Are you prepared for the future of real estate? Builder and consumer adoption of sustainability is rapidly growing….will you be ready to guide your clients? To learn about issues of energy efficiency and sustainability in the various facets of real estate, you may want to consider obtaining NAR’s GREEN designation, the only NAR-conferred real estate designation.
According to a National Home Builders Association survey, nine out of ten buyers would rather buy a home with energy-efficient features than a home without those features that costs 2 to 3% less. As a mindset and practice, “green” is transforming the business of real estate—from sustainability to the specific manner in which existing homes are renovated and new homes are built.
Buyers are also beginning to place health high on the priority list when looking at real estate investments. Healthy homes are designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of the home’s occupants. These healthy homes are a great option for families as awareness grows about the dangers of building materials and other environmental factors in the design of a home. Many builders and architects are beginning to specialize in this design style, meaning the availability of homes like these is now more widespread.
Additionally, listing and marketing a high-performance, energy-efficient home requires more than a standard approach. That’s the edge that agents who are knowledgeable about green features can offer to sellers of energy-efficient homes. Don’t let your seller miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the added value of a home with green features.
To be competitive as a real estate professional, it’s imperative to remain on the cutting edge of green building innovation, education, and designations. Why not make 2015 the year that you obtain NAR’s GREEN designation? The green movement is currently in its infancy. In years to come, it will no longer be a movement but a way of life.
