Powered by Google

Search form

Field Guide to Green Homes & Green Mortgages

Even a sluggish housing market has not diminished interest in the green home movement. Previously available to mostly affluent home buyers, green homes have been embraced by all segments of the homebuying public, including affordable housing. Find out the latest trends, statistics, reports and resources as well as information on green mortgages in this updated field guide.


Green Retrofit Checklist

  • Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
  • Programmable Thermostat
  • Caulk Air Leaks
  • Energy-Efficient Appliances
  • Conserve Water
  • Solar Energy/Photovoltaics
  • Native Landscaping

Source: GreenHomeGuide.com, Sept. 9, 2009


Greening of the Housing Market

New addendum could help appraisers give credit for green features, (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 9, 2011)

Green homes red-hot: 17% of new builds get Energy Star seal, (New York Times, Nov. 27, 2009).

Selling serenity and sustainability, (New York Times, Nov. 27, 2009).

Demand grows for 'green' homes using renewable energy, (Muskegon Chronicle, Sept. 18, 2009).

Prefab homes sprout green designs, improve affordability, (USA Today, June 2, 2009).


Green Mortgages

HUD's energy efficient mortgages program, (HUD, Aug. 25, 2009).

Green for Green - If you're looking for a break on your mortgage, energy efficiency might be just the ticket, (Wall Street Journal, Aug 24, 2009).

Green Mortgages Offer New Growth, (NuWire Investor.com, Sept. 11, 2008).

Green' house effect: Use an energy efficient mortgage to build dream eco-friendly home, (Desert Morning News, Sept. 22, 2007).

Energy efficient mortgages, (EnergyStar.gov).


Green Living

Sheep lawn mowers, (New York Times, Nov. 2, 2011)

Why people opt against going green, (FoxBusiness.com, Nov. 4, 2011)

9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient, (Green Home Guide, Sept. 3, 2009).

Recycled homes, one box at a time, (CNN.com, June 12, 2009).

Carbon Footprint Calculators, (Greener Choices)—Test your impact on the environment

How green is your family's home, (BabyZone.com).


Resources, Studies, Websites

NAR's Green Designation, (Green Resource Council).

2011 Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency, (EnergyStar.gov).

Understanding The Business of Green, (CRS, Fall 2008).

Bringing Home the Benefits of Energy Efficiency to Low-Income Households, (Enterprise, Green Communities, 2008).

Sustainable, Affordable, Doable: Demystifying the Process of Green Affordable Housing, (Enterprise, Green Communities, 2008).

NAR Information Central Green PowerPoint presentation, (REALTOR.org, July, 2008).

LEED® Pilot Rating System, (U.S. Green Building Council, Jan. 2007). Includes LEEDS® certification checklists

Energy Star, (Environmental Protection Agency, 2007).

16 Ways to Green Your Home, (U.S. Green Building Council)—Brochure

Electronics Reuse and Recycle Center, (Consumer Reports)—Green options for retiring old electronics

LEED rating system for homes, (U.S. Green Building Council, Apr. 2005).

EPA green building homepage, (EPA.gov).

HUD Energy-Efficient Mortgages Program, (HUD.gov).


eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

Green Zone Living: 7 Steps to a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Lifestyle (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

365 Ways to Live Green, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF eBook)

Getting Green Done, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF eBook)

Go Green, Live Rich, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF eBook)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Living, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF eBook)

Green Remodeling, (Kindle,Adobe eReader)

The Green Book, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe PDF eBook)

Green Guide, (Kindle, Adobe EPUB eBook, Adobe eReader)

Building Today's Green Home (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Green Building Products (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Green Building Through Integrated Design (Adobe eReader)

Choosing Green (Kindle, Adobe eReader)

Green Restorations (Adobe eReader)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Building & Remodeling (Kindle,Adobe eReader)

Your Eco-Friendly Home (Adobe eReader)

Greening your home (Adobe eReader)

Land Use Law for Sustainable Development (Adobe eReader)

Books, Videos, Research Reports & More

The resources below are available for loan through Information Central.  Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.  Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

Green buildings pay, (Spon Press, Washington, DC: Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, 2003). NA 2542 G72

Green building guidelines, (Washington, DC: Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, 2003). HD 255 Su8

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Commercial Green Buildings

Field Guide to the Small House Movement

InfoCentral Blog


Have an Idea for a New Field Guide?

Click here to send us your suggestions.

The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.