Photo credit:
woodleywonderworks, Flickr
There’s a green light at the end of the dark, unrelenting tunnel also known as the dismal U.S. housing market—a new crop of eco-trained Realtors and brokers helping tree huggers buy, sell and build green homes.
But are environmental real estate licenses merely greenwashed facsimiles? How exactly does a Realtor score a "green card"? And who on earth can afford a new house, let alone a LEED-stamped one?
Taking their cue from the explosion in green construction/architecture, as well as a spike in green housing demand, earth- and bottom line-conscious real estate agents are heading back to school online to bone up on more than green property jargonese.
Where? EcoBroker.com. Since 2002, the first environmental realty certification program has armed thousands of greenie Realtors worldwide its 18-hour online 101 on: sustainable design and construction; xeriscaping; water conservation; indoor air quality; waste stream and pollution reduction; home energy efficiency; earth-friendly building materials and more. When they pass (and pay $395), they can add "EcoBroker Certified" to their curriculum vitae ... and a few brownie points to their client karma.
Smell greenwashing? Fear not, skeptics. An EcoBroker certification is the real deal, thanks to stringent checks and balances put in place by the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals and other industry watchdogs. Still not convinced? Do your homework.
Just how affordable is the average green home? You might not want to know if money factors in more than comfort and a reduced carbon footprint, all under one recycled shingle roof. Can't afford LEED Gold sustainable digs? Consider a small-scale green renovation, another trendy environmental endeavor an EcoBroker can help you with. Asking your EcoBroker how to save green on taxes doesn't hurt either.
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I learn something new everyday. My sister in law actually became LEED certified this year.. (it was a big deal because she went on and on about her instructor from Clean Edison and how great he was, apparently it is rather difficult to pass.) She is an architect in Baltimore but I wasn't aware there were different "programs" for different trades. Having worked in the construction industry I can understand how people in my field would aspire to obtain LEED certification but I think it is great that it has spread to the real estate industry. It only makes sense to work together from the construction worker who lays the foundation to the realtor who sells the final product.