The September issue of California Real Estate, official magazine of the California Association of Realtors® (CAR), was green.

It was green in color and green in spirit. Not only are the pages (mostly) green, but the content is devoted to green. That's green as in energy efficiency and ecologically benign policies, designs, and materials. Why this emphasis? Bill Brown, 2008 president of CAR, notes that (a) the state's Public Utilities Commission has mandated new housing developments to be "zero net energy" by 2020, and (b) consumers are widely seeking ways to reduce their homes' energy costs. "At the nexus of these two trends," Brown says, "is the real estate professional and the real estate transaction."

As president, Brown has created a Green Task Force whose mission is:

1. Raise awareness and educate members and consumers about environmentally sound practices.

2. Encourage the greening of C.A.R. business practices.

3. Encourage C.A.R. to form strategic alliances in support of environmentally sound practices. Complementing this, CAR has adopted a "Green Initiative" which will include the dissemination of green tips and articles through its various email outlets and a new green-themed blog. Also, a Green Web site is being constructed that will be a "resource for consumers and agents seeking more information about and links to green real estate topics and organizations." Significantly, CAR has already taken a number of energy-efficient measures at its offices in both Sacramento and Los Angeles and it will be applying for LEED® certification (see below) at both locations.

The green issue of California Real Estate demonstrates that there is plenty to learn and there are a variety of perspectives regarding these topics. Contributors emphasize that putting an emphasis on green products, designs, and processes does not require that one be a tree hugger or a vegan. The point, rather, is that it just makes sense. Realtor® Bob Hart, Chairman of CAR's Green Task Force, puts it this way: "I'm almost sorry that we refer to this as "green building" and "green real estate" instead of "building better" and "better real estate," because a green-built home is a better-built home. If we can instill that one thought in people, I think that's a big plus in moving in the right direction."

The CAR magazine's green issue offers an excellent primer in green building terminology as well as pointing to a variety of independent certification processes that provide guidance to builders and consumers. It also warns of "greenwashing", the practice -- usually for marketing purposes -- of labeling some product or process as "green" even though the claim is unsupportable.

Realtors® will be particularly interested in discussion of the EcoBroker® designation program and the work of the EcoBroker® organization. EcoBroker® certification is open to all real estate licensees. It requires completion of three six-hour courses designed to provide "education on energy and environmental issues and strategies for capitalizing on the growing green market." A four-hour update course is required each year.

The CAR commitment to green principles is of one accord with priorities advocated by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Indeed, a dramatic and extremely high-profile illustration of NAR's "put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is" dedication to environmental principles is the NAR headquarters building in Washington, DC. An architectural masterpiece, this building located at 500 New Jersey Avenue, in direct line of sight with the Capitol building, was built with energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity at every turn. Completed in 2004, it was awarded a Silver level certification under the nationally-recognized LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. It is the first building in Washington, DC to be green certified.

Did we mention that green buildings are better-built buildings? The NAR building was awarded its certification on the basis of points scored for 35 different elements of the building – from the specially formulated glass curtain wall to the rain water collection tank. As the elements were being designed, each feature had its "payback" period calculated. The payback period is the length of time it would take for the cost-savings to match the original cost of the element. The longest payback period of any feature was eight years. Were those green features a good investment? Do the math.

Published: October 13, 2008

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Bob Hunt is a director of the National Association of Realtors and is author of the recently published book, "Real Estate the Ethical Way." A graduate of Princeton with a master's degree from UCLA in philosophy, Hunt has served as a U.S. Marine, Realtor association president in South Orange County, and director of the California Association of Realtors, and is an award-winning Realtor. Contact Bob at .