Subscribe to our newsletter
Press Releases
The following is a collection of Press Releases issued by Green Key Real Estate.
Press Releases by Year
____________________________
2009
Green Key Real Estate and New Home, Inc. Sign Strategic Alliance
GREEN KEY AGENTS WILL STAFF ALL NEW HOME STORES STARTING IN SAN RAFAEL
March 9, 2009
San Francisco, CA - Green Key Real Estate is very pleased to announce a strategic business alliance with New Home, Inc. New Home is taking HOME DEPOT and LOWES head on to become the #1 supplier of green building materials in North America using a novel “Apple Store” approach. New Home offers nearly 200,000 green building materials, a full gamut of green services and free daily education for consumers and professionals in a hybrid eCommerce/physical showroom business model. New Home is a platform for manufacturers, consumers, distributors, industry professionals, education providers and regulatory agencies. They intend to make going green both convenient and inexpensive by opening high tech physical showrooms throughout the Bay Area.
Starting in their first showroom in San Rafael which is getting ready to open in April, Green Key Real Estate will have agents on site. These agents will be available to consult with New Home shoppers on preparing their home for sale or embarking on the home buying process. The New Home alliance will help Green Key offer a superior green professional experience.
“We see the alliance with New Home as a logical fit. Homeowners want to know how greening their home can add value and help differentiate their home when it comes time to sell. Home buyers want to know what they can do to their new home to make it as energy efficient and healthy as possible.” said Chris Bartle, CEO of Green Key Real Estate. “Green Key agents are all trained to address just these types of issues and having green building products and services available all under one roof at New Home makes it even easier for our clients to get their projects done.”
Whether preparing their home for sale by greening aspects of it, or greening their home before they move in, homeowners need a one stop shop for green building materials and service providers. New Home is just that. Online or in person, the Green Key agent in the New Home showroom can facilitate the process. Rich Rifkin, CEO of New Home, Inc. is quotes saying, “this is a win-win-win-win relationship – New Home and Green Key derive benefit and increased value from collaboration and integration, and more importantly the consumers and environment become closer in compatibility.”
Green Key Real Estate is the first and only national real estate franchise specializing in green building and remodeling. Green Key's certified Eco-Brokers® are uniquely qualified to drive environmentally progressive and socially just principles and practices into the home buying process. A certified green business, Green Key is leading by example by minimizing it's paper usage, offsetting the energy used in their offices and by their agents, recycling and composting most office waste, donating a portion of their profits to green organizations and respecting tenants and home owners' rights. Most recently they have committed to contribute 10% of their gross commissions toward greening the homes they sell.
More information about New Home can be found at: www.newhomeinc.com/about and be sure to check out their website at New Home, Inc.
For more information, contact:
Chris Bartle, CEO and President
(415) 750-1120 Office
(415) 793-0215 Cell
info@greenkeyrealestate.com
Back to top
____________________________
2008
GREEN KEY REAL ESTATE TO CONTRIBUTE 10% of GROSS COMMISSIONS TOWARD GREENING ALL HOMES SOLD
NEW WEB SITE SHOWCASES SEARCHABLE GREEN FEATURES AND GREEN RATINGS
November 13, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Green Key Real Estate, the nation’s first residential real estate franchise dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity, announced today that agents and brokers at their San Francisco and San Mateo offices – whether representing sellers, buyers or both - will contribute 10% of their gross commissions toward greening the homes they sell.
“This new policy takes our commitment to greening the homes we sell one step further,” said Chris Bartle, CEO and president of Green Key Real Estate, which he founded in 2005. “The point of sale is a perfect time for homeowners to green their existing homes, which account for 21% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the US. By dedicating 10% of our commissions to improving the energy efficiency of the homes we sell, we will directly reduce that impact on our environment”
Green Key also launched their new company web site– http://www.greenkeyrealestate.com – which offers the latest news in green building and real estate, the ability to search and save MLS listings, and search for green features and ratings as well.
