Green certifications ease housing affordability
Over ten years ago, the average homebuyer was 31 years old. In 2025, that average jumped to 40 years old, signaling that homeownership has steadily moved out of reach. While the reasons are both economic and structural, the primary one is cost. Third-party green-certified homes offer several ways to ease affordability pressures, reducing monthly utility bills and lowering long-term repair and maintenance costs through better durability and quality control. Third-party certified homes can also speed up construction timelines by supplementing overburdened building departments with independent inspectors.
High-performance homes, such as those certified under NGBS Green certification, deliver measurably lower utility costs compared to code-minimum homes. Green buildings can use up to 50% less energy than conventional buildings, translating into $500 to $700 or more in annual energy savings per household.
