Latest news with #Tesla-powered
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tesla-powered homes promise to keep the lights on in outage-prone Houston— but it comes with cons, too
A new development of 11 three-story detached townhomes in Houston holds the promise of energy self-sufficiency in a city where power can be unreliable. Each three-bedroom home is equipped with Tesla solar roofs and batteries. Don't miss It's the first of its kind in the U.S. — and the builder is promising that 'if the power ever goes out in Houston, for whatever reason, they've got you covered,' according to KHOU 11 reporter Ron Treviño. Texas is the only state that isn't part of the national power grid. Rather, it has its own power grid — but that means, if anything goes wrong, it can't draw on power from elsewhere. Couple this with an aging infrastructure and a propensity to be hit with severe weather events, and this leads to frequent blackouts that last days or longer. In fact, Texas experienced 210 weather-related outages between 2000 and 2023 — more than any other state, according to Climate Central. 'Because our power grid is so terrible and we lose power for days on end, we have people that have lost all their groceries,' Jaime Fallon, director of sales with NextGen Real Estate, told KHOU 11. How solar homes are tackling power outages The Oaks of Shady Acres offers energy self-sufficiency with Tesla solar shingles. These solar shingles work with Tesla's Powerwall home battery storage to make the homes self-sufficient. The homes also come with electric vehicle chargers. 'Residents benefit from free, clean energy while also profiting from surplus power sold back to the grid,' said a sponsored article about the project. As of late last month, five homes were still up for sale. Fallon claims that although the builder, Utopia Homes, is using Tesla technology, the backlash against Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not hurting demand. Utopia is a subsidiary of Goldman Investments, which calls Tesla a partner on its website. 'We have honestly had no issues with Trump and Musk backlash. In fact, I had over 150-plus people at my brokers' open. It was insane, people were very excited. Houston is an oil and gas place, so having the first Tesla-powered homes is unheard of,' Fallon told She said buyers are mostly interested in reliable power.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A New Community Of Homes Powered By Tesla Tech Is Selling Out Fast, Facing 'No Issues With Trump and Musk Backlash'
Amidst the controversy surrounding Elon Musk, it's sometimes easy to forget that Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been at the forefront of clean energy adoption worldwide. It makes sense, then, that Tesla's tech is powering the company's first home community. Consisting of 11 homes in Houston, reports that the properties are attracting intense buyer interest, despite recent vandalism experienced by Tesla car owners and showrooms. 'We have honestly had no issues with Trump and Musk backlash. In fact, I had over 150-plus people at my brokers' open. It was insane, people were very excited,' Jamie Fallon, a Houston-based real estate broker handling the homes' sales, told Don't Miss: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — . All homes in the community feature Tesla-made products, including solar roof shingles, EV chargers, and Powerwall home battery storage. The latter has become a coveted commodity in Texas, which is not part of the national power grid but operates its own separate electrical grid. Risks And Rewards Launching a new Tesla product, especially one as expensive as a home, could be seen as risky for the company, which has seen its stock price plummet due to Musk's close association with President Donald Trump. However, Fallon has said buyers are more interested in power than politics. '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. So when we lose power, we're out for five days,' she told 'While we are big on oil, gas, and generators, now people are seeing that they can have Tesla-powered homes at similar price points,' she added. 'We are not selling sunset; we are selling power.' Trending: It's no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — According to only four of the 11 homes remain available. While the essential components that power the homes are Tesla-made, the residences themselves, located in the Oaks of Shady Acres subdivision, have been built by Utopia Homes. Two of the remaining properties still remain—a larger model priced at $544,900 and a smaller one priced at $524,000. By Houston's standards, the houses are pricey—about $179,000 more than Houston's median list price of $365,000. Despite the White House's efforts to promote fossil fuels, Fallon believes that Tesla-type clean-energy homes are the dwellings of the future. 'What legislation we have in Washington is going to dictate it, but going toward clean energy is where I think the country is headed. I think there is a mindset shift happening,' Fallon says. Fallon feels that the homes' integration of style and tech, particularly with Tesla's solar singles, is part of their selling point. 'The next time I have to replace my roof, I'm putting Tesla shingles on it. You can't even tell [what they are]; they look so good,' she says. In addition to mainstream full-sized family homes, Tesla is exploring the tiny house market. The smaller homes, according to Tech Bullion, also feature Tesla solar panels and Powerwall battery storage units. However, the real selling point is the price, which starts at $7,000. Read Next:Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? . Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article A New Community Of Homes Powered By Tesla Tech Is Selling Out Fast, Facing 'No Issues With Trump and Musk Backlash' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Texans Are Buying Up Tesla-Powered Homes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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 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 "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 Despite the high price tag, Fallon told 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 "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.
