Posted by Annalisa Burgos | May 21, 2009
We typically think “going green” refers to one’s efforts to be more environmentally-conscious, whether it’s recycling products or reducing the use of natural resources. The barrels in the photo to the right, for instance, are used to capture rainwater that is reused to irrigate the landscape and garden of HGTV’s Green Home in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
In real estate, the green movement has created a new way for agents to market themselves. Introducing… the “green” real estate agent. And in this case, “green” doesn’t mean “rookie” (though we know many of those, don’t we?)
A green agent is basically someone who has gone out and taken a course on environmentally sustainable housing and gets certified. Many companies offer green certification, including the U.S. Green Building Council (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, designation), the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals (ecoBroker designation) and the Green Certified Real Estate Education Company (green certified).
While LEED is widely recognized, it’s unclear whether the other “training” options really transform you into a reliable green housing expert, but it’s out there and some agents are taking it. Also not sure if green agents charge their clients more for their expertise, but from what it looks like, it’s simply another way for an agent to stand out from his/her competition. It’s up to the consumer to decide whether the label actually adds value.
One thing is for sure. You won’t need a green agent to show you HGTV’s awesome new Green Home!
Take a virtual tour and check out photos of the home and read more about what makes the home green and its neighborhood Port St. Lucie.
The best part? You can get the beautiful Green Home for FREE! Enter once each day at www.hgtv.com/greenhome. Hurry, you’ve got til June 5 to enter.
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day! FrontDoor.com is joining the worldwide effort to promote awareness and appreciation for the environment with these green real estate tips:
Think about the advantages of making green updates to your home. Energy savings, for one! If you’re a seller, replace old energy-hogging appliances with Energy Star ones. You’ll not only increase your home’s value, but you’ll attract more buyers. See the top 10 reasons to go green now.
You don’t need to shell out tons of money to make green updates. A simple one is changing light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent. Learn more ways it can pay to be environmentally friendly.
Do your part to save trees! Bamboo or cork make great alternatives to hardwood floors. Learn more about eco-friendly flooring.
Make recycling a household habit. Find inspiration in our slideshow of 10 Green Home Updates.
Get more eco-friendly tips for buying, selling and financing a home in our Green Real Estate Guide at http://www.frontdoor.com/Buy/All-About-Green-Real-Estate/1661.
Speaking of green, don’t forget to sign up for HGTV’s Green Home Giveaway. The home is decked out with the latest in green technology and it’s in lovely Port St. Lucie, Florida. Enter now!
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | March 20, 2009
Happy first day of Spring! In celebration of the traditional kickoff to the busiest season for real estate (and this one will definitely be busy, what with interest rates as low as 4.3 percent!), FrontDoor.com is bringing you helpful tips to make the most of your homebuying and selling experience.
Sellers, we know this may be a challenging market, but the good news is that you have the potential to showcase your home to a large number of buyers who are out in force trying to take advantage of low interest rates. If your home is in great shape and priced competitively, you’ll have every buyer’s attention. You may even spark a bidding war. Get your home ready with our Staging Tips for Spring and be sure to visit FrontDoor’s Home Selling Guide for more tips and advice on selling in a buyer’s market.
Buyers, you’re in a wonderful position! There are great deals out there. But before you start looking for houses, call at least three lenders, compare rates and terms, and get a preapproval. It’ll help you determine how much house you can afford. Check out our Home Finance Guide for more tips and advice on shopping for a loan.
If you’ve never owned a home, check out FrontDoor’s First Time Homebuyer’s Guide. We’ve broken down the entire process in simple terms, complete with checklists and worksheets, so you’ll know exactly to expect. Did you know there are cities suited for first time homebuyers?
And buyers and sellers, consider going green in honor of spring. FrontDoor’s Green Real Estate Guide is chocked full of information on how to make affordable green updates and how to find a “green” home.
Happy house hunting and selling!
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