| Green homes are the trend these days. In a | | | | Some people believe that building green homes |
| world where people are fast using up the | | | | involves a lot of money, at least more than |
| earth's natural resources and irreversibly | | | | conventional homes do. On the contrary, |
| so, green buildings have gained importance in | | | | experienced green home builders say that |
| the real estate industry. Green building | | | | building a green home is not as expensive as |
| techniques include the use of building | | | | it is hyped to be. Custom builders can build |
| materials that are renewable and locally | | | | green properties at the same costs it takes |
| available. Green homes protect the | | | | to build conventional homes because green |
| environment, control energy costs and may | | | | building materials are now readily available |
| serve as affordable housing. Today more and | | | | and cost efficient. Green products such as |
| more builders are focusing on building green | | | | user-friendly insulation, chemically neutral |
| homes as these structures are proving to be | | | | paints and flooring, natural landscaping |
| profitable investments. | | | | products, compact fluorescent bulbs, solar |
| | | | roof panels, etc. are all readily available. |
| Many people believe that building green homes | | | | Because most green products are energy |
| is a social and environmental responsibility | | | | efficient, installing them helps the home |
| and should be promoted by not just | | | | owner save a lot of money that otherwise |
| governmental authorities, but also by | | | | would go toward footing a home's utility |
| builders, developers and real estate | | | | bills. |
| professionals. Green homes save money and | | | | |
| maintenance and are healthier to live in. | | | | Environmental consultant David Johnson in his |
| | | | book "Building Green in a Black and White |
| Building a green home is not complicated as | | | | World" provides extensive survey information |
| one would think. The National Association of | | | | on home buyers' preference of green homes. |
| Home Builders has listed guidelines for | | | | One national survey puts the percentage of |
| building green homes that are very useful for | | | | the market that is open to and interested in |
| home builders. The guidelines include an | | | | green buildings at a whopping 50%. This is |
| easy-to-use checklist that builders can | | | | proof enough for the growing popularity and |
| follow during the construction process. With | | | | demand for green homes. Builders can join |
| local home building associations creating | | | | their local green building programs to take |
| regionally appropriate green building | | | | advantage of this growing market segment. |
| programs, the concept of 'green homes' is | | | | Home buyers can opt for green homes, which |
| taking off among home builders. | | | | are energy efficient, environmentally |
| | | | friendly, durable and cost efficient. |