WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? --6

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

EcoBroker Vice President John K. Stovall was a featured presenter at the Vermont Association of Realtors (VAR) 2007 statewide convention, which focused on going Green.

Personally, sustainability has been a priority since the 70’s, said Robert D. Hill, executive vice president of the VAR. “When the Legislature spent the entire session last year on global warming and attempted to institute mandatory energy efficiency standards on all housing, it was a natural opportunity to make sure our members are conversant with the concepts and adequately prepared to respond to customers who are looking for Green real estate. We wanted to help our members understand that this is where the market is going and not just a `nerdy idea,’ so they should be professionally primed to provide assistance when their clients ask.”

To create more sustainability, VAR has also worked Smart Growth Vermont on a project to demonstrate that well-planned communities can fit the Vermont landscape. However, Hill said acceptance of the concept is moving slowly due to stringent permitting processes. Evening if some government codes are slow to adapt, he said the bottom line is Green is here to stay.

“Just as Realtors have been at the forefront of educating home buyers and sellers on the hazards and mitigations of lead paint, they can also be instrumental in showing clients how Green improvements can increase the value of their investment,” Hill said.

TOMORROW: Green Real Estate Education

Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? --5

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

John Beldock -- holder of a doctorate degree from the University of California with experience teaching courses in energy engineering, energy and environmental technologies, statistics, and pollution prevention – is President and CEO EcoBroker International.

Beldock calls EcoBroker “the first and only international provider of Green designation training that provides a unique energy and environmental curriculum to licensed real estate professionals, leading to the EcoBroker® designation.”

There are certified EcoBrokers in 42 states, four Canadian Provinces and the Caribbean. Based in Evergreen Colorado outside Denver, EcoBroker’s accredited coursework consists of three six-hour on-line classes on:

• Constructively addressing environmental issues such as radon, asbestos, lead, water, mold and indoor air quality. Reducing liabilities and saving deals by learning to work through environmental issues.

• Energy efficiency technologies, sustainable energy options and mortgage options that award up to $15,000 worth of energy efficiency improvements for a home at the closing. Green home certification programs, such as Built Green® and Energy Star® Qualified Homes.

• Energy and environmental training that can add value to transactions with consumers both Green-minded and not Green-aware. Identifying new markets where the EcoBroker Designation will have appeal and impact that generates more business.


John Beldock -- holder of a doctorate degree from the University of California with experience teaching courses in energy engineering, energy and environmental technologies, statistics, and pollution prevention – is President and CEO EcoBroker International.

Beldock calls EcoBroker “the first and only international provider of Green designation training that provides a unique energy and environmental curriculum to licensed real estate professionals, leading to the EcoBroker® designation.”

There are certified EcoBrokers in 42 states, four Canadian Provinces and the Caribbean. Based in Evergreen Colorado outside Denver, EcoBroker’s accredited coursework consists of three six-hour on-line classes on:

• Constructively addressing environmental issues such as radon, asbestos, lead, water, mold and indoor air quality. Reducing liabilities and saving deals by learning to work through environmental issues.

• Energy efficiency technologies, sustainable energy options and mortgage options that award up to $15,000 worth of energy efficiency improvements for a home at the closing. Green home certification programs, such as Built Green® and Energy Star® Qualified Homes.

• Energy and environmental training that can add value to transactions with consumers both Green-minded and not Green-aware. Identifying new markets where the EcoBroker Designation will have appeal and impact that generates more business.


John Beldock -- holder of a doctorate degree from the University of California with experience teaching courses in energy engineering, energy and environmental technologies, statistics, and pollution prevention – is President and CEO EcoBroker International.

Beldock calls EcoBroker “the first and only international provider of Green designation training that provides a unique energy and environmental curriculum to licensed real estate professionals, leading to the EcoBroker® designation.”

There are certified EcoBrokers in 42 states, four Canadian Provinces and the Caribbean. Based in Evergreen Colorado outside Denver, EcoBroker’s accredited coursework consists of three six-hour on-line classes on:

• Constructively addressing environmental issues such as radon, asbestos, lead, water, mold and indoor air quality. Reducing liabilities and saving deals by learning to work through environmental issues.

• Energy efficiency technologies, sustainable energy options and mortgage options that award up to $15,000 worth of energy efficiency improvements for a home at the closing. Green home certification programs, such as Built Green® and Energy Star® Qualified Homes.

• Energy and environmental training that can add value to transactions with consumers both Green-minded and not Green-aware. Identifying new markets where the EcoBroker Designation will have appeal and impact that generates more business.

TOMORROW: EcoBroker International

Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? --4

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

The Seattle King County Association of Realtors (SKCAR) created The Realtors Environmental Council (TREC) to a promote Green practices such as:

(5) Undertake the advancement of important environmental policies, and/or environmental projects, that other environmental organizations have failed to undertake.

