Article on Green Houses (version 2J)

By now, virtually virtually everyone has heard never ending stories about how bad our current housing market is. However, there’re still plenty of people searching for a home to purchase. And so… So whether you are looking to buy your first home, or have bought more than a few homes in your lifetime already, purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions you can make. Additionally, the size, type, area, & cost of your next house, along with what you decide to do with your new house, can have a very large impact on your environment.
If you are concerned about the environmental footprint you leave behind for your loved ones, while at the same time enjoying a beautiful home, read on & learn about purchasing a “green” home.

Cut your homes energy bills by reducing its energy usage:

Nearly anyone can conduct their own, quick & easy energy inspection of their own home or a prospective home to see what’s needed to make the home more green. It is a simple process which begins with simply searching for leaks or drafts in the home. Check common problem areas such as doors, windows, baseboards, & even power outlets. Right. Wherever you find a draft or see sunlight, seal the areas with common items such as spray in insulation or window tape. Your local hardware store can usually assist you if you have completely completely unique situations or hard to fix locations. Also, make an effort to use a full load for household appliances such as your dishwasher, washer, or dryer. Over or undersized loads create unneeded energy waste by inefficient use of the appliance’s motors.

Purchase an energy efficient home:

If you are looking to purchase a home, you can select to have your Realtor search for “green” homes. Modern home builders are constructing “green” properties that come with upgraded insulation, energy saving blinds & windows, along with appliances that are designed to conserve energy. To find houses like this, consult with your local Realtor. Owning an eco-friendly home in this current marked is a smart choice because the homes are becoming increasingly popular & in demand, & have a better potential to sell rapidly & at a better price. Every day, a larger percentage of the population is putting greater emphasis on either saving money, protecting the environment, or both!

Location.

People who live in crowded, dense populations, in general, leave a smaller ecological footprint than people who live in suburbs. This is not necessarily because people from places like New York City are in principal more eco-conscientious than people in suburban areas, but more likely because they tend to live closer to work, shopping, & entertainment than suburbanites. Furthermore, individual persons who live in dense populations are generally more likely to use subways, busses, or public transportation to get to their destination than non urban dwellers.

The lesson? Chose the location of your home carefully & pay close consideration to commuting distances, proximity to shopping & your method & options of transportation.

Live Large, while Buying Small.

It’s the newest mantra for eco friendly individuals: Small, is really the new big. Do you follow? The smaller your living space, the less heating/cooling, & lighting it will need. Thus, you will have reduced energy usage & utility bills.
With some careful interior design, you can create a tasteful & beautiful living area out of some surprisingly small living spaces.

Don’t be afraid to make changes:

Don’t expect to find the perfect home when you are shopping for any home, let alone an eco-friendly home. And so… So far so good. Whatever home you purchase, you will likely want to make some basic changes to make it more aesthetically pleasing for you & your tastes & needs. A fresh coat of low VOC paint in your favorite color is easy & affordable. However, ripping up the old, leaky, rusty, lead leaking plumbing is a much bigger task, but something to consider depending on the house’s needs. These are important things that you should consider when purchasing a home. An experienced Realtor can assist you with some of these considerations.

Recycle:

When you are searching for your next home, do not rule out a home just because of an out of style kitchen or bathroom. Typically, these are two of the rooms in a home that will get you your best return for your renovating dollar. Assuming you do not have to gut the place & change the structure of the rooms to get something that will make you happy, you can perform a modest remodel based you your ecological principals & obtain a greener, more efficient home which suits your style & needs, & likely increase your home’s worth & resale value when it is time to upgrade to your next home.

The importance of Shade:

While some people want trees close by for hugging, others look at trees for their climate control abilities. The foliage that comes with your new home can influence your home’s energy usage. In the summer, a trees leafy branches will block the sun & help keep your home cooler & use less energy. Conversely, in the winter, when the leaves fall, the bare branches let in more sun light & in turn heat your home, resulting in cost savings to you.

More on the Outdoors:

A large yard with a lush green lawn maybe what you always wanted growing up, but remember, the lawn will use up a significant amount of water & need the appropriate amount of upkeep . A smaller yard will use less water, require less upkeep, & give you more time to enjoy your home!
Good luck & happy home hunting!