North Shore Real Estate Greening and Sustainability

Sustainability issues that jump to mind are, firstly, can the market sustain its “value” levels, however, far more importantly, can we sustain our quality of life (or improve it?).

An issue that I, as a Realtor, have for years been concerned about is the amount of paper we consume (let’s not get into the gasoline!). The main abuse is clearly the countless flyers, notepads, “I have just sold…” and the like, primarily intended to market the practitioner and keep their name front and centre. Assuming that 1 in 20 of these pieces gets at least a cursory glance (and ALL end up in the garbage – or at best recycling), this is of questionable socially responsibility. I stopped mailing out my “update” about 4 years ago and confined its distribution to a) an e-mail “opt-in” list – now over 600; b) the North Shore News; c) my own website and d) Ozzie Jurock’s website.

I am more than pleased with the level of readership and the questions, comments and contact I receive as a result of this non-intrusive marketing. 2006 was my best year yet. Happy to say I featured in the Re/Max Crest’s top 18 awards –and am one of only 8 individual Realtors in that group vs. the other 10 who are heads of “teams” with up to 7 assistants.

This year I pledge to continue my personalized service and further reduce my business ecological “footprint”. A new initiative is the “radio” (podcast) library which I am creating. All “Updates”, reports and information articles, checklists etc. will be archived on my website and available for download or desktop listening 24/7. You can access the information you seek when the spirit moves and not when someone pushes yet another flyer into your mailbox. I am most excited about these developments – visit my website for a “test drive”! Input as to the topics for “programming” you feel would be of interest is strongly sought. Please e-mail or call me.

“With 2007 listings emerging tentatively, it’s most likely that January ‘07 will be a low volume month!” – quote from Jan/07 Update. How did we do? Bear in mind that we’re comparing one month last year to one this year – average figures become more meaningful as a “year to date” comparison with “more” months emerges.