Key Findings
In April 2025, NAR surveyed its residential-focused members about sustainability issues facing the industry. The findings are as follows:
- Client interest in energy efficiency is increasing. 42% said clients rarely ask about energy upgrades, a steep rise from seven percent in 2024. Those reporting that clients never ask declined from 57% to 29%.
- Green MLS data is underutilized. 44% said their MLS includes green data fields, but nearly half (47%) of those with access do not use them.
- The most important green home features for clients are windows, doors, and siding, with 37% rating them as very important.
- Transportation convenience matters to clients. 30% rated proximity to frequently visited places as very important, followed by commute time (29%) and highway access (26%).
- Appraiser awareness is uncertain. 73% of respondents were unsure whether local appraisers were properly educated on the value of sustainability features, and 56% were unsure whether appraisers recognize the value of these features in valuations.
- The most cited sustainability knowledge challenges were understanding how solar panels impact transactions (58%) and valuing homes with solar panels (52%).
- Financial incentives drive demand. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said financial incentives such as tax credits or rebates would increase demand for sustainable homes the most, followed by higher resale value (31%) and consumer awareness of energy cost savings (30%).
- Climate risk is rarely considered. The majority (58%) of respondents reported that fewer than one-fourth of their clients consider climate or environmental risk during purchase decisions.
- More than two in five REALTORS® worked with green properties. 42% of respondents had been involved with a property with green features in the past 12 months.
