Green trend taking root in local housing market

Q: I know some of the new homes in Las Vegas come with all kinds of energy-saving features. I'm more interested in a resale, and I'm wondering what my options are. Are you seeing more of these homes on the market?

-- John P.,

Houston

A: I'm glad you asked. The short answer is yes.

As part of the green trend sweeping the real estate, construction and other industries, we're seeing more homes here in Southern Nevada with a wide range of features that save energy and are easier on the environment.

As you suggested, leading national home builders have been making great strides in this area. Here in Southern Nevada, some are offering and aggressively marketing solar energy systems, innovative construction techniques and many other high-tech and energy-saving features.

At least one local builder has been promoting new "extreme green" homes that cut monthly energy costs by more than half, compared to what the typical local homeowner would pay to operate a comparable home.

Of course, this is a relatively recent trend. We're just now starting to see some of these new greener homes hit the market.

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors has been tracking these trends for some time and is working to make sure its Multiple Listing Service more accurately identifies, describes and highlights the green features of local homes.

Earlier this month, GLVAR unveiled several new fields of its MLS that highlight the energy-saving and environmentally friendly features built into local homes listed for sale.

Your Realtor can now tell you about a wide range of green features built into local homes.

For example, he or she can now tell you if an energy audit of the home is available, if the home has low-flow faucets and showers, solar electricity systems, solar screens and panels, recirculating hot water, solar water heating panels or a tankless water heater.

You can also see if a home has Energy Star appliances. Other new MLS fields show if a home has been certified as a green home, list the certifying organization, year the home was certified, its green certification rating and more.

You can even find out if a home has a hookup for an electric car.

Realtors are well aware that more home buyers are valuing and demanding greener features in their homes. They want features that save power and water, reduce noise and dust and improve indoor air quality.

Besides being the right thing to do, going green makes good business sense.

As time goes on, I think we'll see homes that have such green and energy-saving features become even more desirable, selling faster and for higher prices.

Personally, I think these changes to our MLS are good for everyone, from homeowners and buyers to builders and home improvement businesses.

GLVAR is working with its members to make sure they fully understand and use the new features, encouraging them to provide as much detailed information on the property as they can when using the MLS, while making sure they accurately describe the property.

GLVAR has created a Green Tool Kit at lasvegasrealtor.com. It includes a glossary of terms, links to more information, green home certifications and more.

For more information on such issues, consult a qualified local Realtor or visit asvegasrealtor.com.

Paul Bell is the president of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors and has worked in the real estate industry for 30 years. GLVAR has nearly 11,500 members. To ask him a question, e-mail him at ask@glvar.org. For more information, visit lasvegasrealtor.com.