GOING GREEN - 9

GOING GREEN
What are REALTORS Doing about Sustainability?

By Steve Wright

Janet Rosenberg, a Realtor with Intero Real Estate Services in Santa Cruz California, lists her EcoBroker certification right under her name on her emails – before the essential office, mobile and fax numbers.

“Realtors are in the perfect position to educate people, and entire communities for that matter, in ways to make homes more energy efficient,” she said. “The reason for this is that in our profession we are talking to home buyers and home sellers every day, and we're also touring homes regularly. With our background as Certified EcoBrokers, Intero Real Estate can offer not only suggestions on areas to improve a home's efficiency, but ways to reduce utility bills.”

Rosenberg implemented into her two offices is by forming a Green business network called Green Performance Network (GPN). The network includes appraisers, builders, inspectors, landscapers, material suppliers, lenders and other professionals who have gone Green.

“I found that I wanted to refer my clients to local businesses that offered Green products and services, and I needed to know who those folks were,” she said. By forming the GPN, I now offer all members a free half page ad in our directory, which is distributed to our clients and in businesses throughout town. This makes my company very visible in the "Green" front, and it builds a referral network back to us.”

Every six weeks, Rosenberg hosts public events that invite community members to introduce themselves and tell about their product or service. Everyone passes out business cards.

“Obviously, I hope that when people are making a decision about Real Estate, they will come to Intero Real Estate Services for help,” she said. “Additionally, we teach Intero Community Classes in my office -- taught by EcoBrokers and are open to the public. The classes are topics such as `Sustainable Building Showcase’ and `Green Living Seminar.’”

TOMORROW: Realtor Tricia Jumonville

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