Interested in appraising green homes? If you want to become a specialist in this growing appraisal niche, an important step is to make sure you understand the prevalence of green homes in the global and local real estate markets. You can gain technical knowledge by researching and reading architectural, marketing, and building articles, as well as technical papers about green homes. Here are five recommended resources for understanding the green home market.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated through LEED, the world’s most widely-used green building system with more than 100,000 buildings participating today. You can find info on the LEED rating system, search their online directory, and find helpful articles at USGBC.org.
The Green Building Registry® (GBR) is a web-based platform that provides home performance data to real estate agents, appraisers, lenders, and homeowners across the U.S. You can search by property address, neighborhood, city, county, or zip code to pull up real-time data on home energy labels, solar installations, and green building certifications. The platform features filters that allow appraisers to narrow the results for home comparison purposes, and many of the homes listed contain the Appraisal Institute’s Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum. GBR data can also be integrated into your MLS.
Download this free ebook to learn the ins and outs of green home appraising.
This online database is another excellent resource for understanding the green home market. DSIRE® is the most comprehensive source of info on policies and incentives that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. It’s operated by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. With just one click, you can pull up a list of all current “green” policies and incentives in your state—for both homes and businesses.
Another great resource is the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), which is an independent non-profit organization that develops national standards for energy-efficiency rating and certification systems in the United States. The RESNET National Registry is a valuable source of info for builders, consumers, utility programs, and appraisers. This online registry allows you to search for HERS-rated homes by property address.
You can also find helpful info right here on our blog! We’ve covered topics including:
Ready to take it a step further? Establish a presence in the growing market of green home valuation with McKissock’s Certified Green Home Appraiser (CGHA) program.
