At least in California, homes with a ‘Green’ label are worth more, according to a study conducted by researchers with UC Berkeley and UCLA.  The study entitled, “Value of Green Labels in the California Housing Market” found that a typical California home valued at $400,000 sells for an average of 8.7%, or $34,800, more when it has a green label.  Researchers from UC Berkeley,  Nils Kok and UCLA’s Matthew Kahn were able to prove the investment in an energy-efficient home will pay off during resale.

There are about 10,000 green-label certified homes in California. Having examined data for the 1.6 million single-family homes sold in California between 2007 and 2012, about 4,300 of those homes were green-label certified. The study focused on production homes, not custom-built properties, and it compared green-labeled and non-green-labeled homes of similar age, size, amenities and location.

The study, as reported in the LA Times, estimated that the average cost of making a home 35% more efficient was $10,000, “so the benefit of green homes far outweighs the cost.”

As a stone supplier, our company promotes the value of natural stone and reclaimed/recycled stone which can contribute to a green living environment whether a home is being built with Green label or LEED rating in mind or not. And some stone products can be recycled for future use or are already recycled such as reclaimed cobblestone from our Historic European Cobblestone collection. Give us a call to discuss how stone can help you create a more natural, green living environment.

Source: LA Times, CA Real Estate Magazine, Nils Kok.