I just completed the first ever Green Real Estate class and certification course in Washington (for residential homes). I thought the questions in the essay portion of the final exam were pretty good so I’ll be posting those over the next few days. I am now one of only a handful of Built Green Certified Agents in existence.

Some background if you are new to my blog: In April we began the purchase process of a new townhome in the Built Green Community of High Point in West Seattle. We lived in another part of WestSea and sold our home in June in preparation for the move in August. We were able to watch the construction process of our entire building.

I am a real estate agent who specializes in green lifestyles and homes. I wanted to be a part of this healthy and vibrant green community. We celebrated ten years living in WS in November. (We celebrate ten years of marriage on New Year’s Eve day.)

Q: Describe four ways in which “green” applies to the design and construction of single-family homes. Describe how each of these features is sustainable or regenerative?

“Green” is a people-friendly term that denotes environmentally sound and energy efficient features in many sectors of life. People can eat green (organic), travel green (bike, carbon offset), dress green (organic and natural materials locally made), etc. When it comes to residential homes, it usually applies to specific features that are most readily noticed. It also applies to the construction process but that is not as well understood since many home buyers don’t see that part of the process – unless they become involved early enough.

Four ways green features are found in my own home include the following:

1) During the construction process the builder was sensitive to proper measurements to reduce subcontractor mistakes that result in wasted material that can’t be used for anything else and must be hauled to the landfill. This is sustainable.

2) The carpet, although not made from a recycled material in my particular home, is installed by means of tacking down around the perimeter. No glue was used – leading to better air quality in the home after I moved in. It also is healthier for the workers who install the materials. This is sustainable.

3) My home has a whole-house air circulation system. If I want a lot of fresh air in my home, I can leave it on 24 hours a day. But I have it programmed to come on four times in a 24 hours period, for about 2.5 hours each time. It is nearly silent, and I do not notice it when it comes on in the middle of the night. This is sustainable and just plain smart. Indoor air pollution is a serious health problem, and the more fresh air you can have around you the healthier you will be.

4) My home has a small footprint. I bought a three story townhome comprised of nearly 1,700 square feet. It is only 16 feet wide. My old house was about 30 feet wide on two floors. The basement level, below ground, even though “finished” was cold and difficult to heat. We primarily only used it for storage, thereby living in only about 900 square feet. I actually now have a larger home because the floor plan is much more efficient, and the entire home is warm because of insulation here that was missing in my 1929 farmhouse. The use of less energy to heat more space is sustainable – and regenerative since my home now is not consuming as many resources.

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For those who are interested in learning more about Green Real Estate, North Seattle Community College has announced RES 130 for Winter quarter, a 3 credit course held in the evenings. It was not originally scheduled, but demand was so high they have opened the class for enrollment. Please contact NSCC to register. For agents, this is a 30 clock hour CE course offering designation upon successful completion of all hours and passing a final exam.