How Do I Prepare To Sell A Solar Home
It is crucial to make sure your solar system is in good working order. If you have solar monitoring, review the data to make sure the solar system is performing well. Having the invoice for your solar system available helps appraisers, realtors, and potential buyers understand the value of the installation. If the solar system is still under warranty, have this information available as well. Most solar panel manufacturers offer a power performance warranty for at least 20 years. Likewise, having electricity bills on hand helps demonstrate the financial savings of owning a solar energy system.
Feature image by Vivint Solar on Unsplash
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How Much Equity Does Solar Add
Do solar panels add value to a home? Do solar panels devalue your house? Many factors influence the answers to these questions. As you now understand, a solar panel propertys housing market is a significant determinant. A home in an area where people are more interested in solar energy and environmental responsibility can net a correspondingly higher selling price than one in a market with low demand for solar panels.
Here are some other aspects that might influence your decision to invest in solar panels.
Do Solar Panel Homes Sell Faster
Although there are many factors in determining how quickly a home sells, when buyers are actively looking for homes with solar, its safe to say that they are more eager to commit when they find them.
How much more eager? Again, this can be difficult to quantify, but its generally accepted throughout real estate that solar homes sell ~20% faster than non-solar properties. In other words, if you dont want your property to languish
on the market, then installing solar panels can help ensure a faster turnaround.
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Does Solar Increase Home Value In Nevada
Lets say you live in Nevada, where the sun shines brightly more than 300 days per year. If you installed solar today and lived in your home for the estimated 25-year lifespan of your PV system, while also taking into account constantly increasing utility rates, you will continue to accrue savings over those years . Over time the savings will not only cover your installation cost, but also continue putting more money back into your pocket once that cost is covered.
In terms of resale value, with an installation that takes full advantage of the suns power, your investment could pay more than a 200% return on investment. Try getting that from a remodeled bathroom!
Public Opinion On Solar Panels
Youve probably heard the long-standing debate over whether panels actually look nice on a property and you might even have your own opinion on the matter.
To get a better understanding of how people feel about solar panels appearance, weve carried out a survey, asking 112 people how attractive they think solar panels look on a home.
Interestingly, there was a clear correlation in our survey between the age of the respondents and how attractive they found solar panels.
To get a better idea of this relationship, check out the results in the chart below. Respondents were given the option to rate the attractiveness of solar panels on a scale of 1-5 with one being the least attractive, and five being the most which we have grouped together into three categories below.
As you can see, theres a dramatic difference between the oldest and the youngest age groups.
Half of respondents aged 13-40 think solar panels are attractive, which drops to just 11% amongst 57-72 year olds. As for 73-88 year olds? Zero respondents in this bracket find solar panels attractive.
Whats more, a massive 85.7% of respondents in the oldest category rated solar panels as unattractive, rather than just acceptable, compared to just 12.5% of respondents aged 13-24.
Despite the mixed responses, 86.8% of respondents said they would buy a house if it had solar panels on the roof.
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Pro Tip For Selling And Listing Your Home
If you invest in solar, the value of your home should increase. Although solar panels are an asset for the vast majority of homeowners when they list the house, a few caveats apply.
First, the solar panels need to be owned, not leased. Buyers are enthusiastic about solar, but they donât want to be locked in to the previous homeownerâs contract.
Second, you need to hire a qualified listing agent to handle the sale. Qualified agents will have taken the National Association of Realtors course Selling the Sun: Establishing Value for Solar Homes. This and other programs enable real estate agents to accurately determine the value of a home with a solar energy system and market it effectively to prospective buyers.
Your agent or realtor can work with the buyer to ensure they hire an appraiser who knows solar as well. Tools such as PV Value® are used by agents and appraisers alike to calculate the line item addition to the homeâs value that solar panels and other upgrades provide.
Without specialized knowledge, tools, and training, the sale of your home will be in the hands of inexperienced agents and standard bank appraisers who donât understand the full value that solar adds to a house. You may be forced to sell your home for less than market value if you donât have the right partners.
Studies Linking Solar Panels To Home Value Increases
The Appraisal Journal cited researchers Ruth Johnson and David Kaserman who report, Home value increases of about $20 for every dollar saved on annual energy costs.
So, in the case of the $200 monthly savings example above, you could expect the value of that solar home to be worth $48,000more than it was previously .
