The core power and relevance of a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) comes from its quality, comprehensiveness, and timeliness of its property database. The richer the data, the more subscribers can leverage that data to expand their marketing opportunities for homebuyers. According to NAR’s 2022 REALTORS® and Sustainability report, 63% of consumers are interested in sustainability, green home features, home energy scores and green certifications. While interest in home performance features is strong, just 35% of MLSs currently offer searchable green features, according to the same study.
An MLS interested in continually expanding engagement and relevance of their data can now easily address the ever-increasing consumer interest in energy efficient homes. Inflation has hit the cost of home heating and cooling hard as well, driving homebuyers to again be increasingly concerned about home energy costs.
Electricity costs per-kilowatt-hour have reached an all-time high in 2022 and show no sign of decline. As interest rates rise along with utility rates, demand for homes may be going down. Promoting energy-efficient homes is one powerful way to keep people interested in real estate.
The Green Building Registry® (GBR) is the simplest and most cost-effective way to help REALTORS® engage their buyers in energy efficient homes.
GBR sources energy efficiency data from 13 different sources, providing millions of records nationwide. The GBR API provides one RESO compliant, single-sourced data connection making it easy to integrate hoe performance data directly into a listing detail page. The API also enables a search for green certified homes within the MLS system.
GBR includes property documentation required in some MLSs. Through our partnership with the Appraisal Institute, GBR provides a pre-filled Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum, an added benefit for appraiser members.
Jan Green, REALTOR, EcoBroker, SFR GREEN, HomeSmart of Scottsdale, Arizona says, "Consumers care about energy efficiency, better indoor air quality, and non-toxic finishes. Building certifications are a great way to provide information that is 3rd party verified so the public can make better buying decisions."
GBR provides a promotional boost to properties that are more energy efficient and less costly to own.
If you would like to learn more about the Green Building Registry API and the simplicity of integrating it into your MLS system,
click here.
