This is the third in a series of articles about the tipping point opportunity the home performance industry has right now. Part 1 showed how consumers have placed energy efficiency as a must-have to sell homes this spring. And Part 2 outlined how the ability to demonstrate monthly savings will tip broad consumer interest in energy efficiency.
On the real estate side, fundamental changes are happening that will shift how homes are bought and sold. A new definition of “well-maintained” is emerging. And consumer expectations of our role as Realtors is changing along with it.
Historically Realtors have claimed the role of advocates for home ownership. But today’s consumers are more savvy coming out of the foreclosure crisis. They’re catching on that yesterday’s definition of home ownership was really about home acquisition. (How many sales can we make today?) The Realtors that will thrive in our new “normal” housing markets will be the ones that truly embrace home ownership which involves making more thoughtful choices in home selection, to stay put longer and get a great value not just at purchase – but the whole time they live in their new home.
Now’s our moment to position ourselves as thoughtful consultants, serving clients like we never had before, and building better families and communities because of it!
Resources like the White House Green Button initiative and the energy efficiency programs springing up through the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Neighborhood Program mean there are new ways to quantify what “well-maintained” really means. And these tools take the liability pressure off Realtors, but allowing third-party tools to confirm features, installed improvements and energy savings.
