GREC REnews, Vol. 3, Issue 12 (Dec. 2007)

Georgia Real Estate Commission
GREC RENEWS

Volume 3, Issue 12 December 2007

2008 Dates to Note
February 22, 2008 Trust Account Class Cobb Board of Realtors (770) 422-3900
February 21-22, 2008 Georgia Instructor Training (GIT)
GREC Disciplinary Sanctions

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

School Meeting

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LEED, Green, Sustainability 2

Focus on Terminology:
"LEED, Green, Sustainable
Development"
Happy Holidays from the Georgia Real
Estate Commission!
Georgia Real Estate Commission Suite 1000, International Tower 229 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303-1605

GREC Annual
Schools Meeting
The Georgia Real Estate Commission holds an annual meeting of all real estate schools licensed in Georgia. Instructors licensed by GREC must take continuing education courses specifically for the instructor license. This year in November the attendance surpassed all past records. Over 300 attendees met at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education to hear about important issues such as:
"meth houses," and the impact on real estate 2007-2008 changes to the GAR Contract forms technology in the classroom current appraisal issues
The conference has evolved into a 2-day event, but the required meeting is only held on Friday. On Thursday, typically 2 or more presentations are held. Attendees were also able to meet, ask questions and network with the staff of the Real Estate Commission and to put a face with a name. The intent of the conference is to learn new instructional techniques tools and resources and to keep up-to-date on current events and issues affecting real estate education and real estate brokerage.
A list of schools approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission is available on the GREC website under Schools. www.grec.state.ga.us
Branding: Neighborhoods, Licensees
As development becomes more dense in the metropolitan area and in older in-town areas, some residential neighborhoods have chosen to be known as an "area," rather than by subdivision alone. Several subdivisions have come together and created their own initiatives for branding. Because there are many areas in Atlanta that are not inside a city limit, some residents feel that identifying the total area with a name will increase the recognition and desirability of the community. Examples around Atlanta are Dunwoody, North Briarcliff, SoNo (South of North Avenue), and Virginia-Highlands.
The concept of branding is well known in real estate. Many licensees create a "branding" plan to identify themselves in the industry. Certainly individual licensees can have a web site about him/her and the services he/she offers. However, it is important to remember that any listings that are advertised on that site must clearly state the name and phone number of the brokerage firm where they are listed.
Whether it is a neighborhood or a professional, branding is a method to create an identity. The Internet is only one method of advertising, but license laws apply to any media, so be vigilant in implementing your branding program.
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Georgia Real Estate Commission
Suite 1000, International Tower 229 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303-1605
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GREC

Volume 3, Issue 12 December 2007
Focus on Terminology: "LEED, Green, Sustainable Development"
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a designation granted to buildings that meet a rating system and certification program created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED standards are voluntary and the intent is to encourage highly efficient and sustainable buildings (defined below) USGBC's Mission is "to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life." http://www.usgbc.org/
Many companies are implementing green designs that are not only environmentally friendly but are promoting a healthier, more productive environment for employees. Features of green buildings might include the following: Recycling construction materials or debris, such as bricks and concrete, Water-saving plumbing fixtures Reuse of water for irrigation Highly efficient filters for HVAC systems Carpet, paint and adhesives made from organic compounds Increased use of daylight throughout the buildings Under-floor cooling systems Concrete floors instead of carpeting Other methods to increase efficient use of energy, water, and materials
The basic concept of the "green" buildings initiative is to reduce the quantity of resources needed to construct and operate commercial buildings and to implement recycling systems of natural resources in the most efficient and effective manner. Americans are becoming more supportive of programs to protect the environment and "going green" is being adopted by many large companies such as Goldman Sachs, Toyota, BP and Hines. Industry organizations have established their own programs to train and encourage property owners and managers to reduce energy consumption and costs. As the emergence of "going green," continues, designers and architects and construction companies continue to evaluate programs to make them not only energy efficient but more economically profitable.
Green building practices follow the concept of sustainability as it applies to buildings and developments. Increasing population levels and the rate of consumption of earth's natural resources cannot be continued without depletion of some resources...it cannot be "sustained."
According to the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, a true "sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ 2