EcoBroker(R), the Green Designation in Real Estate Since 2002, Celebrates 4,000 Members

Closing in on six successful years as the leader in green real estate education, EcoBroker International, the Green Designation, (http://www.EcoBroker.com), proudly celebrated its 4,000th member this August. The milestone also coincides with another great moment in the company's history -- the fifth anniversary of the first graduating class of EcoBroker Certified® real estate professionals in 2003. Officially founded in 2002, EcoBroker has since been the clear leader in the green real estate training industry with its Green Designation, growing to more than 4,000 members in virtually every state, five Canadian provinces, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and New Zealand. read more

Source: EcoBroker International

Using recycled and re-purposed items for 'green' home staging

In a real estate market where there is a lot of inventory and buyers have many options to choose from, it is important to make your home stand out from the sometimes 10 other homes that buyers have seen that day. Like many homeowners selling during this buyers market, Altadena homeowners Andre and Shami are "staging" their home, except with an eco-friendly twist.

How? Almost every piece of furniture and artwork has been salvaged, re-purposed or made of recycled materials. All other pieces are constructed of organic and natural materials that were made in an environmentally friendly manner. read more

Source: MindEarth

Tampa facility recognized for proving excellence in environmental sustainability

SERVIDYNE, INC. , a building performance efficiency and real estate company, is pleased to announce that its consulting relationship with a customer in Tampa, Fla. has resulted in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Buildings (LEED©-EB) Green Building Rating System Gold Certification. This is the first building in Florida to receive this prestigious distinction.

Servidyne was hired in 2006 to manage the certification process to ensure that the upgrades to the existing infrastructure would meet the stringent LEED-EB Gold Certification standards. In this role, Servidyne developed sustainability policies for the facility, including standards for green site and exterior building management, erosion and sedimentation control, indoor air quality management, storm water management, and sustainable purchasing practices. read more

Source: Servidyne

The Greening of the Retail Real Estate Industry

With the world’s increased focus on sustainability, many in the retail real estate industry have responded with “green” initiatives and developed “greener” properties and practices. In support of these efforts, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. (ICSC) is pleased to announce its inaugural conference and trade exposition focused solely on sustainability, energy, environmental design and operations. The program, ICSC RetailGreen: A Conference and Trade Exposition on Sustainability, Energy, & Environmental Design will feature leading industry experts discussing how and why they are building “green stores” and “green shopping centers.” In addition, experts will discuss strategies on how to be more energy efficiency and water conscious, as well as other methods for sustainability. read more

Source: International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc.