- Commercial
- Lean In
- Green
- Green Data
- NESE Pipeline
- Sustainability
NAR® Report Link (released December 2025)
As sustainability plays a growing role in tenant expectations, operating costs, and asset value, NAR surveyed commercial REALTORS® nationwide in August 2025 to better understand how these factors are shaping decisions and deal-making in today’s CRE market and released their findings in December’s report.
Let’s lean into what the report means for LIBOR members.
Sections this article:
Commercial Sustainability Survey
Key Findings from REALTORS®
Green Data Fields
Only 13%
have access; among those, 54% actively use them.
Training Adoption
37%
have completed training related to sustainable commercial properties.
Energy Efficiency
55%
say promoting energy efficiency is very or somewhat valuable.
Certifications
30%
report higher values; only 9% see faster sales.
Repurposing
32%
report experience converting/repurposing properties.
Tenant Expectations
58%
ask about efficiency; 52% ask about EV charging.
Fast Facts from the NAR® Report
Money talks when it comes to sustainability. Clients prioritize building features that directly impact operating costs, efficiency, and building performance.
What commercial clients value most— from operating costs and indoor air quality to energy efficiency features and green building certifications.
Green Data Fields in OneKeyMLS
Good Green News for LIBOR Members
The Northeast leads the way
Regional results from the National Association of REALTORS® survey show the Northeast has the highest availability of Green data fields in commercial listing platforms.
Your MLS supports it
Long Island Board of REALTORS® and OneKey MLS provide Green data fields to help capture sustainability features in commercial listings.
The opportunity gap is clear
Tenant and buyer demand is growing, but green features remain underrepresented in commercial listings. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to boost your CRE listings by going Green!
Do You Know Your Green Verification Types?
These green verification types are available for input and search in OneKeyMLS
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is a national standard developed by RESNET to measure energy efficiency. A lower score signals stronger energy performance — often translating into lower operating costs, improved marketability, and stronger long-term value.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) verifies that a building is designed and operated to be energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally responsible. LEED certifies commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily properties and is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
NGBS Small Projects – Remodel This certification under the National Green Building Standard® applies to renovations and rehabilitation projects in small-scale multifamily or mixed-use buildings. It confirms that upgrades improve efficiency, durability, and indoor environmental quality — not just aesthetics.
Trending Topic:
Commercial Repurposing
Repurposing is no longer theoretical—it’s happening. Nationally, 32% of commercial firms report experience converting or repurposing commercial properties, signaling a meaningful shift in how underused assets are being reimagined.
Locally, this trend is especially visible in the New York City metro area, where NYC has emerged as a national leader in adaptive reuse, particularly office-to-residential conversions. In Long Island City (Queens)—within LIBOR’s service footprint—recent rezonings and redevelopment initiatives are actively transforming large commercial districts into mixed-use and residential neighborhoods, aligning housing production with changing office demand.
Together, these national and regional dynamics point to repurposing as a growing opportunity set for commercial REALTORS® navigating evolving market conditions.
Utility Affordability is a Major Factor for a Third of Commercial Buyers
LIBOR understands that utility affordability plays a large part in real estate momentum, whether residential or commercial, that’s why we support the NESE Pipeline Project for Long Island through our advocacy efforts.
Excerpt
The project offers significant economic and environmental benefits. Independent analysis indicates that NESE could save New Yorkers up to $6 billion in electricity costs over 15 years, with nearly half of those savings directly benefiting Downstate residents. It will also reduce our reliance on diesel-fueled truck deliveries which will lower greenhouse gas emissions. You can read the full coalition letter of support to the NYSDEC here.
Additional reading:
Energy Incentives
Federal:
New York:
Top 2 Green Requests from Multifamily Tenants
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According to agents and brokers, two of the most requested Green amenities by multifamily tenants are electric vehicle charging stations and ENERGY STAR appliances and A/C equipment.
A quick search of commercial properties in OneKeyMLS resulted in more than 4,300 listings and only a small number of listings feature either of these Green benefits. If your commercial properties offer these benefits, be sure to include them in your listing and explain to your seller why they are important.
Green Commercial Education Opportunities
There is significant opportunity in commercial real estate to build green expertise. Through NAR's Green Designation, the Green Resource Councilprovides ongoing education, resources and tools so that real estate practitioners can successfully seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. Contact The Green Resource Council at 800-498-9422 or greendesignation@realtors.org.
