Growing consumer interest and demand for greener, more sustainable properties is driving a dialogue between Realtors® and homebuyers and sellers.
In April 2017, the National Association of Realtors® introduced the REALTORS® and Sustainability report, which surveyed Realtors® about sustainability issues facing consumers in the real estate market and ways Realtors® are setting their own goals to reduce energy usage. According to the report, over half of Realtors® and that consumers have an interest in real estate sustainability issues and practices.
“As consumers’ interest in sustainability grows, Realtors® understand the necessity of promoting sustainability in their real estate practice, such as marketing energy efficiency in property listings to homebuyers,” said Natasha Zieroth-Chaumont. President of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors®.
The home features that Realtors® said clients consider as very or somewhat important include a home’s efficient use of lighting (50 percent), a smart/connected home (40 percent), green community features such as bike lanes and green spaces (37 percent), landscaping for water conservation (32 percent), and renewable energy systems such as solar and geothermal (23 percent).
The survey asked respondents about renewable energy and its impact on the real estate market. A majority of brokers (80 percent) said that solar panels are available in their market; forty-two percent said solar panels increased the perceived property value.
The transportation and commuting features of a community that Realtors® listed as very or somewhat important to their clients included walkability (51 percent), public transportation (31 percent) and bike lanes/paths (39 percent).
To learn more about desirable green home features in your area, please speak with a Realtor®.
The Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors® is “the voice for real estate in Snohomish County.” If you have questions for The Expert about Real Estate email us at info@sccar.com.
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