Lately you hear the term Green applied to almost every aspect of business and commerce. Here is one more: The Green Realtor—a Realtor who is Giving Realty an Environmentally Ethical Niche.

So what sets Green Realtors apart? They are real estate professionals who have acquired special knowledge and expertise that most other realtors do not have, and who have integrated this expertise into all the services they perform for you, the client.

Many consumers these days are concerned about the human “footprint” on Planet Earth. With growing evidence and research on global warming, the constant drumbeat of stories on habitat destruction, loss of species, dead zones in the ocean, and the death of coral reefs—people want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, and the good news is they can!

Buying or selling property is the largest financial transaction most consumers ever make—and as it turns out, buildings are the largest contributors to environmental degradation. There’s a logical reason for this. The building industry (the construction and maintenance of human shelter) consumes more energy and natural resources than any other industry in the world, including the automotive industry. This makes it the largest contributor of greenhouse gases that cause global warming and the biggest destroyer of habitat, leading to species extinction. So, while everybody needs buildings, Green Realtors understand which buildings are less destructive to the environment, and can guide you in making informed buying and selling decisions that can actually support a more healthy environment.

The new niche of Green Realty is part of the general green business movement that focuses on a Triple Bottom Line approach to business that takes into consideration not just Economics, but Environment, and Society too. These business people contend that it’s not just about money anymore. No matter what our profession, they believe, along with more and more major corporations, that we have to consider a bigger picture. When we do that, we have a real shot at creating a sustainable future for our children and generations to come.

Here’s how a Green Realtor can help concerned clients reach their goals:

• Identifying Green Properties and Green Retrofit Potential for Buyers
• Highlighting and Effectively Marketing Green Properties for Sellers
• Providing Green Design Consultation for Healthy & Energy Smart Buildings
• Contacts & Services for Special Needs Clients

The realtor-client relationship becomes a real partnership in the “green” context. Consumers who care about humanity’s shared future appreciate working with like-minded professionals. And for a Green Realtor, building a network of concerned professionals willing to take action for the greater good is part of creating a sustainable society. It’s a win-win for everyone!

by Robert J. Israel is Prescott’s Green Realtor.

Robert Israel, a licensed Realtor, has been a Prescott resident for over 15 years. Before becoming a Realtor, he helped to launch and served as the Director of Operations of the Ecosa Institute (www.ecosainstitute.org). Ecosa, a Prescott nonprofit school, was founded in 1999 to train professionals and college-level architecture and design students about energy efficient, healthy building design (Sustainable Design/Green Building). Robert has years of marketing experience and nearly a decade in the building trades. Rob brings all of this expertise to the real estate profession along with over 15 years dealing with environmental issues.
Buying or selling, residential, vacant land or commercial, relocating or investing? Contact Rob at Steve Collins Realty & Property Management (928)273-2420, or email: risrael@cableone.net.