LAS VEGAS -- A new state law likely to go into effect on New Year's Day could tell you a lot about the next home you buy. But if you are trying to sell, it could mean extra cost in an already tough market.
The new rules will require you to figure out your monthly energy use, appliance efficiency and more and then give it to the buyer. But what about rentals and foreclosures? The answers aren't so simple.
Robert Sprague's energy efficiency company, Sustainable Energy Services, stands to benefit from the new rules for selling a home. The state wants sellers to detail energy use, appliance efficiency, grading for insulation and more.
"What we're trying to do is help the consumer save money, save energy, reduce the carbon footprint, all that kind of stuff," he said.
It is good in theory, but practically, Realtor Nick Nolf sees a problem.
"Do we want the state to actually mandate this, though? Because it will be an additional cost," he said.
Nolf has to deal with a complex market already. Now, he would have to try to track down renters, contact the bank to track energy use or hire an expensive inspector to estimate it. You can go online and track your bill over a year, but only if you sign up. That is not easy if the owners skipped out.
Sprague says his company can not only do the inspection, but make recommendations to buyers about how to make homes even more energy efficient.
"It takes it a notch further than what a home inspector does," he said.
The Board of Examiners will take a final vote this Thursday on the bill draft. If passed, there must be at least a big attempt by home sellers to gather this info on their own or pay someone to figure it out.