New York Post
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
The first Tesla-powered community in the US just launched — and homes are selling out fast
In Houston, an enclave of 11 homes fully powered by Tesla technology is drawing fervent interest from buyers — all as Elon Musk navigates turbulent waters with ongoing vehicle vandalism. Demand is unrelenting, with inquiries flooding in from as far afield as Washington State and overseas. 'We have honestly had no issues with Trump and Musk backlash. In fact, I had over 150-plus people at my brokers' open. It was insane, people were very excited,' Jamie Fallon, a Houston-based real estate broker handling the homes' sales, told (Musk himself is not involved.) Nestled in the Oaks of Shady Acres neighborhood, these properties — constructed by Utopia Homes, in partnership with Tesla — boast the company's solar roof tiles, Powerwall batteries and electric vehicle chargers, offering a lifeline of continuous electricity in a state plagued by power outages due to its independent grid. 'It's the only community of its kind in North America,' Fallon told The Post. 'They created this product because of the loss of power that we continuously have here.' 11 Elon Musk. Bloomberg via Getty Images 'All of our electrical is above the air. It's not buried underground. And so when there's a power storm, it'll knock out a transformer, it knocks out power lines monthly. And so we continuously have power outages.' The homes, priced at $524,000 for smaller models and $544,900 for larger ones, far exceed Houston's median listing price of $365,000. 11 In Houston, a community of 11 Tesla-powered homes has sparked intense buyer interest despite challenges facing Tesla and its founder, Elon Musk. K2 Imagery 'Houston is an oil and gas place, so having the first Tesla-powered homes is unheard of,' she said. Only four homes remain unsold, Fallon told The Post. 11 The homes are equipped with Tesla's solar roof shingles, Powerwall battery storage and EV chargers. K2 Imagery 11 These homes ensure uninterrupted power — a critical feature in Texas, which has faced prolonged outages. K2 Imagery 11 One home currently available spans 1,907 square feet. K2 Imagery The homes' energy independence, powered by corrosion-resistant steel solar tiles and backed by Powerwall storage, eliminates electric bills and ensures 24/7 outage protection, according to listing details. The properties blend cutting-edge sustainability with high-end design. Fallon said they wanted to partner with Tesla because they offered 'aesthetically pleasing shingles.' 'Tesla is one of the only ones that has actual shingles. So these aren't the ugly solar panels, the big rectangle square ones, these are true shingles,' Fallon told The Post. 'We didn't want something that looked aesthetically gross.' 11 Priced at $524,000 and $544,900, well above Houston's median list price of $365,000, the homes have drawn buyers from near and far. K2 Imagery 11 Broker Jamie Fallon reports overwhelming demand. K2 Imagery 11 The homes feature modern designs with steel solar tiles, floor-to-ceiling windows and premium amenities like Quartz countertops and spa-like bathrooms. K2 Imagery An available three-bedroom, 1,907-square-foot home features floor-to-ceiling windows, a sleek kitchen with Whirlpool appliances and Quartz countertops — and a spa-inspired primary suite with a soaking tub and an expansive shower. The listing touts a 'private yard, perfect for relaxation or entertaining,' and proximity to local trails and shopping. Buyers, described by Fallon as 'normal, everyday people,' include international prospects eager to secure these innovative dwellings. 'The cooler thing is in those neighborhoods close by, there's houses that don't have any of this technology that are around the same price. So why would you purchase one of those [homes] when you can get one of these?' Fallon asked. 11 A look inside one of the bedrooms. K2 Imagery 11 A spa-like bathroom seen in one of the homes. K2 Imagery 11 A balcony. K2 Imagery '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,' she told The fervor suggests a potential shift in Texas, where Fallon believes such homes could become a blueprint for future development. 'What legislation we have in Washington is going to dictate it, but going toward clean energy is where I think the country is headed. I think there is a mindset shift happening,' she added. Fallon herself is sold on the technology, planning to install Tesla's solar shingles — priced between between $50 and $88 per square foot — on her own home. 'The next time I have to replace my roof, I'm putting Tesla shingles. You can't even tell [what they are], they look so good,' she said.
