For one this is amazing because our appraisers could REALLY use this information to start PROPERLY appraising our Greener Homes.  For Two, this will allow us to tell our Home Owners in the future what features will actually pay off in the long run!

For now, the word is still getting out – I doubt that all homes with Green features are being noted as such.  There is also evidence that some of the homes are tagged incorrectly -Not even 90 days in to having these fields available there is not enough data yet to state whether or not homes with certain features definitely sell for more money than those without -

BUT, there IS enough data to show certain trends that we as Real Estate Professionals are going to start seeing more and more.

Personally I have been amazed at the number of homes in the Houston area that have Solar PV or Solar Hot Water.  The other trend that appears to grow by the week in MLS is the number of homes with Tankless Hot Water Heaters and Older homes with Low-E windows.

Each month we can start tracking more and more but for now here are some numbers on trends for new and existing homes.

Tankless Hot Water Heaters-

• 58 Resales and Rentals
• 85 New Construction

Solar Hot Water/PV-

• 3 Resale
• 15 New Construction

Insulated/Low-E Windows-

• 1850 Built Prior to 2000
• 1090 of which built prior to 1990

HVAC Greater than 13 SEER-

• 455 not New Construction

These are just a few of the new fields available and while they are not on the Public Search side of HAR.com yet – It is a relief to have them available to the agents.  I believe as we continue to track the statistics we will find that the majority of ALL home buyers want Green features – Their requests for those features are just disguised as another term.

Coming up next month?  How many of these homes right here listed will go under contract in September?

If you would like a list of any of these particular homes available, homes with any other green features or for a marketing plan for your specific property I can be reached at Steph@TurningHoustonGreen.com -

As people, we are funny sometimes.  We are skeptical about things, and rightfully so.  Let’s take for example you were looking at Energy Efficient products.  If we placed two Electrical Products side by side that had labels on them showing how much electricity they used per year and they were about the same.  However, one had an Energy Star label, and the other didn’t.  Which one would you choose?

Most people in the market for an Energy Efficient product would likely take the Energy Star one.  Even if it cost a little bit more.  Why?  It’s that skepticism.  It’s knowing the meaning behind Energy Star.  It’s …. Real!  Or atleast that is the perception.

There has been quite a bit of discussion lately about whether or not Builders and Homeowners choosing to build Green should pay the cost to get a LEED Certification, or any other Certification for that matter.  After all, we can realistically build a home to the Greenest of Green and not have any Certification what so ever.  That is very true.

However, the one thing that my clients in the past have asked when looking at a home that is “Built Green’ according to any advertisement is:

“What makes it Green?”

Well, sometimes the builder doesn’t know…sometimes the home is just Energy Efficient…Every once in a while the home is pretty Darn Green once you sit down and visit with the builder!

So, let’s take a look at that Energy Star example again.  If we were looking at homes on the MLS that are stated as being Green, yet one home has no Reasons WHY it is GREEN-  But the other one is projected to be or is LEED Certified- Has an Environments for Living label, or what have you..

Do you feel that home would be set apart from the rest?

Absolutely! In just a Year and a Half we have gone from a Very small percentage of people even hearing the term Green Building, to a rather large percentage of people being curious and wanting to do the right thing…but maybe not knowing how.

Along with this has brought out a lot of ‘Greenwashing’ or ‘Hopping on the Green Train’

Now more than ever as we start to filter through what REALLY is Green, we need these Certifications.  Just as Builders and other Contractors are looking for Greenseal or Energy Star rated products- Consumers NEED to see a Certification on their Home.  There is that skepticism of ‘Is it really green?’

Builders, if there is an opportunity for a Certification or 3rd Party Verification on the Home- I say take it.  Spend the money and Pump UP the marketing behind it.  As Green gets Washed and Diluted, Certifications will be worth their weight in Gold when it comes down to separating one home from another.

I am excited to announce the changes here and I hope that everyone enjoys it.  I would like to take a minute to go over some of the additions to the site!

Probably the biggest change is that I have invited several Experts from around the City to join me to share their expertise you.

