EAA member leads an industry toward sustainability

When Christopher Matos-Rogers launched a new career as an Atlanta-area real estate agent a decade ago, he had just spent five years as a marine biologist and he knew what was up with climate change.  

That’s why he was determined to transform the industry he was entering.

“There were no realtors bringing sensitivity to environmental factors into their jobs back then,” said Matos-Rogers, a member of the Electric Auto Association’s EV Club of the South chapter. “I was determined to be that realtor here in Atlanta.”

Matos-Rogers joined Palmer House Properties and began fulfilling his mission with reduced paper usage, attention to recycling, and other measures. Soon, this included conversations with his clients and fellow real estate agents about smart home technology, energy efficiency, and solar PV.

“I try to lead by example,” Matos-Rogers said. “I run a sustainable agency myself, and that’s how I demonstrate how it’s done.”

An all-Tesla family

Matos-Roger’s personal connection with electric vehicles (EVs) started in 2014 with the lease of a Nissan LEAF.

“Georgia had one of the most aggressive tax credit programs in the country back then. I signed-up for the 24-month lease program designed around the credit,” Matos Rogers said, explaining that his husband soon followed his lead with the lease of a 2014 BMW i3.

“We had to overcome some challenges,” he continued. “We lived in a sixth floor loft where the landlord let us run a heavy-duty extension cord under the door and into the parking garage. I did that for six months.”

Now, Matos Rogers and his husband both drive Teslas, their cars charging at the single-family home they purchased with the help of the state credits garnered from owning two EVs. 

“We’ve driven over 200,000 miles in seven years,” Matos-Rogers explained. “As a real estate agent, I drive around constantly, and we’ve also taken road trips to New York and Florida.”

Multiply that by a few million

This constant driving by real estate agents nationwide is a motivating factor for Matos-Rogers in spreading the word about driving electric to his associates. 

“Real estate agents are similar to everyone else. From day one, the first question I’ve been asked is about range,” he said. “I’d answer that  I was putting 20,000 miles a year on my LEAF with no range issues.”

To further his cause, Matos-Rogers established GreenhomesATL.com, a content website dedicated to assisting potential homebuyers in everything sustainable. This includes in-depth information about EVs and charging systems. 

With Greenhomesatl.com, as well as his other efforts, “We’re breaking down the myth that EVs cost more and we demonstrate the operational savings,” Matos-Rogers said, explaining that he also uses social media and in-person events to help get his message across.

“One of our green education classes at Atlanta REALTORS Association included participation from Tesla. They brought a Model X and parked it in the plaza out front. “ 

A raised profile in the community

In 2018, Matos-Rogers was the only real estate agent in the Atlanta area driving electric. Now he is one of hundreds, and at least part of that growth is due to his personal advocacy.

“Locally, we’ve accomplished a lot,” Matos-Rogers said of the increased EV presence as well as sustainability awareness in Atlanta real estate. “We’re doing advocacy and education through multiple non-profits that work in the space. We attend events around the city and meet experts who we then bring back to GreenhomesATL.com, Atlanta REALTORS Association, and EV Club of the South for panels and classes with our members.”

This community outreach has resulted in Matos-Rogers becoming a leading voice on the intersection of sustainability and real estate in Georgia. In addition to taking on various leadership roles, he was tapped by the ARA in 2018 to create and lead an all-new sustainability committee. He is also part of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Advisory Group, which advocates for sustainability within the industry.  

“We aim to create a channel for people who are driving electric or want to drive electric,” remarked Matos-Rogers. “We are a resource for professionals when it comes to how real estate interacts with electric vehicles and renewable energies.”

 “Lately, we’ve been focusing on the connection between home, car, and grid,” he continued. “That’s opened up a whole range of possibilities.”

Continuing to widen the scope

NAR has an ongoing partnership with Fiat Chrysler, but the automakers’ slow start in the EV sector has motivated Matos-Rogers into a plan to advocate for the establishment of a second automaker partnership.

“It’s a conversation we need to have in our sustainability advisory group, and then hopefully we can move the conversation up to the executive leadership level,” he said.  “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be looking at every possible option to drive these EV sales.”

In fact, it’s a good time for EVs in Atlanta, the city at the forefront of EV charging with the support of eco-conscious local utility companies.

“Bottom line, there’s just a growing number of homebuyers and realtors who want to do the right thing,” Matos-Rogers concluded. “The future in real estate is looking very bright.“