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LEED AP Certification--any Realtors have this? How about eco-brokers?

By Jennifer Wilton

Real Estate Agent with Leo Lawrence Real Estate

April 06, 2008 03:46 PM

Hello, fellow 'Rainers'--

I am really interested in green real estate, so to speak. I'm thinking I'd like to really work this into my business. I've always been interested in the environment, and even started an environmental group at my high school back in the days before it was on the evening news. It seems like a natural fit for me to have this as my 'niche', but I'd love to pick the brains of others who are on the train...

I'm wondering if anyone here has attained the LEED AP status, and if they find it helpful to them in their real estate business... if so, how; and if not, why not? I know there are eco-broker designations out there (although my state does not have one, like some others do) and I am wading through all this information now.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this! Anyone else 'going green'?

Have a great day!

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Ben Plexico

Carolina One Real Estate - Charleston, SC

Have you found any helpful information about this? I've also been considering taking the LEED-AP exam for existing buildings, as I specialize in commercial property and have the highest interest in the reuse and redevelopment of existing properties. I am also EcoBroker Certified and am currently in the process of working it into my business, redesigning my websites, etc. I would love to hear anything you may have heard about the LEED-AP idea. Thanks!

May 05, 2008 06:12 AM

Anonymous

Mason Harris

Looking for information on the same thing. As I understand it LEED AP status is designed more for the design/build team. But having a keen understanding of green building systems and the results and savings to an owner/tenant that is interested in a LEED cert. property would be invaluable and somewhat rare at this stage. LEED is here to stay and its demand is increasing sharply.

May 29, 2008 04:23 AM

Nicholas Greene

Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties - Raleigh, NC

From what I could tell EcoBroker is geared more towards the residential side of things. The LEED-AP designation is geared more towards the architects and builders; however, a lot of the requirements for the LEED-CI certification tie into commercial real estate. I'm planning on taking my LEED-AP exam for Commercial Interiors in the next few weeks.

Jun 02, 2008 07:34 AM

Anonymous

Michael Moore

I am a LEED AP, Realtor. I have spent 23 years in the real estate business, title, escrow, RE team assistant, and licensed in 1999. It has been a natural evolution for me. I had spent the last 2 years in commercial development. Yes I think being a LEED AP is valuable and definitely gives the AP a niche expertise over the other Realtors. And no offense Eco Brokers, the LEED AP exam is brutal. It is for acrhitects, engineers and the like. It is not cheap at $300 per test, you may take it as many times as needed.

Aug 22, 2008 04:15 AM

Joseph Scarpa

Green Paradigm Realty LLC - Pennsville, NJ

I recommend any REALTOR conversant in planning, engineering, or construction apply to take the LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) exam.

Pick one of three specialized exams: New Construction, Core & Shell, or Existing Buildings (it hardly matters which test ... your designation will still be LEED AP) ... you'll need to understand ASHRAE standards and building code ... as well as the applicable LEED rating system ... new LEED rating systems include LEED Retail, LEED Homes, and LEED Neighborhood Development, among others.

In my commercial/retail leasing practice, a handful of retail tenants are specifying LEED in their site-selection criteria ... so being an LEED AP sets me apart quite easily.

For residential, I recommend no REALTOR buy themselves their next residence without taking the EcoBroker course at www.EcoBroker.com ... it's an eye-opener!

Most laypersons and consumers have come to refer to me as their "eco-broker" and don't remember my designation(s) ... but that's good enough branding for me!

Joseph Scarpa, LEED AP, EcoBroker^®, e-PRO^®Broker Associate

Legend Properties, Inc.
20000 Horizon Way Ste 280
Mount Laurel NJ 08054-4321

www.LPRE.com o: 856-231-1010 x108 f: 856-231-1111 c: 856 981 2973

www.SalemCountyRealEstate.com

Graduate, Main Street New Jersey Downtown Revitalization Institute
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
Member, Urban Land Institute
Member, TriState REALTORS^® Commercial Alliance
Member, Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware CCIM
Member, Commercial Industrial Realty Council of New Castle County Delaware
Member, Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow (SMART)
Member, US Green Building Council - NJ Chapter

Sep 10, 2008 07:58 PM

Dakota Gale

Premier Mortgage Resources - Portland, OR

Hi Jennifer,

Here are a few additional thoughts on this (very old) comments thread...

