Eco-Brokers Show Buyers The Green

And because the inventory of new homes with green features in many parts of the country remains low, buyers like Ford are increasingly looking to Realtors like Edwards-Musa who can not only find the houses, but give them sound advice on everything from how to arrange a free energy audit for their current home to mortgage companies that offer discounts to buyers of energy-efficient homes.

One word of warning – buyers should beware of what North Carolina real estate agent JaneAnne Narrin brands as “faux green” promotions.

“There are “true-greenies” and there are “green-washers” (not the real deal) in many businesses these days, and that includes the real estate business,” Narrin says. “So how do consumers/clients assess where the business and representative is on the scale of faux-green to real-deal?”

Narrin suggests asking a range of questions designed to ascertain how sincere and knowledgeable the Realtor is. Ask about their training and whether they can easily connect you to “green” building and development experts who might be needed in the real estate transaction. Get them to tell you about sustainability, rain catchment systems, or passive solar heating, and inquire about their involvement in community efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the housing market.

Both Narrin and Edwards-Musa pass this test with flying colors. Narrin founded the Eco-Steward Real Estate Firm, which specializes in environmentally friendly properties and developments, including the Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Buyer Program. Edwards-Musa’s website, maintains an ongoing list of available “green” properties, public transportation options buyers may be interested in, information about various green technologies and more.

As Edwards-Musa’s home tour with the Fords continues, it becomes clear that the town home, one of five in a complex called the Shade House Development, has incorporated more environmentally friendly features than most buyers even know exist. The entire five-unit complex is clad in a radiant barrier heat wrap, then covered with a striking modern façade of concrete and reclaimed wood. The roof shingles are designed to reflect heat more efficiently than their traditional counterparts, and wood used on stair steps inside came from a trade: Builder Ford exchanged wood from a tree that had to be cut down on site for construction-ready lumber from another felled tree.