One of the reasons California has a disproportionate amount of solar-powered homes is that in 2020, a solar mandate went into effect: “The California solar mandate is a building code that requires new construction homes to have a solar photovoltaic (PV) system as an electricity source. This code, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, applies to single- and multi-family homes that are up to three stories high.”** It isn’t an accident that when you drive by new construction and developments, the roofs are covered in solar panels!
When we take a listing and we see solar panels on the house, it is an important feature, but can also affect pricing. Do you own your solar panels outright? Are you in a long term lease with solar? These details can affect how we market the house, how a buyer has to structure their offer, and more! As a seller, you want to disclose everything you know about your solar system so that the buyer is informed.
For some buyers, solar panels are a huge plus and for others they are indifferent. Across the country, for a 6-kilowatt (KW) system, the average cost after factoring federal tax credits is $11,810.* If you are a buyer and the home you are submitting an offer on a home that has solar panels that are paid off, that can be a huge value add!
Are you thinking of making improvements to your home before selling? If you are planning to sell in the next 6-12 months and you aren’t sure what improvements will make a difference when you go to market, please reach out to me. There are a lot of misconceptions about what has to get done to sell.
Call, text, or email and we can set up a time to talk one on one in person, on the phone, or connect however is easiest for you!
