Through BayREN trainings, real estate professionals can better understand and communicate the connections between climate, health and energy in homes.
Nearly 40% of real estate agents believe climate change is impacting where people choose to live and what home to buy, according to a recent Redfin survey. In California, that number rises to over 50%. Yet only 13% of respondents said their brokerage provides training on climate and weather-related risks.
When Simi Puri, a real estate agent from Keller Williams Danville was supporting a client in selling a home equipped with a high-end induction cooktop, the buyer wanted to replace it with a gas. Although Puri recognized that the induction cooktop was a valuable feature, she didn’t have the language to explain the health and cooking benefits to the buyer. To better understand and communicate the advantages of a green home, Puri completed the NAR Green Designation training hosted by BayREN.
Through BayREN trainings, real estate professionals can become trusted guides for clients navigating the evolving landscape of sustainable and resilient housing.
In June, the BayREN Green Labeling program hosted a training on electrification and induction cooking for Bay Area real estate professionals. The class was designed to help real estate professionals navigate the biggest questions their clients may have regarding electric appliances, such as heat pump water heaters, heat pump HVAC systems, and induction stoves. BayREN aims to build real estate professionals’ confidence in discussing energy efficient features of homes their buyers are considering, messaging the value of high-efficiency electric appliances in homes they are selling, and guiding their clients to resources on how to make upgrades.
John Shipman, Senior Managing Director with Franklin Energy, delivered the electrification training, highlighting California’s decarbonization goals and how real estate agents can be a trusted messenger on the benefits of an all-electric home.
Dr. Bret Andrews from Physicians for Social Responsibility also joined the session, offering insights into how removing fossil fuels from homes can improve indoor air quality and reduce outdoor pollution. He shared resources for real estate agents interested in learning more about the health benefits of all-electric living.
Through BayREN’s suite of free real estate trainings, professionals can set themselves apart by understanding how energy-efficient and all-electric homes are valued, how to explain their benefits, and how to guide clients toward sustainable choices.
To explore upcoming BayREN trainings for real estate professionals, visit bayren.org/events-training or contact Emily Alvarez, Green Labeling Program Lead, at ealvarez@stopwaste.org.
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