A new National Association of Realtors survey finds a widening gap between the market’s growing interest in energy-efficient commercial buildings and the ability of real estate agents to highlight those features. Despite strong tenant demand for sustainable elements, many agents say they are limited by insufficient data fields and inconsistent tools within their commercial information exchanges.
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Commercial information exchanges, or CIEs, act as the primary system agents use to share listings across the industry. According to NAR’s August survey, only 13% of commercial-focused members have access to green data fields in their CIE, making it difficult for them to promote sustainable building features even when they exist. Among agents who do have those fields available, more than half — 54% — actively use them.
The report emphasizes NAR’s broader stance on sustainability, noting that “Realtors thrive in a culture of sustainability that promotes viability, resiliency, and resource efficiency.”
Over one-third of commercial agents — 37% — have completed training on sustainable building features such as efficient appliances, renewable systems, or eco-friendly materials. But the market engagement does not yet match the training levels.
More than half of agents surveyed — 52% — say they never work with buildings featuring sustainable elements, and only 19% say they encounter such buildings at least once per year. The lack of green data fields appears to be a key barrier, contributing to underreporting of energy efficiency features and limited visibility in listing platforms.
While 55% of respondents believe sustainability adds at least some value to listings, fewer agents see a direct link between certifications and financial return. Only 30% believe that green-certified properties earn higher valuations, and just 9% say certifications help buildings sell or lease faster.
The findings point to a need for more education and standardized data practices to help agents translate sustainability into market value.
Tenant demand remains strong. According to the survey, 58% of agents say clients frequently inquire about general green building features, and 53% receive questions about EV charging capabilities.
When asked about the most important sustainable building features, agents said clients prioritize:
These priorities reflect today’s market environment, where rising energy prices and climate-related risks play a central role in investor and tenant decision-making.
Even as agents struggle to effectively promote green buildings through their existing tools, efficient properties continue to attract strong valuations. Hard costs such as electricity, ongoing utility costs, and operations remain top considerations for buyers and lessees — and those factors often give efficient buildings a competitive advantage.
The survey suggests that improving green data fields, enhancing CIE design, and standardizing sustainability reporting could unlock clearer pathways for real estate professionals to communicate property value. As more local governments introduce incentives and codes to drive energy-efficient retrofits, commercial agents may need more robust tools to stay competitive.
Originally reported by Joe Burns in Construction Dive.
