Home Lending & Appraising Resources

Finance up to 15% of “as completed" home value for energy improvements.

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. 

Energy Trust's Savings Within Reach On-Bill Repayment provides increased incentives and on-bill financing for income-qualified homeowners.
 

Community Energy Project’s network of financial lenders provides a wide variety of loan options—including zero-money down financing and on-bill financing—to help you improve the performance, comfort, efficiency, health and safety of your home within your budget.

'The Market Valuation of Energy Efficient and Green Certified Northwest Homes' (October 2015).​ Made with support from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).

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Download the Appraiser Reference Sheet >>

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 >>

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 >>

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) >>

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 >>

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 >>

Residential green and energy efficient appraisal report addendum made by appraisers for appraisers.