Green is All the Rage

With last month's anniversary of Earth Day (coinciding nicely with spring), everything is turning green, and real estate is no exception. Worldwide, buyers are increasingly looking to buy or build homes that are good for the environment. According to Time Magazine, homes in London account for 44% of the city's carbon emissions. In response builders plan to open the city's first large-scale zero-carbon housing development to be located in London's Docklands. All 200+ homes will hook up to a combined heat and power plant that turns wood chips into electricity and hot water. Solar panels and wind will provide additional power. The project will have organized car and bike clubs to reduce commuting emissions. And the cost? Just 5% higher than a traditional housing development. Read more about how to reduce your "carbon footprint" with Time's Green Guide to an Earth-Friendly Home. Use the "drag" tool to examine options to cut carbon emissions on a room-by-room basis.

Taken from the NAR International News Report for May