Carol's Blog

Doubling Up the Ecosystem

Carol Lexa (Frank Howard Allen Wine Country) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:07:18 -0600

Back in June of 2007, I received my EcoBroker Certification, using their online program with printed material as a backup. In many ways it worked perfectly that I worked on the material independently, as the time I gave to it was absolutely flexible. In this business flexibility is a big plus. EcoBroker originates out of Colorado and, I think, has national coverage. The coursework provided a broad perspective, but with great depth and detail. Earlier this week, one of my peers/friends who works at the south end of the County sent out an e-mail announcing her EcoBroker Certification. It's definitely growing in strength.

Since the development of a certification for agents concerned about sustainability is relatively new, it has come to pass, of course, that there is more than one program out there. A peer/friend in my office participated in a local series of classes called EcoGreen Real Estate Agent Certification Program. Her program involved classes in which the agents got together with local experts in Green Building, solar technology, and other ecology related subjects near and dear, like WATER. Water availability and quality are extremely important here in Northern California. This program will be offering the next set of classes in our local area in March. There will be 6 classes and a visit to a green built home. This program is different enough that it looks as though I'll double up on certifications.

How It All Went Down

Carol Lexa (Frank Howard Allen Wine Country) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:59:44 -0600

So the follow-up to yesterday's posting is...I missed both meetings! The sound you hear is me, falling from my pedestal. Thump.

The good news part of it is that I went to the lecture with Dr. Steven Schneider and it was PACKED! There was no way to get into the auditorium. There were so many people standing in the doorway straining to hear the speaker, milling around the foyer talking to each other or visiting the tables for the UN, Sierra Club, USGBC and a group of composters it was obvious that the turnout was better than expected. Good for them, bummer for me. Instead of my non-existent notes, go to the website for the Union of Concerned Scientists. The information there is well-researched, well-presented and sound science. Here's a link to get started with "Ten Personal Solutions": http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/ten-personal-solutions.html

The other good news is that the City Council for the City of Healdsburg did approve the "Small Lot Subdivision for Affordable Housing", giving Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County the approval they need to proceed. Hip, hip, hooray!

And the third item of good news is that I ran our first office meeting of the year on my own this morning. It wasn't planned that way, which is probably a good thing, I didn't have time to freak out. We covered the bases, complimented the agents who had closings and new escrows, discussed our group donation to Habitat, wants and needs, and.....blogging! The subject of a group blog led to renewed discussion of the need for proper lighting in the windows, so that our listings and the proposed blog posting could be seen, even at night. Now to make it all happen.

In Two Places

Carol Lexa (Frank Howard Allen Wine Country) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:01:35 -0600

Tonight there are two important meetings taking place at the same time. Can I clone myself? One of them takes place in Healdsburg, at City Hall; the other will be in Santa Rosa at the "Wells Fargo Center For the Perfoming Arts" (I much preferred our local arts center named after Luther Burbank as opposed to a bank, but I suppose it could be worse).

The first important option is a City Council meeting, the council will be voting upon approval of the lot split for the first Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County project in Healdsburg. Habitat bought the parcel in question from a client of mine with the understanding that the zoning would allow for a "small parcel subdivision" for affordable housing. From all appearances, the vote should be in the right direction, but one never knows until the die is cast. I'd love to be there in support of Habitat, biting my nails in the back row, cheering when the approval is given, shaking hands with the folks from Habitat after the meeting, and getting ready to roll out the fund-raising effort later this week.

The other incredibly important event is a lecture by Stephen H. Schneider, PhD, a member of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Founder/Editor or the journal "Climate Change", and Professor at Stanford University. His lecture "Global Warming: Do We Know Enough to Manage the Risks?" is sponsored by a number of local organizations involved in coming up with solutions to the climate crisis, incuding the Redwood Empire Chapter of the US Green Building Council and the local Climate Protection Campaign.

A tough choice indeed! Each meeting is critical to the present and future of many people. I have a feeling the lecture will be more compelling, as the vote by the City Council should go the right way. I'll take notes and post an update tomorrow.

A New Year & A New Chapter

Carol Lexa (Frank Howard Allen Wine Country) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:40:40 -0600

Even a trite old saying, like "Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life", can have more meaning some days than others. As of today, not only am I inaugurating my blog and trying to be the best Realtor/EcoBroker/Woman/Wife/Mother/Friend I can be, but I am assuming the role of Co-Manager of the Healdsburg office of Frank Howard Allen Realtors, The Wine Country Group.

What will my former "mates" expect of me in this new position? Although there is always an adjustment when a member of a group is taken out of a pool and suddenly perches on the sidelines, there is an extra lap I need to swim (to further that metaphor). The nature of the real estate business combines collaboration with competitiveness. Some agents see rivalry (sharks!) lurking around every corner, others view the business as primarily cooperative (a school of minnows we're not, however). In this new situation, as a manager who is also an active agent, it will be necessary to be scrupulously non-competitive with the agents in the office. My intention is to conduct myself in an ethical manner, so that the entire office benefits. As with every other aspect of real estate, communication is the essence of good business, so hopefully we'll all survive and prosper.

One of my clients sent a darling greeting for the holidays, full of photos and updates on her family. She included a bit of "musing" on how her family has been trying to reduce their footprint and make informed choices not only for themselves, but for our shared planet Earth. She suggested checking out Annie Leonard's website http://www.storyofstuff.com After watching it today, I'd like to pass on the recommendation. Be sure to wait for the content to load, it's worth watching the whole presentation, even if you do so in stages or chapters.

Peace!