During a recent government meeting in Ann Arbor, significant discussions emerged regarding proposed amendments to the Home Energy Rating Disclosure (HERD) ordinance, which has been in effect for just six months. Stakeholders, including real estate professionals, expressed concerns about the ordinance's implementation and the proposed changes that could complicate compliance for home sellers.

Todd Waller, a local realtor, highlighted the challenges faced by sellers in understanding the HERD requirements. He emphasized that many homeowners are unaware of the ordinance unless informed by their realtors, suggesting that the city needs to enhance its communication efforts. Waller criticized the proposed changes to the ordinance, particularly regarding the requirement for sellers to provide a home energy score report to prospective buyers during showings. He questioned how the city would verify compliance with this requirement and warned that altering compliance rules so soon after implementation could lead to decreased adherence among sellers.

Kristen Mills, another realtor, echoed Waller's sentiments, noting that educating the community about the HERD ordinance is still a work in progress. She pointed out that local realtors have been proactive in hosting educational events to clarify the ordinance's requirements but stressed that more time is needed for effective implementation. Mills argued that making changes at this stage could confuse sellers further and undermine the ordinance's goals.

The meeting concluded with a call for the city council to reconsider the timing of the proposed amendments, advocating for a delay to allow for better education and understanding of the HERD ordinance among homeowners and realtors alike. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration between the city and the real estate community to ensure successful compliance and achieve the city's sustainability goals.