The National Association of Realtors has released its 2025 Residential Sustainability Report, revealing that homebuyers are showing unprecedented interest in energy efficiency. While efficiency has long topped the list of desirable home features, this year’s findings underscore a significant shift—more consumers than ever are actively asking about it.

Survey Findings: Energy Efficiency Leads Sustainability Conversations

In April, NAR surveyed residential-focused members about sustainability trends shaping the housing market. The results highlight several key insights:

• Client interest in energy efficiency is growing. This year, only 29 percent of REALTORS said their clients never asked about energy efficiency—down sharply from 57 percent last year.
• Financial incentives drive demand. Nearly half of respondents (47 percent) said tax credits or rebates would most boost demand for sustainable homes, followed by higher resale value (31 percent) and awareness of energy cost savings (30 percent).
• Realtors are knowledgeable about efficiency features. Many respondents reported familiarity with energy-efficient appliances (66 percent), solar panels and renewable systems (52 percent), smart home energy technology (39 percent), and advanced insulation and air sealing (39 percent).
• Familiarity with home certification programs is widespread, realtors were most familiar with EnergyStar for Homes (52 percent), HERS-rated homes (28 percent), and LEED for Homes (26 percent). However, 57 percent said they were unsure whether certified green homes spend more or less time on the market.
• Green listings remain underused. Forty-two percent of realtors worked with a property featuring green attributes in the past year, yet nearly half (47 percent) of those with access to MLS green data fields said they do not use them.

Key Takeaways

While 36 percent of Realtors sometimes educate clients about sustainability features, an equal share rarely do, and 21 percent never discuss them—representing a missed opportunity to highlight the long-term value of energy-efficient homes.

Additionally, more than half of respondents (56 percent) said they are uncertain whether local appraisers recognize the added value of sustainable features, underscoring the need for closer collaboration between Realtors and appraisers.

To read the full report, visit here.