Wow, more initials to put after my name

I just completed the requirements for the new Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation conducted through the University of Housing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

While this designation has only been available for a few months, many people are acquiring it. It originally was created for homebuilders, but I see a tremendous application of the concepts in the program and the designation itself for remodelers and Realtors - even stagers. Consumers will benefit also.

This is the seventh professional designation I have earned through the NAHB. I've got at least one more to go.

In addition to a work experience requirement, there are 3 days of courses required. The 2-day "Green Building for Building Professionals" is the one I just completed.

Building science, heating and air conditioning, the building envelop, air quality, water quality, resource utilization and recycling, and site planning and development are just some of the topics and issues covered in the course materials.

The other 1-day course is "Business Management for Building Professionals." It covers planning, budgeting, marketing, staffing, and other aspects of running a business. I am an approved instructor for this course.

Now, I am Steve Hoffacker, CAASH, CAPS, CGP, CMP, CSP, MCSP, MIRM.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

26 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • November 15 2008 12:25PM

Graduation day for new designees

On Wednesday I announced a class that I was conducting today on business management as part of the University of Housing continuing education program for builders, remodelers, Realtors, decorators, health care professionals, and others associated with the home building and real estate sales industry.

Depending on which courses someone had already taken, this was the final course leading to 2 designations. With completion of "Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS I) and "Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS II) previously, the Certified Aging-in-Place (CAPS) designation was earned today.

With prior completion of the new "Green Building for Building Professionals" two-day course, the new Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation was achieved.

Of the 25 people taking today's course, everyone completed one of the designations.

While sponsored and certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), anyone with homebuilding or real estate industry experience can attain the designations.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

11 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • September 19 2008 09:03PM

Business management class this Friday

Attention students and others who love taking continuing educational courses. If you're going to be in Palm Beach County this Friday, I'll be teaching the third course in the NAHB's University of Housing trilogy of required courses for the CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place) designation. It also is one of the two required courses for the brand new CGP (Certified Green Professional) designation.

The course is being held at the Gold Coast Builders Association (GCBA) office in Boynton Beach, FL. Contact me at if you'd like to attend or want information on when I might offer this class or any of the other CAPS classes in your area.

This course is entitled "Business Management for Building Professionals" and focuses on business planning, keeping financial records, hiring and managing a staff, creating a vision and mission, and other details of running a small-medium sized business.

I know that this is late notice and that most of you are not local - but don't say I didn't mention it.

Even if you can't attend, I look forward to hearing from you.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

2 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • September 17 2008 03:37PM

CAPS II a big success also

Yesterday I reported on the NAHB University of Housing course for the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation program called "Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS I, for short) that I presented for our local builders association, Gold Coast Builders Association (GCBA).

Today, with the same participants as yesterday,(and many who drove several hours to attend) we continued with the second course in the series, "Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS II).

Today's course focused on making the necessary modifications by working in tandem with other professionals to determine and design those solutions for people with special physical or health needs for them to be able to perform many of the activities of daily living (ADL) more comfortably or more independently that has been the case.

In 2 weeks on September 19th, I will be presenting the 3rd and final course for the CAPS designation. The courses do not need to be taken in any certain order although they flow better if taken in the order that we are presenting them.

 This designation program is helpful for Realtors, new home salespeople, builder, remodelers, health care providers, and others who work with anyone who needs home modifications to increase their safety, comfort, or mobilty in the home.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

2 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • September 06 2008 08:33PM

Another successful CAPS class

I just finished a full day of instructing a NAHB University of Housing course for the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation program called "Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility" (CAPS I, for short).

This is the first of 3 courses required to achieve the designation.

The course focuses on recognizing and connecting with people in the general population who want to remain in their current home to age in place gracefully as those people with physical challenges from birth defects, illness, or accident that require modifications to their home to provide the comfort and usefulness that they require.

Tomorrow is the second course, and in 2 weeks on September 19th, I will be presenting the 3rd and final course for the designation. The courses do not need to be taken in any certain order although they flow better if taken in the order that we are presenting them.

 This designation program is helpful for Realtors, new home salespeople, builder, remodelers, health care providers, and others who work with the aging, elderly, or infirmed.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

4 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • September 05 2008 08:26PM