How You Can Go Green—And Why You Should
By Marilyn Urso, CRB, CRS®
The Green Movement started back in the 1960s and ’70s when most of us were not particularly conscious of the environment and how quickly we were destroying it. Today, everything is green — or trying to be — from cleaning products to building products to cars. So it's no surprise that more and more consumers are looking to have healthier homes and save money on their utility bills. At least that's what I'm seeing in my market — how about you?
At the REALTORS® Conference in Orlando, Fla., this month, I was lucky enough to be in the first class of students for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ new green designation. There were 236 people taking the class, if that's any indication of the level of interest. It was two days filled with environmental and energy-saving concepts, ideas, and information that we can use to help our customers and clients in the buying and selling process.
There’s no particular green demographic; it spans all generations and cultures. As REALTORS®, it is not our job to be the green experts, but we do need to have the knowledge and the team of experts to help consumers get the answers they need regarding all aspects green. So I encourage you to start building that team—the home inspectors and energy audit professionals, the organic landscapers and interior designers, and the banks that can provide green loans, just to name a few.
At REALTOR® magazine online and REALTOR.org, you can search “green” or “smart growth” for a lot of ideas on how to go green in your real estate practice. You’re bound to become greener in the process—and, from there, you can determine whether NAR's new green designation is right for you.
Marilyn Urso is broker-owner of Long Island Village Realty Inc. in Syosset, N.Y. She is the GEO (Green Executive Officer), handling the marketing, technology, and green education for her office. Thanks to Marilyn’s efforts, Long Island Village Realty, Inc won the EPA/EnergyStar 2008 Small Business Award for its energy efficient operation. She has been a REALTOR® for more than 15 years. In addition to the designations above, she has earned the e-PRO certification and GRI, PMN and SRES designations. She’s a graduate of Douglass College.
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