Climate change is here. In the Bay Area, high fire danger and flood risks from heavy rainfall and sea level rise not only threaten our communities but increase insurance costs. Rising energy prices mean higher utility bills. What can we do to protect ourselves and our communities? Part of the solution is to embrace sustainable living. Choosing an eco-friendly home means you are taking action to help our planet. Green homes help mitigate the impacts of climate change by lowering your carbon footprint. Houses and multi-family buildings are designed to be energy efficient and utilize renewable energy sources. Fire resistant features not only protect your home but may lower insurance costs. High efficiency appliances can save money on utilities, while removing fossil fuels and using natural products will increase health, safety and comfort.
Lucinda Otto is an experienced real estate agent who holds a GREEN Designation from the National Association of Realtors. Agents with this designation have advanced education on topics such as identifying properties with energy efficient upgrades, how green homes can be more affordable due to lower utility costs, and how to market and sell sustainable homes for higher prices. As the majority of homes in our market are existing properties (as opposed to new construction,) Lucinda was curious about the process of remodeling an older home to increase energy efficiency. In 2019 she launched the 100th Birthday Project, a five year effort to attain third party green certification by the time her home is 100 years old. She met with contractors, learned about rebates and studied the pros and cons of different options, all with the goal of becoming an expert in residential sustainability.
Lucinda’s expertise extends to working with buyers and sellers. She helps buyers understand the costs of owning a home by analyzing energy bills and helps them identify opportunities to make homes more healthy, comfortable, durable and resource efficient. For sellers, she helps identify and market features of their homes that will appeal to today’s climate-conscious buyers. She works with appraisers to showcase resource efficient aspects of a home that can increase value. Through her monthly newsletter she shares opportunities for rebates, community events, free resources and more to help make our beautiful corner of the planet a little bit more green.
Lucinda is a seventh generation Californian and a Bay Area native. Before working in real estate she was a drama teacher, playwright and theater director. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU, an MA in Arts Education from Stanford and served on the faculty at San Francisco State.
