Homes in Charleston SC - The Definition of Green.

Posted By: nat wallen In: Green Living in Charleston SC
Date: Thu, Apr 26th 2012 6:45 am

"It is getting easier being green"

Well, I thought I knew what "being green" was. I really did. Of course the definition for me has changed over time and I am sure it has for many.  

At one time in my career, “being green” meant that I had little to no experience. That everything was new. And that I knew very little when it came to selling homes in Charleston, SC. Of course, I was “green” back in 1995.  Everyone has to start somewhere when it comes to a new career.

Several years passed and the issues of our world and the health of the planet became more prevalent in the media. “Green” had begun to make it’s way into the psyche of our culture, but still it seemed like it was “not really my problem”.

Don’t get me wrong. It is not that I did not care. When the thought of being green was so new, like many, I felt like it was something the scientists were concerned with. I was busy just trying to sell homes. There was not much time to worry about anything else. You know, life was really busy.

A few years passed and I really thought that being green was mostly about me recycling my waste. Even by the time it became standard practice and when I joined the early majority of recyclers, I still was not doing it to the best of my ability. There was a certain, how shall I put it??? “things seemed to get in the way” factor. (I never had enough bins, they were always full, I was not a good sorter.) Excuses? Yes. But real barriers to me doing the right thing? Yes again.

Well a few months ago, the path of resistance was minimized in my neighborhood. In fact, the trip from garage with my new oversized, roller recycling bin to the edge of my driveway became the “path of least resistance”, and now that I no longer have to sort the recycling into multiple blue bins, my life and the life of my family is becoming greener and greener. In fact, contrary to what Kermit the frog may say, it is now becoming “easy to be green”. I now recycle the majority of the materials in my home and the regular trash can has now been reduced from a full can to maybe 1 full bag each week.

Now my green world has been taken to the next level. In fact, just within the past few days my definition of “being green’ has changed dramatically. After several class room discussions over several long days sitting in a chair, I have become a certified “Green” real estate agent.

I must say, after taking years of continuing education courses on the same dry subject of proper representation, disclosure laws, ethics in real estate, this 3 day intensified training course has been a real eye opener.

I am no expert, but I do now know the questions to consider. The challenges to overcome to ensure a healthier today and the expert advice to seek to help plan for a better tomorrow. I can now do this for the kids of my children’s kids and even the kids of my real estate client’s children's kids if they would like. (say that three times fast!)

To start the discussion, there are many smart steps builders are taking today. Deciding on what materials they use when building is such a small part. In fact, taking a few steps back to where the original materials come from, how they are harvested, how they are transported to us are all variables to consider. Is Bamboo flooring really green when it is shipped all the way from China? Perhaps.

There are so many pieces and parts that have changed the definition of “being green” for me, that I plan to expand this blog to really uncover what is happening right underneath our noses and what we can do to insert green into your quest for knowledge about homes in Charleston, SC.

Tune into (or hey, even subscribe to this blog) for more on “being green” in Charleston. Here is a teaser... Did you know that they make solar panels that blend right into your roof and that they look just like shingles? - Who would have known? (not me until just a few days ago).

I am always wanting to learn more. So, here is a question...

What is your definition of “being green”?

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Nat Wallen is a Realtor in Charleston SC specializing in residential property sales. He has been licensed since 1995 and is the top listing agent with Carolina One Real Estate. Carolina One Real Estate is the largest company in the Charleston SC area of 700 plus agents. NOTE: Nat Wallen never solicits consumers interacting with his blog unless requested. YOUR comments are encouraged and welcomed. Thanks!