Saturday, August 20, 2011

Green Real Estate Education


Real Estate Investors can see a new era coming in the green revolution. It is no longer business as usual. Years ago, all professions in real estate were forced to become part of the information age, a new information revolution. Fifteen or so years ago, in many areas hard copy paper descriptions of homes for sale and lease and commercial properties were hand delivered. When the information highway came about, computers delivered property information and allowed people to access public records and tax information, providing up-to-date statistical property reports.
We now look to the next 20 or so years from a real estate investment standpoint. In an age where values are declining, it is time to know why green can cause a major shift in a buyer's decision. A selling price is and always has been what a buyer is willing to pay. Well, thanks to the media -- through newspapers, websites and TV, especially HGTV and other stations -- education for consumers is being offered. The days of accepting a piece of real estate with the the risks of unhealthy indoor air quality are becoming fewer as consumers become educated.
Through our company, Green Real Estate Education, those in the industry have a green certification program that close to 5,000 now see as an excellent first step to understanding why green building is growing so quickly. Green Real Estate Education is educating those professions such as Real Estate Agents, Home Inspectors and Mortgage Professionals and even government professionals who are planning infrastructure for the future to spread the news that going green while considering renovations and upgrades can save money. If I think back to when I was practicing real estate, if you could give me a property to market that had special beauty, or an attribute to stand out in the marketplace, I was glad. If I showed a property that had "more to offer" than others in the neighborhood, it was exciting. A home that showed lower utility bills would not have stood out as it would today.
When we teach our certification classes, we hear agents say over and over that buyers are asking about more energy-efficient product and systems in properties. Energy Star from EPA and the Department of Energy initiatives are helping consumers realize the tax incentives available to them. Those in the industry are embracing our courses for many reasons. They want to know their part so they can become leaders in the Green Revolution.
The Realtor must understand what a green certification is. Agents and home inspectors must allow energy raters into their circle of influence. All in the real estate arena must begin to help building code officials offer fast-track permitting for those who want to renovate to become more energy efficient. Mortgage professionals, underwriters and loan processors must get in the game to understand green underwriting standards coming down the pike. Appraisers are scurrying to substantiate these green renovations and upgrades for higher value. Taking the actual direct savings in utility bills is a great start for the mortgage industry. There are special forms for energy-efficient mortgage loans for consumers.
We'll keep training so those responsible for your real estate investment can offer suggestions that can only add to its value. Make sure you look for an agent, mortgage professionals or home inspector who displays our GREEN HOUSE LOGO as a Green Certified Real Estate Professional with our Green Leadership title to lead you in the right direction. Go green save money!
Kerry Mitchell is the founder and course developer of Green Real Estate Education, which is on target to educate more than 20,000 real estate professionals in going green by 2010. Mitchell established the recognized certification for the real estate industry, the GCREP.GL. She worked for 14 years as a licensed real estate broker in Maryland and Florida, where she now resides.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2934605

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Online Web Design Training


With more individuals, and even companies, taking their products to the internet; online web design training is becoming more popular. There are various reasons for this. Below are a few.
Time
Online courses in general have the ability to fit better into your schedule. This is no different for online web design training. You can generally do the training whenever you want, and at your own pace. Because it's online you can also review anything you might want, also whenever you want.
Retention
Online web design training has an added advantage. Becuase you are taking online training to work on the web with, you can implement it right away. You don't really have to worry about retaining the information for a long period of time before you use it. Also, because you can use it right away you are more likely to remember it in the future. You can usually get the tools you need right away. Most of the programs will be available on the internet, so the chances of you forgetting the name of the program you need are slim.
Up To Date
Online web design training courses are more likely to be current. Unlike regular courses, they don't have to wait for the new semester to incorporate new information. This is a great advantage, especially when you consider how fast technology evolves.
Online Web Design Training - Availability
Last, but not least is that online web design courses are available to almost everyone. You also don't have to search for a campus. You won't have to worry about traffic because you won't have to drive to get to class. You don't have any of those added expenses to deal with either. Because you can do this when it fits, you won't need a sitter either. That means a lot of extra money saved for you. No gas, no parking permits, no fat text books, and no sitters.
It might be just me, but that adds up to a lot of savings. If you have internet service, even dial-up, you can take the training. You may have to meet other requirements for the course, such as age, but you get what I mean. If you are up to par with all their requirements you can take the course right from your living room so long as you have internet service. Since more people have busy lives, tight schedules, or limited funds; this is a huge advantage over traditional courses.
You really can't go wrong with online web design training courses. There are even a lot of courses that will teach you everything you need to know for free and once you have the course completed you will have all the tools you will need to launch your own website and start making money. To learn how to make money online through web design and forms of internet marketing visit http://www.3-day-marketing.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4887770