Green Real Estate

Many of the traditional methods of building that have been used for numerous years in constructing homes and offices of many types have had a large negative impact on our environment. The design of green buildings, although still a very new concept, is one that addresses and helps to reduce many of the negative environmental issues that other modes of construction are known for causing. This includes many different aspects of construction and includes the planning process, technologies that are used in constructing a facility and the construction process itself.

In order to see a reduction in both the short-term and long-term effects that the traditional methods of construction of buildings are making on the environment, there are several aspects of the building process that have needed to be changed. Not only the design in how buildings are being constructed, but the way that they function, are two big factors that have seen many changes. The result of each of these changes is a beneficial concept that allows for long-term sustainability of the green buildings that are being constructed.

One of the short-term and immediate benefits that can be seen in green building is the advantage of being able to save significant amounts of energy, which means a huge decrease in monthly energy bills. Another immediate benefit that is easily noticed with green buildings is the increased amount of aesthetic beauty in their appearance. This is a factor that can be seen not only in the building itself, but also in the landscape design that surrounds the building.

When you take into consideration the reduced amount of byproducts used on these structures, the reduced amount of pollution escaping into the environment, and the environmentally safe materials used in the construction, it is easy to see the benefits of green buildings.

There is a rising awareness and concern about our planet and how environmental issues affect every aspect of our lives. How and where we work, play and even where we live all have an impact on the planet, and today people, from children to seniors are increasingly interested in how they can make a difference.

Many of today’s homeowners are looking at retrofitting their houses to increase the efficiency and help reduce their energy costs as well. Much of the older Toronto housing stock is currently energy-inefficient, with little or no insulation, older windows and drafty attics and basements. Taking such steps to improve these features that will help keep the home operating costs down and also improve the home comfort are becoming more important to Sellers who want to know what energy and cost-saving features Buyers will value, and which upgrades could improve resale marketability.

More efficient fixtures, appliances, plumbing, solar panels, newer windows and insulation could help owners save on utility costs as well as adding to the properties value. Thousands of Canadian homes are paying extra money to support green and renewable energy through Bullfrog electricity.

Many of us have already started taking steps to change our personal impact on the planet, from changing our light bulbs, buying low-flow shower heads and turning down our thermostat when we’re not home. Aside from purchasing organic items, we need to make different choices on a day-to-day basis within our homes and our lives. We can even make those changes throughout our homes starting with how we clean them!

Do you remember growing up with your family home being clean, but not as sterilized as today? More people are now in the habit of spritzing food & animal odours away, tossing mops away and trying to keep their families safe from all germs. More chemicals that pollute are being sprayed inside homes, raising levels higher than you’ll find outdoors. It’s time to go back to basics! We can make our own cleaning products with simple and natural ingredients and look for natural concentrated cleaners that can be diluted at home and save on packaging over time. Every little effort makes a difference.

Many Toronto home buyers are being drawn to living in a condo or loft that offers them affordability, when making the decision to buy within this urban city. The Toronto population is booming in size, ranking as the fifth largest city in North America. For the urbanites, being greener is becoming more popular and necessary.

Toronto buildings ranging from schools to condo’s are working to earn “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) certification. The LEED rating system has points awarded for environmentally friendly building characteristics in 5 key areas:

• Sustainable site development
• Water efficiency
• Energy efficiency
• Materials selection
• Indoor environmental quality

It’s an internationally accepted third-party program that provides building operators with tools to have an immediate and measurable impact on their building’s performance, with certification.

Condominium developers have widely embraced the LEED program, which has only been in Canada for five years. Today’s condo’s wanting to qualify for this coveted status are being built with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, low VOC paints and finishes, and low-E argon-filled windows. They are also including energy-saving ideas like rainwater collection facilities, motion sensor lighting in stairwells and two-chute disposal systems for recycling on every floor.

LEED certified condos feature luxurious and green features such as individual suite controls that allow a resident to monitor and limit energy usage for all switches, energy-efficient appliances and programmable thermostats. The building amenities usually include lush rooftop gardens, individual storage units, covered parking for bicycles, close distance to transit lines and direct access to car sharing services. It’s becoming more convenient and lucrative, to not own that extra car.

Reasons for being interested in LEED certified condominiums range from helping the environment to the benefit of enjoying better indoor air quality and lower costs for water and electricity usage. You might also see a lower home insurance premium and a higher resale value for these suites. The demand for “green” is growing and according to the Nielson Canada-wide survey of attitudes towards buying green homes, 82% or respondents claimed they would be willing to invest more money in a home purchase if it was certified.