For a second example,a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory yields a formula of a $5,000 resale value increase for every kilowatt of solar installed. To get that same $48,000 home value increase from the Appraisers Journal with this calculation, youd need a 9.6kW system .
With average installation costs around $3,500 per kW upfront, you could have this size system installed for $33,600. That difference in value gained relative to your investment potentially nets you an arbitrage opportunity of $1,500 per kW of installed solar.
That doesnt even include the federal investment tax credit, which allows you to recover 26% of the cost of your home solar installation. Additionally, in some states, your property value increase is even exempt from additional property taxes.
If youre looking to sell your home faster and at a premium, it might be worth having solar installed first! You can expect a quick return on investment for this type of clean energy home improvement.
While that estimate is simple, theres a lot of unaccounted for variables. For example, it doesnt take into account the size of the solar energy system.
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Here’s How Much Adding Solar Panels Will Boost Your Home’s Value
In addition to lowering your utility bills and contributing to your eco-responsible lifestyle, a solar panel system can increase your homes resale value. Which makes it one of the best home improvements, ROI-wise, you can undertake. This article from MONEY reviews a recent study on solar’s effect on home values.
Solar panels are good for the environment, but are they good for the value of your home? A new study suggests the answer is yes although whether its enough to actually cover the cost of the panels depends on where you live.
Americans are investing in solar power, installing enough systems to power 12.3 million homes in 2018, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group. But whether or not those solar panels pay off depends on a lot of factors, from the cost of electricity in your area to the shape of your roof. One of those factors: their impact on your homes value.
On average, solar panels raise a homes value by 4.1% across the U.S., according to a new Zillow analysis of homes across the country thats a boost of $9,274 on a $226,300 home, according to the study.
The analysis compared homes with and without solar-energy systems that were listed for sale and sold from March 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019, according to the methodology. The study controlled for the homes attributes, like bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, age and location, to determine an areas solar panel boost.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Solar Panels In Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV will have an average annual cost of $2.00 solar panels by February 2022, according to data from Solar Industry Association of North America. 50/W. According to an analysis of costs for solar installations in Las Vegas, NV with 5 kW panels, solar installation costs can range from $10.625 to $14.375 per installation, while pricing per kW varies from $10.625 to $14,000, w.
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How Much Are Solar Panels
A solar panel array for a typical family of three in the UK costs between £4,000-£6,000.
This is a large investment, but it enables you to save up to £390 per year on energy bills, all while doing your part to help the climate.
And when you consider house prices, the cost of solar panels pales in comparison.
As of January 2020, the average house price in the UK is £231,185, according to the Land Registry.
So on average, youll be paying a measly 2.1% of your homes value to get solar panels an excellent investment that will quickly produce returns.
Should I Buy Or Lease
The answer to this question will very much depend on your personal situation. After all, this will largely come down to whether you can afford to buy solar panels. If you possess the money, you might want to consider purchasing them.
If you do not have this money, you will be better off leasing the panels. You will need to bear in mind that this may tie you to a long lease, namely 25 years. If you are not satisfied with this arrangement, then leasing may not be for you.
We advise that you carefully weigh up the pros and cons of both options before making a decision.
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Owning Vs Leasing Matters
While this might not be at all obvious to the unsuspecting homeowner, theres a big difference between owning and leasing your solar panels especially when its time to sell the home later on. Were guessing the solar company mightve left this detail out, as they like to say leasing is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to acquire a solar package but the truth of the matter is that if you did lease your solar package , this complicates selling your home quite a bit.
Are Buyers Looking For Homes With Solar Panels
Another question to consider when figuring how much solar panels would increase your home value is just how enticing a solar system is to buyers in your community. This is something that will vary by geography, and specifically by local solar literacy. Simply put, buyers won’t be as willing to invest in a solar system if they don’t really understand how solar panels work or how they can benefit from them.
With that said, there’s some data that shows homeowners to be pretty open to energy efficiency features, for the most part. For example, more than 80% of homebuyers say that energy efficiency is a priority, according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report.
Some earlier data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows that homes with solar panels sell 20% faster and for 17% more than those without.
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Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value Everywhere
While the average U.S. home saw a 4.1% gain in value, that boost varies from place to place.
Of the metropolitan areas included in the analysis , homeowners who stand to gain the most from solar panel installation include those New York , San Francisco and Orlando, Fla., , according to the study.
