This comes from a great book called Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach. David is the author of five NYT Bestsellers, including Start Late, Finish Rich. He has some wonderful strategies for building wealth using very environmentally 
responsible methods.
The demand for greener homes in real estate is shifting right now. National Association of Realtors surveys show that 46% of buyers would prefer a “green” home. According to a study by McGraw-Hill, about 2% of American homes have notable green features. That study was done in 2007, so the numbers are certainly higher, but not by a lot. How’s that for a disconnect that is between supply and demand? It makes no sense to spend money building or remodeling and NOT choose greener methods and materials.
Right now, Americans are consistently responding in surveys that they will pay more for homes that have energy saving features, recycled or sustainable materials, save resources like old growth trees, and improve air quality. Building a green home means using more environmentally friendly materials and practices, and setting higher standards for energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while reducing waste in the process. It’s also not necessarily more expensive.
According to What’s Working (www.whatsworking.com), a 15 year old company that offers traiing on green construction, 
a green home can be built for less than 1% additional cost– and you’ll see the difference when you are ready to sell. Many of our local Central Texas builders are making green and energy efficient features standard on new construction. We can tell you which ones, and compare what they offer. You will see a difference in your monthly energy bill, and in the value of your home when you are ready to sell.
Today’s ideal home is making way for new ideals: No or low VOC paints and materials, recycled glass tiles, recycled marble flooring and wood. Green materials are available in an array of beautiful choices, and living in a green home offers definite health benefits to you and your family’s respiratory system.
If you are planning to sell now, consider adding some green upgrades that will let your Realtor tell a “greener” story and set your home apart from the competition. We’d love to show you how.
Comments Off
county + agricultural extension for a list of times and varieties for your area. If you aren’t a gardener, check out your local farmers markets where you will find organic, local and seasonal choices. Better for your health (no pesticides, processing, additives) and better for the environment (less fossil fuel used in transportation and production, less packaging waste). Buying local offers the added benefit of keeping more money in your local economy!
is make it clean and fresh!
For most homes, it’s insulation that offers the most bang for the buck. Programmable thermostats are a great way to manage the temperature in your home cost effectively, and if you are an Austin Energy customer, there is still a program where you can get one free. PEC has an online Home Energy Center you can use to evaluate your usage and save money.
t, structural materials, is projected to grow by 29.2% in that same time period. The second largest segment is interior materials, then exterior, with projected growth rates of 24% and 20.6% respectively . 
First, easily make your own cleaning solutions- Buy industrial sizes of white vinegar, baking soda, and some orange oil. Buy a non-noxious liquid soap like Mrs. Meyers and some Borax. Buy or reuse a couple of sprayer bottles. Lay in a supply of microfiber cloths (so you can keep bathroom and kitchen cloths separate), rubber gloves, and a pumice stone. You’re ready to go!
bottle. Not only are you eliminating toxic chemicals in your home, but reducing the demand for highly toxic chemicals in plastic bottles and all the environmental damage that goes with that entire process.
The importance of energy-efficient buildings in mitigating effects of climate change was 
China’s energy administration is drawing up plans to increase power generation from renewable sources to 15 percent of the nation’s total by 2020. To do so, the country will rely more on solar, wind and biomass energy with the goal of deriving more than 200 million emissions-free kilowatts.
