MLS Energy Project bridges energy efficiency gap

In 2006, Multiple Listing Service (MLS) summaries first started featuring information about the "green features" of properties for sale in a few areas throughout the country. Since then, public interest in energy efficiency upgrades has grown tremendously. Among those leading the way is the MLS Energy Project which was founded in 2010 to encourage New York State's Realtors to implement categories within MLS to communicate the energy efficient certifications and attributes of listings, and by doing so encourage homeowners to make beneficial upgrades that improve the energy performance of their homes. The MLS Energy Project developed a new standard data tool to communicate performance scores, ratings and energy efficiency information that was never before available to real estate professionals or consumers. A working group of Realtors and energy efficiency industry stakeholders, facilitated by residential energy efficiency pioneer Conservation Services Group Inc., joined the MLS Energy Project to design a standard energy efficiency listing tool that would work best for the New York real estate market. The result, an Energy Efficiency Profile, is used today by real estate agents with several MLS systems. The agent obtains pertinent information from the homeowner, including investments made in improvements such as insulation or solar panels, as well as relevant ratings such as Energy Star, HERS Index or LEED certifications, and captures all data in the comprehensive MLS record. This record can function as a powerful marketing and negotiation tool, helping buyers make smarter investment decisions and helping sellers maximize the return on investments they have made in the property. Thanks to the MLS Energy Project, real estate agents can now rely on energy efficiency upgrades as listing attributes. This practice is spawning more widespread consumer awareness of energy efficiency's value, leading to more investment by homeowners in energy-related improvements and efficiency-certified new homes as well as helping appraisers to recognize those investments during property evaluation. The net benefit to society - less energy wasted overall, and homes more comfortable, durable and healthy, while less costly to heat and cool - is obvious. Marilyn Urso, CRB,GREEN,GRI,PMN, e-PRO, is a certified EcoBroker and a licensed real estate broker/owner of Long Island Village Realty, Inc., Syosset, N.Y.