Jennifer Spivey’s Ecobroker Blog

People often ask why I teach “green” real estate.  I answer by explaining what green building actually is and explain how real estate professionals such as myself have a tremendous opportunity (and responsibility) to effect change and provide exceptional service to our clients. 

 Typical green residential and mixed-use properties fall into two main categories, new building and renovations.  In general terms, “certified green” new construction such as new single family homes are built above the required building code for the area.  Certification programs such as earthcraft require builders to go through special training and offer on-going training and support.  In order for a project to earn certification, a third party inspects the home at various stages of construction to ensure it meets certain benchmarks.  The resulting home is less expensive to heat and cool, has healthier indoor air, uses less water, and is better built than a similar conventionally built home.  There are also less call backs for the builder and higher customer satisfaction ratings (as reported in the NAHB news, April 2, 2007). 

One of the misconceptions real estate professionals and homebuyers have about “green” properties is that they are much more expensive then conventionally built homes.  While it is true that currently the cost of constructing a typical “green” home will be about 1-3% higher then the same conventionally built home, that homeowner will also realize reduced monthly utility costs.

With daily changes in the current housing market, there is even more opportunity to help our clients with green renovations or “greenovations.”  Clients that are doing minor repairs before putting their homes on the market can benefit from using “green” products such as low voc paints, formaldehyde-free flooring and cabinets, and green label carpeting.  There’s nothing that will turn a buyer away from your listing faster than watery eyes or an asthma attack.  If your seller needs to upgrade appliances, energystar rated appliances use 10-50% less energy than standard appliances and are a great marketing tool!  For clients looking to buy a foreclosure or a “handy man’s special,” suggest a blower door test from a qualified energy rater before they spend thousands to upgrade HVAC, windows, or insulation.  Your buyers will thank you and tell their friends about your services!

So in a nut shell, I teach green real estate because we are not order takers or facilitators.  We are the professionals people turn to when they are buying or selling their single largest investment.  The clients are asking for better homes, the builders are building them and we are the link between them.   I believe we have a responsibility to learn about all aspects of the real estate industry, from schools to finance to building, and when we don’t know the answers we should know the people who do.