“This is the first site of its kind that allows home buyers to search for LEED certifications, GreenPoint Ratings, solar panels and radiant floor heating systems among many others in addition to price, square footage and other standard criteria for home buying” added Bartle.
Over the past year, Green Key Real Estate has successfully opened its first 3 franchises in Oakland, Burlingame, and Petaluma California, in addition to its flagship office in San Francisco. They have over 25 agents in the Bay Area and they are on track to more than double revenues in 2008. They plan to grow to 20 locations nationwide within the next 12-15 months.
“We’re rolling out this new program in San Francisco and San Mateo counties and expect our other offices to follow shortly” said Bartle. “We’re very excited to be one of the first Green Key offices to offer this new service to our clients. This is the kind of market leadership we embrace and is exactly why we became a Green Key Real Estate franchise”, said Thomas Neece, broker/owner of Green Key Real Estate – Burlingame/San Mateo.
Despite the downturn in residential real estate markets around the country, green building and remodeling continues to take off, and the need for trained passionate agents to market and sell those green homes is ever increasing. “Our unique franchise opportunity is being well received in states as diverse as Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, Iowa, Florida, New York, Washington and Oregon, as well as throughout California.” said Bartle.
Green Key Real Estate
Green Key Real Estate is a San Francisco-based real estate franchise specializing in green building and remodeling. Green Key's certified Eco-Brokers® are uniquely qualified to drive environmentally progressive and socially just principles and practices into the home buying process. A certified green business, Green Key is leading by example by minimizing it's paper usage, offsetting the energy used in their offices and by their agents, recycling and composting most office waste, donating a portion of their profits to green organizations and respecting tenants and home owners' rights. Most recently they have committed to contribute 10% of their gross commissions toward greening the homes they sell.
# # #
For Media, Investor, Franchise, and Employment Inquiries:
Chris Bartle, CEO and President
(415) 655-4551 Office
(415) 793-0215 Cell
media@greenkeyrealestate.com
investors@greenkeyrealestate.com
franchise@greenkeyrealestate.com
employment@greenkeyrealestate.com
Back to top
____________________________
2007
Company adds agents to help buyers and sellers concerned about sustainability.
Green Key Founder and President Chris Bartle announces nationwide franchise opportunities in residential green real estate
San Francisco, CA, September 26, 2007 Green Key Real Estate, San Francisco's first and only residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity, announced last week the company's aggressive plans to franchise over the coming year.
The announcement was made at the West Coast Green Residential Building Conference and Expo, the largest-scale expo focused entirely on residential green building and remodeling.
Green Key Real Estate is a certified San Francisco Green Business and a member of Co-Op America's Green Business Network. Bartle is a licensed California real estate broker and certified EcoBroker and Green Building Professional. Bartle has 20 years of business experience and has devoted the last six years working to establish San Francisco as the greenest city in the world by aligning his business ventures with a core value system based in sustainability.
The decision to expand Green Key's flagship San Francisco office and franchise the company's unique business model to other areas of the country comes at a key inflection point in the real estate market, said Bartle. Socially conscious home owners, buyers and sellers need expert advice and information on how to green their homes in order to mitigate climate change, reduce their carbon footprint and increase property values. We have an opportunity to meet this demand in San Francisco and beyond by educating, empowering and enriching property buyers and sellers through awareness of green building and remodeling practices.
Over the past year, Green Key Real Estate has doubled its San Francisco office, adding four new agents, and increasing revenue 100%. It plans to expand to grow to 20 locations within the next 18 months. The company is currently recruiting agents for San Francisco, Marin and the East Bay and accepting inquiries for investment and franchise opportunities. Please call 415-793-0215 or email chris@greenkeyrealestate.com.
