Sustainability in Real Estate


What does "sustainability" mean? In new construction it might refer to source and manufacturing of materials.  From a socioeconomic perspective, sustainability is affordability. But as realtors who predominantly deal in the transacting of existing infrastructure, sustainability within real estate is frequently referring to efficient home performance.


Realtors are stewards of the built environment. We are the first line of education for a buyer as they become a homeowner, and for a homeowner as they think ahead to selling. Our clients call us and ask our opinions. "This one room in my house is always cold, what can I do about that? What should I replace this dying boiler with? The contractor says I should insulate my basement too, is it worth it? I kind of want solar panels, but what if I sell the house in a year or two? Who do you like for heat pump installations? Will this really save me money? How do people afford all this stuff?" It's my business to understand home performance and to be able to communicate that understanding to my clients. With this goal in mind, I launched a special mini series on the For Real Estate Podcast, talking about sustainability in Maine real estate.


Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon!

Why I Care & Why Should You?

Did you know that the State of Maine has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2045? What an inspiring and ambitious goal! It fires me up. I want to know what I can do to participate in that achievement. In 2045 my children will be 29 and 26. This is their future!


According to the Maine Wont Wait Climate Action Plan, residential real estate contributes 21% of our annual carbon emissions. Commercial adds another 12% on top. That's 33% of annual carbon emissions in the state of Maine that come from real estate infrastructure.


As real estate professionals, it's our responsibility to look at that 33% and ask ourselves, what can we do? Because it's not just an abstract number. This is our industry, our community. These are our clients and friends and family. It's us, our own homes! Many of us are struggling with uncomfortable drafty homes, surging utility bills, poor indoor air quality, expensive maintenance costs. We get stuck because we don't know how to afford home performance improvements, or which steps to take first, who to call, etc.


I want to improve my community and help drop that 33% by spreading the resources and educational knowledge to support home performance improvements in Maine.

"Understand your house, the possible incentives [...] customize a plan based on the property and what [your] particular goals are" 

 Special thanks to OpBox and Nonsensible Productions, for their support making the first three episodes below. And further thanks to our location hosts, Rising Tide, and the film crew at Structure Media. Nonsensible Productions converted one of OpBox's "Hideaway" units (a modular construction made from Recycled PET Plastics!) into a mobile recording studio. OpBox delivered it for us to Rising Tide in Portland, and with the help of Structure Media, we captured some three great conversations with local Maine business leaders and renewable energy pros who are advancing home performance and sustainability education, offerings and products within real estate industry. 

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