EcoBroker

The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Homes

In today’s real estate market, an increasing number of consumers are making the connection between a high performance energy efficient home, environmental friendly design, and quality of life. The U.S. Green Building Council has found that buildings in the United States account for nearly forty percent (40%) of the total U.S. energy consumption and roughly twelve percent (12%) of water usage. A Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor area energy efficient home bridges the connection between consumption and resource depletion by reducing energy needs, lowering utility costs, and providing a higher environmental indoor air quality for your comfort.

In research recently conducted by the National Association of Realtors, ninety-two percent (92%) of all home buyers consider energy efficiency at least somewhat important in their decision to purchase a particular home. In fact, forty-six percent (46%) of all home buyers rank energy efficiency as very important when considering a home for purchase.

Sustainable green homes utilize a systems approach to saving energy and improving indoor air quality. The ideal green home features proper southern orientation, good structural design, the use of recycled building materials and other green energy efficient technologies in building materials such as windows and insulation and products such as lighting and appliances. The green home produces a low carbon footprint while reducing energy consumption and enhancing the environmental health for its occupants.

What is an EcoBroker®

Founded in 2002, EcoBroker International (www.ecobroker.com) is the first and largest green real estate training and communications program in the world. With members in all 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and New Zealand, EcoBroker and its members serve real estate consumers, communities, and the environment with an unparalleled level of care, commitment, and follow-up. With the benefit of oversight from the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals (www.aeerep.org), EcoBroker’s green designation training and communications provide professionals with the resources to be constructive green ambassadors in an ever-changing business and consumer world.

EcoBroker offers education and tools to real estate professionals that in turn help consumers take advantage of energy efficiency and environmentally sensitive design in real estate properties. Through EcoBroker’s unique energy and environmental curriculum, real estate professionals acquire the knowledge and resources to become Certified EcoBrokers. These real estate professionals assist clients in their pursuit of properties that provide affordability, environmental sustainability, comfort and a healthier environment.

In order to earn the EcoBroker Designation, licensed real estate agents must fulfill a straight-forward set of requirements. The most important requirement of EcoBroker Certification is that real estate professionals complete the EcoBroker’s rigorous energy, environmental, and marketing training programs.

EcoBrokers receive an education and designation in the premier program for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficiency and “green” features in homes and buildings. The EcoBroker ® logo is the industry symbol for environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the real estate industry. A certified EcoBroker endeavors to assist you and the planet in getting the most when buying and selling a home.

Why Use an EcoBroker®

EcoBroker® is the one true green designation, taught by experts in the green industry and the real estate industry. The EcoBroker training program gives real estate professionals the absolute best green resources. The EcoBroker training programs keep EcoBroker Certified agents on top of the most up to date information in the green real estate industry. Once certified, EcoBroker continues to provide its trained professionals with the latest business building tools, marketing templates, networking opportunities, and support to assist their clients with all of their real estate needs.

EcoBrokers® are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as “green” home certification programs like Energy Star® Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and environmentally-sensitive design. The EcoBroker designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers grow their client base by attracting the green-minded consumer and providing valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. With expertise and affiliate relationships, EcoBrokers are known for providing exceptional value to all of their relationships.

Certified EcoBrokers® are meeting the current buyer and seller demand for real estate professionals with an understanding of the issues that drive today’s market decisions and a greater understanding about homes with high energy efficiency and improved environmental indoor air quality.

My goal is to assist home buyers in moving beyond the traditional home design and into the expanding market of healthy, energy efficient homes. My knowledge of the local market, and an understanding of the desires of the environmentally conscious home buyer, sets me apart from others in the real estate industry.