Energy-efficient features a priority for prospective buyers, NAR says

Homes with energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features are often a priority for prospective buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

Nine out of 10 recent home buyers say that heating and cooling costs were somewhat or very important when considering a home for purchase. NAR data shows that features which directly affect monthly energy costs are important to buyers; 39 percent say a home’s heating and cooling costs were very important when shopping for a home, followed by energy-efficient appliances and lighting, each at 24 percent.

“Realtors® build communities and know that consumer demand for greener homes and features has grown considerably over the past several years. Going green has proven to be more than a trend; many people now seek out this way of living and want homes and communities that are more resource efficient and sensitive to the environment,” said NAR President Gary Thomas, in a statemtent. “As energy savings and green building features are becoming more important to buyers, sellers and businesses, it comes as no surprise that consumers are placing a higher value on properties with those features.”

Buyers in the North and South regions of the country placed a greater importance on heating and cooling costs, most likely due to more extreme temperatures in those areas. Also nearly 60 percent of buyers who purchased homes built in 2011 said HVAC costs were very important compared to less than 30 percent of owners whose homes were built before 1910.

To help its Realtor® members meet the growing consumer demand for green building practices and energy-efficient homes, NAR created the Green Resource Council in 2008. The council administers NAR’s Green Designation, which provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that Realtors® can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features.