Why get certified? PDF Print E-mail

Remember how it felt when you were a kid and somehow all the other kids knew something that you didn't?

Well, now you're a professional, and it not only is embarrassing not to know something related to your field, but it's not providing your clients with the best service you can.

Everyone has heard about global warming. Everyone knows fuel prices are going up. People know we need to start doing things differently. Sustainable, healthy green design, building and development is not a fad. It's here to stay and is going to become the standard. Building "to code" is eventually going to mean building to green standards.

If you are a real estate professional, you need to keep on the cutting edge of what people need and want. That means you need to know about the environmental issues surrounding homes and communities.

The best way to do that is to participate in the Asheville Board of REALTORS® Environmental Consultant Certification Program. You will learn what you need to know, develop a valuable network of local environmental experts, and receive official certification that your clients will appreciate.

Don't get left behind. Begin the certification process now!
 
How do you become a Certified ECO Consultant? PDF Print E-mail

Are you a licensed REALTOR®? Are you interested in and committed to sustainable design, building and development? Then you need to become a  Certified Environmental [ECO] Consultant.

The Asheville Board of REALTORS®, together with a number of local organizations and businesses, have created a training program to provide you with the information and resources you need to assist your clients.

The 36-hour certification program is broken down into core and elective courses.  The two core courses, Resources for Healthy Choices and Inside and Out, constitute 20 hours. 

The remaining 16 hours may be obtained via elective course offerings.  Prospective ECO designees may choose from a variety of course topics and providers. Elective courses must be a minimum of 4 hours in length to qualify for credit.  More details, including a list of currently-approved course providers,  may be viewed on the Elective Courses page.   

So, what are you waiting for?  Get started right away!  Join the 250+ REALTORS® in WNC that are pursuing the ECO Consultant certification!

 
Core Courses PDF Print E-mail

The Environmental Consultant certification program includes two core - or required - courses, Environmental Issues: Resources for Healthy Choices and Inside and Out.

These two courses provide a great foundation of information and introduce participants to local environmental experts in the Asheville area who are valuable resources for real estate professionals and their clients. 

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

Environmental Issues: Resources for Healthy Choices

This is four-hour class focuses on disclosure and material fact considerations related to environmental issues. Margie Meares, one of the originators of the certification program, teaches this course. This course has been approved by the NC Real Estate Commission for CE elective credit (4 hrs).

Inside and Out

This two-day (16-hour) course provides detailed information on environmental issues -- both inside and outside a home. It is facilitated by a variety of environmental experts from the Western NC area. A new presenter begins a new topic each hour. 

Topics that may be included:

  • Soil and water issues, including sedimentation and erosion
  • Septic and sewer systems
  • Wells and water systems
  • Indoor Environmental Quality issues, including radon, mold, asbestos and lead
  • Building certification programs, including HealthyBuilt Homes and EnergyStar
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Alternative Energy sources
  • Conservation Easements
  • Recycling and Waste Disposal
  • Underground Storage Tanks
  • Greenways
  • Site Preparation and Landscaping

 
 
Elective Courses PDF Print E-mail

In order to become a certified ECO Consultant, you are required to take 16 elective credit hours, in addition to the 20 core course hours.  

Elective courses are provided by a variety of local organizations and businesses.  You can choose from a number of interesting and useful topics.  Below are links to our ECO Partners' websites.  

REMEMBER! You are responsible for tracking your own elective courses. Be sure you keep copies of all elective course certificates, so that you can provide copies to ABR to receive your certification.

ECO Partners / Elective Course Providers:  

The Western North Carolina Green Building Council often offers 4-hour courses that qualify for ECO-credit. Check their website to see what topics are coming up that interest you. Each course is usually worth 4-credit hours.

Warren Wilson College offers a number of environmental classes that qualify for credit.

Cradle of Forestry sometimes offers a short course on Woodland Ownership.

The local NC State Extension Office offers a helpful course on Home Maintenance.

The REALTORS® Land Institute's Land 101 course is an elective.

There is an 8-hour HUD certified course in Lead-Safe Work Practices that qualifies for 4 credits.

NC State University offers a Conservation-Based Development Workshop.

The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy offers Financial Strategies for Landowners: Advanced Seminar on Conservation Easements, Tax and Estate Planning.

RiverLink has a course on Sediment and Erosion Control/Stormwater.
Read more...
 
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