Sometimes, coincidence is credited for occurrences; or it may be said that things just happen. But as I sit this Thursday evening thinking about what has happened this week in my real estate life and what might be of interest to our faithful readers, I could not help but think about some items of significance as it pertains to the concept of "Going Green" in the local real estate market.
There are various efforts being made by a few designers and builders in the construction and development business pioneering their way into the world of "Going Green" coupled with personal efforts of individuals who are striving to embrace the need for energy conservation and efficiency. The Southern Utah Home Builders Association, SUHBA, has a committee that has been working for many months now trying to identify and quantify the growing demand of many consumers across the land for green features in homes and to set standards in the industry that will be meaningful among its members and consumers to monitor interest and economic benefit for integrating green features into design and construction.
The SUHBA committee is also working with the WCBR, Washington County Board of REALTORS®, in an effort that the two related groups can professionally and effectively serve the public, the buyers and sellers of real property who have an interest in the Green Built Features. There was a joint meeting between the two groups Wednesday. During the meeting, one of the relevant queries had to do with the question of how advanced is the consumer demand for green building? What is the awareness level on this matter in the mind of the public?
Then, as it may be by coincidence or happen stance, today (the next day after the committee meeting) while filling office opportunity time, or on-call duty, a couple of early retirement age, came into my office. It was my opportunity, and pleasure I might add, to make their acquaintance and visit with them about the exciting things going on in Southern Utah. It was not long into our conversation that the topic of energy efficiency and green features came to center stage. They have lived in areas of our country where environmental concerns are very prominent. They returned to live in northern Utah where air quality and general environmental regard are big current topics. They have chosen to live in a new development that is known in the Salt Lake area to be one of the more "Green" neighborhoods. They made it a point to not only voice their personal concerns and desire for measures to be efficient and economical, but they also cited conditions and life style choices of their children and their children's generation who are in quest for improvement in the areas of energy conservation and better management of environmental concerns.
The couple whom I have made reference, recited various systems and components within homes that help with the efficiency and conservation, such as: using timers and sensors, low flush toilets, water heaters on demand, types of recycled building materials, design for use of solar, size of the structure envelope, the type of landscaping in yards, and the orientation of building with respect to the sun. They remarked about smart traffic lights, not stop lights or the typical traffic lights that require cars to stop and idle waiting for a signal light to change even if there is no oncoming traffic and spew emissions into the atmosphere. Moreover, they commented on the type of vehicle they drive that gives better mileage and is friendlier to the atmosphere than most cars on the road today.
With all the advertising and promotion in the media today, with all the hype in favor of modifying systems for greater efficiency, and with all the talk about coming government regulation and mandates, it is no wonder that the awareness level of going green in increasing and expanding. The type of conversation I had today is increasing.
There seems to be two groups that are voicing their push or interest for attention and action on these matters: the younger generations and those having difficulty making ends meet in these tough economic times including those of fixed incomes or living on limited savings. Then of course there are those who are sensitive to the subject but are not in any kind of financial position to do anything about it.
It is one view that times are changing, and so is the landscape and the awareness level of the matter of going green and working to preserve planet earth and the environment. The larger question is: "Does the capacity exist in society to develop solutions that are reasonable, sensible and affordable without endangering mankind, the most important specie on earth?"
St. George REALTOR® Jim Coleman is Associate Broker and Partner/Owner of ERA Brokers Consolidated. He Specializes in Residential, Investment and Commercial Real Estate, holding National Designations of Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Resort and Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), GREEN Property Specialist, and Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Specialist (SFR). You can contact him by e-mail at Jim@JimColeman4Homes.com. Call: (435) 627-5411; or write: Jim Coleman, 201 East St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah 84770. This and other columns are available at www.WinningTalk.com/articles.