Building Greener Real Estate

2012-07-12Founded in 2008, the Green REsource Council is the Real Estate industry's answer to organizing green ethics for sustainable growth. The main goal of the Green REsource Council has been the design and implementation of a Green Designation for licensed Realtors that can be achieved and maintained through regular education in the emerging field of the green construction of new structures and the retrofitting of existing structures with "greener" technologies.

The Mission

The Council's mission is "to make the knowledge of green real estate practices available to everyone and to encourage our industry to produce more sustainable new and existing homes." The Council:

• provides communities with up-to-date information on sustainable practices and energy conservation,
• gives green real estate professionals knowledge of green building principles, advocates spreading green ideals and provides members the tools and support to build more sustainable communities,
• enables real-world incorporation of green principles into daily Real Estate practices. What Makes a Building Green?

Green construction practices focus on using sustainable materials, alternate energy sources, and energy efficient appliances to reduce the overall environmental impact both of the construction effort and the long-term outcomes of living or working in the building. Some greening strategies include:

• Installing Energy STAR appliances,
• Integrating heat pump systems that use existing geothermal energy to heat homes, Using sustainably-produced building materials like bamboo
• Green building tactics use solutions that improve energy and water-use efficiency, environmentally responsible building materials, reduce waste and toxins, maximize indoor air quality, and encourage both smart growth and sustainable development.

That's a big responsibility.

Who Decides What's Green?
The Green REsource Council was founded to help Realtors understand green building. Since 2008, the Council has dedicated time and valuable resources to the process of poring through the available scientific literature on environmentally sustainable development, and to consulting with industry experts on what works and what doesn't. While no one body has the final authority to pronounce "what's green," the green REsource Council is confident that its members have the experience and resource base to design an educational program that is both comprehensive and up-to-date.

The Green Designation
The REsource Council's NAR Green Designation is a program offered under the auspices of the National Association of Realtors to educate licensed Realtors on green ethics, standards, and practices. It's the only recognized green designation for NAR Realtors, so those who receive the designation distinguish themselves even among the already-distinguished NAR Realtor pool.

Greening the MLS
The Green REsource Council also advocates for green MLS systems (Multiple Listing Systems) across the country, and provides a range of examples. Multiple listing systems are standardized databases of Real Estate listings. "Green" MLS versions have included fields for green characteristics and certifications, and adhere to particular best practices to encourage the green building movement.

Building Green Momentum
The Green REsource Council helps Realtors act as discerning advocates for green building practices, and sophisticated expert consultants for buyer-clients who want to buy buildings that are truly constructed to be environmentally responsible. The Council offers toolkits and resources to help buyers, builders, and Realtors understand the ways green design protects people, profit, and planet. Visit the Green REsource Council's NAR Green Designation page to learn more.

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Source: http://earthandeconomy.com/news/nargreen-585.html

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