For release:

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

Latest issue of “California Real Estate” magazine provides consumer tips on living green, why “green real estate” matters

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 24) – The September issue of “California Real Estate” magazine, the official publication of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), focuses on the Association’s new Green Initiative and simple ways for consumers and REALTORS® to apply green principles to their everyday lives.

Because homes are one of the biggest producers of greenhouse emissions, earlier this year C.A.R. created a Green Task Force to raise awareness and educate members and consumers about environmentally sound practices; encourage the greening of C.A.R business practices; and encourage C.A.R. to form strategic alliances in support of environmentally sound practices.  Also, C.A.R. adopted a set of green principles to help guide REALTORS® as they market their services and green their businesses. 

“More consumers are becoming aware of green practices and are trying to reduce their carbon footprints, especially through their homes,” said C.A.R. President William E. Brown.  “As REALTORS®, it is important that we also are educated on green practices so we can better serve our clients, who often seek eco-friendly and energy-efficient designs during their home searches.”

In the September issue of “California Real Estate,” REALTORS® and consumers can learn:

^.  How to find mortgage lenders who offer lower interest rates for green homes (Finding Green Financing)

^.  How to create an eco-friendly office (How to Green Your Office)

^.  Green principals and everyday tips for living green (30 Tips for Green Living, Green and Principled)

^.  Why green is important to a business’ bottom line (Seeing Green)

^.   Why “green release estate” matters (Roundtable discussion with REALTORS® who have embraced “green real estate”)

^.  How to define a green home (Is it Green?)

The Green Issue of “California Real Estate” can be found online at http://www.car.org/newsstand/crem/current-issue/.

Next month, C.A.R. is hosting its annual CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO in Long Beach, Calif., where award-winning actor and director Ed Begley Jr. will provide practical, straightforward information about the social and economic rewards of integrating eco-friendly practices into the home and workplace. Begley's keynote address, "Living Simply So Others Can Simply Live,” is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.

CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008, the state's largest real estate trade show, running Oct. 14 to 16 at the Long Beach Convention Center, offers two full days of valuable educational programs, special events, and networking opportunities designed to help REALTORS® navigate the market ahead. EXPO is free to C.A.R. members but registration is required. Nominal fees apply for Tech Tuesday, all luncheons, and REALTOR® Night Out.  To register, visit http://www.realtorexpo.org/register.html

Leading the way...® in real estate news and information for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with nearly 175,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

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