Going Green Idaho:
Why am I a member of the United States Green Building Council USGBC Idaho Chapter? Because I believe that communities designed, built, and operated in an environmentally and socially responsible way improves the quality of life for everyone on the planet. The USGBC is a coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry with over 7,200 member organizations and a network of more than 80 regional chapters. This coalition’s purpose is to create places to live and work that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy. The future of the building industry in the United States is total sustainability. I am going to lead the way in the real estate community toward a world where brokers and agents act in environmentally responsible ways. I want us to help our clients understand the value of properties with “green” features and help identify properties with the potential to be efficient and sustainable.
Being a member of this organization is one thing, but truly believing in what you are doing and incorporating those beliefs into your everyday work is another. There are many ways real estate brokers can be environmentally responsible. It’s everything from recycling office products and replacing paper files with digital ones to teaching clients about environmental tax credits and mortgage options that award more than $15,000 worth of energy efficient improvements for their new homes. These are some of the reasons why I am studying for my EcoBroker ™ Certification. Related Website
The board of directors for the Oregon Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS ™) has recently agreed to expand its database to include searchable fields for energy efficient and green features. Related Article This is only the beginning of a trend as the multiple listing services of the Western United States adopt these criteria. Appraisers in Oregon are ready to expand their ability to incorporate these features into the appraised value of homes. There is no reason Idaho cannot be one of the pioneers in this new way of building value in real estate. I am going to personally begin the process of bringing these criteria into the Intermountain MLS of Southern Idaho and the Sawtooth Board of Realtors MLS for the Sun Valley region.
Idaho is an emerging leader in sustainable energy and green building. The recently constructed Banner Bank Building in Downtown Boise is a prime example of cutting edge building going on here in Idaho. It has received a LEED® rating from the USGBC, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This is a whole new approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Idaho is also the new site for a Hawaiian solar company (Hoku Scientific), which is another step in the direction of sustainable energy for Idaho. According to a recent press release they will soon open a major production facility near the Snake River. Related Article
Can these things translate to the everyday Idahoan? Yes they can if we truly believe in what we are doing and incorporate these beliefs into our everyday lives. It starts with business professionals in the state understanding the value of environmental sustainability and passing that knowledge down to their customers and clients. There is an untapped goldmine in green features on every home in every region of Idaho. Adding solar panels to your home may be the new standard for a remodel instead of a new kitchen and identifying these homes is a new challenge for the real estate community. I am going to work on my own and with local agencies to make sure the average consumer in Idaho can identify green homes and make educated investments in real estate for their future and for the future of the planet.
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