Sustainability Resources
Green House 

Washington REALTORS®
Strategic Plan Reference

WR will study the ESG+R (Environment, Social, Governance and Resiliency) Sustainability report published by the National Association of REALTORS® to determine the extent to which its recommendations are applicable in Washington State.

NOTE: WR leadership has preliminarily evaluated this part of the strat plan and has identified sustainability promotion to real estate brokers as a possible avenue to satisfy this objective.

WR-Sustainability-logo

Resource List:

 
 

Why Brokers Should Promote Sustainability (The Business Case)

  • “Almost a quarter of U.S. energy consumption is in the homes that we live in, [representing] an opportunity for us to really engage our clients about being part of the solution." Craig Foley, founder of Sustainable Real Estate Consulting Services, LEED green associate and chief sustainability officer at LAER Realty Partners in Melrose, Massachusetts SOURCE: https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/sustainability-provides-a-value-proposition-for-real-estate-professionals-associations
  • Over half of agents and brokers found that consumers (51 percent) were somewhat or very interested in sustainability.
  • Sixty-three percent said energy efficiency promotion in listings was very or somewhat valuable.
  • Fifty-one percent of respondents found clients were at least somewhat interested in sustainability.
  • Seventy-seven percent of respondents said properties with solar panels were available in their market.
  • Thirty-six percent said properties with solar panels increased the perceived property value.
  • The home features clients listed as very important to their agent or broker included windows, doors, and siding, proximity to frequently visited places, and a comfortable living space.
  • Nineteen percent of respondents said that a high-performance home (defined as a systematic building science approach to home improvements that increase indoor comfort, health, operational efficiency, and durability) had an increase of one to five percent of the dollar value offered compared to other similar homes.
  • Fifty percent of respondents said that in the past 12 months they had been directly involved with a property that had green features, either on the buyer or seller side.

Source

 

Possible Broker Contributions to Sustainability

Promoting Green Features in MLS Data Fields & Property Marketing Efforts

  1. Energy Efficiency
    1. Low-Emittance Windows (low-E)/Doors/Siding
    2. Solar Panels
    3. Geothermal
    4. Cool Roofs
    5. Lighting
      1. Utilization of Natural Lighting
      2. Energy Efficient Bulbs
    6. Smart Thermostat
    7. Home Insulation
    8. Energy Efficient Appliances
    9. Smaller Footprints
  2. Landscape & Gardens
    1. Organic Gardens
    2. Native Planting
    3. Drought Resistant Plants/Water Conservation
  3. Sustainable Building/Materials
    1. Ethically Sourced Lumber
    2. Sustainable Forestry
    3. Building Repurposing (i.e., factories converted to lofts)
  4. Location
    1. Proximity to Amenities
    2. Commuting Costs
    3. Resiliency to Impact of Extreme Weather
      1. Flooding/Drought/Wildfires
    4. Sustainable Neighborhoods
    5. Public Transportation Options
 

Ideas For Associations

Sustainability Grants — NAR

  • Building Enhancements
  • Member/Community Engagements

Partner With Electric Providers

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