Following a timely feature on RealEstate.com.au towards last November, solar system owners placing their homes on sale are now having an edge over other listed properties.
The feature dubbed Energy Scores, was initiated to offer valuable ideas to prospective property buyers and tenants on the benefits of having energy efficient listed homes.
With this site being the no. 1 port of call for many prospective Australian home buyers and renters, the posting of the feature is indeed an eye opener. RealEstate.com.au receives more than three million visits every month.
“Energy Scores may offer deeper insights into the energy efficiency of a property, helping Australians make more educated decisions on their next purchase or rental, or even improve the home they already live in,” said Mr Henry Ruiz, the REA Group Chief Digital Officer.
According to results of a recent survey on realestate.com.au, 76 per cent of consumers are worried about the cost of power, and 79 per cent of users are already implementing energy efficiency plans.
Based on an earlier 2014 survey, 85 per cent of respondents indicated that installing solar panels definitely increased a home’s value.
In the same survey, 3/4 of renters said they were ready to pay extra rent on a home installed with solar panels; with 2 out of 5 indicating a willingness to pay an additional $10 each week.
“If you’re looking to sell or lease your property, it’s a really simple measure you can take to gain a competitive edge in the market,” stated Mr. Ruiz in 2014.
“You should also speak to your agent about mentioning your home’s solar power in your online listing.”
While solar energy is giving vendors an edge over non-solar owners, probably the availability of storage battery systems and other innovative smart home technologies could enhance these homes’ scores if RealEstate.com.au chooses to include these aspects as crucial factors in future.
Battery storage is an effective and convenient way for solar panel owners to get the most from their electricity generated from their rooftops. According to Australian Solar Quotes, solar + energy can significantly reduce main grid dependence by up to 80 per cent, based on a user’s installation and energy consumption state.
The inclusion of solar systems and related technologies to the portfolio could just be what we needed to guarantee the most rewarding bang for buck especially when it comes to home improvement investments.
IMAGE via Marufish
