In the pacific northwest, homes certified as eco-friendly sold for 8.5% more per square foot and were on the market 22% less time than other homes, according to the ECert report that tracks new home sales from September 2007 through December 2009. Homes that underwent the strictest certifications sold for 25% more than non-certified homes. Certified home standards included Earth Advantage New Homes, ENERGY STAR®, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
The Earth Advantage Institute put out their own report citing that green-certified homes in the Portland, Ore., metro area, sold for 12% more than non-certified homes from May 2008 through April 2009. Its analysis, based on data from the Regional Multiple Listing Service, saw a premium per square of $193 for a green certified home verses $173 for other homes.
“The fact that the number of sustainable homes increased despite a severe slowdown shows that energy efficiency and green building will only be growing in the near future,” said Sean Penrith, executive director of Earth Advantage Institute. “In this economy, consumers are seeing the combined appeal of long-term energy savings with healthier homes that leave less of a carbon footprint.”
posted by Kimberly Lancaster | twitter
Filed under: Green, Green Building | Tagged: and the U.S. Green Building Council, Earth Advantage New Homes, ECert report, Energy Star, green real estate prices, LEED for Homes, value of a green home | Leave a Comment »
