As the foundation of NAR's Green Designation program, this two-day course gives students a broad understanding of green real estate principles--from the concepts of sustainability, New Urbanism, and smart growth to the application of industry ratings and evaluation standards in real estate. As a practical resource, this course shows real estate professionals how to explain to consumers what makes a home, building, or property green, how to list and market green properties while fulfilling ones legal and professional obligations, and how to implement green practices on the road and in the office.

In addition, this course discusses how real estate consumers can determine the energy efficiency of their properties, take advantage of green grants and initiatives, and reduce everyday toxins in the home and workplace.

The Green Designation Core Course counts as credit toward earning the Green Designation, awarded by the Green REsource Council. This course also meets the elective course requirement for the ABR® Designation awarded by the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council (REBAC). A copy of the course completion certificate is required to receive credit towards your ABR® designation.

To complete the requirements, students must take a six-hour online elective, which is priced separately. Electives are described at the end of this page.

C.A.R. Green instructors:

• - Gary Farr
• - Don Newton
  - Bob Hart
  - Alan Sappenfield
• - John Shipman

Upon completion of  the Core Course, receive a one-year membership in NAR's Green REsource Council.

The overall goals of the NAR's Green Designation Core Course are to:

- Integrate green concepts and benefits into a personal viewpoint that informs choices in real estate business practice.

- Acquire the concepts and vocabulary of the green paradigm as applied in real estate and use this terminology correctly in interactions with customers and clients.

- Recognize, validate, and respond to concerns and priorities of the green-generation consumeróseller, buyer, tenant, builder, developer.

- Make the appropriate disclosures consistent with NAR Code of Ethics and state regulations.

- Describe the interrelationships of sustainable communities, smart growth, natural habitat conservation, New Urbanism, and land planning with green homes and buildings.

- Acquire awareness of trends in public and consumer sentiment on quality of life issues and community economic development.

- Identify how the green philosophy can be employed in housing of all types.

- Recognize the features that make a home or building green and resource efficient in construction or remodeling, use, and operation.

- Recognize and respond to obstacles—regulatory, zoning, building codes, costs, perceptions, lack of knowledgeóthat can impede green development and construction.

- Inform customers and clients of the significance of LEED, Energy Star, and other rating systems

- Discuss the cost–benefit of resource–efficient building and home systems, materials, land usage, and maintenance

- Adapt listing presentations and buyer–counseling sessions to address concerns and priorities of the green consumer.

- Price and market resource–efficient properties.

- Guide buyers in finding and making an offer on a resource–efficient property.

- Guide consumers in finding qualified professionals who are familiar with and practice green home/building principles.

- Inform customers and clients of green mortgage options and state/local incentives that encourage and enable resource efficiency.

- Use the course material and green designation as marketing tools.

- Implement resource–efficient and green practices in the real estate office environment.

- Form coalitions with community planners and groups to foster resource–efficient communities and lifestyles.

Green and Public Awareness

Green Milestones

The Core Principles of Green

Current Situation

Energy

Water

Land

Enhancing Health and Well Being

Estimating Your Green Profile

Sustainability

Smart Growth

Case Study in Smart Growth

Smart Growth as an Agent of Change

Green Affordable Housing

What Makes a Home of Building Green?

Green Design Principles

Green Construction Principles

Reducing Toxins in the Home and Workplace

Systems Overview

Ratings and Evaluation Standards

Cost/Benefit

Energy Diagnostics

Remodeling and Retrofitting

Green Vendors

The Green Buyer

Exercise: The Green Buyer and Homeowner

Exercise: Green Buyer Case Studies

Green Mortgages

Homeowner Incentives

Listing and Marketing the Green Home

MLS Adaptations

Exercise: Marketing the Green Home

Fulfilling Legal and Professional Obligations

Disclosure

Finding Experts in Your Community

Using This Designation in Your Marketing

Green Partners in Your Community

Sponsoring Green Events

Greening Your Office Environment

Green Closing Gifts

Green Driving

Green Designation Core Course Delivery Options

To offer this course via Live Lecture, please contact Candace McGranahan at candacem@car.org (213-739-8359).  To offer this course via Face2Face™ video conferencing, contact Ana Montoya at anam@car.org (213 -739-8214).

Electives
In order to earn NAR’s Green Designation, the student must successfully complete the Core Course and one of three elective course. Elective courses are Green Residential Real Estate, Green Commercial Real Estate, and Green Property Management.

Learning Objectives for the Residential Real Estate Elective

„ Respond to customer trends and preferences for green home features in new construction and remodeling/retrofitting of existing homes.

„ Describe resource-efficient home systems, appliances, building methods, and materials.

„ Explain the benefits of an energy audit and guide clients and customers in obtaining one.

„ Assist clients and customers in evaluating the cost-benefit of green home features and actions.

„ Discuss green home principles and actions and respond to consumer preferences for green home features in new construction and remodeling/retrofitting of existing homes.

„ Guide clients and customers in evaluating the cost-benefit of remodeling/retrofitting green-home features.

„ Take into account green-home features when developing a price-proposal/offer for a seller or buyer.

„ Demonstrate the cost/benefit value of green-home features in marketing properties.

„ Inform clients and customers of green housekeeping, gardening, and landscaping methods.

„ Recognize sources of VOCs and toxins that impact indoor air quality and the environment.

„ Guide clients in selecting energy-efficient appliances and disposing of old ones.

„ Exemplify green principles in disposal of recyclable and unrecyclable items.

„ Identify coalition partners in the community.

„ Compile information on green resources and programs in the community.

„ Develop a network of professionals who adhere to green principles (contractors, designers, builders, repair service providers, landscapers).

Learning Objectives for Property Management Elective

Ø Discuss sustainable real estate with owners in a manner that dispels myths about sustainability and aligns goals for their assets with the principles and benefits of sustainable real estate management

Ø Analyze the key financial, environmental, governmental, and voluntary drivers toward sustainable real estate management

Ø Recognize common sustainability solutions for different property types

Ø Identify the ways in which sustainable property operations are integrated into management plans

Ø Incorporate sustainable maintenance practices into property operations

Ø to help the property achieve its sustainability goals and reduce impact on the environment

Ø Develop ways to attract and retain tenants and residents who desire green space, as well as methods to ensure tenants and residents help the property achieve its sustainability goals

Ø Choose sustainable options for tenant improvements and renovations at a property

Ø Identify ways to reduce the financial and environmental impact of transportation associated with a property 

Ø Explain the real estate manager’s role in increasing energy efficiency

Ø Give examples of methods to assess a property’s energy use and supply

Ø Discuss methods to increase a property’s energy efficiency through operations and maintenance, equipment and technology, and tenant and resident education 

Ø Explain the real estate manager’s role in increasing water efficiency

Ø Give examples of methods to assess a property’s water use

Ø Discuss methods to increase a property’s water efficiency through operations and maintenance, equipment and technology, and tenant and resident education

 Learning Objectives for Commercial Elective - coming soon