SAN FRANCISCO – (Sept. 13, 2007) – It all began as a meeting of likeminded members of the Build It Green Real Estate Council to discuss a Web site overhaul. It then grew into something more. Sharing the vision of a greener state and the desire to educate others, this group of five environmentally committed real-estate professionals were motivated to develop Green Real Estate: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Headed? They will present this topic at the upcoming West Coast Green Residential Building Conference and Expo, Sept. 20-22 at the Bill Graham Auditorium at the Civic Center.
“We each have such unique talents and strengths to share on the topic of green real estate that it was a natural evolution for us to join together to create our presentation,” said Michelle Stephens, a council member, presenter and REALTOR® with Zephyr Real Estate. “What better place to do this than West Coast Green. Our intent is to make a difference through education and collaboration.”
Build It Green is a professional non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient buildings in California. The Real Estate Council is a Build It Green group for agent and broker members, including the presenters Stephens, George Koster, George Pires, Jenny Shore, Jim Simon. Their talk, Green Real Estate: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Headed?, will be Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Room 407. During the expo, the team will host a book-signing by David Johnston, author of Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time at their booth, #17. The presenters will be joined by fellow BIG Real Estate Council members and GreenPoint Raters. Come by for expert information from accessible professionals.
Their presentation, Green Real Estate will provide insights from experienced green real-estate professionals. They will answer questions such as how to evaluate a green REALTOR®, lender, appraiser or point rater; how to find a green or greenable home; how to value it; how to finance the property; and how to navigate this new and dynamic real-estate market.
Here’s more about the presenters on the green real-estate team:
· George Koster – Participates in Build It Green, Green Affordable Housing Coalition, Sierra Green Builders Association, Certified Green Building Professional and has extensive knowledge in all forms of real estate in Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Reno.· George Pires – Specializes in commercial and SBA loans, and residential real estate at Princeton Capital. He is the real estate program director at the University of California Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley Extension, and Certified Green Building Professional.
· Jenny Shore – Mortgage planner with Alternative Mortgage Sources. Founding member of Build It Green's Real Estate Council, Shore serves residential, mixed-use and select commercial buyers and owners. Also consults with business/NGO consortium on increasing TIC financing options.
· Jim Simon - Green mortgage broker and Xertified Green Building Professional with CMG Mortgage Services, offering innovative financing solutions that support a sustainable financial lifestyle.
· Michelle Stephens – REALTOR®, Zephyr Real Estate, with 10 years of compassionate, progressive service to buyers and sellers. Certified Green Building Professional dedicated to “greening” San Francisco one home at a time.
“As subject matter experts, we want people to view us as the go-to team on all things concerning green real estate,” Koster said. “With our presentation, we’d like to teach people how to identify and take at least three steps toward making their home more valuable with green improvements.”
For more information and a conference schedule, visit www.stateofgreenrealestate.com.
Build it GreenBuild It Green is a professional non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource-efficient buildings in California. Supported by a solid foundation of outreach and education, Build It Green connects consumers and building professionals with the tools and technical expertise they need to build quality green buildings. Build It Green fosters collaboration with key stakeholder groups to accelerate the adoption of green-building practices, policies, and programs. For information, or to join the Real Estate Council, visit www.builditgreen.org. The council welcomes new members.