Everything Solar Forum

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

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Danny Yates
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My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hi Danny - I'm happy to chat with you.  Send me an email at daramarkb@gmail.com and we can connect offline if you like.  It does depend on where you are (community perceptions and comfort with solar) and how knowledgeable your real estate agent is.  It also depends on whether you OWN or LEASE the system.  Leased systems do not increase home value and can create complications with home sales.  Owned systems should add value to the home - basically reducing the operating costs of the home compared to its neighbors.

The SELLER'S AGENT is the key to ensuring that increased value is recognized for home with solar energy systems.  If your realtor is already saying that solar is a negative (and you have solar panels on your home), then I'd say you need a new real estate agent.  The seller's agent is responsible for completing the MLS correctly and ensuring all energy efficiency and solar fields are completed correctly.  The agent also should be knowledgeable enough to know what questions to ask to ensure the sale is as successful as possible and is responsible for ensuring the appraiser and home inspector that comes to the home are trained and knowledgeable about solar and energy efficiency features. Solar should add value - but it doesn't always.  There are definitely steps you can take to ensure it does in your case.   Contact me offline if you want to talk further.

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hello all, Two years ago we had our home appraised for refinancing. At that time appraisers were three months out. We did not have any choice of who. The appraiser we got explained to us, he was legally and by rules of the appraising industry, he was not allowed to give us a nickel for our 5 kw PV System.  Passive solar was not mentioned in the appraisal . This is Santa Fe, we have the sun .  As we were not selling, we just took what he gave us and moved on with the refinancing. The industry, policy makers are 20 years behind. 
So what lets do it anyway as it makes sense and cents. No regrets.

Hi Danny - I'm happy to chat with you.  Send me an email at daramarkb@gmail.com and we can connect offline if you like.  It does depend on where you are (community perceptions and comfort with solar) and how knowledgeable your real estate agent is.  It also depends on whether you OWN or LEASE the system.  Leased systems do not increase home value and can create complications with home sales.  Owned systems should add value to the home - basically reducing the operating costs of the home compared to its neighbors.

The SELLER'S AGENT is the key to ensuring that increased value is recognized for home with solar energy systems.  If your realtor is already saying that solar is a negative (and you have solar panels on your home), then I'd say you need a new real estate agent.  The seller's agent is responsible for completing the MLS correctly and ensuring all energy efficiency and solar fields are completed correctly.  The agent also should be knowledgeable enough to know what questions to ask to ensure the sale is as successful as possible and is responsible for ensuring the appraiser and home inspector that comes to the home are trained and knowledgeable about solar and energy efficiency features. Solar should add value - but it doesn't always.  There are definitely steps you can take to ensure it does in your case.   Contact me offline if you want to talk further.

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hi Mark 

That is very disappointing to hear.  And the appraiser was incorrect.  I don't love this article (https://appraisalbuzz.com/how-appraisers-should-value-solar-paneling/) but you can see that there is a form from the Appraisal Institute that shows details of the solar and other energy efficiency features that an appraiser can and should take into account, courses offered by the Appraisal Institute,  and a tool (PVValue) to use to value the system.  Unfortunately, you can see in the comments for the article the very disappointing responses from appraisers, many of whom have a very negative perception of solar because of lack of education about the difference between leases vs purchased systems and how the systems work, inconsistent information about how to calculate savings, and complicated rate structures from utilities across the country that complicate matters.  As an industry, we have a lot of work to do to educate all the peripheral professionals (real estate agents, appraisers, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, architects, contractors, etc)  that are now encountering solar in their work.  It's a self-fulfilling cycle - if they don't know how to value solar and even have a negative perception of it, it doesn't get consistently accurately valued in property transactions and then we don't have the data to prove that it increases the value of a home - which then doesn't provide an (additional) incentive to homeowners and commercial property owners to add it.  Luckily, there are some appraisers out there who are educated and are advocates.  The trick is finding them.  When we sold our home, our real estate agent asked if the home inspector was trained in solar energy systems and certified to inspect high performing homes and would only allow a trained inspector in to inspect the house.  She also asked the buyer's mortgage company to confirm that the appraiser they were sending out was trained in solar valuation.  If we don't advocate for it, it won't happen.

