If you don't normally think of Realtors as altruistic and, in fact, tend to lump them together with the stereotypic images of ambulance-chasing lawyers and swarthy insurance salesmen plotting to separate you from your hard-earned money, you may be surprised to learn that real estate professionals are now on the front line of saving our planet.
The national EcoBroker certificate program is arming real estate agents who care about the environment with the tools to educate neighborhoods on what makes a home earth-friendly. So far, a handful of agents on Oahu already have stepped up to earn the credentials.
Michael Koyama (left) of Prudential Locations and Mitchell Remba of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties are among the first Oahu Realtors to earn EcoBroker certification.
Photo by Randy T. Fujimori
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Michael Koyama, Realtor and partner at Prudential Locations, recently completed the 60-hour EcoBroker certification course which covers the cost savings associated with insulation, windows, appliances and cooling systems that affect your monthly budget; indoor air quality; and even green site considerations and landscaping considerations. He believes that all people have a responsibility to do their part.
"I think most people understand that we must reduce our current rate of global pollution and energy consumption, but they don't really know where to start," says Koyama. "It's important to educate ourselves on the huge positive impact we can have on the environment, even with a small change."
The so-called "green movement" of today is far more personal than it was in its early years. In addition to saving whales and hugging trees, going green now means offering solutions to problems such as pollution in our air and oceans, and the over-consumption of water, energy and other resources. It makes sense that Realtors are out there spreading the word about the virtues of green living, because they pay attention to home-building trends and what appeals to buyers.
"As Realtors, we can help buyers and sellers become aware of energy and health issues and provide them with resources to make better decisions which can positively impact their home and the environment," Koyama says.
He says it's important to take every opportunity to provide consumers with green options, and he encourages people to do their part by making smart energy decisions.
Eco-friendly homes and businesses can easily combine eye-catching architecture with the energy saving use of reflective glass and solar panels.
Courtesy of 123RF
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"If people would take it upon themselves to learn more about environmental issues, the impact on our world and possible solutions on how the problems can be addressed, it might motivate them to participate more," says Koyama. "It's amazing to discover that if, for example, everyone just changed one (incandescent) light bulb (to a compact fluorescent bulb), we'd save about $600 million in energy costs, and eliminate the equivalent emissions of 800,000 cars. When it comes to the environment, small changes on a large scale have a huge impact."
Whether it's with one light bulb or by recycling your rain water, using solar power to heat the water or photovoltaic panels to produce your own electricity, environmentalism has many high-tech solutions aimed at ridding your home of toxins, making your family healthier and reducing the amount of money you spend on electricity every month.
"This is the future in real estate," says Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties agent Mitchell Remba, one of the first on Oahu to earn the EcoBroker designation. "Builders are using green construction methods which follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines and there are a growing number of green building materials that can save energy and money. Realtors need to understand these concepts so that they can best assist their clients."
Remba says home buyers benefit from understanding the added value and potential monthly savings associated with insulation, energy-efficient appliances; better indoor air quality as a result of use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and carpeting which put fewer chemicals into the air; and the natural cooling effects of overhangs and trees for shading. When the buyer realizes that these environmental benefits and cost savings will continue to pay off for years to come, the value of the green homes increases.
Sellers benefit, he says, when their agent is able to communicate to potential buyers the long-term value of green features - money saving, as well as health and safety - in a home. All parties benefit from the reduced liability and minimized client risk due to problems arising from legal issues stemming from mold, asbestos and lead. Currently, these topics are addressed using disclosure statements, but they're often ambiguous.
"Many times, sellers or their agent are not aware of existing issues and therefore do not always disclose the information accurately," says Remba. "A seller could be off island and may not know the details of the condition of their rental properties. As a Realtor versed on these issues, I can help educate both buyers and sellers and refer them to qualified professionals for expert advice and services."
Eco-friendly homes in Hawaii are designed to be in harmony with their surroundings, including the ocean, land and plant life.
Courtesy of StockXpert
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Clearly, it's not just the scientific community or environmentalists advocating the concept of going green. Concerns about global warming and high energy costs have a growing number of consumers demanding that environmental issues be a top priority in new construction and remodeling. Local builders, architects and designers are getting the message and now offer a variety of sustainable design options.
Carolyn Pace, of Carolyn Pace Design in Honolulu, says that according to a report published by the U.S. Green Building Council, green homes are expected to comprise 10 percent of new home construction by 2010, up from 2 percent in 2005.
"The most popular green features are ones that save money," says Pace. "In Hawaii, the most common are solar panels, tankless water heaters, tinted windows, ceiling fans instead of air conditioning, and jalousie windows to provide the best air flow."
She says that materials such as bamboo flooring and countertops that are recyclable, and the use of low VOC paints and cleaning products to improve indoor air quality and protect your health are also real popular here.
For sellers who want to make their home's more appealing to buyers, Pace suggests, "Use Energy Star appliances and recycling centers in your kitchens.
"Plant trees to provide shade and wind protection for your house, and use native plants as they are more likely to thrive with minimal care."
The National Association of Home Builders defines green building as incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process, to minimize environmental impact.
NAHB sets guidelines and standards for builders to follow and has outlined several ways the design, construction and operation of a home can be green:
- energy efficiency - homes that feature proper insulation, and solar or photovoltaic energy sources.
- water efficiency - the use of low-flush toilets, efficient washing machines and drought-tolerant landscaping.
- resource efficiency - the use of recycled building materials, thoughtful waste management techniques.
- lot and site development - maximizing the homesite's natural features, avoiding tree removal or keeping excavation to a minimum.
- indoor environmental quality - means that the air circulates well throughout the home, and potential pollutants are minimized.
- home's global impact - measured by whether the building materials are emitting harmful chemicals.
- homeowner's education - includes green operation and maintenance of a home.
"Green building is not only the home buyer's best defense against soaring energy costs, it is a way to ensure we leave the planet for future generations better than we found it," says Berton Hamamoto, Realtor and owner of Property Profiles in Aiea and past president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. "We are proud to be among the first professions to join the cause."
The Realtors' part in the green movement is on a grand scale. It's about influencing the housing industry to build green so the earth can be the best place to live in the universe. It's now about a clean and healthy location, location, location.
"It makes sense that Hawaii leads the way in caring for the environment," says Remba. "We already know how to take care of each other and respect the natural world around us."
"Native Americans look at the impact of their actions for not just one generation but seven generations into the future," he continues. "It is even more important here in Hawaii because as an island, our resources are even more scarce and more precious."
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