New Designation Has REALTORS Going Green

Long & Foster is Committed to Agent Training on Energy-Efficient Home Improvements:

Chantilly, VA — Long & Foster® has instituted a company-wide "Green Initiative" to promote, through public awareness and agent training, a greener, more earth-friendly lifestyle. A Green Ambassador Network was established to actively engage Long & Foster sales associates in promoting green practices in the home, office and community.

As part of the Company "Green Initiative", nearly 50 Long & Foster real estate professionals took part recently in the firm's first class for the new National Association of Realtors (NAR) GREEN designation at Long & Foster's Training Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

The attendees learned about sustainable communities and building practices, building features that contribute to making a property healthy and energy efficient, and helping clients tap into the value of green features, financial incentives, and tax credits.

To obtain the GREEN designation, attendees must complete the core GREEN course, as well as at least one elective on residential, commercial, or property management. The GREEN designation was created by NAR's Green Resource Council.

The GREEN designation comes at a time of increasing demand for green home features. Green buyers purchase homes that cost, on average, $12,400 higher than the median home price according to NAR's Profile of Buyers Home Features Preferences.

Tax Incentive for Greening Homes

"I agree with the Obama Administration and Congress that greening homes will be an integral part of pulling America out of its economic doldrums", says Dawn Perusse, a member of Long & Foster's Green Task Force, and an EcoBroker Certified agent in the firm's Leesburg sales office. "Expanded tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements in the new economic stimulus package puts more money in consumers' pockets by providing financial incentives for home owners to go green on their renovation projects in 2009 and 2010. While more efficient homes save on water and energy bills, these tax credits will make such home upgrades even more affordable," says Perusse. "These new tax credits are another way that REALTORS® can help combat the potential effects of global climate change by encouraging home owners to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes," she concluded.