Dara

Hello all, Two years ago we had our home appraised for refinancing. At that time appraisers were three months out. We did not have any choice of who. The appraiser we got explained to us, he was legally and by rules of the appraising industry, he was not allowed to give us a nickel for our 5 kw PV System.  Passive solar was not mentioned in the appraisal . This is Santa Fe, we have the sun .  As we were not selling, we just took what he gave us and moved on with the refinancing. The industry, policy makers are 20 years behind. 
So what lets do it anyway as it makes sense and cents. No regrets.

Hi Danny - I'm happy to chat with you.  Send me an email at daramarkb@gmail.com and we can connect offline if you like.  It does depend on where you are (community perceptions and comfort with solar) and how knowledgeable your real estate agent is.  It also depends on whether you OWN or LEASE the system.  Leased systems do not increase home value and can create complications with home sales.  Owned systems should add value to the home - basically reducing the operating costs of the home compared to its neighbors.

The SELLER'S AGENT is the key to ensuring that increased value is recognized for home with solar energy systems.  If your realtor is already saying that solar is a negative (and you have solar panels on your home), then I'd say you need a new real estate agent.  The seller's agent is responsible for completing the MLS correctly and ensuring all energy efficiency and solar fields are completed correctly.  The agent also should be knowledgeable enough to know what questions to ask to ensure the sale is as successful as possible and is responsible for ensuring the appraiser and home inspector that comes to the home are trained and knowledgeable about solar and energy efficiency features. Solar should add value - but it doesn't always.  There are definitely steps you can take to ensure it does in your case.   Contact me offline if you want to talk further.

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hey Dara: I am going to have Sherman set the WABAC machine to about 40+ years ago here. 

Hi Mark 

That is very disappointing to hear.  And the appraiser was incorrect.  I don't love this article (https://appraisalbuzz.com/how-appraisers-should-value-solar-paneling/) but you can see that there is a form from the Appraisal Institute that shows details of the solar and other energy efficiency features that an appraiser can and should take into account, courses offered by the Appraisal Institute,  and a tool (PVValue) to use to value the system.  Unfortunately, you can see in the comments for the article the very disappointing responses from appraisers, many of whom have a very negative perception of solar because of lack of education about the difference between leases vs purchased systems and how the systems work, inconsistent information about how to calculate savings, and complicated rate structures from utilities across the country that complicate matters.  As an industry, we have a lot of work to do to educate all the peripheral professionals (real estate agents, appraisers, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, architects, contractors, etc)  that are now encountering solar in their work.  It's a self-fulfilling cycle - if they don't know how to value solar and even have a negative perception of it, it doesn't get consistently accurately valued in property transactions and then we don't have the data to prove that it increases the value of a home - which then doesn't provide an (additional) incentive to homeowners and commercial property owners to add it.  Luckily, there are some appraisers out there who are educated and are advocates.  The trick is finding them.  When we sold our home, our real estate agent asked if the home inspector was trained in solar energy systems and certified to inspect high performing homes and would only allow a trained inspector in to inspect the house.  She also asked the buyer's mortgage company to confirm that the appraiser they were sending out was trained in solar valuation.  If we don't advocate for it, it won't happen.

Dara

Hello all, Two years ago we had our home appraised for refinancing. At that time appraisers were three months out. We did not have any choice of who. The appraiser we got explained to us, he was legally and by rules of the appraising industry, he was not allowed to give us a nickel for our 5 kw PV System.  Passive solar was not mentioned in the appraisal . This is Santa Fe, we have the sun .  As we were not selling, we just took what he gave us and moved on with the refinancing. The industry, policy makers are 20 years behind. 
So what lets do it anyway as it makes sense and cents. No regrets.

Hi Danny - I'm happy to chat with you.  Send me an email at daramarkb@gmail.com and we can connect offline if you like.  It does depend on where you are (community perceptions and comfort with solar) and how knowledgeable your real estate agent is.  It also depends on whether you OWN or LEASE the system.  Leased systems do not increase home value and can create complications with home sales.  Owned systems should add value to the home - basically reducing the operating costs of the home compared to its neighbors.

