| Realtors Build Green Building Practices to Meet Consumer Demand |
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04/11/2009 14:34 (16 Day 23:31 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- Many of today’s consumers want homes and communities that are sensitive to the larger environment, and Realtors are responding to meet this growing demand.
More than 3,000 Realtors have earned the Green Designation since the National Association of Realtors launched it one year ago, and an additional 1,000 are anticipated by the end of the year. Another 1,200 Realtors have taken the curriculum’s core course.
“Realtors care about improving communities through smart growth initiatives,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “NAR’s Green Designation helps consumers and builders who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify Realtors who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.”
NAR’s Green REsource Council offers the Green Designation. Realtors who have earned the designation are prepared to help consumers and clients in their search for environmentally friendly properties and work to incorporate green principles into their own practice. The designation indicates knowledge of industry rating programs and standards, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, ENERGY STAR qualifications, and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index.
In addition to overseeing NAR’s Green Designation program, the Green REsource Council has also assisted the multiple listing service Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC, with a green initiative and has worked closely with the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Green Business Council and the National Association of Home Builders to advance green legislation and advocacy.
Designees enjoy a wealth of benefits to help them work with green-conscious consumers, including access to monthly Webinars, The REsource e-newsletter and access to the Accredited Buyer Representative Network, an exclusive online community where designees can post discussions and ideas in forums and blogs and build their referral network. Designees can also connect with green industry product and service providers through the newly launched Green Business Network.
The Green REsource Council was honored with the 2009 Award of Excellence by the American Society of Association Executives and with the Associations Standard of Excellence Award from the Web Marketing Association for its innovative Web site design. The Web site gives NAR Green Designees access to exclusive member benefits including ongoing education, green resources and professionally crafted marketing tools to help them promote their business. Consumers can search for a green designee in their area and gain access to a carbon footprint calculator, facts about green building and a list of green professionals nationwide.
“Earning NAR’s Green Designation is another way Realtors can add value to the transaction,” said McMillan. “The success of The Green REsource Council is not only reflected in the growing number of new NAR Green designees this year, but it shows the dedication that Realtors place on obtaining the continuing education and training necessary to become a trusted resource for green real estate in their community.”
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