Green Can Mean Gold for Realtors(R) and the Home Buyers and Sellers They Serve

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Green buildings and business practices
help conserve significant amounts of natural resources and can mean added
business opportunities for Realtors(R). As environmental concerns continue to
grow among consumers, Realtors(R) attending today's "Making Green Building
Work for You and Your Clients" session at the 2008 REALTORS(R) Conference &
Expo learned more about how to help buyers and sellers bring green into their
homes.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080923/NARLOGO )

Homes and buildings have a major impact on the environment. According to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residential and commercial buildings
account for more than one-third of the nation's total energy use, 12 percent
of water use, 68 percent of electricity consumption and 38 percent of carbon
dioxide emissions.

"Realtors(R) build communities and are taking leading roles in promoting and
encouraging green building practices," said National Association of
Realtors(R) President Richard Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate
Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. "Green homes and commercial buildings are
our future; Realtors(R) realize that environmentally sensitive building
practices and home features are a good investment for both their clients and
the planet."

Realtors(R) who can educate consumers about green developments in real estate
could find a rewarding niche, especially as energy-efficiency standards become
more stringent. "Realtors(R) with green knowledge are valuable resources for
environmentally conscious home buyers and sellers," said Gaylord.

During the session, Realtor(R) Michael Kiefer with Green DC Realty in
Washington, D.C., shared his insights on the growing green consumer base. "The
green consumer is a market we as Realtors(R) cannot ignore," said Kiefer.
"It's a targeted niche opportunity, and Realtors(R) must find ways to make
green language a part of their business."

U.S. Department of Energy representative Lani MacRea explained the benefits of
retrofitting existing homes with energy efficient features. "Existing
residential buildings represent the single largest source of potential energy
savings," she said.

Panelist Victoria Schomer, from Green Built Environments in Asheville, N.C.,
acknowledged the influence that the real estate industry can have on
environmental issues. "We know that the building industry impacts the
environment in a very major way," she said. "The goal is to support clients
and their families to live more sustainable, environmentally friendly lives."

To help Realtors(R) provide green expertise and service to meet growing
consumer demand, NAR launched a Green Designation course in early September,
and Realtor(R) response has been overwhelming. The first Green Designation
core course was completed just days ago here in Orlando - over 230 Realtors(R)
have earned the designation.

The National Association of Realtors(R), "The Voice for Real Estate," is
America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved
in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news
releases are posted in the Web site's "News Media" section in the NAR Media
Center.

REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only
by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS(R) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate
agents are REALTORS(R). All REALTORS(R) are members of NAR.

SOURCE National Association of Realtors

Michelle Wardlaw, +1-202-383-1042, mwardlaw@realtors.org