Marianne Guenther: It is easy being Green

A trip to Washington, D.C., four years ago proved to be serendipitous for Spokane Realtor Marianne Guenther. One morning she awoke, opened her curtains, and there, staring back at her, was a great big “R.” The upper-case “R”— the longtime identity of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)—told her that the very intriguing building across the street was the NAR’s new headquarters, which had been built a couple years prior. However, since the focus of Guenther’s trip was lobbying for local policies as a representative of Greater Spokane Incorporated, she hadn’t yet sought out the building; but it found her. “It really was serendipitous; I was so impressed with its exterior and had heard of its sustainable design. I just had to go there and see it,” said Guenther, real estate agent for Windermere Manito, LLC, and one of five certified green Realtors in the area. Growing up in Oregon, she wanted to be an architect, and saw first-hand the impact that you could have on your surroundings. Her parents built an ultra-modern home that used the latest building products including special windows, skylights and low-impact landscaping. Her friends’ parents were using solar panels and rain-catching devices. Her awareness and passion for green architecture and living was an inherent part of who she was. Guenther was able to arrange “a really great private tour” of the NAR building, where she was amazed at how it was as energy-efficient as it was beautiful. Considered one of the most environmentally ‘green’ commercial structures in the nation, it boasts state-of-the-art environmental features such a photovoltaic solar array on the roof, a double curtain wall for thermal heat dissipation, a recyclable water system, and exterior walls consisting of curved blue-green, double-veneer glass that generates energy-saving convective airflow at each floor, reducing heating and cooling costs. It also has a rooftop garden. “That tour really inspired me on sustainable design,” she recalls. “When Green certification for Washington State Realtors became available in March 2009, I jumped on it.” To become “Green Designated” through NAR, a Realtor must successfully complete a “Core Course” and an approved elective course, live or online, within one year of each other in residential real estate, commercial real estate, or property management. Approved electives allow you to focus on your area of expertise and provide your clients with additional support. After completing the course work, you are then required to pass a written test and submit a Green Designation application. Students learn how issues of green and sustainability impact all facets of real estate—from smart growth, new urbanism, and community development to the factors that make a building or home green. They become acquainted with today’s generation of Green clients and customers, who, Guenther says, are “informed and educated.” These two descriptives pertain to Guenther as well; her drive to stay on top led her to become one of the first green designated Realtors in Washington state. She ran a successful estate-selling company for several years, and then joined John L. Scott in 1995 – where she earned the “Rookie of the Year” honors. Her career skyrocketed from there, landing her in the top 1 percent in sales volume for all Spokane Realtors in 2006, and in 2007, on the receiving end of Catalyst’s yearly award for top 20 under 40 rising stars in business. In 2008, Guenther was voted No. 2 realtor in Spokane by The Inlander’s “Best-of” Issue. As well, she was the first Realtor in Spokane to receive an E-Pro Certification, putting her at the top of the game in real estate online marketing. Guenther made the move to Windermere Manito in 2002 — one she says instantly felt like a natural fit. “Windermere is so active, globally and locally; their stewardship and community involvement are inspiring,” said Guenther. “I can’t believe I get paid to do this.” When she isn’t working, she’s busy making her South Hill home more “eco-friendly.” Recently, she switched out all her light bulbs in her house to CFLs (compact fluorescent lights), which she says is one of the easiest ways to make a big impact on the amount of energy consumed. Case in point: one CFL is equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the roads. And CFLs now emit the same light as classic incandescents but use 75-80 percent less electricity. She’s also interested in taking her own car off the road a little more in the future, envisioning herself as becoming the first “Bike Realtor” in the area, motivated by Kirsten Kaufman, a Portland Realtor who is considered the “Bike Realtor.” Kaufman, always a big fan of biking, thought about how there were a lot of other people like her who would value being able to find homes that allowed them to bike to work. Once she actively started marketing her services to people who wanted to drive less, her business increased, doubling her sales compared to last year. It’s these types of stories that motivate Guenther to keep taking those new sustainable steps. So where does Guenther see herself in five years? “I’d like to develop a green neighborhood,” she said. “There are some great environment-aware architects and builders in Spokane that are really steering this whole green movement,” she said. “And consumers are really starting to pay attention; they recognize the link between green building, saving money and healthy living. It’s so encouraging to see that attitude shift; they’re starting to see that it’s not just a fad; there are real benefits and that it’s here to stay.”