The SELLER'S AGENT is the key to ensuring that increased value is recognized for home with solar energy systems.  If your realtor is already saying that solar is a negative (and you have solar panels on your home), then I'd say you need a new real estate agent.  The seller's agent is responsible for completing the MLS correctly and ensuring all energy efficiency and solar fields are completed correctly.  The agent also should be knowledgeable enough to know what questions to ask to ensure the sale is as successful as possible and is responsible for ensuring the appraiser and home inspector that comes to the home are trained and knowledgeable about solar and energy efficiency features. Solar should add value - but it doesn't always.  There are definitely steps you can take to ensure it does in your case.   Contact me offline if you want to talk further.

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

Hey Dara: I am going to have Sherman set the WABAC machine to about 40+ years ago here. 

Hi Mark 

That is very disappointing to hear.  And the appraiser was incorrect.  I don't love this article (https://appraisalbuzz.com/how-appraisers-should-value-solar-paneling/) but you can see that there is a form from the Appraisal Institute that shows details of the solar and other energy efficiency features that an appraiser can and should take into account, courses offered by the Appraisal Institute,  and a tool (PVValue) to use to value the system.  Unfortunately, you can see in the comments for the article the very disappointing responses from appraisers, many of whom have a very negative perception of solar because of lack of education about the difference between leases vs purchased systems and how the systems work, inconsistent information about how to calculate savings, and complicated rate structures from utilities across the country that complicate matters.  As an industry, we have a lot of work to do to educate all the peripheral professionals (real estate agents, appraisers, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, architects, contractors, etc)  that are now encountering solar in their work.  It's a self-fulfilling cycle - if they don't know how to value solar and even have a negative perception of it, it doesn't get consistently accurately valued in property transactions and then we don't have the data to prove that it increases the value of a home - which then doesn't provide an (additional) incentive to homeowners and commercial property owners to add it.  Luckily, there are some appraisers out there who are educated and are advocates.  The trick is finding them.  When we sold our home, our real estate agent asked if the home inspector was trained in solar energy systems and certified to inspect high performing homes and would only allow a trained inspector in to inspect the house.  She also asked the buyer's mortgage company to confirm that the appraiser they were sending out was trained in solar valuation.  If we don't advocate for it, it won't happen.

Dara

Hello all, Two years ago we had our home appraised for refinancing. At that time appraisers were three months out. We did not have any choice of who. The appraiser we got explained to us, he was legally and by rules of the appraising industry, he was not allowed to give us a nickel for our 5 kw PV System.  Passive solar was not mentioned in the appraisal . This is Santa Fe, we have the sun .  As we were not selling, we just took what he gave us and moved on with the refinancing. The industry, policy makers are 20 years behind. 
So what lets do it anyway as it makes sense and cents. No regrets.

Hi Danny - I'm happy to chat with you.  Send me an email at daramarkb@gmail.com and we can connect offline if you like.  It does depend on where you are (community perceptions and comfort with solar) and how knowledgeable your real estate agent is.  It also depends on whether you OWN or LEASE the system.  Leased systems do not increase home value and can create complications with home sales.  Owned systems should add value to the home - basically reducing the operating costs of the home compared to its neighbors.

The SELLER'S AGENT is the key to ensuring that increased value is recognized for home with solar energy systems.  If your realtor is already saying that solar is a negative (and you have solar panels on your home), then I'd say you need a new real estate agent.  The seller's agent is responsible for completing the MLS correctly and ensuring all energy efficiency and solar fields are completed correctly.  The agent also should be knowledgeable enough to know what questions to ask to ensure the sale is as successful as possible and is responsible for ensuring the appraiser and home inspector that comes to the home are trained and knowledgeable about solar and energy efficiency features. Solar should add value - but it doesn't always.  There are definitely steps you can take to ensure it does in your case.   Contact me offline if you want to talk further.

Hi Danny,

Thank you for posting on the Online Community. @Dara Bortman, one of our amazing ASES Board Members, is in charge of the Real Estate Taskforce. Dara, do you have insight on Danny's question? 

In the meantime, ASES has a few resources on this topic if you're interested in taking a look:

ASES Solar Real Estate Value Quick Video

ASES Webinar on Solar Valuation

I have also attached our infographic on how homeowners, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders can work together to make the value of energy-efficient and solar homes – high–performing homes – visible in the real estate market.

Thank you!
Ella

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true? 

My realtor has stated several times that solar panels are a negative when selling your home. Has anyone found this to be true?