Green Certified Homes in Bothell, Lynnwood and Mill Creek selling faster

For the three month period from, January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011 we compared 54 non green certified new homes that closed priced under $400,000 in Bothell, Lynnwood and Mill Creek against the 9 homes that had either an Energy Star or Built Green certification.

 

In the sampling market, Bothell, Lynnwood, and Mill Creek the certified homes sold faster, 121 days on marked compared to the non certified homes 202 days. The certified homes also sold for more per square foot, $164.84 compared to $158.04 for non-certified homes.

 

To be certified as Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy-efficiency set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, making the 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.  Homes achieve this level of performance through a combination of energy–efficient improvements, including:

• Effective insulation Systems High-Performance Windows
• Tight Construction and Ducts
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
• Energy Star Qualified Lighting and Appliances
• Every Energy Star home is independently tested

In order to get an Energy Star rating each house must have independent third-party verification by a certified Home Energy Rater verifying that the home meets Energy Star guidelines.

The other popular green certification is Built Green.  The new homes in Bothell, Lynnwood and Mill Creek in order to be qualify as a Built-Green need to provide documentation that have completed the minimum requirements on the Built Green checklist dealing with, site and water, energy-efficiency, indoor air quality, and material selection.

This type of building is becoming more important to the X  and Y generation of home buyers who have grown up with the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) concept and have come to expect this in the products they purchase.  Builders in Bothell, Lynnwood and Mill Creek are recognizing the value to building green and that the market is dictating the value associated to living in a green built house.