Training Catalog

Earth Advantage Broker

Overview
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The Earth Advantage Broker accreditation course provides real estate professionals with a competitive edge in communicating features and benefits for green and energy efficient home opportunities in their market.  

Are you prepared to meet increasing homebuyer demand for healthy, comfortable, efficient homes?  
A nationwide study in 2016* found that 81% of people who expect to buy a new home in the next two years say higher energy efficiency would cause them to choose one home over another AND that they would be willing to pay more for a healthier home. Policies and programs are also growing the green home market, such as the City of Portland Home Energy Score Program and the more than 1 in 3 new homes built in Oregon that have earned an EPS® from Energy Trust of Oregon demonstrating they perform an average of 22% better than code-built homes.  

The big picture shows a dramatic rise in the popularity of green and energy efficient homes that provide a healthier living environment and greater energy, water, and resource efficiency. Stay on top of your game by becoming an Earth Advantage Broker so you can continue to exceed homebuyer expectations with savvy information and recommendations. 

Learn how to upgrade or sell a green home and market yourself as a green professional. 
Homebuyers and sellers rely on their real estate agents to provide influential guidance, and yet a 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors** shows that only 39% of realtors are comfortable answering clients' questions about energy efficiency. Homebuyers with ready access to the internet will expect you to know more and be a trusted advisor in their purchasing decisions. Being a 'green professional' means you are ahead of the curve and understand how houses are changing. In order to best serve your clients, you will be expected to have earned a green designation proving that you have knowledge of the green home market, can discuss green features and benefits, and recommend the best ways to upgrade.  

A 'Newly Remodeled' Training 
Earth Advantage Broker has been updated in 2018 and now provides the most relevant and must-know green home information designed to help real estate professionals.  

New resources. New activities. New modular approach:

Earn the Earth Advantage Broker Accreditation 

Take the course & pass the accreditation exam in order to become an EA Broker. Earth Advantage provides marketing support in the form of logos and a professional listing on the accredited professionals registry to help you display and promote your green credential to future clients.  

Maintaining Your Accreditation  
Brokers must earn 4 CEs in green real estate education every 2 yrs to maintain the EA Broker designation. Earth Advantage regularly offers high quality, relevant education courses via in-person, online and webinar formats. Learn more here >>

Questions? Contact the Education Team at education@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x66

*Statistic from Energy Pulse 2016 - Shelton Communication Group, Inc. 
** Statistic from Sustainability Report 2017 - National Association of REALTORS®

Interested in delivering our green broker courses in your area? Click here.


Questions? Contact Heather Kendall at hkendall@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x20


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Learning Objectives
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  • Become a trusted advisor for your clients
  • Gain more referrals and differentiate yourself as a green professional 
  • Access Earth Advantage Broker logo, marketing support, manual, and resource guide
  • Receive customer leads through Earth Advantage's directory of accredited professionals. 
  • Gain membership to the Earth Advantage Broker network of over 2,000 brokers across 10 states
  • Earn discounts on future Earth Advantage courses and events

BENEFITS

  • Communicate the benefits of different must-know products and features to clients with varying values and needs
  • Recommend existing home upgrade options, incentives, rebates, and ROIs
  • Understand the ins-and-outs of a green home
  • Benefit your clients by providing timely solar PV info
  • Market and explain green home certifications and energy scores
  • Gain resources for financing and appraising green homes
  • Walk away with expertise on smart homes, millennials, MLS green fields, and so much more! 
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Audience
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This course has primarily been designed for Real Estate Professionals.

Reviews
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"I just completed an AMAZING training with Earth Advantage- WOW! This was one of the clearest, most practical, easiest to digest, and most fun certification courses ever! I will be able to apply the content directly to my work as a REALTOR.... Thank you Earth Advantage for a crystal clear view into home energy efficiency and the world of sustainable building. It was a pleasure!"
- Tracey Lockwood, Green Lynx Realty (Roanoke, VA)
"The Earth Advantage Broker course was excellent! (and I am hard to please) The complex information was communicated clearly without over simplifying it. I came away hopeful that I can make a difference. I look forward to further educational opportunities with Earth Advantage." 
- Holly Burton, co-owner Urban Nest Realty (Portland, OR) 

"Truly the best and most beneficial class I have ever attended for Real Estate. I want to thank Earth Advantage and Carina for providing this great class that will be an invaluable resource in my business, and even more so in my personal life! The class instructor, Taylor, is a superb communicator and passionate about the principles of sustainability. Thank you for your investment into my business and life!"
- Chris Bernard - Better Homes & Garden NW Living (Portland, OR)

"I have been in the business over 20 years and have taken many classes. This would rate on the top for long- lasting effect in my business and personal life. Since the class, my mind set has changed. I've told clients and agents this is the future. We all need to do our share. Thanks for the opportunity."
– Sherry Adcock | First Realty (Auburn, AL)
 
"Wonderful and pertinent class! The Earth Advantage Broker program is an indispensable tool for Realtors to professionally represent the new trends in building and design, and is invaluable in helping us to educate our clients on the durability, safety, and cost effectiveness of green products, practices, homes."
– Jenifer Jepson | The Hasson Company (Portland, OR)
 
"I would like to thank EarthAdvantage for the comprehensive look at the "world of home efficiency". This course gave an indepth look at each component that effects a home's makeup from conception to finish and considerations that a family would have to look into to make the appropriate decisions for their lifestyle and family. It also showed us the unique advantage in the marketing an energy efficient home that we have over others who have not taken the course. I would recommend that all Brokers and Realtors take this course and gain the EarthAdvantage!"
– Eugenic Lee | Your Realty Company (Montgomery, AL)

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​Maintaining Your Accreditation
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Brokers must earn 4 CEs in green real estate education every 2 yrs to maintain the EA Broker designation.

There are several opportunities to satisfy the CE requirements:

Earth Advantage Courses​

  • If you took EA Broker before 2018, we highly recommend that you take the updated course again as a refresher. EA Broker is offered in both live and online formats. 
  • You can visit our Education Calendar to browse courses currently being offered, or sign up for updates on other courses.
  • CEs for an Earth Advantage course will be automatically applied to your renewal after completion. 
Approved Courses from Other Providers
  • You can browse this list of courses from other providers that Earth Advantage has approved.
  • You will need to submit the Accreditation Renewal Form if you take a course from a provider besides Earth Advantage.
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CEs & Cost
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Online Course

Course Fee
$145 | General Admission
*Regularly $195 - Thanks in part to support from Energy Trust of Oregon

Continuing Education
OR Real Estate Agency: 8 CEs 
Earth Advantage Broker Renewal: 8 CEs
CCB: 8 CEs

Live Course 

Course Fee
$245 | General Admission
*Group Discounts are available for 3 or more. Custom live courses can be delivered at realtor firm offices at a substantial discount. Email education@earthadvantage.org to learn more. 
*Additional discounts may be available - check 'Upcoming Sessions' above. 

Continuing Education
OR Real Estate Agency: 14 CEs 
Earth Advantage Broker Renewal: 14 CEs
CCB: 14 CEs

Questions? Contact the Education Team at education@earthadvantage.org or (503) 968-7160 x66