Real estate professionals, including agents, brokers, appraisers, home inspectors and others that engage with individuals who are looking to buy, sell, rent or lease space can be a valuable partner in raising awareness of and increasing participation in energy efficiency initiatives. These professionals often engage with dozens of clients each month and are a trusted advisor at a time when individuals are making a large decision about a lasting investment. They often advise clients on worthwhile upgrades to consider before listing a property and are instrumental in setting the list and purchase price of a home.
MEEA has been engaging with real estate professionals since 2014 and has connected with more than 2,000 professionals across the Midwest. Our efforts grew out of conversations with home performance contractors who recognized that real estate professionals are an important, and underutilized, partner in driving demand for their services. Recent National Association of REALTORS® survey responses and federal requirements point toward a growing need to engage directly with real estate professionals about the benefits of energy efficiency and high-performance building features.
Through the years we have learned that this is a nuanced audience with preferences that can vary locally, but MEEA has identified some near universal truths and built relationships with local chapters of NAR, Appraisal Institute™ (AI) and other organizations that have existing relationships with the real estate community and an understanding of the local market.
Want to learn more or co-host a training with us? Check out our fact sheet or email realestate@mwalliance.org.
Trainings Commonly Offered by MEEA
National Association of REALTORS' Green Designation Course
This 2 day course is designed for agents looking to learn about issues for energy efficiency and sustainability in real estate. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how homes with green features should be marketed differently than traditional homes and approaches to connect clients with green resources. Attendees will receive 12 CE hours and will be listed on the online Green directory and given access to promotional materials and pre-written content for social media channels.
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Certified GreenHome Professional
Certified GreenHome Professionals are trained to help people make the places we live more sustainable. This training aims to help you understand the basics of residential green building and remodeling. This session will be geared toward the real estate and appraisal industry professionals but will be relevant to all construction professionals and homewowners looking to improve their home.
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Appraisal Institute's Introduction to Green Buildings: Princilples & Concepts
This introductory course focuses on the evolution of green buildings, the concept of sustainability in buildings and the principles, practices and components that distinguish sustainable buildings from conventional buildings. This course is part of the Appraisal Institute's Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program. Target audience includes real property appraisers, lenders, underwriters, architects, property tax assessors and more. This course is approved for 7 CE hours.
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Appraisal Institute's Case Studies and Appraising Green Residential Buildings
This course introduces participants to methods for valuing the high-performance house to assist in supporting an opinion of value. The course focuses on the valuation process and is examined as it applies in each of the three approaches to value. In-depth case studies will help participants develop their problem-solving skills in this new building technology. The problems and discussion questions are based on real-life examples provided by builders, real estate agents, and appraisers. This course is part of the Appraisal Institute’s Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program. The target audience includes real property appraisers, lenders, underwriters, architects, property tax assessors and more. The course is approved for 7 CE hours.
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Appraisal Institute's Residential and Commercial Valuation of Solar
During this two day course, students will work together to apply an income capitalization approach and cost approach to valuing energy produced for solar PV systems. Students will gain knowledge of solar technology, how electricity and solar are priced and the data available to use the most appropriate methodology. This course is approved for 14 CE hours.
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Stand Out From the Crowd: High Performing Homes
This 3-hour course offers information and resources that enable real estate agents to identify and address high-performing homes in the residential real estate market. Topics include an overview of the local high-performing housing market, a review of the features that contribute to performance, and details on incentives and rebates available for clients looking to upgrade their homes. Attendees will receive 3 hours of Continuing Education credit.
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