News and Insights

Like so many industries, the real estate industry is facing its share of disruption. Among the sources are technology, new brokerage models, non-real estate companies trying to encroach on our market share, and the scads of available home data that put greater power in the hands of consumers. 

But one of the biggest disrupters, climate change, has the potential to reshape entire communities. It’s a topic that deserves our attention. 

It’s renewal time, and whether you’ve been a longtime GRC member or you’re new to the GRC, we have the tools, education, and networking opportunities that you need to keep building your green niche.
 
Even better, the GRC experienced a spike in membership, adding more than 600 new GREEN Designees during 2019. That means there are more people working to move the needle forward on green housing. 

A new Freddie Mac study, “Energy Efficiency: Value Added to Properties and Loan Performance,” provides more evidence that energy efficiency features can boost home values. 

The study used a national random sample to examine energy efficient homes rated between 2013 and 2017. It looked at 70,000 HERS-rated homes and 6,500 homes with the DOE’s Home Energy Score. Freddie Mac also gathered data from a major credit bureau to, understand the value and the loan performance associated with energy-efficient homes to support the consideration of energy efficiency in mortgage underwriting practices.” 

Right about now, as the chill sets in, your clients may start calling you about their drafty windows.  

It’s a perfect opportunity to review your green course materials so you can give them the best advice about whether doing a window replacement will solve their problems and make their home more comfortable and less expensive to operate. 

In his role as CEO of the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (TAAR), Traverse City, Mich., Kim Pontius has always looked beyond the day-to-day operations of the association to imagine where the industry and the world are headed and how best TAAR members and the larger real estate community can respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.