• I personally work with Home Buyers and Sellers to buy and sell homes.  The advantage of a Certified EcoBroker is that I can help to guide you to noticing the ‘greener’ features in your home to get ready to sell, and I work with Buyers that are wanting various shades of green.  Knowing the inventory around town, it helps to make that happen.  I will be writing about the Trials, Tribulations and Joys of buying and selling Green.
• Michael Strong with GreenHaus Builders and Brothers Strong is joining the site for the expertise on Building, Remodeling and other True Green Aspects of homes, as well LEED Cerification information.
• Ralph Parrott with Alternative Power Solutions is joining the site as our Renewable Energy Guru!  He will write and tell us about up to date information and trends on Solar Products and how to prepare your for optimum efficiency.
• Angelique Grado with Green Builders Source has joined us to keep us up to date on Products that go in to Green Homes or Products that can be used to Retrofit homes to be Green.
• Kathleen Reardon with RD Architecture will be writing on how to Design a Home to Build or Remodel as Green.  It really does start on the Paper that it is drawn on with the whole systems approach.

I am so happy to have all of these Professionals here.

Another change that you will notice across the Top is Ask The Expert.  It was suggested that there be an opportunity for Readers to be able to email questions that they may have regarding anything Green.  I have a team of Experts around town that have agreed to share their Knowledge with YOU.  Have a Question?  Just submit it through the Ask The Expert section.  Literally, anything green related.

Green Service Providers-  If you are a regular visitor to the site, you know that the list has grown to tremendous lengths over the past year.  The new link above has sorted it out by section to make it easier to find what you are looking for.  Just update your Bookmark to the Page and you are good to go.

Local Green Events-  This page has a Calendar on it to keep you posted on Green Events in or around Houston.  Check it often.  My green home tours will be on there, open houses, expo’s, Home Shows, you name it.

Subscribe- To the right you now have options to subscribe to the site by Text, Email, or RSS Feed if you need to feed your reader.  If you were a subscriber on the old site, you will need to update it.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

Search-  The search bar has been moved to the Top Right corner for convenience if you are in a Hurry.

Items that are still coming- Although I do have some surprises lurking around behind the scenes, you can look forward to hearing about Special Offers for Turning Houston Green Readers and my clients, Green Homes-this page is under construction but will have Featured Green Homes on it, and more!

Subscribe for updates so you don’t miss anything.

Last but not least.  The Contact Us button at the top has made it easier to send us an email.  Just fill out the form the best you can and we will get back to you promptly.  Make sure you put in there who you are contacting and information on how to contact you.  Looking to buy, sell, build, install solar, design..you name it.  That is what we are here for.  Feel free to call or email anytime.

And as always, Thanks for stopping by!

Shade House Developments
Matt and Tina Ford are focusing on Multi-Family Construction in the Heights near Downtown Houston and combine and fascinating approach combining Passive and Active Solar. They have been highlighted in publications like Dwell Magazine for their achievements.
Contact: Matt and Tina Ford
Phone: 713-545-8473

EnviroBuild
EnviroBuild specializes in Residential and Commercial buildings. Primarily those with ICF’s.
Phone: 281-847-0044
Contact: Pat Wickers

KeyFortess Homes
KeyFortress Homes specializes in ICF construction in the Houston area.
832-755-2891
Contact: Phil Ogburn

RD Architecture – Kathleen Carrier Reardon
Evergreen specializes in the Residential Design of Green Homes.
Phone: 713-660-7102

Casa Concept Design – Geraldina Wise
Casa Concept specializes in various Green Designs for your home.
Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-703-7999

BNIM- Kimberly Hickson
BNIM specializes in Green Commercial and Multi Family Design
4916 Main Street
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-343-4100
Fax: 713-343-4101

Carrie Shoemake
Glassman Shoemake Maldonado is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in green design for residential and institutional projects. Carrie Shoemake is a LEED Accredited Professional and the Residential Green Building Advocate for USGBC-Greater Houston Area Chapter.
Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects
5305 Jackson St.
Houston TX 77004
Phone: 713-521-3353 Ext. 16
Fax: 713-520-8944