Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA)

AGAs benefit from professional differentiation by leveraging marketing support from Earth Advantage in the form of AGA logos and an online listing in our registry of designated professionals. If an appraiser would like to earn the AGA designation, they will need to complete both courses and pass our qualifying exam. Appraisers must earn 4 CEs in green real estate education every 2 years to maintain the AGA designation and can do so by completing additional green coursework offered by Earth Advantage or other providers.  

Green Valuation Competency

Did you know the secondary mortgage market (Fannie, Freddie, and FHA) and Appraisal Foundation guidelines require "competency" in this topic area prior to accepting an assignment on a green or energy efficient home? Bethis course and become one of the appraisers in your area that lenders and AMCs can turn to who meet this standard. Our AGA program has been recommended as qualifying green home valuation education by the Appraisal Foundation and the Oregon Appraiser Certification & Licensure Board (ACLB). AGA has been offered live across California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon Virginia, Washington and Alabama.

Questions? Contact the Education Team at education@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x18.

• Valuation data and studies
• Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA) professional designation and use of logo
• Professional designation listing on the Earth Advantage website + marketing support
• AGA course manual and resource guide
• Tours of high performance homes (live course only)
• Affiliation with a third-party certifier of green homes
• Discounts on other Earth Advantage courses and events

This course is intended to provide appraisers with the information and resources needed to make well-supported and accurate valuation decisions for green properties. Beginning with an overview of the most current data available for the valuation of green and solar PV homes, the course then presents the cost approach as it applies to these properties. Participants will then perform an in-depth analysis of the sales comparison approach and valuation techniques that can applied to both green and non-green properties. Passing a final exam allows the student to use the designation of Accredited Green Appraiser (AGA).
Live Course Features: Site Visits to Two Certified Green Homes

"What a great class! Taylor was a very knowledgeable and effective instructor. I probably got more out of this course than any other course I've taken...especially since Green Appraising was completely new to me and he cleared up many misconceptions I had about building Green. Taylor knows and understands, first-hand, the material that was discussed. He was able to articulate his understanding of Green Building in a way that is understood by Appraisers that, otherwise, have really no Green Appraising background. I would not mind taking it again as a refresher in a couple years, especially since we are only at the beginning of valuating Green homes." 
— Ben Sadtler, AGA, Homestead Appraisal, LLC (Richmond, VA) 

"Taylor was the most interesting and informative appraisal instructor I have ever had. His knowledge and his conveyance of same is a model which I would love to see copied." 
— Melanie H. Kidd, AGA, Kidd and Company Realty, LLC (Richmond, VA)" 

"This was an excellent class - every appraiser could benefit from attending. The focus on the topic from an appraisers perspective is what made it most valuable. I would not hesitate to take a follow-up course from this excellent instructor. I would highly recommend this course to every appraiser." 
— Walt Manz, AGA, Real Estate Valuation Services (Richmond, VA) 

"The Appraising Green Homes workshop was one of the most informative and interesting class I have taken as an appraiser. It was gret to have someone fully explain the how and why of the elements of sustainable housing. I have already recommended this class to other appraisers who were unable to attend this past class. I am now confident with my evaluation of green and energy efficient elements in my appraisals." 
— Denise M. Devore, AGA, Certified Appraisals LLC (Richmond, VA) 

"Valuable insight into green build technology and useful methodology for identifying energy saving components in residential construction." 
— Robert Butler, AGA, Landguard Appraisals (Birmingham, AL) 

"I found the course to be both informative and useful. As green building trends continue to grow, this course is at the cutting edge of providing knowledge to appraisers on how to evaluate and explain to the users of their services just how 'Green' features affect the value of a property." 
— Charles Robertson III, AGA, Regal Realty LLC (Birmingham, AL) 

"Very well done! This has been the best and most enjoyable multi day CE course that I have ever taken. Taylor is well spoken and exhibits a level of erudition that is clearly lacking in most CE classes. He was knowledgeable, and well prepared and appears to have no agenda, unlike most other 'green' presenters. The Green Movement is coming, as we all know, so Taylor's course is not to be missed!" 
— Jason J Pustek, AGA, KP Appraisal Services (Silverdale, WA) 

"I greatly enjoyed the class. I can see that green homes will probably be a significant part of future building in my area, and the knowledge of appraising such properties will be a good tool for future business for my company." 
— Lori Kaiser, AGA, Kaiser Appraisal Services, Inc. (Birmingham, AL) 

"Any appraiser who did not take the Green / AGA appraisal CE Classes taught by Taylor Watkins really missed out. While I don't think that Green is here yet, it is definitely coming and taking classes like this allow appraisers to get ahead of the curve, as well as look at how appraisers will have to adapt what we do to include this new Green information as it becomes available to us. Again, thank you Taylor Watkins and Ryan Harper for making this available." 
— George E. Nervik, AGA, NationalPropertyService.com (Silverdale, WA) 

"The class helped clarify the terms of Green Building and Energy Efficiency and how they are applied. With better understanding I can now be more prepared to consider how energy efficient building and sustainability are valued by buyers and sellers." 
— Rene Drake, AGA, Drake Appraisals (Silverdale, WA) 

"Many homes in my area are beginning to include buildings strategies for energy efficiency. This course helped me to understand the effects of different energy efficient items and how to value those on my appraisals! Best CE in years!!" 
— Anonymous Survey Participant 

"Taylor Watkins presents a balanced approach to the appraisal of 'green' property. He exposes the bias and pitfalls of green appraising and explains how market derived adjustments may be demonstrated and applied." 
— Anonymous Survey Participant 

"This is an excellent course for every day appraising!" 
— Michael Small, AGA, Certified Residential Appraiser (Richmond, VA) 

"This class was very informative and distilled the 'green construction valuation challenge down to a practicle, everyday appraisal scenario." 
— William (Frank) Wright, AGA Premier Appraisal Group (Richmond, VA)

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