S.T.A.R. The Earth Advantage Broker Certification

Course Level: 300          |          Course Length: 2 days

S.T.A.R. (Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals) gives real estate professionals the knowledge and skills to communicate with clients about the value and benefits of a new or remodeled green home. Participants will be able to identify which home features and building products provide greater energy, water, and resource efficiency and create a healthier living environment for their clients. The course provides an overview of different green home certification programs and offers participants a hands-on exploration of green building techniques and products through certified home site visits and a tour of the Earth Advantage Institute green building showroom. This certification course will provide real estate professionals with an understanding of the green home consumer market segments and prepare them to market and sell a green home.

Objectives

• Distinguish yourself in the marketplace with green home knowledge and marketing skills.
• Describe basic green home features and trends.
• Communicate effectively about green building concepts.
• Identify the differences among leading third-party green home certification programs.
• Tailor your marketing message to clients who have varying green values.

Benefits

• S.T.A.R. Manual and Resource Guide
• The Northwest Green Home Primer
• Two site visits to certified green homes
• Sustainable, catered lunch each day
• Opportunity for Oregon brokers to receive up to $4000 annually in cooperative marketing funds through Energy Trust of Oregon’s Trade Ally Program
• Earth Advantage Broker professional designation and use of logo
• Personalized Earth Advantage Broker page on the Earth Advantage Institute Web site
• Discounts on other Earth Advantage Institute courses and events
• Subscription to Real Estate Advantage e-newsletter
• Network of over 700 Earth Advantage Brokers

Prerequisites/Requirements

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in S.T.A.R.. However, participants seeking continuing education units or the Earth Advantage^® Broker designation should be licensed real estate brokers or salespersons in Oregon or Washington. Certification requires full attendance and the successful completion of the online, open-book examination with a minimum passing grade of 80%. Students are allowed to retake the exam once to receive a passing grade.

Credits/Accreditation

USGBC: 300-level course
OR Real Estate Agency: 16 core CEUs with principal broker approval
WA State Department of Licensing, Real Estate Program: 13 clock hours in the current trends and issues area
National Association of REALTORS®: Earth Advantage Brokers who would like to earn a NAR Green Designation may use their Alternative Program Credit to fulfill NAR’s elective requirement. The NAR Green Designation can be earned by completing NAR’s Green Designation Core Courses and providing proof of completing the S.T.A.R. course.

Instructors

Jill Sughrue, Portland
Kristin Staver*, Portland and Southwest Washington
Dave Porter*, Seattle

*Washington state approved instructors

Course Fee

General Admission: $365

Group rates available.

Energy Trust of Oregon's Incentives for Real Estate Professionals

• $100 reimbursement for becoming an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally after becoming an Earth Advantage Broker.
• $250 fixed annual reimbursement for one Web site featuring Energy Trust of Oregon required text and logo.
• Up to $4000 annually for approved marketing campaigns as a Real Estate Professional Trade Ally.