The Value of LEED Homes in the Austin-Round Rock Real Estate Market

Texas has been one of the strongest housing markets in the country, and also one of the strongest markets for LEED®-certified housing. Nonetheless, the penetration of green certified housing is relatively low. Studies conducted in other markets have been helpful in demonstrating a positive premium in sales price associated with LEED homes, but the applicability of such findings to Texas was unknown. The research team at the Real Estate Finance and Investment Center of the McCombs School of Business at University of Texas at Austin undertook this study to evaluate whether a similar impact could be observed in the Austin-Round Rock Metro Area of Texas.