The Green Realtor
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
The Green Realtor might sound like a super hero fighting real estate crime wherever he finds it. Actually he is more of a simple and conscientious citizen protecting the planet. The good news for the Green Realtor is that he saves money in the meantime. Here is how he works.
1. He unplugs appliances when they are not being used.
The prospective homeowner will be treated to an uncluttered view of the kitchen and other rooms if the cords are unplugged and tucked out of view. At the same time, the Green Realtor saves energy because cords that are left plugged in drain away electricity constantly. They may not consume as much energy as if the appliances were in use, but with all of them disconnected the savings can be substantial. By the way, the savings in dollars is impressive too.
2. He turns off fountains when they are not in use.
Fountains and other water features eat up water resources. Even if the water is recycled through the system, some water is always lost to evaporation and wind spray. Also, depending on the type of pump that moves the water, there might be a great energy savings there too. The Green Realtor will turn the fountain on while showing the home, and then turn it back off when the prospective homeowners leave.
3. He uses earth-friendly cleaning products for housekeeping in the property between showings.
Prospective homeowners might not be aware of how much housekeeping is needed between showings in a home for sale. People who come in sometimes have mud on their shoes, leave fingerprints on the glass, and may even use the toilet if the water is still turned on. Whether the Realtor himself or someone else cleans the home, cleaning products will need to be used. The Green Realtor will use natural products that do not harm the environment.
4. He suggests hiring contractors specializing in green construction for necessary repairs.
There are some instances when repair work needs to be done after the house goes on the market. Vandalism can be a problem for an empty house, and any damage that is done must be fixed. Sometimes, a certain defect of the property is noticed over and over during showings. The Realtor would be remiss if he did not mention repair issues to the homeowner. The Green Realtor would also mention a green contractor for the work.
The Green Realtor may not be able to change the world on his own, but he can surely make a difference. By paying attention to energy and water consumption through the duration of the sales process, he can help both the environment and save money. By using green cleaning products and encouraging the use of environmentally conscious contractors, he can have an impact on the environment as well. All the while, he can make a name for himself as a modern, ethical Realtor.
