Environmentally Sensitive homes are becoming more Mainstream.

There were about 50,000 environmentally friendly homes built in the US between 1990 and 2000. Mounting energy costs and concerns about the environment, as well as more and more municipal building code requirements-are transforming what was once a curiosity into a mainstream phenomenon

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 88% of those polled said that they are building or planning to build a larger share of smaller homes, and 89% said they’re planning on building more lower-priced models. The average size of homes started in the third quarter of 2008 was 2,438 square feet, down from 2,629 square feet in the second quarter.  

Add to that a Better Homes and Gardens survey in which 90% of those who participated said they’re planning to have energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in their next home and 31% plan to have geo-thermal heat. There has also been increased interest in home gardens, with more people wanting to know where their food is grown.  

This week Rich and Steve spoke with Brad Hyson, Executive Director of The Apeiron Institute For Sustainable Living to talk about their efforts to make Rhode Island the nation’s first sustainable State.  The Apeiron Institute launched Sustainable RI as the Rhode Island Sustainability Coalition in 2001 to put “sustainable” thinking at the heart of how we grow and develop our state.  The Coalition, with more than 50 partners, can point to a number of successes including:

• Launching an energy cooperative, People’s Power & Light that now supplies renewable energy to over 3,000 users
• Expanding International Walk to School Day from 1 to 8 school districts
• Establishing the RI School Gardens Coalition, now the Children’s Garden Network  
• Creating the Sustainable RI Directory - a sustainability clearinghouse with over 1,000 sustainable listings & resources
• Developing the RI Sustainable Living Festival as the premier sustainability event in the region

Those interested in learning more about sustainable living can visit the Center for Sustainable Living, this model house showcases more than fifty environmentally friendly systems, technologies, and products, including: passive and active solar energy systems, natural, recycled and non-toxic building materials and construction, radiant flooring, and landscaping. The Center’s exhibits explain all the features, including how they differ from traditional systems, their cost-effectiveness, and their payback periods.

This Week’s Real Estate Insight:

Green building provides safer, healthier, more comfortable homes with economic benefits like lower energy and water bills, reduced exposure to mold and mildew and other indoor toxins. Green homes are quieter and tighter and the residents save money on their utility bills.

 

 listen to this week's show here: [47:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This year I decided to mix it up a little on the radio show, in addition to the trivia question, I have decided to ask a thought provoking question as well, this week Rich posed the following question: “What will it take for you to have your confidence restored?”  A caller said that he is looking for “coffee house chatter” to turn positive,  and I have to agree; it will be  all of the little things that make the big differences.  As I watched the inauguration today, I recalled yesterday’s images of the new first couple volunteering their time in service to the community.  Seeing the president-elect painting rooms in a shelter that services 14 homeless teen agers, and his wife helping to make goodie bags for thousands of servicemen oversees really gave me great hope that everything will work out fine.  The new president will not be able to do it alone, we must all do our part to repair the damage done to our economy, and it will probably get even worse before it gets better, but I think that if Obama can tap into the spirit of the nation, and inspire everyone to do their part, we will emerge even stronger than before.

The 44^th president assumes office today ready to continue the recovery effort  and promises future TARP funds will be  administered  with  a maximum degree of accountability and transparency. The administration plans on  implementing  aggressive policies to reduce the number of preventable foreclosures by reducing mortgage payments for troubled borrowers, and by strengthening existing housing initiatives like FHA’s “Hope for Homeowners” refinance program.

Today,  I am hopeful.

 

 Listen To This week's show here: [46:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download