About Green Key Real Estate
Green Key Real Estate is San Francisco's first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity. Certified as both a San Francisco Green Business and an EcoBroker, Green Key Real Estate conducts its operations in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, with recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing, and carbon-offset programs. By focusing exclusively on the San Francisco market, Green Key is able to empower buyers and enrich sellers, while educating all homeowners about green building and remodeling practices.
# # #
Press Contact:
Rebecca Geller
(415) 750-1120
press@greenkeyrealestate.com
For Investor, Franchise, and Employment Inquiries:
Chris Bartle
(415) 793-0215
investors@greenkeyrealestate.com
franchise@greenkeyrealestate.com
employment@greenkeyrealestate.com
Back to top
____________________________
Green Key Real Estate Founder Elected to Build It Green Board of Directors
Broker Chris Bartle helps organization accelerate the adoption of green building practices, policies and programs across California.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 5, 2007 -- Green Key Real Estate (http://www.greenkeyrealestate.com), the Bay Area's first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity, announced the election of founder Chris Bartle to the Board of Directors for Build It Green (http://www.builditgreen.org), a professional non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource-efficient buildings in California. The 14-member Board of Directors is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the 200+ member organization with an annual budget of $1.9 million. Bartle was elected from a group of over 40 real estate professionals working to develop green building financial products and sales tools to encourage consumer interest in green real estate options.
"Chris' leadership and management experience will be valuable assets to our Board," said Donald Simon, Build It Green's Board President. "His passion for sustainability, business, strategy and green real estate, coupled with his previous experience on three non-profit boards will be invaluable as we set Build It Green's direction for the next two years," said Simon.
Supported by a solid foundation of outreach and education, Build It Green connects consumers and building professionals with the tools and technical expertise they need to build quality green buildings. Build It Green fosters collaboration with key stakeholder groups by providing technical information and assistance, professional training, workshops and presentations, and green home tours. Build It Green's next Green Home Tour, scheduled for May 20, 2007, will showcase homes in Marin and Sonoma Counties.
"I am honored to be elected to the Board of Build It Green, one of the most important and influential residential green building organizations in the country," said Bartle. "Fellow board members are an impressive mix of leaders from industry, government and non-profit sectors. This strategic leadership combined with outstanding staff will result in measurable progress in advancing residential green building in 2007 and beyond."
Green building and remodeling helps home buyers and sellers meet both their economic and environmental objectives as the real estate market returns to normal levels. While remaining flat across the Bay Area as a whole, February 2007 median home prices actually rose in San Francisco (2.4%; $757,500) and Marin (3.8%; $829,000) according to DataQuick Information Systems (http://www.dataquick.com/), a real estate research firm based in La Jolla, California. Green Key has offices and agents in both San Francisco and Marin County.
About Green Key Real Estate
Green Key Real Estate is the Bay Area's first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity. Certified as both a San Francisco Green Business and an EcoBroker, Green Key conducts its operations in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, with recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing and carbon-offset programs. By focusing on the San Francisco and Marin market, Green Key is able to empower buyers and enrich sellers, while educating all homeowners about green building and remodeling practices. For more information about Green Key's offerings or the San Francisco residential real estate market, call 415-750-1120 or visit http://www.greenkeyrealestate.com
Back to top
____________________________
Green Key Real Estate Opens Office in Marin Targeting Environmentally Conscious Consumers
Company adds agents to help buyers and sellers concerned about sustainability.
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, Jan. 10 2007 -/E-Wire/-- Green Key Real Estate, the Bay Area's first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity, today announced the opening of a second office in the Bay Area to better serve the burgeoning needs of green-minded buyers and sellers. Green Key's second office is located in Marin County and managed by the husband and wife team of Cam and Pam Andrews. Licensed as REALTORS®, and certified under the nationwide EcoBroker program, the Andrews aim to educate buyers and sellers about energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable building materials while developing long-lasting client relationships.
