Green Is The Word for 2018

Have you made your 2018 resolution list yet? May we encourage you to place “going green” as a renewed commitment to your list?  

As Berkeley Hills Realty heads into the new year, we are more deeply committed to our community and service to our clients. One of the aspects of our company we are very proud of is our our designation as a “Green Business” by the City of Berkeley.   The program, conceived in 2010, started with ten businesses and now has over 189 participants working to ensure that our footprint as local business owners is mitigated as much as possible. The program certifies and promotes businesses that have met rigorous standards of environmental performance.

We have gone even a step farther and many of us are NAR Green certified.  This means we went through specialized training by the National Association of Realtors to understand all the ways we can help our clients be as energy efficient and sustainable as possible.

Here are a few ways that we have “gone green”:    

1. Our office, by using cloud technology, is almost paperless. By using a cloud transaction management platform, not only have we cut paper waste, but have increased the transparency of the real estate transaction for our client. Each of our clients has the ability to view all of the transaction documents on the cloud at any time they choose. (We are happy to show you how efficient we are in our transactions!)
2. We recycle, use eco-friendly cleaners and even hold E-Waste drop off days during the year to help our neighbors.
3. Our website has links to dozens of resources for homeowners and businesses to “go green”, too. https://berkhills.com/green-living/
4. Being located right on Solano Avenue gives our staff and fellow Realtors a chance to stay out of their cars as the walkability of the neighborhood is fantastic. We are surrounded with great restaurants, cafes and small shops.

You can be green, too!

Did you know that you can recycle your Christmas tree?  The East Bay Sanitary Company is offering to pick up unflocked, natural Christmas trees free of tinsel, ornaments, stands, etc. The trees will be collected as part of your green waste pick up on your scheduled collection day through the second full week of January. After that period you can contact them to arrange for tree removal for a charge. If possible, they request that trees be cut down and placed in your green waste cart. If this is not possible, place your tree next to your green waste cart and it will be taken.

The Ecology Center of the East Bay has some great tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday Season, which includes being more mindful of wrapping paper and post consumer waste from your holiday festivities.

Advice For Home Sellers and Buyers

When working with home sellers, oftentimes, we will point out ways to make the home more energy efficient to increase the value of the home. We also lend our advice to new homebuyers, so they can realize the cost savings of such things as LED lighting, insulation, energy efficient appliances, and more.

We also work with our clients to look at aspects of the area to help them reduce their carbon footprint such as the walkability of the neighborhood, how close they are to public transportation such as BART and buses, and farmers markets and stores that sell locally grown food.

Here are some great resources to help you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in 2018 and beyond!

Happy holidays to all from Berkeley Hills Realty and we hope your holidays are merry, bright and green!