REALTORS(R) Go Green On Earth Day

Dozens of REALTORS(R) Earning New Green Designation

BOSTON, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Green is the new black - not just in the fashion world but in the world of real estate. And members of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS(R) (GBAR) can be seen incorporating this trend into their education and business goals.

On Earth Day (April 22) more than two dozen REALTORS(R) will be pursuing the new Green Designation created by the National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR). The award-winning designation course is designed to equip REALTORS(R) with advanced knowledge of green building practices and green property features. They are then prepared to help consumers in their search for environmentally friendly properties and work to incorporate green principles into their real estate practice.

"REALTORS(R) pursuing education in the area of sustainable or green properties are innovators who are finding more ways to provide their clients with cutting edge service," said GBAR President John Ranco of Gibson Sotheby's in Boston. "These REALTORS(R) are adding even more value to real estate transactions."

Throughout the two-day course and elective, REALTORS(R) gain the knowledge to explain the significance of LEED, Energy Star and other energy rating systems to consumers, list and market green homes and buildings and explain to clients the cost benefits of green building features and practices.

"This course provides a wealth of knowledge. With the demand and resources available for energy efficiency, going green and reducing the impact to the environment, I believe this designation will become central to our business," said Sonia Hart, broker-owner of Commonwealth Realty Services in Dorchester who earned the Green Designation in January. Along with Hart are more than 70 Greater Boston REALTORS(R) who earned the designation in January.

The green trend can be seen in many areas of real estate. In fact, buyers who purchase green homes spent an average of $12,400 more than the median home price in 2007, according to NAR's 2007 Profile of Home Buyers Home Features Preferences.

GBAR will also be offering three continuing education courses focusing on how "going green" is affecting the real estate market. The courses being offered on April 23 are Architecture, Residential New Construction and Property Management.

A voluntary trade organization with more than 5,000 members, the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS(R) is the largest division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. The term REALTOR(R) is registered as the exclusive trademark of members of the National Association of REALTORS(R) who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics.

SOURCE Greater Boston Association of REALTORS