About GRA
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GRA with its in-house combination of real estate experience and ‘green’ expertise bridges the gap between what has traditionally been seen as contrasting worlds. GRA first qualifies the expertise of the various ‘green’ sources of information, tools, and resources and then works with them to tailor their message for real estate professionals. Once the resources have been framed for the real estate (RE) community, GRA looks for where that information is best delivered within the RE industry – training and education programs, toolkits, events, etc.
As trusted advisors and communicators with the Canadian public, real estate professionals have a incredible opportunity and duty to be effective in the changes that are happening as we shift our collective perspective of how land and resources are valued and used. GRA, as a non-profit real estate organization is committed to working within the real estate community to establish the integrity and quality of ‘greener’ real estate service needed to maintain the real estate professional’s reputation and relevance.
Appreciating that there are ‘shades of green’ as related to how environmentally friendly buildings, communities, and consumers are, GRA provides a spectrum of learning and resource opportunities for those real estate professionals interested in basics of sustainability all the way to those seeking ‘dark green’ understanding as experts in the ecology of real estate.
Also included in its role as a single, trusted source of ‘sustainability’ information and resources related to real estate, the Greener Realty Association works with organizations and government to explore sustainability-related policy and legislation that relates to real estate professionals and their clients
REALTORS®
REALTORS® are often a primary point of contact for people exploring their housing and community needs. A ‘greener’ REALTORS® is simply a real estate professional who can properly address and offer perspective to clients with ‘greener’ values or interests in the sustainability of buildings, property, and lifestyle. These client values and interests often relate to energy efficiency, health issues, sustainable building materials, water-saving measures, and the effect climate change is having on valuation of land and buildings.
As well, a real estate professional with ‘green’ training and/or the appropriate tools can help facilitate their clients needs related to greener site and property planning - how does one manage their property including trees, water frontage, gardens, etc in an environmentally responsible manner? GRA provides real estate professionals with qualified links to organizations that specialize in addressing each of these questions.
A greener REALTOR® can provide context for such decisions by sharing their awareness of broader community and land-use issues such as zoning, protective covenants, and affordability.
The Association furthers its presence by advancing awareness of green real estate practices to the general public through information booths, public speaking engagements, and various media.
For more information please contact:
James Rodgers
Executive Director
Greener Realty of BC Association
778 772 8979