Why is a "Green" Home Important?

Quite Simply... A Green Home Provides...

Safer Environment - it prevents moisture, mold and radon.

Healthier Environment - the toxins in paint in building materials can be harmful to one's health. Indoor air quality is huge, just ask someone with breathing problems like asthma.

Energy Efficiency - Everyone loves to save money.

Environmentally Friendly - Check out the impact that are buildings have on resources today.

WOW! This is amazing. There is something to say about the environmental impact of buildings today. Here's the information from U.S. Energy Information Administration from 2005

U.S. Impact of Buildings on Resources Today
- 40% of Total Energy Use
- 71% of Electricity Consumption
- 38% Carbon Dioxide Emissions
- 36% of all Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- 30% of Waste Output
- 12% of Potable Water Consumption

Just some things to think about... Stay tuned for How Does a House Qualify As Green?

What Do You Think of When You Think of Green?

O.K. a lot of people have heard of what the term "Green" refers to thanks to people like Al Gore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Seriously, if you didn't hear of that word, what would you think of?

When I think of the "Green", I think of...

Money

Someone being Green - meaning they don't really know what they are doing

Someone being Green - meaning they feel sick

So, how in the world did we come up with the term Green? According to Wikpedia..."The Green movement is a political movement which advocates goals common to Green parties, including environmentalism, sustainability, nonviolence, and social justice concerns. Supporters of the Green movement, called Greens, adhere to Green ideology and share many ideas with the ecology, conservation, environmental, feminist, and peace movements."

Definition of "Green" as it relates to Homes (http://www.greenbuiltmichigan.org/) Starts with the Careful Design, Construction and Operation of the Home. It deals with the Reuse of Removal of the Built Environment concentrates on the Environmental, Energy-Efficient, and Sustainability Factors of Home Building.

At this point, someone might say, "Tammy, why should I care. I'm not a tree-hugger. Yes, I would love to save money on my energy bills but is all this stuff really worth the extra cost?"

The Most Common Misconception - "It costs too much!"

No, I'm not going to lie to you. It will cost you a little bit more to provide you with the extra added comfort that you desire. However, the cost in utility bills is worth the cost.

Here's my personal example and why I really started investigating "Green" Homes.
I was getting ready to list of house in December of 2005 and asked the sellers for their utility bills for the year. Their gas bill for November was $80.00, my bill was $150.00 for the same month and their home had more square footage than mine. Honestly, that alone was enough for me to investigate further into this "GREEN" thing. Yes, they had the energy-star appliances and it was a newer home whereas mine was older. Point is, my bill was almost double for one month alone. Their utility bills for the year were minimal in comparison to mine. Something to really think about especially when our utility bills are supposed to increase this year!

Stay tuned for "Why is a Green House important?"

You are the Market, and This is What You Say is HOT!

I love watching the trends in the home building industry. In fact, it's one of my favorite subjects to read up on. What you need to realize is that the "HOT" trends of today are because of what you said was important. See if you agree with these sources of the latest and greatest trends in home design.
Everyone knows that Location, Price, and Condition always rule! However, "new materials and new technologies are reshaping the way we build." (Craven, About.com). With the emergence of casual entertaining and the home being a person's showcase, here's what sources have said are the "HOT" items in Home Building.

March 2007 - Realtor Magazine

• Cozy, small homes on a big lot
  Earth tone colors
  Oversized Family Rooms
  Open Kitchens
  Exotic Hardwood Floors like bamboo and brazilian cherry
  Mudrooms with lots of cubbies/storage
  Stone for countertops... ie. Marble, limestone
  

May 2007 - Realtor Magazine

• Various materials, textures and colors (this would include metal, granite, stone, copper, different floorings) can make a huge impact.
  Healthier Homes - includes: Sound proofing, Water Conservation, Wastewater Treatment, Roof Space, Native Plants, Graywater, Sun/Wind Power, Engineered Hardwood
  

August 2007 - GR Press

• Large Family Rooms, Smaller Living Rooms
  Home to be airy and bright
  Larger Open Kitchens with Islands and Recessed Lighting
  Fireplace
  3 Stall Garage
  Universal Design - "A concept that makes homes accessible to all people regardless of age or disabilities" (GR Press, August 19, 2007).
  

Latest Recent Google Search - About.com
1. Earth-Friendly Design - Sensitivity to the environment and the reuse of materials

2. "Prefab" Construction - Far from the perceived notions of prefab and trailers, prefabricated materials come in all shapes and styles and have great new designs. Anyone hear of SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)? More to come on this later.

3. Adaptive Reuse - How can we reuse the buildings we already have?

4. Healthy Design - Increasing awareness is making healthy design a BIG deal. People have realized that they are becoming sick from the synthetic and chemical materials that are present in our homes.

5. Storm-Resistance - Can anyone say Hurricane Katrina?

6. Flexible Floor Plans - This one seems to be a trend everywhere I read. More people want the ability to use a great room and/or bonus room for multiple uses. Hence pocket doors and movable partitions are becoming vital.

7. Accessibility - Universal Design: making the room accessible to all individuals including those with disabilities. It includes wider hallways and doorways that is so beautifully blended in with the design that it doesn't look "handicap accessible."

8. Outdoor Rooms - Haven't heard of this one from other sources, but the article goes on to say that the yard/garden may become part of the floor plan on the patios and decks. It's not that far-fetched and you definitely won't have to walk that far to get fresh tomatoes if your garden is right off the slider.

9. Abundant Storage - Storage, storage, storage everywhere is now a necessity.

10. Eastern Ideas - Feng Shui principles are probably the most influential in homes today. The belief is that you will feel positive effects in your life.

There seems to be a common thread in most of these publications. Just to summarize:
•· People want large family rooms/great rooms
•· People want large, open kitchens
•· Various materials and textures is important
•· Universal Design will be a term that becomes more important
•· Healthier Homes, Environmental Concerns, Sustainability of the Home - "GREEN" concerns are affecting the way we build today!

References: Craven, Jackie. "Top 10 Trends in Home Design." About.com. http://architecture.about.com/od/buildyourhous1/tp/homedesigntrend.htm
March 2007. "The only tool you need." Realtor Magazine. http://www.REALTOR.org/realtormag
May 2007. Ballinger, Barbara. "Trends in Home Building & Design." Realtor Magazine. http://www.REALTOR.org/realtormag
August 19, 2007. Grand Rapids Press. "For homes in 2015, it's what's inside that will count."

Stay tuned for: "What Do You Think of When You Think of Green?" Coming soon.