After “green” buildings comes a new environmental initiative in the real estate industry: “green” real estate agents. A certification launched by the Québec Federation of Real Estate Boards (QFREB) will provide real estate agents with new knowledge about the environment and will enable them to better inform their clients about environmental issues associated with real estate.
“The environment is becoming an increasingly important issue for consumers,” said Michel Beauséjour, FCA, Chief Executive Officer of the QFREB. “With this green certification for real estate agents, we want to address consumers’ concerns by helping them work with a real estate professional who will respect their environmental beliefs while guiding them in the most important transaction of their lives.”
To be recognized as a “green” real estate agent, agents must undergo 18 hours of specialized training over a three-day period. During their training, agents will develop a variety of skills, such as recognizing the main environmental risks and their impact on a real estate transaction, understanding the major environmental standards and certifications, as well as developing the transactional and writing skills related to environmental issues in commercial, residential and industrial real estate. Green agents will also be introduced to environmental law as it relates to real estate, and will be able to identify the types of ecosystems and natural zones in their geographic area.
The green real estate agent certification is part of the Quality of Life Program adopted by the QFREB in order to demonstrate its commitment to improving the quality of life in communities across Québec. The Quality of Life Program is based on five principles that shape the political and public directions of the QFREB: ensuring continuous economic development, providing opportunities for suitable housing, preserving our environment, improving the living conditions for residents, and building better communities.
“The environment is becoming an increasingly important issue for consumers,” said Michel Beauséjour, FCA, Chief Executive Officer of the QFREB. “With this green certification for real estate agents, we want to address consumers’ concerns by helping them work with a real estate professional who will respect their environmental beliefs while guiding them in the most important transaction of their lives.”
To be recognized as a “green” real estate agent, agents must undergo 18 hours of specialized training over a three-day period. During their training, agents will develop a variety of skills, such as recognizing the main environmental risks and their impact on a real estate transaction, understanding the major environmental standards and certifications, as well as developing the transactional and writing skills related to environmental issues in commercial, residential and industrial real estate. Green agents will also be introduced to environmental law as it relates to real estate, and will be able to identify the types of ecosystems and natural zones in their geographic area.
The green real estate agent certification is part of the Quality of Life Program adopted by the QFREB in order to demonstrate its commitment to improving the quality of life in communities across Québec. The Quality of Life Program is based on five principles that shape the political and public directions of the QFREB: ensuring continuous economic development, providing opportunities for suitable housing, preserving our environment, improving the living conditions for residents, and building better communities.