Sustainability Programs For Realtors
As a Marin County Realtor, you are a valued informational resource to your clients. Be able to provide them with the most up-to-date information on home improvement rebates and resources regarding energy efficiency and green building practices.
Realtor Training Resources
Build It Green provides trainings for Realtors and other building sector professionals interested in learning about green building practices. Visit the Build It Green training schedule to look for upcoming classes.
The Pacific Gas & Electric Company's Pacific Energy Center provides free classes that range from lighting technology to HVAC and home performance. Visit the PEC website to look for upcoming energy trainings relating to Realtors and home energy efficiency.
Home Energy Score
Home Energy Score is a home rating system that generates a "score" between 1 and 10. The score indicates how efficient a home is compared to comparable-sized homes. Home Energy Score was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and draws data from homes all over the Country. Home Scores provide homeowners with valuable information on their how efficient their home is and what steps can be taking to improve efficiency and comfort.
Search for local professionals offering the Home Energy Score here.
BayREN Home+
Whether your client is buying or selling their home, making energy efficient improvements can be a great value add to a property. On top of lower utility costs, improving a home's efficiency can improve the level of comfort (by adding insulation and eliminating drafts), improve air quality (by sealing/replacing ducts), and give your clients the peace of mind that they are lowering their greenhouse gas emissions. The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Home+ program provides rebates and no-cost technical support for homeowners that make energy efficiency improvements. Eligible projects include insulation upgrades, air sealing, HVAC upgrades, duct system repairs and replacement, smart thermostat installs, and water heater upgrades.
Homeowners can get started by visiting the program website, browsing the Find a Contractor page, or by calling a Home Energy Advisor at (866) 878-6008.
Home Energy Advisors
The Home Energy Advisor service is a
free resource for Bay Area homeowners that are interested in energy efficiency. They are comprised of Building Performance Institute certified energy professionals and they can answer all questions relating to home energy efficiency, building performance, and regional rebate and incentive programs. They are sponsored by BayREN and are not connected to any single company or contractor, this allows them to offer objective, third-party advice to homeowners.
The Home Energy Advisors can be a useful tool for Realtors when clients have technical questions regarding efficiency and building performance or the specifics of the Home Upgrade program. The Home Upgrade Advisors can be reached toll-free at (866) 878-6008.
"Welcome to Your Home" Kit
This 12-page booklet contains everything a new homeowner would want to know when moving into a new home.
Information includes: how to go solar, energy efficiency programs and rebates, how to find your waste hauler, water conservation, community volunteering opportunities, and more. View the online PDF below or call our office to request a hard copy (415) 473-2698.
Home Value and Energy Efficiency Studies
Energy efficient homes benefit occupants with lower utility costs and better livability in terms of comfort and air quality; they are also more valuable and marketable in the housing market. And with green building practices becoming more mainstream, there is a lot of data available that points to growing demand for the transparency of information regarding home utility bills. Similar to how miles-per-gallon informs car-buying consumers, home-buyers want to know the expected operating costs before purchasing a home.
A joint UCLA and Cal Berkeley study from 2012 examined 1.6 million sales transactions in California and found evidence that, holding other factors constant, a green label on a single family home provides a 9 percent market premium compared to similar homes without labels. The green labels examined in this study include LEED for Homes, Energy Star, and GreenPoint Rated. Read the U.S. Green Building Council article and find the study here.
This study published by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory titled "Appraising into the Sun: Six-State Solar Home Paired-Sales Analysis" found that solar panels are viewed as upgrades, just like a renovated kitchen or a finished basement, and home buyers across the country have been willing to pay a premium of about $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar array.