GREEN HOME FEATURES GROWING IN DEMAND

WASHINGTON – Jan. 20, 2009 – Today’s home buyers are asking for more green features as a means of lowering costs, becoming more environmentally friendly, and adopting a healthier lifestyle.“Green features are becoming one of the top three priorities, after price and location,” says Joseph Himali, Washington’s Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors Board of Directors president.Green features focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource efficiency and indoor air quality and include such elements as Energy Star appliances, low-flow shower heads, carpets and paint with low volatile organic compounds, and building materials procured from local suppliers.The average green buyer will shell out $12,400 – on average – for green features, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) green-building standards program manager Kevin Morrow expects the market share of green-certified homes to rise to 20 percent in 2010 from about 10 percent in 2009 and 2 percent in 2006.Tax credits and other financial incentives, coupled with green certifications, makes it easier for buyers, builders, and real estate professionals to go green.Source: Washington Times, Lisa Rauschart (01/09/09)