SARASOTA, FLORIDA, February 7th, 2014 – The residential property market is growing more hospitable to home buyers who rank energy efficiency high in their purchase criteria, Sarasota Bay Real Estate reports. More purposive efforts are now underway among realtors, lenders, builders, appraisers, and legislators toward recognition and valuation of home-energy efficiency.
In its home base, the realty firm notes that the Sarasota Association Realtors, in partnership with the Green Realtors Alliance of Sarasota and the HBA Sarasota-Manatee Green Council, has undertaken initiatives to educate its members on “the real value of green homes.” One of these was a December panel discussion presided by nationally recognized resource persons on green and energy efficient house values.
Also of help are some 125 U.S. multiple-listing services (MLS) with widget tools enabling sellers, buyers, realtors and appraisers to describe energy-saving features or special certifications in a property being listed. Besides heavy duty insulation, high-performance doors and windows, the descriptions may include Energy Star appliances, solar, geothermal and other green power sources.
For its part, the Appraisal Institute, the largest U.S. appraisers association, has formulated a comprehensive “green addendum” for translating into property valuations certain home improvements related to energy conservation. Also along this line, “green valuation” training programs are also being undertaken to further professionalize the ranks of the country’s appraisers.
An added boost can also be expected from a bipartisan legislation, the Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act, filed in the Senate. This proposed statute would require federal mortgage agencies like the Federal Housing Administration, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to amend their rules for better reward and recognition on home energy savings.
Genworth Mortgage Insurance, a unit of Richmond, VA-based, Genworth Financial, is also reportedly planning to incorporate into its underwriting procedures energy savings and green valuations. The feasibility of including these valuations has grown due to such advances as the green appraisal addendum, better accuracy of MLS listing data, and increased acceptance of home energy-efficiency standards.
For local homebuilders support, there’s the Florida Green Building Coalition, a nonprofit devoted to improving the built environment. Its mission is “to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education and certification programs.”
Palmer Lake would be a fine starting point for prospective buyers in search of energy-efficient Sarasota homes for sale. Ryland Homes, the builder in this new community, takes pride in its HouseWorks ® program ensuring homes that are built in accordance with leading industry standards on energy efficiency.
A newly constructed Energy Star-qualified home in Palmer Lake having a floor area of about 1,700 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths is currently listed in the MLS with a tag price approaching the mid-$200s.An option for a larger home with similar energy efficient features and a floor plan of nearly 2,300 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2+ baths is priced close to the $300s.
Developed with lake views that do justice to its name, this community is conveniently located near local shopping and life and leisure centers. Excellent schools are also nearby, including Tatum Ridge Elementary, McIntosh Middle, and Sarasota High School.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA, October 7, 2019 – Property values of communities in the Sarasota-Manatee region now face lesser threat from neighborhood eyesores brought about by abandoned, foreclosed homes. Known in the real estate trade as zombie foreclosures, these properties have shrunk significantly in the region. According to an August report of ATTOM Data Solutions, abandoned […] more>>