For new construction, another thing to watch for is yard signs!  Many Energy Star homes have a sign right in front of the home - of course, they're still hard to find if you can't search the MLS for them.  Until we have that ability, try searching online for Energy Star builders before you begin your search for your new home. 

Energy Star homes are also boast much tighter construction - so not only will your energy costs be lower, you'll also be spending a little less on allergy remedies! 

Great information Eleanor - that's sure an eye-catching photo!

Great info, Eleanor!  WIth the switchover ro Tempo 5 I am one of the dreaded callers to MLS right now.  So, I will add that to my list though to request at a later date.  Where have you been?  Missed these informative posts!

Our MLS in the Metro DC area doesn't have a field for this, but I'm sure it will in the next couple of years.  Just for my clarification, this Energy Star home is different from simply using Energy Star appliances & HVAC system?  It's an interesting concept I'll have to follow...

We have some of the highest energy costs in the country. ConEd is ALWAYS trying to raise rates and not doing much of a job maintaining the system.  So the result is a lot of angry ConEd customers sweltering through blackouts - which ConEd uses to justify raising prices in order to improve "infrastructure."  Perhaps they should have done this BEFORE they raised rates since that is why most of us thought we were paying top dollar initially. Difficult situation.

Nevertheless, Energy STAR homes are not really advertised/promoted here. Strange.

Eleanor,

Great idea, and one that I am sure TMLS will offer when they put out a few other raging fires.

Eleanor,

Great post! I'm currently working with a few other REALTORs in my area to get our local MLS committee to make the changes required to include Energy Star and some third-party verified green certifications. I'll post on it as soon as we get there!

I think that having this info in MLS would certainly facilitate buyers being able to search for properties offering these benefits and for agents to use them more effectively in marketing!  Great idea!

This is good information I will keep this in mind should come in very handy.

We have a local program here called the "Hawaii Built Green" program.  The building industry and the state department of energy have been taking the lead in promoting it.

I think energy bills and usage is private information and owners will have to voluntarilly agree to release the info.  If most are willing it would be good to know for the  buyer.

Hi Eleanor - I just finished the EcoBroker certification. More and more consumers are looking at Energy Star and green built homes. Those agents who recognize this and can provide useful info and resources to their clients should have plenty of business.

We also don't have that option in our local MLS but it probably could change in the future.  Good idea!

I wish I had that as a tool. Maybe soon as I forwarded this to our local board. Its a great idea and something that can help clients.

I wish I had that as a tool. Maybe soon as I forwarded this to our local board. Its a great idea and something that can help clients.

Eleanor - Congrats on your feature!  You've certainly raised an excellent point. 

I think the energy star idea is still to "new" for most MLS systems.  Having worked in the technology industry for a number of years the idea of just adding a new field to an enterprise level system sounds easy to the average person but in reality it can be a programming nightmare.  All we can do is make the suggestion and wait to see how it rates on the next round of system improvements.

Great post!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the info.

As always, useful info.

Jim

I've seen energy star homes in the comment section of local MLS. If enough people ask for a change, I am sure it can be included.

Hey Guys!  Thanks for stopping by!  WOW!

Couple of quick points.  Energy Star is "like" those applicances - but it's A TON MORE.  For a home to get the Energy Star designation, it must be 15 percent more energy efficient than the "base code" efficiency set by the Department of Energy. So it's Energy Star appliances, plus plus.  One concern is that this is a relatively "new" program (5 years?) and homeowners might not know the importance of putting that sticker on the fuse box!

NEXT - builders in this area are now offering "Energy Upgrades" just like they might for granite counter tops.  I would be watching for that, and considering if that is a good option for your buyer... with energy costs continuing to go up, it could be important.  That's why I felt that having the accumulation of data in the MLS system could help the re-sale of these homes!

Eleanor - Our Southern Oregon MLS added this (finally!) a couple of months ago, so agents are able to see when a property has these features for their prospective buyers. It's a great tool that helps meet the rapidly increasing demand for energy efficient features. Congratulations on the feature!

Congrats on the FEATURE, E.!!!!

This is a great question and we should be thinking about adding this to our MLS data.

It always needs tweaking - thanks for the heads up.

Starting in August '08 our MLS for the greater Atlanta area (FMLS) will have a field for entering 3 green building certifications . . .

EarthCraft Home, LEED for Homes, and Energy Star Home.

A field I'm sure that will be more in demand -- and used -- as time goes by.

I'm sure it was outspoken voices like yours that led to this feature . . . good post.

Eleanor,  It was great meeting you today.  I agree and think this is something the MLS should Add as an available field.  we also have to get the brokers to buy into this idea.  This is a great start.  It is certainly becoming more popular for Buyers agent to start asking about the energy and other utility bills.  Buyers are becoming more aware of this issue and it will be a big one soon.  Great post.  Have a great week!!  Brian Wray

Great info!  Until we actually have a searchable field in our MLS, we can certainly add it to the comments section for both the buyer and the agent.

This would be a good feature if it were included. People want to know about energy costs. Here in Arizona where summers are 114+ you can bet they want to know how much it will cost to run the A/C.

Hi Eleanor,
A very good point and even though Buyers may not ask, I believe it is information that will benefit them and they will appreciate receiving.