ECO-Agent Core Courses

The ECO-Agent certification program is built around a core of two required courses, Environmental Issues: Resources/Healthy Choices and Inside and Out.

These two courses provide a great general foundation of information and also introduce participants to local eco-professionals, environmental experts in the Asheville area who are valuable resource people.

Being an ECO-Agent doesn't make one an eco-expert, but does mean you are aware of the issues and you can direct your clients to the experts.

General course descriptions:

Course 1. Environmental Issues: Resources / Healthy Choices
This is a four-hour class that focuses on disclosure and material fact considerations related to environmental issues. Margie Meares, one of the originators of the certification program, teaches this course. It provides 4 hours of REALTOR® annual Continuing Education elective credit as well as required ECO-credit. The course fee is $50.00.

Course 2. Inside and Out
This two-day, 16-credit course provides detailed information on environmental issues inside and outside a home. It is facilitated by a variety of environmental experts from the Western NC area. A new presenter begins a new topic each hour. The course fee is $225.00.

More Detailed Descriptions:

Course 1. Environmental Issues:
Resources / Healthy Choices

As an ECO-Agent, you are not an expert, but you are expected to be aware of issues so you can assist clients in knowing how to be good stewards of their property and community, as well as stay our of legal trouble.

This course includes a number of environmental topics that could impact a transaction. Soil and water issues include sedimentation and erosion. This course provides and introduction to the problems and and some solutions.

Septic systems need to be understood. How they work and what to be aware of is covered. Private wells need to be tested for good water. There are a number of things to test for an possibly filter out.

What about Western NC air quality? How is it affected by open burning, auto emissions, other factors? This is discussed.

What is a certified HealthyBuilt Home? Every ECO-Agent needs to have at least a basic understanding of this certification and how to talk with their clients about it.

Use of alternative energy is another topic discussed. What the possibilities are and potential for tax credit information are things an ECO-Agent should be able to discuss with clients.

Conservation in Western NC is one of the topics in this course. Why is it important to the area and how is it happening? These are good things to understand.

Various other topics include recyling and waste disposal, radon, mold, lead, and electro-magnetic fields.

Course 2. Inside and Out

This two-day course gets into more detail on many of these topics. A greater understanding of the issues and meeting people who are local experts is very helpful.

Topics that may be included are:

• All about lead poisoning and how to prevent it
• Asbestos issues
• Indoor air quality, including radon and mold
• Certified HealthyBuilt Homes
• Certified Energy Star Homes
• Green building materials
• Solid waste issues and the Environmental Control Department
• Energy efficiency
• Asheville-specific issues such as growth, zoning, transportation, affordable housing, green space
• Conservation easements
• Erosion control
• Soil and water conservation
• Leaking underground storage tanks
• Domestic water systems and wells
• Greenways
• Site preparation and landscaping