News and Insights

The National Association of Home Builders’ home buyer preference survey uncovered the green features that buyers want and how much extra they’d pay for them. 

The real estate industry just got one step closer to closing the solar knowledge gap. Chicago-based Elevate Energy received a $445,000 cooperative award from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative and it’s using the money to develop training in residential solar systems for the real estate and appraisal industries. 

Universal design principles and green home features may seem mutually exclusive. 

But when the two concepts are combined in a house, the result can be a property that is safer and easier to maneuver and one that is water and energy efficient. 

Rosemarie Rossetti, who started using a wheelchair after an accident, has firsthand experience with both concepts. 

Momentum. That’s how I’d describe the vibe at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. 

Environmental topics are permeating new parts of the real estate industry and green issues have become a subject of discussion in places where they weren’t just a few years ago.

It’s sometimes hard to keep up with the details of all the home certification programs. 

For instance, changes to ENERGY STAR Certified Homes  have raised the bar and require new homes to achieve higher standards to receive the certification.