Buying Green
With all of the national and global interest in finding environmentally friendly alternatives to current energy sources, there is a growing number of people interested in buying a green home.
Many homes have a few green features, whether it is an Energy Star appliance, more efficient windows or even just a programmable thermostat. All of these are a great start, but what if you want to buy a home where the seller has taken extra effort to put in a variety of Earth-friendly additions?
Start by finding a Realtor who will take the time to help you find a home that is right for you. A good real estate agent can work with you to find homes that meed your needs.
When you go to view a home, make careful notes of any energy efficient alterations that have been made to the home. Ask the sellers or their real estate agent, and check appliances for the yellow energy sticker. If you want the best idea of the amount of energy a home uses, hire a professional to perform an energy audit.
Only purchase as much space as you need. A larger home takes more to keep cool in the summer, warm in the winter and lit up at night. A smaller home uses less energy and produces less carbon.
Consider location. It might seem like a home in the country has a better chance of being a greener property, but you also need to consider the gas needed to travel to and from stores or to visit friends and family. Living within walking distance of public transportation can help, but it’s even better if you can walk or bike to stores, work, and many of the other places you travel to regularly.
Remember that a home can always be updated with greener options. If you find the perfect home, but it doesn’t have the environmentally features that you are looking for, consider whether or not it would be feasible for you to add in the features on your own. Repaint the walls with low-VOC paint, put in a new thermostat and purchase newer appliances as you can. Almost any home can be made into a green home, if you are willing to put the time and effort into it.