"Concern for the environment and the desire to own your own home mesh perfectly in Marin County," said Green Key president Chris Bartle. "Cam and Pam are committed to upholding the ecological values found in Marin County while helping buyers and sellers achieve their financial objectives. They're a tremendous resource for the area and Green Key is very fortunate to have them as part of the team," said Bartle.
Cam Andrews is well known within the real estate industry in Marin County and has been honored by his peers for his professionalism and negotiation skills. His previous experience at Frank Howard Allen and Prudential Real Estate laid the foundation for outstanding client service. Prior to becoming a licensed REALTOR, Pam Andrews was a successful graphic designer for companies such as Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn. She uses those graphic design skills to market her clients' homes in environmentally responsible ways such as using 100% post-consumer paper and partnering with printers that are Green Business Certified.
Marin County has been a leader in green building for decades. Whether with solar panels or green building materials, Marin homeowners learned early on about the health and economic advantages of building a green home. Now, Cam and Pam are available to help those homeowners sell their homes to people who will appreciate the benefits of those green features. They can also connect new homeowners with qualified green professionals to make their new home as healthy and energy efficient as possible. Their knowledge in green building and remodeling will be a huge asset to their clients.
About Green Key Real Estate
Green Key Real Estate is the Bay Area's first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity. Certified as both a San Francisco Green Business and an EcoBroker, Green Key conducts its operations in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, with recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing, and carbon-offset programs. By focusing on the San Francisco and Marin market, Green Key is able to empower buyers and enrich sellers, while educating all homeowners about green building and remodeling practices. For more information about Green Key's offerings or the San Francisco residential real estate market, call 415-750-1120 or visit www.greenkeyrealestate.com.
____________________________
2006
Certified Green Real Estate Brokerage Helps San Franciscans Find The Natural Way Home
Green Key Real Estate targets buyers and sellers concerned about sustainability.
San Francisco, CA (January 23, 2006) — Green Key Real Estate, San Francisco’s first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity, today unlocked its doors to buyers and sellers looking for experienced agents. Despite initial concerns that the real estate market would ‘burst’, it appears more likely now that it will simply return to more normal levels. Home buyers, especially first-time buyers, are well positioned to find the right home while sellers will continue to receive great prices. Green Key’s real estate expertise coupled with its commitment to sustainable business practices will help buyers and sellers achieve their combined economic and environmental goals.
“San Franciscans have always been concerned about how their lives align with core values of sustainability,” said Green Key president Chris Bartle. “From food to transportation to investing, they’re choosing products and services that both meet their needs and fit with their green agendas. Selecting a real estate firm that conducts its operations in an environmentally and socially responsible manner is a logical extension of these values,” said Bartle.
Auditors from San Francisco’s Green Business Program have certified that Green Key minimizes its impact on the environment through recycling and environmentally preferable purchasing programs. Green Key is also a certified EcoBroker, demonstrating specific agent training in environmental issues such as radon, asbestos, lead, mold, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency, among others. It has also formed a relationship with the San Francisco Tenants Union to recognize and avoid unfair Ellis Act tenant evictions, and will donate portions of its profits to local green building organizations such as Build It Green.
With over 3000 licensed real estate professionals in San Francisco alone, it is difficult for home buyers and sellers to objectively choose an agent. Coupling real estate expertise with environmental and social consciousness benefits everyone by helping to uncover a property’s greatest overall value, which is especially important in a city with a median home price of $727,000.
About Green Key Real Estate
Green Key Real Estate is San Francisco’s first residential real estate brokerage dedicated to environmental responsibility and social equity. Certified as both a San Francisco Green Business and an EcoBroker, Green Key conducts its operations in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, with recycling, environmentally preferable purchasing, and carbon-offset programs. By focusing exclusively on the San Francisco market, Green Key is able to empower buyers and enrich sellers, while educating all homeowners about green building and remodeling practices. For more information about Green Key’s offerings or the San Francisco residential real estate market, call 415-750-1120 or visit www.greenkeyrealestate.com.
