Website puts focus on eco-homes

Alistair Helm, chief executive of Realestate.co.nz, said the alliance was a natural fit for the company as the real estate industry was increasingly recognising that eco-efficiency improved the value of a home. 

"Evidence from overseas shows that homes with a proven low environmental impact are more appealing to buyers and will increase in value," Helm said. 

He said Homestar was well established within the building industry as the benchmark in New Zealand for the design and construction of sustainable homes.

The deal means all homes with a Homestar Certified Assessment that are for sale via Realestate.co.nz will get a premium listing on the website, with links to information about the environmentally sustainable elements of the house.

"More and more Kiwi property hunters will be looking for the Homestar symbol to assess a home's overall impact on the environment and ongoing running costs," Helm said. 

"This is a clear message for home sellers to think about how a Homestar rating could improve the value of their home and help it sell faster." 

Homestar director Krista Ferguson said the tie-in with Realestate.co.nz marked a significant step forward in improving the overall quality and performance of the country's housing stock. 

"Houses that are warmer, drier, more energy efficient and kinder to the environment will always be more appealing to buyers," she said.