The next time a client asks, “Are you green?” there’s a good chance that they may not be referring to your years in real estate. Rather, they may be inquiring as to whether your sensibilities on sustainability align with theirs, or if you are qualified to assist them in purchasing a “green” home.
That’s because concerns about the environment, greenhouse gases, and energy costs, are causing municipalities, homebuilders, and most importantly, consumers to consider a home’s carbon footprint, indoor air quality, and energy-efficiency. The following sections will help educate you about a movement that, ultimately, could increase your value and role as an educator.
Deep Green: Independent REALTOR® Debra Miller operates a zero carbon footprint real estate office, thanks to her husband’s company, SolarHut, which installed a 20-panel system on her Placerville office’s roof (pictured here).
The office’s air is heated with a solar heater.The system, rack, and permits cost $25,000; the Enphase monitoring system was an additional $2,700 and the solar sheet heating system was another $1,900 Miller not only saves money on her electricity bill, but received a 30 percent tax credit for the solar system (water heater excluded) and a rebate from PG&E. The system includes a monitoring system that tells Miller and her clients how many trees and emissions the solar system has saved.