Green Homes Are Valued Property


Green homes are rising in popularity everywhere. Naturally! Whether you want to buy one, build one, or renovate, there are good reasons why you should.

eco homes arde good for our planet and build your health - and wealth!

The 2008 US sub-prime housing crisis left many Americans bruised and the rest of the world with a head ache from higher costs of borrowing overseas and higher interest rates.

It is increasingly clear that the global financial crisis is just an opportunity to do things differently. Like living well within limits - financial and environmental! The green homes building industry is leading an eco home-led renaissance. It's underway and here to stay. Green jobs and careers in ,recycling and renewable energy are booming.

It's supremely logical really. What other sensible direction is there in a world with fast-rising energy costs, an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

You can take the reins into your own hands with this Home Energy Saving Guide with universal application.

And eco homes do not only hold their value, and save on energy, but buyers happily pay a premium for them. Unless you are building in areas at risk of rising oceans of course!

In the US, the 2007 McGraw-Hill Construction Smart Market Report on Attitudes & Preferences for Remodeling and Buying Green Homes claims that the housing downturn is a contributor to a rising eco home market.

It predicts growth from a US worth of almost $2 billion, 0.3 percent of the housing construction market in 2005, to a "true green" home market of $20 billion by 2010.

A survey on Australia’s biggest property website, realestate.com.au, found one in 10 people prepared to pay up to 20 per cent more for a "green" home. It also found that an environmentally friendly home sold more easily.

Two thirds of US home buyers know what energy efficient homes are about with 8 percent very knowledgeable. 85% of sustainable home buyers say they'd recommend doing what they did.

Investigating building your own? Or want to "greenavate"?

Four Biggest Reasons For Buying Green Homes Property

In order of importance, the four biggest reasons given for buying such property are:

  • operational cost savings;
  • concerns about the environment;
  • health of the home's occupants;
  • higher resale value.

Eco Homes Renovation Too

A huge 40 % of US home renovations was done for "green" objectives and with green products. That's in 2007!

The top three green home renovation products were:

  • energy efficient windows
  • heating, ventilation and air conditioning
  • new window equipment and hardware

The emphasis on windows is understandable as well insulated windows can save you up to 30% of your home heating/cooling costs.

Not All Green Homes Are Green

Unscrupulous real estate sellers already "greenwash" properties – saying anything to get on the eco home bandwagon, to make a sale. So, you need to know what a "green home" is.

To help you recognize them, the Mcgraw-Hill report defined "true green" as incorporating green building elements in at least three of five categories:

  • Energy efficiency;
  • Indoor air quality;
  • Water efficiency;
  • Resource efficiency;
  • and site management.

By some standards these categories are not exhaustive, lacking comfort, attention to decoration materials, toxicity of building materials and so on, suggesting this market is even bigger than the report suggests.

Specific Features That Make A Home Green

There's more to green homes than most people think.

Here are some of the specific features that can make a home "green."

  • Passive solar design, where the house maximizes heating and cooling effects from its orientation towards the sun predominant position in your hemisphere;
  • High level of attention to insulation in windows, doors and ceilings;
  • Use of solar heating and cooling systems;
  • Use of solar, wind or geothermal energy sources;
  • Water preservation and recycling;
  • Thermal mass in the building;
  • Universal access design, enabling the home to be used for all stages of a human life, including times of disablement. The human and financial costs of having to leave one's home because of mobility impairment and care being difficult to give in an inaccessible home, can be substantial;
  • Recycled building materials
  • Use of mud brick, rammed earth, straw bales and so on;
  • Non-toxic paint, stains;
  • Composting toilets;
  • Home decorations without toxic materials, placed for practical and aesthetic appeal;
  • Location of the building site. Environmental impact, orientation;
  • Uses of site immediately surrounding the home;
  • Good home energy rating and that of appliances (Energy Star);
  • Attention to greenhouse gas emitted in manufacture, transport and installation of building materials.

Energy efficient homes. A good way for building towards a sustainable world... and your health and wealth.

Some Resources To Get You Into Your Green home

US Energy efficient mortgages. Building? Renovating? Refinancing?

Solar Energy Grants

Energy Efficient Homes

Straw Bale Construction - Durable, Affordable, Beautiful

Green Roofs - Beautiful And Saving Energy

The Guide To Affordable Sustainable Building

Energy Star Ratings

Rising Oceans - Where Not To Build