Green Real Estate Listings
For quite some time now, everyone’s been wondering if “green building” techniques will pay on the real estate market. These days, with the housing market in submarine status, the notion that some sort of green designation might help move empty houses is particularly attractive. This successful local realtor asks a national board:
The builder plans on offering variations of a design depending on the buyer’s price point. We are actively discussing what the buyer will pay for certain green features in this price range. Green has not become big in my Emerald Coast market yet. Suggestions as to what can be recouped and what will sell and what the buyers will pay?
We’re finally starting to get some data.
Further in the conversation linked above:
“Analysis indicates that home values increase by about $20.00 for every $1.00 reduction in annual utility bills (”More Evidence of Rational Market Values For Home Energy Efficiency” from the Appraisal Journal).”
I also found a series of real estate listings on the site GreenHomesForSale.com, with some gratifying keywords used. I’ve marked them in bold:
“Waterfront, Energy-Efficient Home with Organic Permaculture Garden.” “SW FLORIDA’S #1 GREEN HOME ON 9 ACRES! SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE for Energy-Efficient, Low-Impact Living!” “Florida’s #1 Ranked Green Home on the market. Winner of the prestigous Aurora award. Florida Green Building Coalition certified with 2nd highest rating of all homes in Florida.” “Waterfront solar powered 2BR/1BA + loft.” “To be certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition and EnergyStar rated. Healthy and natural materials woven throughout the thoughtful design.”
(Apologies for the Florida-centric viewpoint: I’m thinking global, but acting local.)
Obviously, these listings are a mixed bag: multiple #1 houses (heh)–apparently someone thinks all-concrete houses are “green”– and the current standards confusion are reflected in the language. Still, I’m happy to see a very mainstream realtor asking the question that the market seems to be answering.
