Building Green - Certified Eco Broker 

Joe Houghton, Twin Cities Metro Area Realtor, has earned the EcoBroker Certified® designation. Joe has a renewed focus on building green. And using all of his accumulated knowledge to help like-minded buyers purchase Eco-Friendly New Construction and have completed a unique and informative training program on the energy and environmental issues that affect real estate transactions. Joe Houghton joins the movement of professionals pushing the real estate market toward energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthier design/features in homes and buildings.

The Performance Home

The "performance home" movement is getting a boost thanks to this type of high-quality real estate professional earning the EcoBroker designation. EcoBrokers®, like Joe, throughout the country are forging this market and creating competitive advantages for their customers. With national surveys indicating that 80% of consumers consider themselves "green-minded," real estate professionals with the EcoBroker designation are in a better position to serve the real estate consuWmer.

What is an EcoBroker?

"I'm always looking for the best ways to offer my clients the best value. My EcoBroker training helps me ensure customer satisfaction, my number one priority," Houghton explains. "From windows to moisture control to energy savings, I now have more resources at my disposal to help my buyers and sellers make better real estate decisions. The EcoBroker designation doesn't make me energy and environmental expert, but it allows me to better understand the issues and to convey this understanding to my buyers and sellers."

Should All Top Realtors Become an EcoBroker?

EcoBroker International's education and designation program is designed exclusively for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to help their clients benefit from the energy-efficiency, "green," and healthier features of homes and buildings. EcoBroker provides licensed real estate agents with a complete energy and environmental training curriculum. Real estate professionals must complete the extensive EcoBroker curriculum and training and fulfill additional program requirements to become Certified EcoBrokers®. "Joseph Houghton is an example of the quality real estate professional the EcoBroker designation continues to attract," explains EcoBroker International's CEO, Dr. John Beldock. "These real estate professionals are not only distinguishing themselves in a competitive marketplace, but they are giving back to the community in very constructive and meaningful ways. Minnesota needs more contributors like Joseph Houghton, and the planet and our grandchildren need them too," Dr. Beldock said.

Top Realtors Know about Building Green

From the Minneapolis office, Joe Houghton explains, "With EcoBroker training, I have broadened the range of real estate opportunities I offer my clients. Whether the transaction involves environmental assessment and mitigation (mold, radon, etc.) or the opportunity to reduce utility bills, I'm in a position to help. The real estate industry is changing, and to best serve my clients, I need to understand the newest designs, technologies, and environmental issues. My EcoBroker designation helps me stay ahead of the game."

The Best Real Estate Agents have Ecobroker Training

In October, Joe earned his EcoBroker Certified® designation and is wasting no time putting the tools and additional expertise to work. He has already found that being a Certified EcoBroker® creates added value and customer satisfaction that sets him apart from other agents. For example, at a recent listing presentation, Joseph was able to show the prospective sellers how he could highlight the benefits of their already energy-efficient home. His innovative energy and environmental perspective gave him an edge in winning the listing. Joseph says he's looking forward to continuing to positively impact the quality, durability, comfort, safety, and cost-effectiveness of residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums.

EcoBroker International provides unique energy and environmental curriculum to licensed real estate professionals, leading to the EcoBroker Designation. EcoBroker's mission is to broaden and improve the base of training and continuing education for real estate professionals and, in doing so, encourage improvements to the quality of buildings while reducing their impact on natural resources and the environment. EcoBroker is a Building America and Built Green Colorado Education Partner, the most successful green-building program in the United States. EcoBroker provides state-approved continuing education courses to licensed real estate professionals in states throughout the U.S. EcoBroker can be reached by phone at 1-800-706-4321 and email at customerservice@ecobroker.com.