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Homeowners, Buyers Get Eco-friendly

Homeowners are going green, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In a recent survey, NAR found that the majority of its members, 71 percent, felt that the promotion of energy efficiency in their listings was either somewhat or very valuable. This means that potential homeowners buy green, and many may make their purchase decision based on if a home has energy-efficient amenities.

As more buyers look to go green, more homes are moving toward renewable, alternative energy. According to NAR, 80 percent of respondents to their survey stated that they had properties with solar panels in their market. Some respondents, 39 percent, even said that the presence of solar panels could increase the value of a home. Only 11 percent of respondents believed that the presence of solar panels actually decreases the value of homes on the market.

Other energy efficient home ideas, such as wind farms and “tiny homes”, have not quite reached the level solar panels have, however. NAR reports that 61 percent of its survey respondents had no tiny homes in their market, while just 13 percent stated that they had wind farms in their market.

Though most respondents agreed on the value of going green to the homes in their market, it seems to have little impact on the time homes spend on the market. Only 6 percent of respondents believed homes with green certifications, such as LEED, Energy Star, or NGBS, spent a little less time on the market. Meanwhile, 40 percent believed homes with these green certifications spent neither more nor less time on the market.

Still, buyers recognize the value of an energy efficient home. According to NAR, 61 percent of clients are at least somewhat interested in sustainability, with nine percent being very interested.

About Author: Seth Welborn

Seth Welborn is a Harding University graduate with a degree in English and a minor in writing. He is a contributing writer for MReport. An East Texas Native, he has studied abroad in Athens, Greece and works part-time as a photographer.
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