Selling a Solar Home Checklist - Everything You'll Ever Need to Know!

February 9, 2022|
Ian Lund|
Solar Real Estate|

Selling a house with solar is pretty straightforward, but we’re here to make it even easier.

We worked with realtors to develop a Selling a Solar Home Check List to make sure you get the value you deserve.

Selling a house with solar? Following the steps below will help realtors, appraisers, lenders, and future buyers get an accurate valuation of your solar home. While we cannot guarantee your home’s proper valuation, this procedure is recommended by real estate professionals nationwide.

Please note that solar power is a foreign object to many in the real estate industry, so advocating for professionals competent in solar homes is strongly advised.

Download the Checklist

Information you should collect when selling a solar home

Have these documents prominently displayed during showings

suncommon solar installation — Solar Adds Value To Your Property, Don't Leave Money on the Table

Solar System Plans

Physical Layout
Electrical Maps

Utility Records of Energy Use

Example of bill(s) – a Fall bill is best as it identifies the credits accrued.

Product and Service Guarantees

Solar Panels
Solar Inverter
Home Energy Storage (if applicable)
Service Guarantee

Documents you need to complete

You have a right to a fair appraisal. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA guidelines require lenders to choose competent appraisers, i.e. those with the knowledge and experience required to perform a professional quality appraisal for your specific geographic location and property type. Refer to the following documents as you work with your lender to make sure you get the best value when selling a house with solar.

Read & fill out The Appraisal Institute’s Appraised Value & Energy Efficiency: Getting it Right to ensure your lender hires a competent appraiser.

This document acts as a guideline for communication strategies between buyers and lenders to ensure proper valuation for a home that has performance features. This document also holds the descriptions from the FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac Guidelines.

Complete the Appraisal Institute’s Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum form. This should be presented to your appraiser. If you don’t have all the information for the form, contact your solar installer for information regarding those specifications

This is a form that can be filled out by the homeowner or certified contractor to report all relevant home performance upgrades, including solar system specifications. The form can support the appraiser in making a fair valuation of the home.

Print results from PV Value Tool

The PV value tool can be used by appraisers, homeowners and real estate professionals alike to get an accurate valuation of a home solar system. There are number of system details that you should know and other metrics where a default can be used and not significantly impact the stated value.

Have a copy of a completed Home Energy Rating System (HERS) report, this is valuable if available.

Documents you need to complete

Read & fill out The Appraisal Institute’s Appraised Value & Energy Efficiency: Getting it Right to ensure your lender hires a competent appraiser.

Print results from PV Value Tool

Have a copy of a completed Home Energy Rating System (HERS) report, this is valuable if available.

Next, ensure competent appraisers are hired.

What can you do, you ask?

Attach supporting documents to MLS listings.

Provide documentation to the lender through a lender letter and the Residential Green Home Addendum.

While talking to an appraiser, don’t be afraid to ask, ”Do you have experience in appraising a house with solar? What training do you have?” If they have none, reach out to the lender, cancel the visit and ask for a competent appraisal in this property type.

While the appraiser is there, be there too! You and the homeowner are able to be resources to the builder, broker, agent and seller. You can provide valuable information to the appraiser with all the documents you have provided! Yes, appraisers can’t be pressured by a load officer or others involved while arrive at a value conclusion, but you can help provide the facts!