For the majority of eco-conscious condo buyers in the market, choosing a building can be challenging. Many of the restored and renovated old factories and buildings are becoming transformed into lofts and condos. It’s a great asset to mature neighbourhoods when a contaminated old factory is transformed into retail or residential lofts rather than being demolished.

More and more condo owners want to have green elements in their buildings and suites. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a Greener Condo Building:

• Individually controlled heat and air conditioning – keeps your heat & air low and saves energy/$
• Energy Star Appliances (great investment if your condo doesn’t already have them)
• Close to public transit (leave the car home and hop on!)
• AutoShare close-by (sell the car and only pay when you need it)
• Bike storage (get physical and enjoy seeing your city)
• Low flush toilets and water saving shower heads
• Geothermal Buildings (High Park Lofts are Toronto’s 1st)
• Solar Panels
• Green interior finishes such as low-VOC latex paints, formaldehyde-free cabinets
• Green Roof
• LEED certified

For those buildings that don’t yet have green upgrades, owners are starting to make their own interior changes inside the suites adding eco-friendly improvements such as energy-efficient lighting, appliances, paints, toilet and shower-heads and even eco-friendly furniture and flooring.

Green choices today can range from where we’ll live, what automobile we’ll drive, what clothes we’ll wear to what we will eat, while each of us each does our part!

Consider as many green building products as you can when building your home. You can consider things like bamboo wood flooring or recycled newspaper insulation, for example. There is some plywood or paneling that is made from wood chips and other wood products. Window treatments can include wicker or bamboo shades and used brick facades can add style to the front of your home. There are many green building products made from plentiful resources. This includes building products that are made from recycled plastic and metals, including siding, some kinds of decking, and other products that can be included when you decide to build green real estate.

Another consideration to make your new home friendlier to the environment is natural energy sources that are easily available, such as solar or wind power to lower your energy usage. It can be an easy way to save money on your utility bills and a way to add an energy system that can pay for itself very quickly. If you are not familiar with how wind or solar energy systems work, most builders in your area can advise you on which choice might be the best for your particular location. Most parts of the country are able to use one of these choices when building green real estate homes.

Considering your natural landscaping and shade trees should be one of the first things you think about when you are looking for the perfect building lot. Try to find a lot that has plenty of large trees near your planned building area and look for natural landscaping that can help save water. You do not need to have a grass lawn to water if there is plenty of natural gravel and rock. Boulders and rock gardens or native growing plants and flowers do not need much water to thrive. Large shade trees can save on your energy bill, as long as they do not shade your solar energy system, when making a green real estate investment.

Think about the placement of your home when you are looking at lots because southern exposure is the best placement for your home. This allows you to take advantage of the winter sun, which is in the southern part of the sky during winter and it can save money on your heating bill. Another thing to think about is whether you can take advantage of earth contact building on the lot you select. If there is a hilly area on the lot that faces the south, it might be the perfect place to build a home that is insulated by the earth, making it perfect green real estate for your home.

You might want to consider used building products when you are thinking about green building. If there is an old barn on the property, used barn wood trim, or panels can make an interesting wall. You might want to consider checking some of the used building supply yards that carry brick that can be used for patios. Antique stores might have ornate wooden doors and windows that can add character to your home. Even stained glass windows add character and can be found at some building suppliers and used salvage yards that specialize in salvaging old buildings. Part of building green real estate can mean recycling products that can add a personal touch, too.

When you are designing your home, make sure you consider the ways you can take advantage of natural lighting. Design your home with green building in mind. Make sure that windows take advantage of southern winter sun, but minimize the number openings that are exposed to cold northern winds. Consider that many storms can come from the west and the summer sun is hottest through these windows. For the best energy savings, careful planning of windows allows you to get natural lighting and save on your heating and cooling bills when thinking about green real estate.

As you can see, we have learned quite a few things about green building and most of it does not involve additional expense. In fact, you may find that you can build a green home for less than many kinds of homes and save money on your energy bills every month. Careful lot selection, location of your home and the materials you plan to use are part of the easiest things to do, when you are considering green building practices. Many people are wrong to think building a green home is more expensive. Your energy savings can pay for any additional costs you might run into. The next thing you should do is use these tips and find out more information to make your next home part of the green real estate movement.

To go “green” or not to go “green” the 21st century Shakespeare says. Contradictory to common belief, going “green” in your real estate business is actually more profitable than not. One company, In The Now Investments, Inc. has taken it to the next level.

If you have a heartbeat you surely often hear the word “green” almost every day but most of us really do not think about what “green” is or what all is involved. The term has been tossed around loosely and has most likely lost some of its true meaning. This is why the owners of In The Now Investments decided to get educated and learn the true benefits (short and long-term) of taking their business to the “green” side. What they were about to find out would change their lives dramatically.

