Homes sold in Austin will require Energy Audits - Be "in the know" when you buy your first home.

As a First Time Home Buyer in the Austin, TX area, there is something that you need to know.......

A new ordinance in Austin will require that homeowners have an energy efficiency audit performed prior to selling their homes (homes that are 10 years old or older). Homeowners will be required to provide this report to any potential buyers for their property. This is in additional to any currently provided Seller's Disclosure statements and any Building Inspection that a buyer might perform once under contract.

This audit will focus on the central heat/airconditioning systems, insulation, leakage thru doors & windows, the need for solar screens on windows, particularly west facing and other simple energy "wasters". Basically, this new requirement is geared towards improving energy efficiency in homes in our area and thus helping to reduce utility needs and costs.

Specially trained auditors will perform this inspection and report. There are companies who will focus solely on this and there are many buildng inspectors in the area who will also become certified.

This new audit will now become part of a seller's "pre-marketing" plan, just like sprucing up the yard, touching up paintwork, cleaning the house or removing all the excess clutter. As a result of this, many seller's will now be caulking, adding insulation, weather stripping and doing other chores in order to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and to show buyer's that their home meets the grade.

While making these repairs is not yet mandatory under this plan, Buyers will likely expect and request that many of these repairs/maintenance items be performed, so savvy Sellers will be sure to make these energy efficiency improvements prior to listing their homes.

This is truly a great thing for buyers, and particularly for First Time Home Buyers on a budget who will benefit from lower utility bills and a greener home for years to come.

Sue