Colorado is introducing a category for Home Energy Rating System-rated homes into its multiple listing service (MLS), the database used by Realtors to list and find information about homes for sale. According to the Summit Daily, the Colorado Energy Office has been working with local communities statewide to add a “green fields” category to the Colorado MLS, which would specifically address the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the homes listed within the category.

Realtors will be able to provide their clients with better information about a property’s energy efficiency, as well as information regarding qualifications for loan programs related to energy-efficiency upgrades. An advantage for home sellers is that studies have shown that homes with energy saving features command higher resale prices, while homebuyers benefit from understanding the potential cost of running a home they want to buy by examining its HERS Index Score.

The four main categories in the green fields MLS listings are:

• Homes holding a HERS Index Score;
• Energy Star homes;
• LEED-certified homes; and
• NAHB Green Building Standard homes.
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