Navigating Green Building
The past year has seen a huge increase in the interest in Green Building. The topic has dominated magazine covers and products are now available to assist you with a green home. Also, many builders and REALTORS have realized that there is profit in jumping on the GREEN WAGON.
I thought that green building was automatically more expensive. Not necessarily so. It is important to learn what works for your area, climate and lifestyle. Additionally, finding a professional who is up to date will make a huge difference. The industry is dynamic and the building material that was best, two years ago, may have been replaced by a more efficient, cost effective method or product.
As a start, I would like to offer some sites that will become your resource. Fred Baldwin, Austin builder and consultant, and partner in Blue Horse Building, has been my greatest resource. I got this information from Fred. http://www.bluehorsebuilding.com/links.htm
The National Home Builders Association is an excellent resource for staying on top of current information.
Also, check out the site for the Amierican Institute of Architects. http://www.aia.org/walkthewalk/
If you are interviewing a builder, ask about the HER rating of homes that were previously built. Home Energy Rating System is the first step to get an Energy Star Rating. 80, or lower is required. What that boils down to is a 15% more efficient home, that the average. The lower the HER number, the better. A score of 51, or less, will entitle the builder to a $2,000 tax credit from the Environmental Protection Agency. Often, the builder will pass along that savings.
Obviously, the better informed you are, the more effective you will be when discussing your loan with the real estate lender. There are now lenders who are creating a specialty in Green Building. Be sure to ask if your lender has a specialty.
www.realestate-seligman.com