The Green Advantage
Green: A Recession Proof Industry
A study released this summer by McGraw-Hill Construction and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) found that over the past three years more than 330,000 "market rate" homes with green features were built, making green building a $36 billion per year industry. The study also surveyed existing owners of green-certified properties in an effort to gauge their attitudes about their homes. An overwhelming 83 percent of respondents stated that their new green home will lower operating costs. Seventy percent of those surveyed said that they would be "more" or "much more" inclined to buy a green home over a conventional home in a down market like the one we face today. The study also found that 78 percent of lower-income consumers (those who are most affected by a market downturn) would be more inclined to purchase a green home.
TOP TEN GREEN HOUSING trends FOR 2010
An Increased focus on Walkability. Is an energy efficient home built in the middle of nowhere green? A focus on being able to walk to nearby conveniences will continue to go. Go to Green HousingDevelopments.com for a walkscore rating.
MORE GREEN REHABS: Rehabbing an existing structure requires less building materials than building a new home, it also helps to reduce the surplus housing stock. Rehabs tend to be located in established neighborhoods, which means easily walkable conveniences.
A Better Definition of Green: 2009 saw the emergence of many new "green" rating systems being used (and abused) by builders. As time goes on, we hope to see one uneasily understandable rating system emerge, which all homes will be measured by.
Right-Sizing" of Homes: The days of the super sized new construction home are over. Helped by rising energy costs and an increased sense of responsibility, homes will continue to be built more sensibly. Gone are the days of the unused formal dining and living room.
Return of the Front Porch: The concept of "green" and community seem to go hand in hand. In general, developers aim to create communities where residents to get to know their neighbors. One great way of doing this is building large front porches and homes close to the sidewalk. This way the focus shifts from spending time on a back deck, to spending time talking to neighbors on a front porch.
Energy Monitoring Systems: Most new green houses are coming with visual panels where homeowners can monitor the usage of everything from overall water usage to appliances specific electric usage. These systems are easy to install and use. The whole family can enjoy how much energy (and money) they save through collective efforts.
Native Landscaping: A sprawling green lawn can be beautiful, but it is just not sensible in all parts of the country. Grass requires large amounts of water, which is a limited resource , and fertilizer, which can damage the local eco -system. Instead homeowners are rediscovering the beauty of native plants, which require little extra water and care and can be just as beautiful as a green lawn. Plus, they are different in all parts of the country, which allows for a unique property.
Better Designed Rooms: The green movement has forced architects to reconsider the purpose and necessity of each room in a home. We are starting to see trends like combined kitchens, eating space and movable walls where unused bedroom space can be made into living space during the daytime are also gaining moment
Pocket Pocket Parks: Pocket parks are small parks located in the middle of a residential area, where neighbors can come to gather. These parks are often located on a vacant city lot, or in the middle of a cluster of homes in a particular neighborhood. Pocket parks encourage outdoor activity and promote a sense of community.
Passive Solar Design: Builders are quickly discovering the benefit of using the sun and trees to strategically heat and cool a home. Ideally southern facing windows and deciduous trees allow for abundant sunshine and heat during the winter months and shade and breeze during the summer months.
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