On June 30, 2016

Removing obstacles to home energy-efficiency; Realtors® announce Energy Efficient Professionals Qualifications Registry

Vermont Realtors® (VR), the state’s Realtor® association, announced the creation of a statewide Energy Efficient Professionals Qualifications Registry (EEPQR) in a news release June 24.

“VR is creating EEPQR to address the significant hurdles facing the development of more energy-efficient homes in the marketplace,” said Isaac Chavez, CEO for Vermont Realtors®. “There exists general consensus within the real estate, construction, and banking industries that a variety of obstacles hamper the proliferation of energy-efficient homes,” he said.

VR has identified three significant obstacles:

The lack of qualified real estate appraisers available to complete credible valuation assignments on energy-efficient homes.

The lack of qualified real estate sales professionals who are capable of identifying and relaying to customers the intrinsic greater value in an energy-efficient home. Relating directly to this, information that is easy to obtain, retain, and disseminate is not available in a compelling enough way for Realtors® to capture and share.

Lending institutions, especially underwriters, lack the requisite knowledge to review an appraisal on energy-efficient homes. Further, they don’t know how to find an appraiser that possesses both technical competency and geographic competency.

Real estate and appraisal professionals in Vermont must complete a minimum of seven hours of continuing education courses to be considered for the registry. These courses are being designed to meet or exceed national and state standards for core competencies in appraising and selling “green” or high performance homes. Once the coursework is completed, an application will be submitted for review by an EEPQR committee, which will be comprised of five of the state’s leading real estate, building and appraisal professionals.

“The registry will be designed to provide a valuable resource to consumers in search of qualified professionals who can assist with the purchase, sale and appraisal of this new class of homes,” according to Helen Hossley, VR’s education director.

VR is currently working with Calypso Education and the Appraisal Institute to develop the course curriculum.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Nurse union plans day of action in Rutland, Nov. 14

November 13, 2024
By James Kent A day of action is planned to support nurses at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 6, which represents the nurses, has stated that it’s in contract negotiations with the hospital nurses ahead of their ongoing negotiations with RRMC.  The event will be held…

Winter begins at The Beast

November 13, 2024
The Killington Resort snowmaking team is putting its new high efficiency snowguns to work —  firing over 200 guns every time the temperatures warrant. Rime, Reason, Upper East Fall, Upper Great Northern and Superstar all have guns ablaze. Opening day may be soon!

Wheels for Warmth provides opportunity to help your community by donating or purchasing tires

October 23, 2024
Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 24-26—PITTSFORD—Wheels for Warmth is back, offering an excellent opportunity to give back to the community while ensuring you’re ready for winter. Whether you have tires to donate or need affordable tires for the cold months ahead, this event has you covered. Proceeds from the sale and collection of tires support heating assistance for…

Reflecting on 30 years, a short history of Sal Salmeri and Moguls

July 30, 2024
By Polly Mikula  Salmeri, 62, has been coming up to Killington for most of his life, moving here full-time 35 years ago. “I used to come up here when I was a young kid with my uncles from Weymouth, Massachusetts, we belonged to the Mercury Ski Club,” he said. “The ski club was great, we…