Connect with others who are working to Green the MLS!
View examples of existing green MLS data entry forms.
Step 1 - Create a Team & Goals that Cross Industries
As the graphic below shows, good Green MLS serves several players that cross industries: builders or contractors, REALTORS®, appraisers, lenders and the public. Thus it is critical that Green MLS design be driven by a team that reflects all the different players and their unique user scenarios. The goals for Green MLS design should also reflect their collective interests.
Assembling the Team
Finding team members for a greening effort should not be difficult. First seek out those who already have been involved in green real estate. A good way to start is by looking for NAR Green Designees or EcoBrokers® within your organization. Such people will likely have knowledge of, an interest in, and a passion for such an effort. They also understand how green initiatives pertain to the real estate industry.
Next, scour your community for professions and organizations that already have green criteria or credentialing in place. Possibilities include building trades and industrial trades, service-sector businesses, and community-based and public service organizations.
Having stakeholders with different levels of expertise and knowledge tend to enrich the innovative spirit of the team, and the strategy can forge strong bonds between your organization and like-minded professionals.
The tool kit's case studies indicate that the green champion in each situation brought together decision makers from the MLS, green home builders, green building consultants, architects, and real estate licensees. Such professionals tend to be knowledgeable about the market, the types of homes being built, and the features being incorporated into properties. Having a well-rounded team, representative of the industry as a whole, helps to ensure that the needs of each segment are met.
Cooperating with your neighboring MLSs and paying attention to national standards and trends are an important part of any growth or change to the MLS's data structure. So researching existing standards and looking at what neighboring MLSs include can help to ensure that your lookup options are robust and relevant, but not excessive.
They can include national certifications, such as LEED-H or the National Green Building Standard, local and regional certification programs, as well as individual features, such as efficient windows and HVAC systems.
Understand that greening your organization will require a shared philosophical approach about how you will do business, along with a commitment from the team to see the project through the long haul. Going green will change the way your organization does things. In addition, creating the culture of green will be a great deal easier with a team made up of stakeholders with differing ideas, interests, and incentives than a team of like-minded individuals focused on a single outcome.
Author — Kim Pontius and Carson Matthews
Goals and Objectives
As you establish goals and objectives for greening the MLS, it is important to consider local market trends. After all, incorporating market-specific and region-specific green certifications and features makes it easier for brokers, sales people, appraisers and consumers to recognize and understand them.
Some questions to consider before starting the green process include:
- How does a greening effort fit with the organization's strategic and budget plan? Make sure the Board of Directors understands the effect of a green MLS initiative on planning and budgeting.
- What does it mean for the organization to be green? The term "green" has become ubiquitous and it has different meanings to different people. It is helpful to have a clear definition so that stakeholders understand your meaning. Also, a clear understanding will make stakeholders more open to opting in on a greening initiative.
- What does the concept of "green" mean to you? Piloting a new green program typically requires a personal commitment from leadership, and your enthusiasm can become contagious and spread virally through the organization.
Resources
Recently, the state energy office in Colorado helped support a Green MLS standard that addressed the needs of several MLS market areas across the State. The case study reflects effective team building and goal setting strategies. Click here to access the Colorado case study.
