The Hasson Company Assists National Industry Panel in Developing New Green Real Estate Designation for Realtors

Date: August 4, 2008

Joe Menashe, managing principal broker of The Hasson Company's Broadway office, participated in the Green Real Estate Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) headquarters in Chicago on July 28, 2008. Founded by the NAR and the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (RBAC), the panel's mission is to help develop a national green designation program for Realtors.

In partnership with the curriculum design team from the Institute of Real Estate Management, the experts on the panel sought to develop a course that will encourage and promote green excellence for Realtors in their practice. The Green Real Estate designation course will provide real estate professionals with the knowledge and awareness of green building practices applied in residences, commercial properties, developments and communities so that they can list, market and manage green properties as well as guide buyers in purchasing green homes and buildings. The course will also encourage real estate professionals to become an advocate in spreading the green philosophy and a positive force for creating sustainable communities of homes and commercial buildings.

Menashe was invited to participate in the Green Real Estate panel due to his expertise when it comes to sustainability in the real estate industry. An Earth Advantage S.T.A.R./Green-certified agent, Menashe is the founding member of The Hasson Green Team, which has received national exposure for its efforts in pioneering sustainability in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area.

Menashe is also a participant in the City of Portland Office of Sustainability's Green Building Policy Stakeholders Committee and is a board member for Solar Oregon.

"This two-day designation course should be the beginning of your green advocacy and not the end," says Menashe. "Talking the talk is not enough, you must walk the walk. It is a commitment to continuing education regarding green building and living a sustainable lifestyle."

A Portland native, Menashe has been active in the real estate industry for 17 years. In 2005, he was named Managing Principal Broker of the Year by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtor's (PMAR) Million Dollar Club.

About The Hasson Company Realtors

Beginning in 1983 with 12 agents based in Lake Oswego, Ore., The Hasson Company today is the Pacific Northwest's largest independent real estate brokerage with nearly 300 real estate agents in eight branches throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

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For all press inquiries, please contact:
Tania Rain, Marketing Director
Hasson Company Realtors
Phone: 503.534.1522
Email: tania@hasson.com