If you have worked with a real estate agent you must wonder about the amount of miles they drive per year and the amount of paper that is consumed per transaction.

 My concern has always been toward keeping a soft footprint on the environment but I do believe in growth and development. My conviction is that these two concepts are not mutually exclusive, even for a Realtor.

For instance, when it came time to purchase a new car I knew I needed something that was large enough to accommodate several people for showing appointments. I live in a rather rural area so I also needed 4 wheel drive to show property off of dirt roads and make it up hills without my clients feeling like they had just got on Mr. Toads Wild Ride.

 So this time I decided to put my money where my mouth is and purchased the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I did this for myself but the resulting reaction from my clients has been enthusiastic appreciation. The gas mileage is terrific for a 4 wheel drive and the low emission output makes a statement about a commitment to use current available resources (like hybrid engines) to become more environmentally friendly.

 The other recently adopted practice is to reduce paper by using email and electronic signatures on forms and then place everything on a disk for the client to keep. Making use of  low cost transaction managers gives all concerned parties access to the transaction paperwork while saving time and of course trees!

 Although these are small personal commitments, realtors and the real estate community have played more of a role in environmental concerns than they are given credit for. We have helped our clients with education on mold, asbestos, lead paint and other hazards. We care deeply about making sure our clients have not only a happy experience with their home sale or purchase but a healthy one as well.

 I would love to hear what you are doing to change the way we use our resources. A few small ideas can sometimes make a large impact. Let’s see what we can come up with.

    There are many features that buyers look for in purchasing a home. One of the most interesting is the “green” materials. Materials are considered "green," when they generally help reduce energy use more than conventional materials or are manufactured in a way that has less of an impact on the environment. Energy efficiency has come in to focus recently with rising costs and concerns about global warming. It doesn’t matter anymore whether you personally believe it or not, people are talking about it everyday and I am seeing more clients asking informed questions regarding construction and use of materials.

     Sales of such materials such as foam insulation and faux wood shingles are stronger than ever and a survey last June from the National Association of Home Builders and McGraw-Hill Construction projected increases of green homes to be between 5% and 10% of US housing starts by 2010, up from 2% in 2005. (Source:RealEstateJournal.com).

     This trend is not going away so now is the time to familiarize ourselves with these products and their benefits. Highlighting the use of green materials when selling a house can make an impact and provide an edge in this market.