Capturing Energy Efficiency in Residential Real Estate Transactions

Homebuyers value efficiency features and in some regions, pay a premium for certified efficient homes. However, the home sale process frequently fails to include the value of high-performance home features. Energy efficiency program administrators play a vital role in assuring the information they capture about participants' efficiency upgrades is transmitted to real estate professionals in formats they can use and understand. This paper draws on a literature review and interviews with real estate professionals and efficiency program administrators. The report highlights obstacles and opportunities that efficiency programs are uniquely qualified to address, and provides examples of programs that are successfully engaging the real estate community to shore up information transmission gaps and help capture the value of efficiency in home resale prices.