Transparent, translucent or ???

Seth had a good post today that shone a light on a key obstacle in garnering more interest in energy efficiency among the public and the agents who represent them. Read the post here. 

This post was one of those Ah Ha!! moments getting to the heart of the difficulty with energy efficiency. Much of real estate marketing targets the "glow" of houses--their essence, the ambiance they create. I know better than most the impact possible-it's what I try to discover with my photographs. How do you make energy efficiency GLOW??

The technicians, those who promote rebates/incentives, the lenders pushing EEM/203K mortgages etc, etc seem a little light in the "glow" department too.

Most agents, focused on the "glow" of houses (and the commission check) don't want another part of the business to depart from positive feelings and experiences. The forms, disclosures and other legal threats that play a huge part in the real estate business (and make the trade organizations huge profits) offer essentially no positive feelings. Ever hear anyone say--OMG!! That new disclosure is just so special--the "glow" is almost too much to take!! With the legal morass, if you do everything perfectly and you're lucky, nothing happens. How uplifting is that?

How can we put the GLOW in energy efficiency? I saw a TED video of Nancy Duarte last week and her principles might offer an answer to reaching a glow state and resonance with agents and the public. STORIES and VISUALS. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned from the automakers--fuel efficient cars aren't very exciting, but people buy them--there's a certain mystique there. What about houses?

There is a nexus between energy efficiency and a future where humans can still achieve a quality lifestyle accented by a healthy planet and biota. Sunsets, misty forests, healthy croplands should help to define a desirable "glow".

Back from the undead

Been over a month--January got started, the EFH continued in post closing period and then there was state association meeting in Palm Desert and then I got the VERY NASTY COLD that's been cutting wide swath across the Central Coast. Been sick 11 days now--back to about 80%. Also backlogged on work and short on patience.

http://garyvaynerchuk.com/post/17044018609/a-rant-from-the-heart-hip-and-head

The above is a VERY MOVING 9 minute piece by Gary that could change your life or at least make you think about changing it. It will also make you feel deep regret for all the times you didn't swing at the pitch or ask the gorgeous, but quirky girl out or take the chance to fail in a really big way. That's life! I don't beat myself up too must with the regrets at this stage, but I'm not comfortable with them, either. I still firmly believe I can do great things with the time left. The fact I'm in a business that really doesn't operate in a way that values passion and innovation is just that much bigger a challenge. I'm still inspired by the public and an industry that really isn't that concerned with meeting its wants and needs. Real estate is listed and sold on terms that work for the real estate industry, not so much for the buyers and sellers. Thanks to the control of the state and national trade associations, that trend in spreading to more and more parts of the business. Excellence and innovation are suppressed by the one size fits all, satisficing mentality that drives the industry to maximize profits, minimize risk and make sure there's a member there to get a commission with every closing---even if it's not the right house or the right buyer. Hey, its' a deal!

Side note, my ex texted be yesterday than a friend of hers had just bought a ticket to an LA date of the Springsteen tour. Being sick last few days, I hadn't heard of the tour, but got on line and bought a ticket. Never been to a concert that big before, but new experiences are just as important in maturity.

Got Supervisors meeting Tuesday on vacation rentals. Wrote scathing comments last week when I was feverish and now want to pull rabbit out of the hat and try to cut to the core of the problem--irresponsible government without accountability and totally unconcerned with consequences. Good luck!