Through research and education, it became clear that going “green” was actually going to be more profitable than not. There are several government programs and stimulus packages just waiting for the next great environmentally friendly business plan. In The Now decided that if they were going to do this, they wanted to be the leaders in their industry. To say the least, they have completed 100 real estate transactions in the last 16 months in Detroit, one of the hardest hit areas during this so-called “Economic Meltdown”. During this time period they have assisted numerous families, investors, and saved many folk’s retirement plans by assisting them in self directing it into a much more valuable investment. This is such an incredible strategy for normal everyday people to take advantage of. We all know that a few years ago when the stock market crashed, many 401k’s unfortunately turned into 201k’s (half of the retirement funds just disappeared). Fortunately, most are bouncing back from this but their funds are not nearly where they should be at this point in their working lives. Although this is another topic completely, this strategy has made back people’s retirement funds and even was the cause of a lot of folks retiring earlier than planned – never a bad dilemma to have.

Let’s get to the nuts and bolts here and talk about how “green” is actually more affordable and profitable. Just by using “green” strategies and Eco-Friendly products in these homes, you will receive money back from the government in the form of a check, not to mention the other tax incentives and write-offs that come with it. Investors that are taking advantage of this are seeing an avg. of 33% of their actual rehab costs back as cash 60 days after completion of their project. That’s a nice chuck of ROI right away that the investor can put into their next investment or take a really nice vacation far away. Make sure you get with a professional in the “green” industry to ensure you receive the highest amount of rebates and incentives. Taking the time to get the right consulting can really make a huge difference. In The Now just happened to be at the right place at the right time and met a very influential professional in the Eco-Consulting field that was really making moves in the “green” industry. Since then, they have teamed up, made him Chief Green Officer of the company, and completed many deals together while saving people a lot of money in the meantime (just due to the savvy “green” strategies that were implemented during the rehab process).

Remember, not only are you becoming more profitable as a business but you are doing a great act to our environment. You are conserving energy and helping to rebuild America one “green” home at a time. Just think about the potential amount of lives that you can personally make a difference in – your life, your family, business partners and their families, the investors that you come in contact with, the everyday people with retirement funds just laying around, the tenants/first time homebuyers that actually live in the home, the neighborhood, forcing appreciation on residential real estate and so many more. Make sure to pat yourself on the back, celebrate a little, and get moving on to your next Eco-Friendly project, the environment and countless individuals will thank you.

And lastly, someone once told me that your brain is either your biggest asset or your biggest liability. Get educated on what is working right now and what works for your business. You do not have to be in Real Estate to start implementing “green” strategies, although it is not a bad place to start. There is a ton of opportunity and new businesses that we haven’t even heard or dreamed about yet that are just in their baby stages. Make sure you position yourself to be a part of a huge movement. It is almost a no-brainer at this point to take advantage of the “green” movement before the competition has completely left you in the Stone Age. Maybe the title of this Press Release should have been “Can you Afford to Go Green, or better yet, Can you Really Afford not to?”

What a man has not done to destroy and damage the natural environment and eco-system of this planet and what a man is not doing to save the planet again? It is a positive sign that more and more people are heading towards much greener alternatives in every aspect of their living. Even the Industries have realized the importance of planet saving alternatives and the productions are now based on recyclable materials. Yet still the most important role in this cause can be played by the domestic changes that should be considered. Mostly when we talk about green houses we think of houses with solar panels and wind turbines, but that really is not enough to suffice the need of our injured planet. Modular home manufacturers take into account this idea of building an environment friendly house, from the day its foundation is laid. These modular homes manufacturers employ eco friendly techniques and reusable materials in almost every step of the construction.

These prefabricate houses can be green in plenty of ways. First of all, the building process, as mentioned earlier, the material used in building these prefabs is eco friendly and reusable. Conventionally, there is a lot of waste and leftovers in the construction process. Hardly any of this waste and debris can be recycled. But in the factory building process, the materials left over from one unit can be used in another one, for instance, wood, wirings, pipes, insulating material and much more. Most of the factories use the leftover material to be recycled as some other material, like the unusable pieces or debris of wood are used to make a chipboard or paper. Overall, less waste means fewer burdens on earth.

Apart from all the resources that are saved during the factory building process, the design of these structures also focus on long term savings of resources. The architectural layout of the prefabricated homes is carefully designed to allow a good passage of air and light and eliminate any wasteful space. Not only that these houses allow air and light passage, they are also well insulated to reduce the need of air conditioning or heating. For the ultimate green enthusiasts, the manufacturers also provide solar panels and other alternate energy devices to overcome the dependency on non-reusable resources of energy.

