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Pearl Certification: Transforming the Industry

Pearl is the nation's preeminent standard for high-performing newly constructed and existing homes, bringing visibility to the valuable features that make them healthy, safe, comfortable, and energy- and water-efficient.

Whether a home has earned a label like ENERGY STAR®, LEED, or Zero Energy Ready, or has an energy ratings index or score like a RESNET HERS score or a U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Score, Pearl certifies those features and presents the data in a format so appraisers can more readily use it when forming their opinion of value.

Pearl is the only national sponsor of the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program and is also a U.S. Home Energy Score Partner and Service Provider. Pearl is a partner with the National Association of REALTORS® Green Resource Council. Pearl Certified homes sell for 5.5% more on average when properly marketed, according to independent appraiser studies.

Pearl Appraiser Resources

From the lack of market data to an increased risk in the underwriting process, appraising solar and energy-efficient features can be a real challenge. Thankfully, Pearl Certification provides data, tools, and resources to increase the efficiency and accuracy of appraising these special homes while reducing compliance risks.

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Pearl Home Certification Report

The detailed Pearl Home Certification Report captures the value of a Subject Property's solar system and/or other high-performing features for use in the Comparable Sales Approach, Income Approach, and Cost Approach, aided by a discounted cash-flow table included in the report.

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Appraisal Addendum

The Pearl Home Certification Report includes a completed Appraisal Institute Green and Energy Efficient Addendum with drag-and-drop citable materials to support your opinion of value.

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Online Resource Center

Pearl appraisers gain access to our online Resource Center, featuring a market absorption and reaction database for use in Sales Comparison Approach, as well as the Pearl Solar Equity Calculator® — the industry’s first tool to calculate discounted cash flow using certified contractor data, NREL software to calculate solar production numbers, and an API to Freddie Mac’s 30-year mortgage rate.

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FREE Appraising Webinar

Still have questions about how Pearl Certification can improve appraising homes with solar and energy-efficient features? Then join us on August 22, 3 p.m. EST for a webinar on:

  • Identifying and leveraging market trends

  • Optimizing subject property data for forming your opinion of value

  • Using Pearl Resources for maximum efficiency and accuracy

Register Now

Have Questions?

Contact [email protected].