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David Popoff, Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct (DMK Real Estate )

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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

If they are owned, yes; leased, no.

It's a total hassle selling a home with leased solar panels! We don't see a lot of that here in the Charlotte region.

May 03, 2023 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,772
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I already knew the answer but if did a quick web search and found this:

Yes, solar panels will raise your home's property value. Although the added value can vary by location, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that home value increases by $20 for every $1 saved on your utility bills. This translates to a higher market value when selling your home.Apr 7, 2023

May 03, 2023 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
584,756
Shayne Stone
HomeSmart - Fulshear, TX
"Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" RETIRED

It adds value to the sale like a swimming pool, pond, tennis court, basketball court etc. does. The value is from the Buyer wanting to purchase a property!

 

It could limit the marketing value towards targeting those type of buyers... 

May 04, 2023 06:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,161,147
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello David Popoff solar panels can increase a home value, and it depends on the area.

May 03, 2023 04:54 PM
Rainmaker
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Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

You bet on off grid remote homesteads. Not because of rising power costs because we have a community owned, not for profit electrical provider that is a co op. Cheapest juice in the state. But when middle of no where happens, let's set up the solar panels to harness the sun. Start up wind generators to spin, catch the breeze David Popoff !

solar gain power and light

May 03, 2023 03:39 PM
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Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

That's going to depend on your region.  In the greater Chicagoland area, I don't see solar panels adding much (if any) value.  Especially if/when they are leased...  which could cause complications.

May 03, 2023 03:12 PM
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Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

There is no flat fee value for owned solar panels.  It depends on several factors.  First, the panels MUST be owned.  As per the March, 2015 Fannie Mae guidelines, leased solar panels have no value.  However, if the energy savings is greater than the lease payment, that's a value to the owner.  But even if the lease is paid for, the panels still remain "leased" and owned by the solar company.  Even if a home sells, they are still owned by the solar company as they captured the rebates and incentives and the entire plan is set up as a lease.  

If the panels are financed, they must be free of a UCC filing that works as a lien on the property.  An owner can pay that off with the HELOC and then they are owned by the homeowner. 

To calculate the value of owned solar panels, an educated appraiser gathers data including the age, number of panels, date of install, azimuth of the panels, and energy savings from reduced electric bills.  This is a complicated formula and can be found on PVValue.com.  I know because I've hosted the appraiser education classes and sat through 4 sets of  2 day classes!  

To find an educated appraiser by state, information about "green", visit this site: 

https://www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/education-resources/green-building-resources/

May 04, 2023 07:10 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I suspect that they do add value for most people, I know that I appreciate the free electricity that mine produce.

May 04, 2023 01:17 AM
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Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

It has a hype to it making one believe it does more than it really does. Its expensive, causes roof leaks, negates roof warranty, pays only for partial usage and for 100% effectiveness you need storage batteries. Reminds me of having a back-up generator. You also need to store the gasoline for it to work

May 04, 2023 05:29 AM
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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Recently sold a home with leased solar panels, which delayed closing. The seller had to pay in full before we could move forward. Now the new owner owns the solar panels and the added value to the property.

May 03, 2023 09:10 PM
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Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If they are leased, they are more of a hassle and can harm the sale of the home as the buyer will need to qualify for the home AND the solar lease and the lender will factor that into the equation.  I've had buyers who were priced out of a home because of leased panels.  I've had other buyers who's escrow was almost delayed because of the solar company.  In the end, it would have been better for them to have had the panels removed.

 

Now if they're owned panels, that provides value.

May 03, 2023 08:20 PM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Are they owned, or leased?  

May 03, 2023 07:46 PM
Rainmaker
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Sean Gilliam
LoKation Real Estate - Longmont, CO
Real Estate on the Front Range

It depends.  It they are owned, they definitely increase the marketability of your property.  I recently asked an appraiser about this and they told me that if it's in a higher priced community that highly values green energy, you'll likely get 100% ROI.  Outside of that, a good rule of thumb for owned panels is taking the annual savings and multiplying by 3 to get the added value to your property.  Leased panels add nothing to value, per the appraiser.  

