| Even with the economy slowing down, the green | | | | market green homes appraise for up to 15% more |
| building is still booming in the United States. The green | | | | than comparable traditional homes. When taken into |
| building marketplace is estimated to be worth | | | | consideration, these factors could make the next |
| between $40 billion and $70 billion per year by 2012. | | | | green house just the perfect home for both, the |
| There are several reasons why the green building is | | | | homebuyer and the environment. |
| showing such remarkable resilience to the financial | | | | Some tips for buying a Green Home: |
| crises that other related industries such as real estate | | | | Look for:o Air Quality Enhancing featureso Energy |
| and construction face. It is renowned for introducing | | | | Efficient appliances (Energy Star appliances)o Low |
| new technologies to meet the ever-growing | | | | emissivity and double paned windowso Solar power if |
| consumer preference and builder demands. Statistics | | | | availableo Natural Lighto Native, drought-tolerant |
| show that over 80% of consumers are interested in | | | | landscapingo Low-flow toiletso On-demand hot water |
| green features and energy efficiency when buying a | | | | system and water saving shower heads |
| home. | | | | When buying a new home look for the U.S. Green |
| In Charleston, South Carolina, many homebuyers that | | | | Building Council's LEED certified ratings. |
| would be interested in green features and sustainable | | | | Tips for Green Renovation:o Reuse as much material |
| buildings have not been exposed to or educated | | | | (walls, foundation, interior doors) as possible when |
| about their options and for that reason, they do not | | | | building a sustainable home.o Use new materials that |
| ask for them. Your real estate agent can point out | | | | do not have to be shipped from far.o Consider |
| these features as they may be the deciding factor | | | | adding energy saving solutions such as geothermal |
| when selecting a home to buy. There are many | | | | heating and cooling systems, point-of-use water |
| homes for sale in Charleston's real estate market | | | | heaters as well as solar panels that supplement the |
| with green features. | | | | hot water supply.o Insulate your new house well, use |
| What makes a building green? A high-performance | | | | new materials such as recycled denim and closed cell |
| green building is energy efficient; it consumes less | | | | foam.o Use structural panel systems and eco-roofing |
| water and natural resources. It creates less waste | | | | systems.o Use paints, stains and adhesives with |
| when built and is healthier for its inhabitants than a | | | | either low or zero volatile organic compounds as |
| standard building. Eco-friendly homes also tend to hold | | | | these will improve indoor air quality. |
| their value better, even in this slow real estate | | | | |