Hokason urged other Realtor associations to create something similar to SKCAR’s The Realtors Environmental Council. He also strongly believes that association boards should work to add Green information to their area Multiple Listing Service.
The Northwest Multiple Listing Service, the largest full-service MLS in the Pacific Northwest that serves more than 2,000 companies with more than 26,000 sales associates, has added information on sustainability to its database.

Agents can highlight Green features for homes that meet third-party certifications for Built Green®, Energy Star® and LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

There are checkboxes for identifying energy-efficient heating and cooling systems including solar and for renewable floor coverings such as bamboo or cork. In a listing’s details about the house lot, a Realtor can check a box denoting sustainable features such as drought-resistant landscaping.

SKCAR also is a big advocate of the EcoBroker certification that can be obtained through a highly-regarded on-line course created by the former director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Environmental Analysis Program.

TOMORROW: the Vermont Association of Realtors

Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? --2

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

“Our association lobbies state and local officials for jobs-housing balance. Recognizing that one-half of all green house gas (GHG) comes from transportation, one of the best approaches to address climate change is to lobby for jobs-housing balance. This concept advocates for housing opportunities near employment centers.” Hokanson said of the necessity to combine Smart Growth with Green housing. “Jobs-housing balance helps prevent sprawl, provides housing opportunities for workers near their jobs, and greatly reduces the vehicle miles traveled and GHG.”

SKCAR conceived and created The Realtors Environmental Council (TREC), an organization pending non-profit status that Hokanson believes is the first of its kind in the Nation. In his words, TREC was created with the intent to:

(1) Improve the congruence between public perceptions and the fact that the Realtors are sensitive to, and supportive of, well-grounded and responsible environmental stewardship.

Many folks don't know that the Realtors are a founding member of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition and for many, many, years have annually contributed thousands of dollars to the Coalition's efforts to secure environmental and recreation project funding for jurisdictions throughout Washington State.

The TREC is a natural fit with our strong support for schools, infrastructure and housing, which like a quality environment are all pre-requisites for quality of life.

TOMORROW: TREC GOALS 2 THROUGH 4


Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? --3

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

The Seattle King County Association of Realtors (SKCAR) created The Realtors Environmental Council (TREC) to a promote Green practices such as:

(2) Accomplish projects that provide on-the-ground benefits for the environment. The project at the Hylebos (a watershed conservation area) was the first such project to be undertaken by TREC. It was chosen because it is one of the outstanding environmental assets in the entire Pacific Northwest and because the Friends of the Hylebos, with whom we partnered on this project, have a superb reputation for their environmental remediation and enhancement efforts.

The Realtors would not be content to only talk about the environment and raise funds for environmental projects, as some environmental efforts have done. We worked with dirt under our fingernails, making a difference for the environment. As part of our local board’s centennial celebration, this fall TREC will work on the ground or provide environmental stewardship to improve a significant greenbelt or park within King County.

(3) Enhance Realtor understanding of environmental issues through education -- particularly as they may be related to regulation, conservation, enhancement and remediation that affect the sustainability, utilization and development of real property. This is being accomplished through state-approved clock-hour classes Realtors must complete in order to renew their real estate licenses.

(4) Develop and provide to Realtors brandable point-of-sale brochures members can download and use with clients and customers on "How To Be An Earth-Friendly Homeowner." This brochure may be downloaded from our web site.

TOMORROW: TREC INITIATIVE #5

Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

WHAT ARE REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS DOING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?

By Steve Wright

Not that long ago, if a buyer wanted a Realtor for search for a Green house, it could have meant only two things – the shade of paint on the walls or the amenity of a glassed in structure perfect for growing flowers and vegetables.

Now Green is spelled with a capital G and means environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, healthy and sustainable.

And as more and more buyers are seeking homes with everything from better air quality and insulation to solar power and rain catch basins, a lack of knowledge about going Green can result in a shrinking client base and a lack of sale commission green.

To separate the junk science from best practices, a number of large regional Realtor Associations are creating Green councils, trainings, conferences, certification procedures and partnerships.

Consumer demand for sustainability also has created some nationally-recognized companies that create coursework and certification programs for Realtors.

“We have developed a brochure, Green Living: A Resource Guide for Residents of King County. The brochure may be downloaded from our website and our members are encouraged to provide a copy of the brochure to new homeowners,” said Russell Hokanson, CEO of the Seattle King County Association of Realtors (SKCAR). “The brochure provides valuable information and resources relating to energy efficiency inside and outside of homes, improving vehicle fuel economy, recycling, calculating carbon footprints, and other valuable Green tips.”

SKCAR partners with a local instructor to offer a classroom course – Green Cities & Housing. It also is collaborating with the Independent Brokers Association to offer a new course -- Selling Green Homes.

TOMORROW: The Realtors Environmental Council

Wright frequently writes about smart growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com