Are you interested in buying a “green” home? If you are, wouldn’t you like to know that it really is as green as the listing agent says?
This is a bit of a pet peeve of mine as a Built Green member and a Realtor who represents home buyers. I hate to see listings that say a home is “Built Green” or “Energy Star” when it isn’t.
Both of those are real certification programs. There are real steps that builders and remodelers must take to get a project certified, and oftentimes there are also fees they pay. Having an “Energy Star” home is not just about using Energy Star appliances!
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That said, here are three questions you can ask the listing agent (or ask your agent to find out) to make sure that house you’re looking at really IS as green as they say.
1. “What is the rating level?” If it’s listed as Built Green*, LEED for Homes, Energy Star, Third-Party Verified, or has any other “green” certification, ask what the rating level is. For example, a Built Green home to be certified, you’ll want to see a rating of three to five stars. LEED-certified homes have will be “certified”, silver, gold, platinum. With Energy Star certification, it either is or is not certified.
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The moral of the story is that no matter what the listing says, you should be able to find out the rating, and the seller and listing agent should be excited to share that info with you! If they can’t tell you more about the rating, or they say it’s both Built Green AND Energy Star, that’s a red flag! It’s highly unlikely that a project would be certified under multiple programs.
2. “What are the green features of this home?” The listing agent should be able to tell you (at least at a high level) what makes the home green, from the energy-efficient appliances and above-code insulation to the wool carpet and recycled glass countertops.
3. May I see the certification? If the home is actually certified, the seller should have a document showing that it is certified and by whom.
*Built Green is a regional program, as is Earth Advantage (in the Portland area), and there are other regional programs around the country. LEED for Homes and Energy Star are nationwide programs.