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Does your Listing have Solar Panels? Green Features?

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Real Estate Agent with Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 SA5376460000

You're an agent and about to meet a homeowner who wants to sell their home.  "Great," you say in your head.  But wait!  Their home has solar panels and other green "stuff."  You're getting nervous because you don't understand these features!   What if they ask you questions and you can't answer them?  Then what? 

 

These are some of the questions that a realtor may be thinking when they are called upon to sell a home with Solar Panels and other energy efficient features.   The owners of the home have spent thousands on features that you know nothing about.  Why would you work with a client who understands features better than you do?   What do you do?  

 

Answer - you partner with a knowledgeable "GREEN Designee!"   If you're looking for a GREEN Designee in your state, here's where to find them! 

 

A GREEN designee has earned the "GREEN" designation from the National Association of REALTORS®.   When you earn a green designation you will learn:

 

  • How to market and sell high performance homes
  • How to recognize energy efficiency, water efficiency & solar panel technology
  • How to share intricate details of how home components work as a System in a home
  • How to market the features while avoiding greenwashing
  • How to gain value for owned solar panels
  • How to understand the difference between owned, financed and leased solar panels
  • How to sell homes for more money by recognizing green features
  • How to work with appraisers to gain more value for these homes

 

These and many other reasons are why you should partner with a realtor who has the education and training to help your seller gain more value for their homes.  That extra value can help pay for their own fees or compensation.  And you will look like a hero to your clients! 

 

As a realtor with 3 designations on this topic, I'm happy to help realtors by answering questions.  But when it comes to selling a home with high performance features, it's best to partner with an agent like me for your client's best interests.  Stay out of legal jeopardy and put your clients first.  The referrals and high praise are worth it! 

Designations & Certifications

 

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jan,
This goes along with "staying in your own lane". I would never take on a solar panel home without the assistance of someone who understands how they affect the value of a home, and how to market it.

Oct 06, 2024 12:12 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good information to share. Solar panels have become more popular in our area.

Oct 07, 2024 08:20 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you for sharing that information Kathy Streib .  The really cool thing about LEED buildings is they use 7 categories and a point system to build great buildings.  If they hva a battery back up system, they are then storing their own power as well.  They focus on the location, energy effiicency, water efficiency, using local materials, better indoor air quality, and reusing materials if available.  It's a win win for the building, the owners, the community and the environment.  Do you remember if you ever smelled chemicals in that dental office?  Probably not!  

Oct 07, 2024 08:43 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Thank you Dennis Neal !  You sound educated on the topic - good for you!  Understanding the benefits of partnering with an agent who understand these features is a boon to your business.   Earning my first EcoBroker designation in 2008, it's been a long journey.  I appreciate your comments.  If I can ever be of service, please don't hesitate to call!

Oct 07, 2024 10:46 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754  there are a lot of green features that fly under the radar because they can be behind the walls and in attics, eg - duct sealing, insulation, windows (low e), thermally insulated doors, newer HVAC - AC - furnaces, Energy Star kitchen and laundry appliances are all green features.  Appliances don't always have an Energy Star label, so check the store by searching for "Energy Star appliances.  Every one of these combined work as a system to lower energy bills!  Thank you for your comments!

Oct 07, 2024 10:50 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Yes Endre Barath, Jr. , these are national questions in eveyr state.   That's why I list, owned, financed or leased.  Most realtors don't understand that 3rd party financed solar systems have no value.   The only way to get value is to pay it off with cash or use a HELOC.  Thank you for commenting!

Oct 07, 2024 10:58 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

You're right Michael Jacobs ! It's critically important to ask yourself as an agent, "Is selling this house a liability for me and my business?"  If you could listen in on some of the calls I get from local agents, you'd be slapping your forhead with the palm of your hand!  Thank you for your wise words!

Oct 07, 2024 11:01 AM
Michael Jacobs

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ - smacking my head remains a perilous pondering pursuit.  In real life and even as the AR blog roll passes by.  It seems rather endless at times.  Oh, well.  Patience.  I repeat.  Over and over.  Then again.  

Oct 07, 2024 11:52 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Understandable Nina Hollander, Broker .  But green features aren't always visible unless you ask questions of the seller.  Knowing what questions to ask will uncover green features.  Read my comments for Ed. 

Oct 07, 2024 11:02 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Yes Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty !  The math now makes sense.  As panels become more energy efficient and prices drop, the energy savings and shorter ROI make it a great decision.  Thank you for commenting!

Oct 07, 2024 11:04 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

You're one smart cookie Kat Palmiotti , which keeps you out of legal jeopardy.  I'm considering what my next post will be on this thread! 

Oct 07, 2024 11:04 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Definitely a good bet for energy savings and the return on investment is quicker than it used to be for solar panels Laura Cerrano .  Thank you for commenting!

Oct 07, 2024 11:05 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Oh yes, California has LOADS of panels.  We used to be #1 in the US per capita, then our utilities added regulations and charges.  Crazy!  Thank you for commenting John Juarez!

Oct 07, 2024 11:07 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Nailed it Carol Williams !  It's critical to stay in your lane.  One of the presenters at this year's NAR Sustainability Summit had a full screen snippit of the Disclosures with added language in red that he'd like to add.   It's geared to adding more language about ethics and competency.  Imagine if a seller saw that and then looked to his listing agent for guidance - there you go!   Thank you for commenting!

Oct 07, 2024 11:09 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Oh yes Roy Kelley !  Part of the reason you're seeing more efforts in sustainability in Maryland is due to efforts by your government.  I've been hearing lots of good stuff about Maryland and their great results in their carbon goals.  There are your local links.  And Maryland is #2, Arizona is #1 in Energy Star homes per capita!  Thank you for commenting!

https://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.energystar.gov/newhomes/energy_star_certified_new_homes_market_share

Oct 07, 2024 11:14 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I just dealt with a home with solar panels. The dad had died and the heirs had no idea what was required!

Oct 08, 2024 01:48 PM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Although we live in the Sunny South.  At this point, there is not a lot of solar panels providing electricity.  I think this is coming and it is one of the most efficient ways to provide power.

Oct 09, 2024 09:12 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

That is one tough proposition Lise Howe !  Did you find any documents about the system?  OFtentimes, I advise sellers to check bank accounts, Secretary of State office paperwork, and bankruptcy court filings to find information.  Tracing a system backwards can unearth facts to help.  

Oct 09, 2024 10:40 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

You're right Ginger Harper !  Solar panels that provide power even during cloudy days are in being researched.  I bet we see those in the not too distant future.  Thank you for commenting. 

Oct 09, 2024 10:42 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Home buyers are getting pickier wanted owned solar panels not leased. 

Sam Shueh

Oct 10, 2024 07:16 AM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Hi Jan, This is good info regarding solar panels for a home sale. I sold a home with solar and it got complicated because the solar company had a lease that needed to be accepted and transferred to the new owners. It all worked out but made the sale much more complicated.

Oct 18, 2024 03:39 AM