Daily Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Tesla-powered homes sparks buyer frenzy despite Elon Musk backlash
A one-of-a-kind community made up entirely of Tesla-powered homes has prompted a rush of interest from buyers in the US despite the clean-energy company's founder Elon Musk facing mounting backlash over his work for the Trump administration. All 11 homes in the community feature Tesla's solar roof shingles, EV chargers, and Powerwall home battery storage to ensure they enjoy uninterrupted power, an amenity that has become increasingly rare in Houston, Texas which is not on the national power grid. But the properties are attracting interest from far beyond state lines, according to Houston-based broker Jamie Fallon, who the homes have been flying off the market. The feverish demand for the dwellings, which have seen inquiries from buyers as far away as Washington state, comes at a difficult time for Tesla, which has seen its stock price plummet in the first quarter of 2025 amid President Donald Trump's tariffs trade war. Meanwhile, Musk has faced increasing backlash from Tesla customers over his role as Trump's DOGE czar, a position that has led to some of the company's vehicles being vandalised and even set alight by protesters. Still, Fallon says, that has done little to impede the Tesla-powered homes' ability to find buyers. 'We have honestly had no issues with Trump and Musk backlash. In fact, I had over 150-plus people at my brokers' open. It was insane, people were very excited. Houston is an oil and gas place, so having the first Tesla-powered homes is unheard of,' she says. MORE: Elon Musk's very humble $50,000 home where he really lives Fallon adds that, when it comes to priorities, the buyers she has seen are far more interested in ensuring a steady supply of power rather than pursuing a political vendetta. '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. So when we lose power, we're out for five days,' she adds. '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.' Of the 11 homes in the community, which was built by Utopia Homes and is located in the Oaks of Shady Acres subdivision, only four are still available. Two are the larger model, which has an asking price of $544,900 ($A853,192), while the others are smaller and have a price tag of $524,000 ($A820,468) — around $179,900 more than Houston's median list price of $365,000. The buyers are 'normal, everyday people,' Fallon says. Some have even 'come from different countries just to get their hands on these homes.' MORE: Elon Musk searches for Bel-Air home in LA Interest in the Tesla-powered properties has been so impressive, the broker believes that the homes will become the new standard for Texas. She hopes people in other states will also adopt clean energy in residential dwellings, Fallon says, but concedes that it might come down to who is sitting in the White House. 'What legislation we have in Washington is going to dictate it, but going toward clean energy is where I think the country is headed. I think there is a mindset shift happening,' she adds. And while Fallon doesn't currently have her own Tesla-powered home, the broker confesses that she plans to install Tesla shingles on the roof of her home. The shingles cost between $50 and $88 per square foot. 'The next time I have to replace my roof, I'm putting Tesla shingles. You can't even tell [what they are], they look so good,' she says. According to the listing for one of the remaining Tesla-powered homes, the solar roof comes with steel tiles that are 'corrosion and weather proof.' MORE: Strange truth of Trump's election home base 'Step into modern elegance expertly crafted by Utopia Homes. This property showcases groundbreaking Tesla Solar Roof Shingles and Power Wall technology, ensuring 100% energy security and eliminating electric bills for a truly sustainable lifestyle. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 power outage protection,' the listing reads. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom model, which measures 177.16 sqm, perfectly blends sophistication and elegance thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows. 'The sleek, modern kitchen is a culinary masterpiece, equipped with premium Whirlpool appliances, elegant Quartz countertops, under-cabinet lighting, and a spacious walk-in pantry,' the listing reads. 'The luxurious owner's suite is a serene retreat, complete with a spa-like ensuite featuring a freestanding soaking tub, an expansive walk-in shower, dual sinks, and a large closet. 'Step outside to your private yard, perfect for relaxation or entertaining. Ideally situated just moments from Heights Hike & Bike Paths & shopping.' This story first appeared on Realtor and was republished with permission.
