Home Lending & Appraising Resources
Financing & Lending Products

Fannie Mae HomeStyle Energy Mortgage
Finance up to 15% of “as completed" home value for energy improvements.

FHA Loans
FHA borrowers can borrow more when they buy an energy efficient home. Lenders can provide a 2% stretch on homebuyer debt-to-income ratios on purchase or refinance loans for a) homes that earn a Home Energy Score of 6 or higher or b) home that can demonstrate they will improve to 6 or higher.
Appraisals & Valuation

Green Home Valuation Study
'The Market Valuation of Energy Efficient and Green Certified Northwest Homes' (October 2015). Made with support from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).
Download the Full Report »
Download the Appraiser Reference Sheet >>
Download the Full Report »
Download the Appraiser Reference Sheet >>

Value of Solar PV
U.S. DOE study (2015) finds that home buyers pay more for homes with solar PV systems — averaging about $4 per watt of PV installed — across various states, housing and PV markets, and home types. This equates to a premium of about $15,000 for a typical PV system.
Selling Into the Sun >>
Selling Into the Sun >>

Steps to Support Green/Energy Efficient Home Appraisals
Green features, labels and certifications increase the marketability of a home, but do not automatically translate into increased appraised value. Use this guide to help increase the probability of a fair and accurate appraisal of your high performance home.
High Performance Home Appraisal Guide >>
High Performance Home Appraisal Guide >>

Earth Advantage: Accredited Green Appraisers (AGAs)
This registry lists the names of Accredited Green Appraisers (AGAs) that have successfully completed EA's highly specialized training and acquired the necessary competency to appraise green and/or energy efficient homes.
Accredited Green Appraisers (AGAs) >>
Accredited Green Appraisers (AGAs) >>

Appraisal Institute: Sustainable Building Professional Appraisers
This registry lists the names of AI designated appraisers who have successfully completed the courses in the Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program.
Sustainable Building Professional Appraisers >>
Sustainable Building Professional Appraisers >>

Earth Advantage: Appraisal Addendum
A high performance home data cost addendum for builders and contractors to provide detailed high performance improvements to professional appraisers and real estate professionals.
Earth Advantage Appraisal Addendum >>
Earth Advantage Appraisal Addendum >>