May 03, 2023 04:56 PM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

You have some great responses here.  As others have noted, it depends on many factors.  

May 04, 2023 08:15 AM
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

 Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ if our go-to gal on this subject.

May 04, 2023 06:33 AM
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I bet Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ would have some insight into solar panel value...

May 04, 2023 04:42 AM
Rainmaker
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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I live in downtown Chicago, so I will agree with Alan May and move on!

May 04, 2023 03:37 AM
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Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Not really sure how to assign a value to them.  It all depends. Some folks may agree, some won’t.

May 04, 2023 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
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Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

I think the increased value may be something to consider in the Sunny States but I am not so sure value increases in the Northeast. 

May 04, 2023 01:03 PM
Rainmaker
901,891
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Not in our area. Sellers usually have to pay the entire loan off when they sell their home. I thought the tides were changing but so far there's no evidence of that.

May 04, 2023 08:06 AM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

No, the only time I had it there was an unpaid balance and bank said no to financing and seller said no to paying them off and deal failed.

May 04, 2023 07:13 AM
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Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

It depends.  In our area, many buyers like the concept of them but when we drill down on the numbers, they don't make any sense & the leases that come with a great majority of them put an added challenge into the transaction.  As an agent, I sigh a big sigh whenever I see them...

May 04, 2023 04:53 AM
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Many people here in the Chicago burbs have installed them over the last 2-3 years. Sure make the house look ugly if they are on the front side. 

Not enough info for resale.

May 04, 2023 11:31 AM
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Due to a lot of misunderstandings, a solar panel addendum has been added to forms. If panels not owned and potential buyer does not want to pay for them, the amount of damage to take them off the roof is substantial. Better, they are owned outright.

May 04, 2023 10:09 AM
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Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

The houses I have shown to potential purchasers that have solar panels have been a big turn off. I also priced out wind & solar and found; unless you plan to stay in the property for 10+ years it is not worth it. They also can be a hassle if your roof needs to be replaced or repaired.

May 04, 2023 08:45 AM
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Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I was told by an appraiser that no matter if the panels are paid off or still on a lease - there is no value given.   It could be a benefit to the buyers with lower electric bills.

May 04, 2023 02:18 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I have seen more deals die due to Solar plans.  The buyer is stuck with the contract and outdated technology.  I would only want them if buying a brand new house that it was the only option.

May 27, 2023 02:53 PM
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Reagan Wilcox
West Group Real Estate - Victor, ID

Definitely will raise the value, who doesn’t want to pay less electrical.

May 07, 2023 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
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Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Yes, it does increase the value. Agree with Debe, as long as it is purchased and not leased. Have some neighbors who purchased solar yet paid over $60,000 for it. The only caveat is that buyers are not willing to take over the payments when they purchase the home so it needs to be paid off at closing. 

 

May 06, 2023 05:18 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

If leased or many of the "plans" they have a negative value. Contract signed by owner is on title and needs to be removed, subordinated to a new loan, or paid off/new buyer qualifies.

Older solar glass panels on a roof that the climate exceeds 100 for 30 days do not last very long. The galvanized bars, glass and wiring deteriorate. Older solar panels where there has been hurricane/tornado/wild fires also have all types of "problems."  It also depends on battery type...

I would not recommend an owner who plans to sell in the coming year to invest in solar. 

Solar does reduce electric bills. Amount of savings depends on: roof faces south with no shade, weather in location has high SUN NUMBER (how much light that roof will receive in a year.)

 

May 05, 2023 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,746,518
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Here in HI solar is the way to go.  We have the highest electric rates in the nation and with solar you can reduce your monthly bill to practically nothing.  There are nuances to rooftop solar here too, so it pays to have an agent to explain all the different ways you can benefit from having PV.

May 04, 2023 07:18 PM