Ben Kaufman, GreenWorks Realty and Development      

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I know Ben Kaufman really well – I have been working as a real estate agent in his brokerage since November of 2008. Since February of 2009 I also have been managing the day-to-day operations of the office while also handling my own real estate business. The market has been challenging for many of us and I feel like I have been hanging on to my profession by my fingernails for a long time.

Ben’s statistics, garnered from the NWMLS data, keep me going. We are on the edge of a real estate revolution. And these numbers just keep me going, day after day. Plus I really believe in helping people find a healthy home and live a healthier lifestyle.

Ben’s presentation is using the latest ECert report that includes statistics comparing the sale of environmentally-certified homes versus non-certified home

• Environmentally certified homes in King County, from November 2009 through February 2010, comprised 37% of the new home market, sold for $85,550 more per home, and were 9.8% smaller in size.
• Environmentally certified new homes in Seattle sell for 9.2% more per square foot in 24% less time and make up 34% of the market.
• Environmentally certified new homes in King County sell for $71 more per square foot in 7% less time and make up 26% of the market.
• Third party verified new homes with an environmental certification in the City of Seattle sell for 22% more per square foot in 12% less time and make up 6% of the market.

Important to note: $1 in electricity savings is equal to $20 in value on the appraisal report – and most appraisers don’t know that.

There are a lot of builders out there that don’t understand the value of the environmental certification and how it can boost sales.

Here’s a shocker – 70% of the waste in our landfills is from building construction.

There are different kinds of green buyers. (See chart)

Ben recommends prioritizing for energy efficiency first, then prioritize for health (i.e indoor air quality, other issues)

GreenWorks Realty was the first real estate brokerage in the country to specialize in green properties. The company was founded on the idea that a local neighborhood real estate office is the perfect place to build authentic relationships, greener lifestyles, and sustainable communities. Real estate professionals are at the heart of critical transactions bringing buyers and sellers together that often signifies a central transition point in people’s lives. The company drives its mission by focusing on the building blocks of sustainable community, green building and community designed properties. The company focuses on meeting the needs of their clients through integrity and quality service.

They believe that every home can be a greener home that offers a healthy, cost-effective place to live, while reducing harm to our environment. To achieve this goal, they not only help clients find or sell existing green homes, they also offer a Healthy Home Package, free to their clients who purchase a non-green home. The package includes a home assessment and customized report of retrofit priorities and simple upgrades to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and enhance resale value.

GreenWorks is committed to green values throughout their business practices. The company performed an in-depth carbon footprint analysis and implemented carbon reduction measures into company culture and policies. They are a triple-bottomline company focused on successful transactions and providing an unbeatable client experience.

I am happy to be working with such an amazing group of educated and green-minded people.

There will be video of this session available later.