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Going Green

By Cindy Hodnett
HomePlace Writer

Sarah Olson has been part of the local real-estate industry for years, but the energetic Realtor recently expanded her domain by opening Leap Realty, the latest newcomer to the Triad market. Olson said the Leap Realty specializes in green and energy-efficient homes as well the traditional real-estate market, and adds that her experience and knowledge provide a unique mix of skills.

"Our clients come to us based on past service and our company business practices," Olson said. "While we promise not to lecture our clients on environmental climate change or condemn them for having a gas fireplace, we will make every step possible to make their homes a healthy and comfortable one and reduce carbon footprints of the homes we sell by donations to renewable technologies."

Olson is one of the Triad's first EcoBrokers, and she has earned her Green Advantage certification and completed the Certified Home Inspectors Green Building Certification course. Olson is also a member of EcoBroker International, the Sierra Club, Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Piedmont Charter of United Green Building Council, Western North Carolina Green Building Council and the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem. Through Leap Realty, she plans to adopt green practices in the office and on the road.

"There are so many layers of green," Olson said. "Green building treats the home and the site as a system. Each working part affects another. Understanding how it all works can be overwhelming, which is why it is so important for consumers to find the professionals — whether builder, Realtor or energy rater — that can break it down for them.

"Energy Star-certified homes have been third-party verified, which is essentially proof that the home is efficient," Olson said. "While these construction and certification technique costs are higher than building those of a traditional home, the consumer benefits with much lower utility bills and a healthier home for their family, and it's better for the environment, too. All those benefits add up to a lower monthly cost, even when the purchase price is higher."

At the Leap Realty offices, Olson is implementing several strategies to ensure that her company is also green in its daily business practices. She chooses products that have less of a carbon footprint, incorporates tablet personal computers so documents may be signed, e-mailed and faxed electronically, and supports companies that choose environmentally responsible business practices.

"Going green [with the company] was just the next step," Olson said. "We make changes at home in the amount of recycling we do, the cleaning products we use. We change our light bulbs to CFLs, we reduce our water consumption and seal up our air leaks. Taking those same principals and putting them into place at work only makes sense to us."

Olson believes that there will be a growing demand for companies like Leap Realty as more people turn to green and energy-efficient practices.

"Consumers are already aware that the real-estate market has changed," she said. "They are also driving the change for the way homes are built. Consumers want more efficient properties that are less burdensome on their pocketbooks. They look for healthier homes with childhood asthma at an all-time high. Whether they search for homes that have been upfitted for energy-efficient improvements or look to purchase new energy-efficient homes, consumers want change. Other areas of the country are far ahead of our local market when it comes to green and energy-efficient homes, and the wave is coming, and has already been through Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, as well as Asheville. Homes that provide value-added benefits will be the ones that sell quickly."