| Amidst energy costs increasing and intense | | | | percent higher than in 2005. With this said, buying |
| environmental degradation, looking into the green | | | | an eco home would be a breeze in terms of |
| real estate perhaps deserves your consideration in | | | | searching for the property with high quality and |
| buying your new home. And in most markets, the | | | | energy efficiency performance. |
| prices of eco-friendly homes are so affordable. A | | | | These economic and environmental consciousness |
| few years ago, these were not the scenarios. | | | | factors are the main attractive traits most |
| Building a green home five years ago requires a | | | | prospective buyers could look forward to having a |
| premium of 11 percent to 25 percent. But these | | | | green home. Then again, you should still be careful |
| days, home owners could only expect paying 3 | | | | in picking out the right home. Do not be |
| percent to 5 percent. | | | | overwhelmed with just any home feature that |
| In addition, this type of residential property | | | | promises energy efficiency. You have to evaluate |
| successfully endured depreciating values in the | | | | whether the upgrade is worth the additional costs. |
| market. During the 2007 real estate market crisis | | | | The Leadership in Energy and Environmental |
| here in the U.S. where most homes lost 5.7 | | | | Design (LEED) certification could also make your |
| percent of their values, the eco homes sustained | | | | selection easier. LEED encourages sustainable |
| appreciating in price. As for selling this property, a | | | | building practices and this outfit certifies homes |
| green estate is generally appraised for 10 percent | | | | that are built with the least environmental impact. |
| to 15 percent more than other traditional buildings. | | | | On the other hand, there are only 400 certified |
| And such numbers are dependent on the location | | | | LEED home in the whole country so it may be |
| and upgrade the previous home owner or builder | | | | really difficult to score this property. The main |
| set the property in. The more enhancements the | | | | idea here is that such homes could be your guide |
| home had, say wholly eco-friendly in all its | | | | to putting up a comparison between the LEED |
| features, the higher is the property’s value. | | | | home and your chosen property. Once there are |
| There is more for the prospective buyer’s | | | | many alike characteristics, you would be secured |
| benefit. The extra costs required in building and | | | | that the home you are venturing into upheld |
| installing eco-friendly materials in the home would | | | | eco-friendly practices. |
| be offset by the savings on bills for utilities. The | | | | Your green home hunting would be a lot less |
| Department of Energy stated that homes with | | | | stressful if you seek references from the |
| energy efficient appliances or facilities like furnace | | | | buildings department of the area where the home |
| or boiler could save the home owner $570 on bills | | | | is located. There are specific local codes like |
| for the whole year. The savings would be | | | | drought-resistant landscaping, insulated heating |
| definitely for a long period of time. | | | | pipes and particular solar lighting that are |
| As these advantages are seemingly becoming | | | | incorporated in the newly built or renovated |
| more popular among builders, green homes are | | | | homes. If you have been familiarized with the |
| expected to be credited for 10 percent of new | | | | features commonly found in the eco homes in |
| homes to be constructed in 2010. This is 5 | | | | that area, you would be more learned in choosing. |