If you haven't taken a green building class yet, I would recommend a Realtor-specific accreditation over becoming a LEED AP (unless you focus primarily on commercial properties). As a former mechanical engineer, I worked in the green building industry on LEED Gold and Platinum projects doing engineering design, LEED documentation and energy models before becoming a loan officer. LEED is great, but doesn't catch everything.

The basic thing missing in LEED is a way to convey the complicated green building information to your clients in a clear, concise manner. When it comes down to it, clients care about 3 basic things 1) how much money it will save them 2) how much money it will make them (for rentals/flipping) 3) how it makes them look good...or any combination of those.

I give green building Continuing Education lectures to Realtors and developers in the Portland, Oregon area and always recommend a course similar to Earth Advantage's S.T.A.R. program. There are many other programs across the country similar to it. For LEED providers (who many times have their own programs as well), go to this link on the USGBC website. The ECO-Broker course is also good.

Let me know if you have any questions.

---

Dakota Gale, LEED AP

Green Mortgage Broker

Premier Mortgage Resources

www.greenmortgagenw.com

Jul 13, 2009 06:36 AM

Anonymous

mesha jones

I am a century 21 realtor(newly licensed) in houston, texas. There are 27,000 realtors in Houston, texas and only a few (probably less than10) with leed certification. I think this is a good way to seperate myself from the rest I just don't know how to market myself. I am also an environmental engineer. I plan to take the leed exam. I was told that I have to take the leed green associate first and then take the leed ap because I don't have leed project experience. I am getting a masters in civil and environmental engineering and my construction engineering teacher advised me to get this certification. I would like to know exactly how this can help me in the real estate area. I am kind of fuzzing on how to combine my background, however, I just know that I am interested in green building design and being a real estate agent for leed certified buildings(Leasing, purchasing, and selling). Can someone leed me in the right direction? I also have an MBA.

Thanks!

Mesha J.

Houston, Texas

Jun 15, 2010 01:35 PM

Joseph Scarpa

Green Paradigm Realty LLC - Pennsville, NJ

Subsequent to my last posting here in Sep 2008, I've opened my own real estate brokerage, Green Paradigm Realty LLC, in Feb 2009. You ought to read my latest press release on my website, www.GreenParadigmInstitute.com ... it's a real eye opener.

If you (Mesha) have all those academic credentials, I would definitely get the LEED Green Associate credential. The highest paying residential real estate specialty is new construction, which is where the LEED credentials would be most useful.

Jun 15, 2010 02:32 PM

Anonymous

mesha jones

Please excuse my ignorance but how would I use the leed for new construction? I just got my license 2 months ago.

Thanks!

Mesha Jones

Meshajoneshomes.com

Jun 15, 2010 04:12 PM

Anonymous

mesha jones

Jospeh, how did you market yourself as a leed realtor? How did you go about getting green leads? How did you know what green buildings were for sale or lease? Our office is not familiar with leed cert., which is a surprise to me. I asked them if anyone had the leed certification and they asked me what is that? This kind of worries me a little.

Thanks!

Mesha Jones

Houston, Texas

Jun 15, 2010 04:22 PM

#10

Joseph Scarpa

Green Paradigm Realty LLC - Pennsville, NJ

You might meet like-minded folks at http://www.greendrinks.org/ ... very few REALTORS at these events yet.

Definitely join your local USGBC chapter ... very affordable ... and read up on LEED for Homes.

All of this at www.usgbc.org and usgbc.org/leed/ (click on rating systems).

Marketing myself as LEED? It takes a few years ... you might hold a seminar on green homes, say, once in the Fall, and once in the Spring. You might have to help green your MLS. Check out http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/greening_the_mls.cfm (You'll see Houston listed).

Jun 15, 2010 11:21 PM

Anonymous

mesha jones, century21 premier gold properties

Joseph, thanks for the information.

MeshaJ

Jun 16, 2010 01:56 AM

#12

David Popoff

DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT

Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Hi Jennifer,

I just passed my LEED AP Home here in Ct. We have an excellent green program at the local colleges that really helped along. the link is

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2095194/green-build-courses-offered-in-connecticut-

Feb 20, 2011 03:25 AM

Anonymous

I was wondering if you all can update your status reguarding your gains losses and any advise. How long do you have to market as a eco broker and leed certified to gain attention and I just want to say thank you because all of you are helping pay the way for new green agent and helping the us:)

Dec 10, 2012 03:11 AM

#15

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