It's getting easier for real estate professionals to go "green."  Just this month, a new GREEN Designation program debuted.  The program instruction on building techniques that are less environmentally damaging, marketing to "green" consumers, regulatory issues relating to environmental sustainability, potential cost savings for employing "green" features, and education on energy efficiency, air quality, and sustainable communities and land planning.

More than 230 REALTORS completed the training session, held November 5-6 in Orlando, Florida, during the National Association of REALTORS (NARS) annual convention.

Local training is also readily available.  Since 2005, the Asheville Board of REALTORS (ABR) has offered the "ECO Consultant" certification program, which prepares REALTORS to consult effectively with clients regarding environmental issues affecting their real estate transactions.

The concept of a green oriented REALTOR designation started with the Asheville Board, according to Asheville Board CEO David West. "We were the first association to create an environmental related certification."

The NAR certification is not based directly on the Asheville model, West explained, but REALTORS can apply certain courses they take here to the elective portion of the NAR designation.

Since the creation of the ECO Consultant certification program, the Asheville Board has consulted with a number of other boards that are doing similar programs and taught parts of the course in locations across North Carolina, West said.

To obtain the ECO Consultant certification, REALTORS must  complete extensive environmental training. "Core" curriculum includes Resources for Healthy Choices, a course which focuses upon disclosure and NC state demographics as they relate to environmental issues.  In another course, Inside and Out, local experts and service providers teach participants about green building elements.  REALTORS must also complete 16 hours of "elective credit," which they obtain through participation in environmental training events throughout WNC.  At present, there are approximately 100 certified ECO Consultants and 250 other REALTORS who are working to obtain the certification.

Because of the success and effectiveness of ECO Consultants, several ABR members participated in NARs Green launch in Orlando.  Going forward there will be a strong partnership between the 2 certification programs.  ABR will offer NARs Green designation course locally.  Also, ECO Consultant courses will provide elective credit towards GREEN and vice versa.

According to NARs Green Resource Council, buildings account for 70 percent of electricity consumption, 39 percent of all energy use, 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of raw materials use, 30 percent of waste output (136 million tons per year) and 12 percent of potable water use in the United States.

According to a consumer survey conducted for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, about 30 percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay $5,000 or more on green improvements to increase a home's appeal to potential buyers and 51 percent of survey respondents said they "believe in the importance of working with a green certified real estate agent."

During the session, REALTOR Michael Kiefer with Green DC Realty in Washington, DC shard his insights on the growing green consumer base,.  "The green consumer is a market was as REALTORs cannot ignore," said Kiefer. "It's a targeted niche opportunity, and REALTORS must find ways to make green language a part of their business."