While the value of solar panels varies from place to place, no metropolitan area saw home values drop due to solar panels, according to Zillow.
How Much Can You Save
The cost of solar energy systems vary, and the money you can save by installing a solar electricity system varies, as well, because the savings youll accrue depends on your local electricity rates.
For example, in San Diego, California, where local rates run about $0.12 per kilowatt-hour, the average solar electricity system will save a homeowner about $500 per year. In Seattle, Washington, however, where rates run at $0.06 per kilowatt-hour, the average annual utility savings is less than $150 per year.
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How Much Are Solar Panels For A Home
Just about anything can add value to a home. Fresh flowers in the yard or a clean entryway can increase perceived value to buyers. What many people ask with this question is do solar panels increase home value beyond what the homeowner pays for them. To find the answer, start with the cost of your solar panels.
According to ConsumerAffairs, the average cost of solar panel installation is $12,000. On the low end, some homeowners can pay around $5,000 for solar panel installation. However, the cost of a larger, more advanced system can exceed $40,000. When you consult with solar panel companies, ask about the cost of warranties, maintenance, and other expenses to get an idea of the total price you will pay.
After you have your starting cost, look into ways to save money. For 2022, there is a 26 percent tax credit for solar installation. This can make your project much more affordable as you can save on your taxes for the next year.
Additionally, your solar panels will help you save money in other ways. You can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill. If the average American household spends $115 per month on electricity, you could save $1,400 per year or more in electricity costs.
All of these financial benefits eat away at the $12,000 installation bill. Even before you answer, do solar panels increase home value, you can start to justify the cost of going green.
A Massachusetts Based Solar Installer For Massachusetts Homes
Planning for a future of efficiency and energy savings should be trusted to the local professionals. As the number one Massachusetts based solar installer, Boston Solar knows what it takes to design and install a system of solar PV panels on your home that will provide lasting renewable energy, and give you the maximum increase in resale value when it comes time to put your home on the market. If you are curious about what installing solar panels would look like on your roof, on your taxes, and on your energy bills, get a free solar quote from Boston Solar today.
We are committed to maintaining safe and sanitary practices amidst the precautions surrounding COVID-19. You can get more info about how we are staying safe while staying open, here.
Wondering if solar panels increase a homes value in Massachusetts? Ask Boston Solar about your solar options today! Call 617-858-1645 or get in touch here.
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How Much Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value
Many homeowners, buyers, and appraisers know that the installation of solar panels and solar batteries can increase a property’s market value. In fact, one study confirmed that solar installations increase a home’s resale value by up to $5,911 for each kilowatt of solar panels installed, and another estimated an increase of 4.1% of the home’s value.
Where do these figures come from, exactly? To begin with, consider a Zillow study, which notes that homes with solar installations tend to sell for about 4.1% more than homes without. Of course, this is an average. Some locations show a higher value-add , and some show lower . An older study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reveals an increase in resale value of approximately $5,911 for each kilowatt of solar power that’s installed.
So, how much do solar panels increase home value? Let’s take a look at some averages:
| Home Solar System Size |
| $59,110 |
*Figures based on study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
It’s worth noting that these amounts are roughly in line with the total cost of a solar panel system, which may be just the incentive you need to finally take the plunge into solar power. To get connected with a solar installer in your area and receive a free quote, you can fill out the form below.
Solar Recordkeeping For Home Sale
When its time to sell your solar home, its a good idea to have records available for prospective buyers to view. Youll want to have proof your solar installation was completed by a reputable installer and that it was permitted properly.
Youll also want to keep records of your systems warranty information and ideally power bills which show before and after proof of your energy savings. Keep those materials in a safe place, and work with your real estate agent to ensure theyre well communicated when its sale time.
This will help you preserve the maximum value of your property.
Read Also: How Many Solar Panels Required To Generate 1 Megawatt
What Affects The Value Of Your House
House prices are area-specific so you should focus on prices in your neighbourhood, rather than national averages. Use our interactive map to find out about property prices in your area.
Beyond location, your propertys age, size, number of bedrooms, structural integrity, wear and tear and room layout will all affect its price. As will whether it has a garden, parking space, garage, and any extra features, such as a shed converted into an office.
Talk to local estate agents for the inside track on all the factors to consider.
