GREEN ISSUES TAKE PRIORITY FOR
AREA REALTORS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 10, 2008) – “Green” features are now being noted on listings included in the RealTracs Solutions Multiple Listing Service and “Green” professional designations can be earned by Realtors to show their understanding of environmental issues related to properties and the community, according to an announcement by Mandy Wachtler, president of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors.
“This is really a significant step for the real estate community and for the buyers and sellers we serve,” Wachtler said. “The focus on environmental issues is significant. Many buyers want to know whether the properties they are considering purchasing have ‘green’ features, or what it might take to include them if they purchase the property.”
RealTracs Solutions has added a wide range of energy efficient and green information fields and selection options to its listings database. Realtors can now designate homes with energy-saving and environmentally friendly features, allowing buyers to find homes that better match their preferences.
“As sensitivity to our energy consumption and our environment has increased, green and energy saving features have become particularly important and sought-after by buyers,” said Stuart White, CEO of Realtracs Solutions. “RealTracs expanded its green data options so Realtors can better serve their clients, customers and the community.”
Residential and condominium properties can now be flagged as LEED, Energy Star and Earth Craft certified. And, these homes can be searched on the RealTracs public website, www.RealTracs.com.
Construction material notations now include structured insulated panels (SIP) and insulated concrete from (ICF); Energy Star appliances and HVAC systems can be marked and searched on listings and geothermal has been added to the list of heating sources. These features and additional green field selections (attached) help significantly lower energy usage.
Flooring options have been expanded to include bamboo/cork and concrete. To top it off, a roof material field has been added to the system and will include green roof – with vegetation or garden – and reflective roof coating options.
Wachtler and White both said that considerable effort by Anna Altic of Village Real Estate Services and a member of the GNAR Environmental Committee, and Mark Deutschmann, owner-broker of Village Real Estate Services and 2008 chair of GNAR’s Environmental Committee helped a great deal in the process of bringing the green features information to the MLS.
“It has been very rewarding to work through the process of making the upgrades in the information available through RealTracs,” said Altic. “Realtors are as interested and concerned about green issues as anyone and it is helpful to have this information available now in this context so we can share it with our clients and customers.”
In addition the green information in the MLS, GNAR has added two professional designations focused on green information. First is the Green Designation, from the National Association of Realtors. It provides and in-depth understanding of “what green means” for every aspect of real estate, including residential, commercial and property management.
And second is the Eco-Broker online designation, which can be accessed through the Real Estate education section of the GNAR website (www.gnar.org). This course addresses information concerning the environment, energy and marketing related to green issues.
The Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS® is one of Middle Tennessee’s largest professional trade associations and serves as the primary voice for Nashville-area property owners.  REALTOR® is a registered trademark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors and subscribe to its strict code of ethics.

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