One of the other reasons that the resources are greatly saved during the mobile home construction is because of the climate controlled environment in which they are constructed. Other than all the materials, space and energy saved in the process, the labor is also significantly reduced. The reason is not only the assembly line production method but also a proper utilization of time. Since, the construction process requires lesser time, hence the labor is also timely utilized.

These are only some of the main reasons that make the prefabricated houses an eco friendly housing option long before you actually start living in it and long after that too. Nevertheless, it will save a lot more energy and resources than a conventional house being turned into a greener one.

It is more important than ever to utilize green building techniques in order to save money and promote a healthy lifestyle. Green building is a general term used to describe efficient design, advanced technology, sustainable construction and maintenance techniques that create a facility that has low impact on the environment and promotes a healthy living or working space for people inside the building. These green building techniques can be used in residential homes, office buildings, schools, high-rises and every type of building in between. It doesn’t matter if you are in a dry, sunny climate or a region that sees tough winters – there are ways for your facility to go green and harness the power of natural, sustainable energy.

Many buildings have been constructed before science and technology created ways for us to run an efficient facility. These structures can be retrofitted to run more efficiently, lower emissions and – in the long run – save more money on utilities and maintenance costs. If you are the building manager for one of these older buildings, a good way to start updating your technology is by installing new, energy efficient appliances that can significantly reduce your electricity consumption. From there, you can take steps to update your building’s insulation to combat heat loss, take measures to reduce water consumption, install efficient fluorescent or LED lighting, or update the HVAC system. A green building consultant specializes in helping building managers and maintenance departments implement these beneficial changes and can guide you on what steps you should take in your facility. Furthermore, a green building consultant can help your maintenance department with the implementation of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Software).

If you are planning the construction of a new building, you should be aware of the many benefits green building can offer. Maximum building performance and efficiency should be your number one goal, and there are modern construction techniques that will allow you to achieve it.

Many buildings employ the use of passive solar heating and lighting, motion sensor lighting, water-conserving appliances, environmentally friendly insulation and recycled building materials. These advances in construction technology aren’t just beneficial to the environment. Rather, the people who live and work in these facilities are able to reap the health benefits. Green, efficient buildings promote a healthy lifestyle. Buildings constructed with toxin-free materials help to reduce indoor air pollution and natural ventilation systems provide a constant flow of fresh air. People who work in a green facility, on average, take less sick days and are more productive than those who work in traditional buildings.

Running a green facility will allow you to dramatically reduce energy consumption, resulting in a less burning of coal and oil. Talk to a green building consultant to take the first step in operating a modern, efficient and green facility.

Many architects and builders have received recognition in building green-however, questions are always being addressed what signals a truly green building. Is it the products that suggest a building is green or the way the products are used in the construction application? As we evolve with respect to any type of building green, the answer to the questions will eventually come to us. It is a continual work-in-progress. For now, however building green can fall under six criteria, each can be dissected as much as reasonably possible. The broad-brush criteria however is listed below with regard to building green.

Areas where you will be building green include:

1. Using products comprised of salvaged, recycled and agricultural waste;

2. Using products in construction made from our natural resources;

3. Using products that provide toxic wastes in manufacture;

4. Using products that substantially reduce the impact on the environment during the construction phase; renovation of existing buildings or during demolition.

5. Installing products that substantially save water or energy; and,

6. Products that making living inside more healthy.

When it comes down to building green standards it becomes a matter of determining the proper extraction of a natural resource as well as reviewing the impact of production on the environment.

Builders and architects who make a practice of building green understand substitution of a green product for one that is not considered environmentally friendly is part of the green-friendly process. In example, a green product with respect to wood comes in the form of recycled plastic lumber. This product is considered acceptable green material because it possess the components of a product made from recycled waste; is highly durable, and there is no need to treat it against pests.

Another example of a product that may be used in building green is straw particleboard. The reason straw particleboard is considered a significant green-inspired product is due to the fact it is free from off gassing with respect to formaldehyde; and it is manufactured out of agri-waste.

Products you can reuse generally qualify as more green than recyclable raw materials. Examples of reusable items include plumbing hardware, mill work, framing, and bricks. All of these items may be classified as salvage.

Also post-recycle consumer products are considered more green significant than pre-consumer products since they can be directed away from landfills. Also recyclable products that fall into a closed-loop category are greenest since in this respect you are manufacturing lower grades of an item.

Although not as significant as post-recyclable consumer products the following pre-consumer products may be considered building green friendly: iron-ore slag which is used for mineral wood insulation; PVC scrap used in shingles, and fly ash which ends up in concrete. Within the Agri category of building green products, straw seems to be the leader.

