Friday, December 20, 2013

Latest News in Green Appraising

If you haven’t heard yet there are new tools to help boost appraiser’s competency related to appraising buildings with green features. Besides the numerous resources and trainings now offered by the Appraisal Institute (http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/green/default.aspx), the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum gives lenders, underwriters, appraisers, buyers, and/or agents a tool to accurately describe a property’s “green” features.

These features can be anything related to green building, sustainable building, renewable energy or energy efficiency. The advantage of this new addendum is the ability to capture a wide variety of these often overlooked features in one place. The addendum can be filled out by the builder, the energy rater, the homeowner, or the appraiser. Ideally, the person who is most familiar with the project’s “green” features needs to supply the necessary information for the addendum. When completed, the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum can be attached to the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report. 

Click here to download the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum. To learn more about how to use the information included on the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum as a tool to appraise “green” homes, stay tuned to our next blog. 

Monday, September 30, 2013

HVAC Contractors - Getting Started with ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR v3 for the HVAC Contracto

The NCEEA has created a document to help the HVAC contractor become qualified to work on ENERGY STAR jobs and become a leading energy efficient contractor.

Click here or on the document to download the pdf.

HVAC contractors who are ready to learn and apply advanced techniques recommended by ENERGY STAR can have the opportunity to sell more services, improve customer satisfaction, and make homes they work on significantly more energy-efficient and comfortable.

Advanced Energy is the second organization to become a HVAC Quality Installation Oversight Organization (H-QUITO) and supports NC and surrounding states. They will guide you through the process, provide technical assistance, and oversight so you can begin working on ENERGY STAR jobs!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Sales of Certified Energy Efficient Homes Outperform Traditional Construction in Triangle

Statistics for 2012 home sales in the Triangle region in NC show that certified green homes sold for higher prices and spent less time on the market than traditional homes. Sales of certified homes have shown consistent growth each year, increasing at a rate more than twice that of uncertified homes. This data shows a strong appeal for certified homes even in a difficult market period.

Certification adds additional costs for the builder and owner, but is proof to the buyer that the home meets stringent specifications and will result in a healthy, durable home with monthly energy savings. This information should help real estate professionals understand the impact that certified energy efficient homes are having in the residential housing market and give builders a great reason to build certified homes.

Realty Analytics performed the data analyses using MLS and county records, see the original report here.