At the beginning of February, we sent out an anonymous survey to our LAER agents to understand their experience with green real estate transactions. The short five question survey included a box for comments at the end.
According to the survey results 41% of LAER agents have been involved with a real estate transaction that included solar panels. 53% have shown a home with ductless mini-splits, a relatively new technology here in the Northeast that uses air source heat pump (ASHP) technology effectively in colder climates. They are considered highly efficient, and a great upgrade for homeowners heating with expensive oil heat or propane and have not added AC yet as ASHP act as both a heating source in the winter and a cooling source in the summer. 35% of our agents answered the question by checking the box, “What’s a ductless mini-split?”
Our agents said that 31% had been involved in a real estate transaction that included a HERS Index Score. The HERS Index score is a national standard for measuring the energy efficiency of a home. Over 2 million homes have had scores completed on them, and in 2016 MA lead the nation with 61% of new construction starts in the state received a HERS Index Score. Our agents choose the “What’s a HERS Index Score?” answer 19% of the time.
Almost 2/3rds of our agents (64%) felt at least somewhat confident dealing with solar panels in a real estate transaction, while 36% did not feel confident in this arena.
One of the comments in the last question, “Not only have I worked with a home that had solar panels, my husband and I have a full solar array, battery back-up system, and a tie-in to the whole house generator to recharge the batteries should there not be enough sun. Essentially, we could be 'off-grid' completely with enough sun or for up to 3+ months with the generator tie-in. We also have a drilled well with a Bison pump to have sustainable water should we lose pump power. Sustainability has been something we've been working on for 3 years now! Yay!”
As I mentioned this was an anonymous survey, so I am not sure which of our agents wrote this, but I sure do want to say to that person thank you so much for being a part of a clean energy solution to some of the problems in front of us!
Responses