Products that are considered building green friendly due to the fact they require less frequency as to replacement include: fiber-cement siding, windows that are fiberglass, and slate shingles. In other words, if the product is built to last for a relatively longer period of time it may be classified many times as green-friendly.

Wood that is stamped with the Forest Stewardship Council designation is sure to be considered a green product. The FSC stamp assures the consumer that the wood found within his or her construction came from a well-managed forest.

Products that are not subjected to harmful chemicals in their production are other forms of green-friendly materials.

In summary, products that offer the least impact as to harming the environment during production as well as within the construction generally are considered green-friendly.

Green homes are becoming more and more inquisitive to the buyer. Requests from home buyers inquiring about “green” homes have escalated tremendously over the past 5 years. With the recent passing by the government for an eco-friendly environment, more and more buyers and sellers are being more conscientious with regards to the environment.

Buying a green home or converting a home to green has always been somewhat costly. However, several builders, utility companies and legislation are more aggressive in offering tax incentives to the buyer and seller. This can be especially enticing to the buyer. Here are some energy-efficient ideas to look for in a home or things you can do once you move into a home.

Although it is not absolute that a green home costs more than a normal one, the energy-efficient savings can be considerable especially over time. Many builders are building with “tinted” dual-pane windows, sealing homes better on exterior walls and using more insulation in the areas exposed to the heat and cold.

Heating your entire domain with solar panels could cost a bundle but you can slowly increase the energy-efficiency by using solar panels for your water heater or pool for starters. Installing an insulated jacket around your water heater is another great idea. Check for energy-efficient appliances as well. This alone will considerably save you money in the long run.

Some other things to look for when buying a green home or things you can do upfront that are less costly are insulation, caulking or weather stripping around doors and windows. Replace light bulbs with energy-efficient CFL or florescent bulbs. Low flow technology shower heads and faucets are another huge plus for lowering water, heating and air conditioning costs.

Surrounding your residence with green helps create a green residence. Look for green vegetation around the home. Trees that block the elements around windows are “greentastic”. Planting trees or shrubs is also a low cost fix. This blocks the sun and wind from direct exposure to your home. This alone can save energy costs up to 25%. When previewing homes plants and flowers grown inside the home can be an emotional plus for any buyer.

After buying a home, when it comes time to sell the home, it could very well be more marketable when promoted as a “green” home. Remember, you can easily convert or enhance any home to be eco-friendly home so let’s all do our part to contribute to an eco-friendly environment.

Many are promoting green living. This is due to the destruction that Mother Nature is undergoing. We may not know it but simple activities at home can contribute to the deterioration of our environment. The movement to go green has been repeatedly promoted. But what makes a home green? And why is it important to support such movement?

A green home does not literally mean having green walls and gate. It simply means that your home was built using eco-friendly materials. The primary objective of building a green home is to uphold what is good for the environment by choosing the right materials and the right manner of home building.

This does not stop in the building of the property as it continues to the other items in the house. This continues to the choices of devices and appliances used by the property owners. So what else are the characteristics of a green home? First and foremost, a green home is a property that utilizes less energy. In addition to that, it also utilizes less water and natural resources and most importantly, it discharges fewer waste, making it a healthier place for its occupants.

How will you achieve a green home?

It is about time to have a green home, but how will you achieve that? Here are some ways to do that:

1. Replace your old appliances with a more eco-friendly devices. The old appliances use up more energy. If you change it with a more energy efficient device, you can save up more in your energy consumption. Such appliances include refrigerator and air conditioning unit.

2. Mind your heating and cooling expenses. This is normally among the biggest energy consumers. During the winter, heating expenses are high, while cooling expenses skyrocket during the summer. There are different ways to deal with this. One is to improve the insulation of your home. Attend to the drafts of your property as well.

3. You should also be mindful of your water consumption. There are simple ways to save water. You can use low-flow toilet, use glass when brushing and repair the leaks or drippings right away.

4. Use energy efficient light as well. In fact, you can also use devices that allow you to benefit from the natural light. You can also make adjustments in your window, to let the natural light in. Moreover, there are bulbs that produce brighter light while consuming less energy. These bulbs do not emit a lot of heat as well. They last longer too.

5. Make sure that you choose products that are environmentally friendly. Check the labels of the cleaners you pick. They may contain toxic materials that can put you at risk. Choose cleaners that are eco-friendly.

You can apply various ways to make your home greener. Other examples include planting trees and growing an organic garden. The use of organic product can also help you achieve a greener home. Although these are simple ways, it can greatly help improve the condition of our environment.