Californian Realtors' Perceptions towards Energy-Efficient “Green” Housing

Abstract

Realtors are seen as important enablers of behavior change toward a low-carbon future through the communication of sustainability measures to home buyers and sellers. In 2012/2013, research was conducted to assess Californian Realtors' knowledge of, and perceptions towards, sustainable housing using an online survey instrument. The majority of respondents consider good insulation to be the most important feature to contribute to a more sustainable home, yet the green features that buyers most commonly ask about are dual-paned windows and tankless hot water. The biggest barriers to incorporating energy-efficient features into a home continue to focus on cost and poor access to information. Realtors could play a key role to overcoming barriers by providing accurate and relevant information to consumers to improve their understanding of energy efficiency and address misconceptions.