Green Apartment Buildings Get Discounted Interest Rates

Green certified multifamily properties will receive discounted mortgages in 2015. Fannie Mae will grant a 10-basis-point discount on interest rates for acquisition, refinance, and supplemental mortgage loans for multifamily properties with green building certification, such as LEED or Energy Star. (The discount would lower a 4% market interest rate to 3.9%.)

Green buildings have been proven to have relatively lower monthly energy and water costs. The U.S. Department of Energy reports LEED-certified buildings are estimated to consume 25% less energy and 11% less water, with 19% lower maintenance costs and 27% higher occupant satisfaction, than non-green buildings.