USGBC MA & MLS PIN: Improved Green Data Fields for MA Real Estate

[Press Release]

One of the top multiple listing services in U.S. updates its green data fields to reflect the growing market of high-performance homes

Boston, MA (January 8, 2015) – The Massachusetts Chapter of the USGBC is pleased to announce that MLS Property Information Network, Inc. (MLS PIN) has installed a comprehensive update of its green data fields to promote market transformation towards healthier and more energy-efficient buildings in the Commonwealth.

MLS PIN, located in Shrewsbury, MA, is one of the leading multiple listing services in the country. Kathy Condon, CEO and President of MLS PIN, has been an industry leader in the adoption of green data fields to support energy efficiency in the residential real estate transaction. She led MLS PIN in one of the earliest adoptions of green data fields in 2009 in the U.S. The new fields, recommended by the Residential Green Building Committee of the Massachusetts Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, is one of the most comprehensive green data field updates in the country.

“Ownership of green homes is one practical way people in our communities can actively respond to the environmental concerns around us,” said Grey Lee, Executive Director of the MA Chapter of the USGBC. “MLS PIN’s collaboration to improve the existing set of green data fields deserves kudos. I would also like to applaud Craig Foley, our chapter’s advocacy coordinator for the Residential Green Building Committee, for his leadership on this project. With the new fields in place, homebuyers in the region will have a much clearer understanding of the high-performance options available to them. This work will provide a strong signal to the marketplace that homes that are more resilient, healthier, and that offer lower operating costs are more beneficial and valuable to owners.

“We greatly appreciate the work that the USGBC committee did to provide thoughtful and relevant recommendations that make our database stronger,” said Kathy Condon, CEO and President of MLS PIN. “This project’s committed stakeholder involvement reinforces our regions leadership in the U.S. green building movement.”

“The timing of this initiative was ideal,” said Craig Foley, a broker associate at RE/MAX Leading Edge. “Our committee was able to piggy-back on the work being done at the national level with the Green MLS Implementation Guide produced by the National Association of REALTORS® Green Resource Council. Working with Kathy’s excellent staff at MLS PIN to coordinate the implementation of the new fields was an outstanding experience.”

The Residential Green Building Council of the USGBC has monthly meetings which are open to the public at 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA. More information on the Committee and meetings can be found at http://www.usgbcma.org/RGBC

For more information on trainings for the new green data fields contact Craig Foley, the Chief of Energy Solutions for RE/MAX Leading Edge, at leadingedgegreen@gmail.com.

About MLS Property Information Network, Inc

A REALTOR® owned MLS, Property Information Network, Inc. (MLS PIN) was incorporated in 1997. The corporation has grown its subscriber base from 11,000 to approximately 33,485 licensed real estate professionals.

MLS PIN is the largest Multiple Listing Service in New England and one of the largest in the nation. MLS PIN offers a database of over 33,800 properties for sale and more than 1.4 million off-market listings, as well as full public records for all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other areas of New England. More information can be found on their website, which can be found at http://www.mlspin.com/

About U.S. Green Building Council, MA Chapter

The mission of the Chapter is to promote the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings and communities in Massachusetts through education, collaboration, and advocacy, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. More information can be found on their website, which can be found at http://www.usgbcma.org/

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