This year, on August 21st and 22nd, the National Association of Realtors will be hosting their Sustainability Summit in Denver at the Curtis Hotel. This invitation-only event will focus on ways to improve, maintain and promote environmental sustainability in real estate.
The list of invitees includes topic-focused, innovative and relevant guests from the 2018 Sustainability Advisory Group, the 2018 Smart Growth Advisory Board, the 2018 Green Resource Council Advisory and the 2018 NAR Leadership Team.
Consisting of presentations, panels, and discussion groups, the two-day-event covers a variety of topics such as Smart Cities’ effect on lifestyle, how to engage local and state associations, and an overview of the market response to sustainability. The event aims to increase sustainability awareness, provides a forum for deeper discussion of sustainability in real estate, and seeks to advance the association’s sustainability goals.
Given the critical role realtors play in the housing market, the Sustainable Future Summit is poised to have a positive and important impact and help stimulate dialogue towards increasing sustainability throughout the industry and in our communities.
The Summit comes at a time when consumer awareness and the demand for eco-friendly features is on the rise. NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall said “consumers continue to make it clear that environmentally friendly features and neighborhoods are an important factor in deciding where and what home to buy.” The NAR recently published the results of a survey among 112,220 active realtors to determine the interest in sustainability among home buyers. 61% of the respondents reported that their clients have demonstrated an interest in sustainability and are demanding green or eco-friendly home features. 71% of realtors who reported that including the term “energy efficient” in their listings proved to be very valuable or somewhat valuable.
The results indicate the growing trend in the industry towards sustainability and eco-friendliness. The Sustainable Future Summit offers an opportunity for industry leaders to come together to learn, discuss, and implement strategies to meet consumer demand for more environmental sustainability in our homes and communities.
