Field Guide to Green Homes & Green Mortgages
(Updated October 2011)
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. (D. Foligno, Project Specialist)
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 sell for more, studies show, (Eco Home Magazine, Aug. 1, 2011)
Go green when you buy your next home, (ABC News, May 30, 2011)
Home builders see green prefab potential, (USA Today, Jan.17, 2011)
Appraisal Institute launches 'Green' valuation program, (Appraisal Institute, Jan. 24, 2011)
Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum, (Appraisal Institute, Sept. 2011)
Green Mortgages
Market ripe for green loans, (Chicago Tribune, Sept. 9, 2011)
How Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) Can Be a Solution to the Housing Market Crisis, (Green Building Elements, July 29, 2011)
FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Can Reduce Home Energy Costs, (FHA Mortgage Mag, June 10, 2011)
Financing an Energy-Efficient Home, (Energy Savers.gov, Feb. 9, 2011)
HUD's energy efficient mortgages program, (HUD, Aug. 25, 2009).
Energy efficient mortgages, (EnergyStar.gov).
Green Living
Sheep lawn mowers, (New York Times, Nov. 2, 2011)
Why people opt against going green, (Fox Business.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).
Green Remodeling Plan Book, (Living Smarter.org, 2011)
2011 Federal Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency, (EnergyStar.gov).
National Geographic Green Guide, (Resources, Tips, Quizzes, etc.)
Going green at home, (University of IL at Champaign-Urbana)
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.
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
Technology Report: Solar Nanotechnology
>> 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 to 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.
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