This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.
While more than half of commercial real estate agents see value in promoting energy efficiency and other green building features, they are hampered by a lack of green data fields in their commercial information exchange, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors.
Commercial Information Exchanges, or CIEs, are the databases agents rely on to let other agents know about the availability and associated information of properties they have for sale or rent.
Only 13% of respondents to the recent NAR trade focused member survey they say they have green data fields in their CIE, which makes it difficult to promote sustainable property features. However, among those whose CIE has green data fields, more than half, or 54 percent, say they use them, the report found.
“Real estate agents thrive in a culture of sustainability that promotes viability, resilience and resource efficiency,” the report says.
More than a third of commercial agents, or 37 percent, have completed training on sustainable elements of commercial property, such as energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems or green building materials, the report says.
However, the majority of agents, or 52%, say they never work with buildings with sustainable elements, and only 19% say they work with such buildings at least once a year.
More than half, or 55%, say that promoting sustainability in a listing is very or somewhat valuable, but only 30% say that buildings with green certifications receive higher ratings from the certifications. Only 9% say certifications lead to faster sales or leases.
The results show that building tenants have a strong interest in green features, with 58% of agents saying this is what tenants ask about most often, and 53% saying they ask about vehicle charging stations.
But hard costs remain top of mind for buyers or those looking to lease, the survey shows.
The most sought-after sustainable building features that clients ask about are “utility and operations costs (32%), indoor air quality (26%), energy-efficient windows and doors (25%), the impact of extreme weather events (21%), and efficient use of lighting (16%),” NAR said. he said in a statement in the survey.
Importance of construction features to customers:
Importance of building features to customers, according to an August 2025 survey by the National Association of Realtors.
