The Portland City Council has signaled its readiness to approve a city measure that will require Portland home owners to get a home energy audit before they sell their home, and to include their score on their real estate listing. The home energy assessment, which can cost between $150 and $250, must be complete before the potential seller lists a home.
While energy-efficiency and climate-change advocates support this measure, Portland-area Realtors have criticized the “needless complication and expense” it adds to the home listing process. “In the long run, we’d get more done if we gave people money to do some improvements as opposed to the audit,” said Nick Krautter of Keller Williams Portland Central.
The City Council has unanimously approved amendments, including an exemption for low-income home owners, intended to address opponents’ concerns. The measure is up for a second reading and final vote next week.
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