, and summary statements expressed in this presentation are those only of the presenter(s) (herein referenced as “opinion”) and do not represent official policy or policy positions of eXp World Holdings, it’s subsidiaries or vendor partners or clients (herein reference as “eXp”).

Any and all forward looking opportunity statements of participating in the practice of real estate within the operations of eXp Realty (residential), eXp Commercial, eXp international, or the use of or participation in the sale or representation of the capabilities of eXp in application are only the opinions of the presenter(s), and are subject to reinterpretation and change at any time.

Many factors will effect and determine your own particular results in using eXp’s resources, platform and capabilities, and no warrant or guarantee, stated or implied, is made in this media, that your own use case of eXp will result in outcomes similar to the presenter(s) or any outcomes referenced in corporate or public domain media by parties you may discover or who may outreach or market their media to you.

They contents of this media, and any media related to David G. Reis and/or any entities with which David G. Reis is associated carry disclaimers as above.

This media makes no representation of the operational and business models, expenses or financial success of real estate professionals at, joining or considering joining eXp.

Success as an associate at eXp is entirely a matter of your efforts.

Related Articles

Should Realtors Disclose Haunted Houses?

Should Realtors Disclose Haunted Houses?

It’s October, the time of year when pumpkins appear on every porch, cobwebs decorate listings, and conversations about “haunted houses” sneak their way into serious real estate talks. But here’s a real question that isn’t just for Halloween:If a home has a spooky...

City Living vs. Suburbia: Which Is Healthier for Your Heart?

City Living vs. Suburbia: Which Is Healthier for Your Heart?

I’ve lived in both worlds — the fast-paced city that never sleeps and the quiet suburbs where the loudest thing at night is the sound of crickets. As a cardiologist turned realtor, I can’t help but see homes not just as investments but as environments that directly...

Are Smart Homes Making Us Dumb & Unhealthy?

Are Smart Homes Making Us Dumb & Unhealthy?

I’ll be honest — I love technology. I’m a realtor and a former cardiologist, so I appreciate anything that makes life more efficient. My lights turn on with a voice command, my thermostat adjusts before I even get home, and my coffee maker starts brewing the moment my...

Reality TV Realtors: Does Netflix Make the Profession Look Fake?

Reality TV Realtors: Does Netflix Make the Profession Look Fake?

If you’ve ever binged Selling Sunset, Buying Beverly Hills, or Dream Home Makeover, you’ve probably thought: “Wow, real estate looks glamorous!” Gorgeous homes, designer outfits, champagne open houses, and drama-filled meetings—what’s not to love? But here’s the...

Let’s Talk!

 

Let’s Talk! The entirety of living and working priorities and decision-making is shifting. It’s an amazing time to thinker colleagues to build by collaboration. Let’s connect and talk real estate business development.

Email

david.reis@yourdoseofrealty.com

Phone

(203) 980-6811

The views, opinions, and summary statements expressed in this presentation are those only of the presenter(s) (herein referenced as “opinion”) and do not represent official policy or policy positions of eXp World Holdings, it’s subsidiaries or vendor partners or clients (herein reference as “eXp”).

Any and all forward looking opportunity statements of participating in the practice of real estate within the operations of eXp Realty (residential), eXp Commercial, eXp international, or the use of or participation in the sale or representation of the capabilities of eXp in application are only the opinions of the presenter(s), and are subject to reinterpretation and change at any time.

Many factors will effect and determine your own particular results in using eXp’s resources, platform and capabilities, and no warrant or guarantee, stated or implied, is made in this media, that your own use case of eXp will result in outcomes similar to the presenter(s) or any outcomes referenced in corporate or public domain media by parties you may discover or who may outreach or market their media to you.

They contents of this media, and any media related to David G. Reis and/or any entities with which David G. Reis is associated carry disclaimers as above.

This media makes no representation of the operational and business models, expenses or financial success of real estate professionals at, joining or considering joining eXp.

Success as an associate at eXp is entirely a matter of your efforts.