{"id":890,"date":"2020-06-08T06:09:11","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T10:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=890"},"modified":"2024-04-25T23:20:31","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T03:20:31","slug":"sustainability-a-brief-guide-to-green-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/sustainability-a-brief-guide-to-green-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability: A Brief Guide to Green Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Walkable neighborhoods, green buildings, energy efficiency, low-carbon living\u2026 they\u2019re all going mainstream now. Sustainable real estate is no longer a mere preference or buzzword. It has evolved into a basic need, addressing climate-related sea level rise<\/a> and flooding in cities such as Washington D.C.<\/a> We know the tide is turning when investors<\/a>\u00a0screen properties for sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for individual homeowners? In increasing\nnumbers, we\u2019re integrating our environmental concerns into our lives at home. Here,\nwe explore what today\u2019s buyers and owners might want to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Greening of Homeowners\u2019 Associations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most new developments in the United States today are regulated\nby HOAs, which typically bar renewable energy devices, solar drying, vegetable\ngardens, compost collection, natural landscaping, dandelions, and other\nvestiges of nature in the cities and suburbs. Generally, resistance to change\nis justified by the need to maintain property values. Yet today, property\nvalues may be supported by a green sensibility. Some HOAs do make room for\ncommunity gardening and other environmentally friendly practices \u2014 to some\ndegree. If you\u2019re sensitive to chemicals or object to regular lawn sprays,\ncheck with the offices before touring the properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, state legislatures mindful of sustainability goals have legislated allowances for native gardening, solar panels, and solar water heaters for condo residents. If you already live under the regulations of an HOA and wish to champion wildlife-friendly policies, read up on some case studies<\/a> and gather allies \u2014 perhaps by using a page on social media to organize your thoughts collectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eco-Awareness Meets Collaborative Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a rising imperative. Millennials and younger home\nbuyers are looking for sustainable urban<\/a> living, including the green\nco-op<\/a> model. Mature buyers, too, are embracing green living: common\nareas with gardens as well as conference space and places to meet, have a\ncoffee, and collaborate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The housing co-op market is responding. In Philadelphia, Mt. Airy Nexus is a leading example of green co-operative living, attracting city dwellers who want to live in a sustainable, mutually supportive environment. The co-op is run in partnership with the Sustainability Nexus<\/a> nonprofit, whose mission includes amplifying \u201cenvironmental change efforts by networking the movement itself\u201d and creating examples of \u201chow our urban and societal systems could be structured differently to support all life far better.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, a sustainability-focused housing co-op blends\ntwo major trends: green living and a collaborative spirit. In the co-op model,\na corporation owns the whole deed. Buyers get proprietary leases by buying stock\ncertificates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Efficient Mortgages: Perks for Efficient Houses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How does an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM, or \u201cgreen mortgage\u201d) work? A lender modifies your loan terms after a home energy rating of an existing or newly constructed home<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a green mortgage, you can: <\/p>\n\n\n\n