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Solar Panels – Legal Issues With Real Estate Transactions and Your Home

Solar panels can be a way to lessen your energy footprint and to save on electricity costs. However, the installation of solar panels can complicate your ability to sell and refinance your home.

There are some legal issues in regards to panels and real estate transactions that you will need to be aware. Here we explain some legal considerations for solar panel owners and why individuals with solar panel installations on their homes are often faced with dilemmas when it comes time to sell their homes.

Notes from this Episode:

Legal Issues with Solar Panels and Real Estate Transactions based on how you acquired your solar panels. Generally, there are three ways to acquire solar panels.

#1: Buy Them.

PROS: No ownership complications, no refinance or selling issues, adds value to your home, Tax Benefit (26%).

CONS: High up-front cost means it will be a while before your investment pays off, Ownership of maintenance.

#2: Finance Them.

PROS: Cost spread out over time.

CONS: High financing costs, associated liens can delay or prevent refinancing. For most sales, as a practical matter, the lien will need to be paid upon sale.

#3: Lease Them.

PROS: Lowest cost to have.

CONS: No direct tax benefit. Buyers need to be approved. Similar problems with refinances.

Join Jason Muth from Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Attorney / Broker Rory Gill of NextHome Titletown and UrbanVillage Legal in Boston, Massachusetts for another episode of The Real Estate Law Podcast!

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