Coach’s Corner

We Can All Make a Difference

Do you want to make your listing more environmentally friendly? Why not help your seller play a larger role in making a conscious decision to reduce their carbon footprint and slow down the rate of climate change?

REALTORS ® are in a unique position to help the planet be better. As we help our clients prepare their home to put on the market, we can offer tips on how they can make their house environmentally friendly. These tips can be used if they are thinking about major repairs or just have a bit of tweaking to do.

Here are a few easy ways your seller can power down, save money, and help Mother Earth.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Replace the lightbulbs. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how often this simple exchange gets forgotten. Research has shown that LED bulbs are 80 percent more efficient than traditional lighting, and they last 25 times longer. Something as simple as changing to LED lightbulbs reduces the demands on power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Install smart heating controls or a programmable thermostat. Did you know that the thermostat controls about 50 percent of the total energy bill? Yes, that’s more than the appliances and electronics combined. Installing a smart thermostat is easy and cost-effective—and they’re definitely noticed by buyers. You should also recommend they get the HVAC and furnace serviced on a regular basis. An easy way to remem ber is to service them when the time changes in the spring and fall. The more efficiently they run, the less energy they use, and that’s good for the planet. Since this is an item that comes up on most home inspection reports, have your seller do it from the get-go.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE Updating a bathroom? Ask your seller to consider low-flow or dual-flush toilets. Dual-flush toilets save about 70 percent more water than low-flow toilets. Sellers can also save water and money by installing a low-flow showerhead. Research has shown that you can save at least 50 percent in your water usage.

THAT’S ELECTRIC If the kitchen could use an upgrade, have the seller install energy-efficient appliances. Not only will they save energy, but they’ll make the kitchen look better. Last, but not least, is my favorite: Install outlets that actually draw zero energy when turned off. How cool is that? They plug into your standard outlet, they are under $20, and they help save the planet.

CANDY MILES-CROCKER “The Real-Life REALTOR®,” coaches, mentors, and trains new and experienced real estate agents to transform their business by mastering her proven systems for success. She is a firm believer in managing expectations and her goal is to elevate the perception of real estate agents among the general public through education so every client has an amazing real estate experience. Candy’s unique training methods have shown agents what it takes to be successful! Inman News selected Candy as one of the Top 25 Real Estate Coaches in 2016. Learn more at www.RLRETraining.com.