"Over the last few years more stringent environmental laws (e.g. the German ìEnergieeinsparverordnung ENEVî - Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) and soaring energy prices increased the need for the real estate industry to react. Therefore the Property Group at Lincoln University in New Zealand and Nuertingen-Geislingen University in Germany are carrying out research in relation to sustainable housing construction and public awareness of ìgreenî residential property. Part of this research is to gain an understanding of the level of knowledge and importance of these issues to the house buyer and to determine the importance of sustainable housing to the general public. The paper compares data from two different empirical studies; one of studies analyzes the situation in New Zealand, the other is focused on Germany.""